Flash (song)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| "Flash" | ||
|---|---|---|
 |
||
| Single by Queen | ||
| from the album Flash Gordon | ||
| Released | 24 November 1980 (UK), January 1981 (US etc.) | |
| Format | vinyl record (7") | |
| Recorded | 1980 | |
| Genre | Rock, soundtrack | |
| Length |
|
|
| Label | EMI, Elektra | |
| Writer(s) | Brian May | |
| Producer(s) | Brian May and Mack | |
| Chart positions | ||
|
||
| Queen singles chronology | ||
| "Need Your Loving Tonight" (1980) |
"Flash" (1980) |
"Under Pressure" (1981) |
"Flash" is a song by Queen. It was written by Brian May. This song is the theme tune of the movie Flash Gordon. The film's entire soundtrack was composed and performed by the rock band Queen.
There are two versions of the song. The album version ("Flash's Theme") is in fact the start to the movie, with all the dialog from the first scene. The single version however features parts of the dialog cut from various parts of the movie. This version was also included on the Greatest Hits compilation from 1981.
Flash is sung as a duet between Freddie Mercury and Brian May, with Roger Taylor adding the high harmonies. Brian May plays all of the instruments except for the rhythm section. He used Bösendorfer Imperial Grand Piano (with 97 keys instead of 88, having an extra octave on the low range), Oberheim OBX synth (which he plays in the video) and his homemade Red Special guitar.
In 1988, Public Enemy used a sample of "Flash" for their song "Terminator X to the Edge of Panic", released on the album It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back.
The song is played at Philadelphia Phillies home games when Phillies reliever Tom Gordon, whose nickname is "Flash Gordon", enters the game.
The theme song to the anime The Big O also bears a strong similarity to "Flash."
Dialogue from the film heard on the single release:
- Newsreader: "Seemingly there is no reason for these extraordinary inter-galactical upsets..."
- Dale Arden: "What's happening Flash?"
- Newsreader: "... only Doctor Hans Zarkov, formerly at NASA, has provided any explanation..."
- Newsreader: "... this morning's unprecedented solar eclipse is no cause for alarm"
- Technician: "General Kala, Flash Gordon approaching."
- General Kala: "What do you mean, 'Flash Gordon apporaching'?! Open fire! All weapons! Dispatch War Rocket Ajax, to bring back his body!"
- Prince Vultan: "Gordon's alive!"
- Dale Arden: " Flash! Flash, I love you – but we only have 14 hours to save the Earth!"
[edit] Live recording
 |
This article about a song by one or more members of Queen is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
