Why Queen Charged Forward With Polarizing ‘Physique Language’

Queen launched one of the vital divisive hits of their vaunted catalog on April 19, 1982, the racy dance observe “Physique Language.”

They’d loved huge success with “One other One Bites the Mud,” the 1980 single that noticed Queen branching into disco. Not solely did the music hit No. 1 within the U.S., nevertheless it grew to become their most commercially profitable single with greater than 7 million copies bought.

The recognition of “One other One Bites the Mud” emboldened singer Freddie Mercury to delve deeper into dance music on the group’s subsequent album, Scorching Area. His bandmates, nonetheless, weren’t so enthused.

“The considering was we’ll make an album that’s barely extra dance-orientated,” drummer Roger Taylor mentioned within the documentary Queen: Days of Our Lives. “Not my concept.”

Whereas his bandmates have been hesitant to embrace a dancy sound, Mercury’s assistant Paul Prenter pushed for the type change. “[Prenter] very a lot needed our music to sound such as you’d simply walked in a homosexual membership,” Taylor defined, “and I didn’t.”

Regardless of differing opinions, Queen ventured down the disco rabbit gap, creating arguably their raunchiest music. Overlook subtlety or innuendo, “Physique Language” was unapologetically sexualized. Lyrics included: “You bought pink lips / Snakes in your eyes / Lengthy legs, nice thighs / You’ve got obtained the cutest ass I’ve ever seen / Knock me down for a six anytime.”

“I can bear in mind having a go at Freddie as a result of a number of the stuff he was writing was very on the homosexual aspect,” Brian Could informed Guitar World (as reprinted within the e book Queen All of the Songs: The Story Behind Each Monitor). Could feared that the music’s subject material would alienate a big portion of Queen’s fan base.

Watch Queen’s ‘Physique Language’ Video

“I bear in mind saying, ‘It could be good if these things could possibly be universally relevant as a result of we’ve buddies on the market of each persuasion,’” Could defined. “It’s good to contain individuals. What it’s not good to do is to rope individuals out, and I felt sort of roped out by one thing that was very overtly a homosexual anthem.”

If the music’s lyrics didn’t drive house the purpose, Queen’s music video actually did. The clip for “Physique Language” featured half-naked dancers writhing round a steam room. Its “homoerotic overtones” made it the first video banned by MTV.

“Physique Language” was additionally jarring on account of its association. The tune was nearly absent of guitar, surprising contemplating Queen’s repute as a stadium-rock act.

“Physique Language” peaked at No. 11 within the U.S. and reached the High 10 in 4 different nations. Nevertheless, within the U.Ok. the music reached solely No. 25, a far cry from Queen’s typical excessive placement.

Scorching Area would additionally show to be divisive, each for the band and their followers. After touring in assist of the LP, Queen took a break, with Could and Taylor each indulging in initiatives outdoors the group.

By the point Queen returned with their 1984 album The Works, they have been reinvested in rock, with the disco beats largely left behind.

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