This song is sung in a gospel style, with the voices of Freddie Mercury, Brian May and Roger Taylor multitracked to sound like a choir. According to Brian May, the gospel sound was inspired by the music of Aretha Franklin.
Freddie Mercury wrote this. The lyrics reflect a man calling out to God, asking why he works so hard, but can't find love. At the end of the song, he finds hope and decides he will not accept defeat.
This is widely reputed to have been Freddie Mercury's favorite song he ever wrote.
Queen performed this with Elton John on lead vocals in Paris in January 1997.
>>
Suggestion credit: Jonathon - Clermont, FL, for all above
On the Greatest Hits III album, which is a tribute to Freddie Mercury, George Michael sings lead.
>>
Suggestion credit: Caitlyn - Jacksonville, FL
Anne Hathaway sang this during a musical number in the 2004 movie Ella Enchanted.
Peter Hince, the head of Queen's road crew, recalled to Mojo magazine September 2009 that "among the road crew there were songs you liked and songs you didn't like." He added that this was, "always one of Queen's best. The studio version was very polished, but on-stage there was so much more guts to it."
Hince recalled to Mojo the video was "filmed at Wessex Studios while they were making the A Day at the Races album." He added: "Aesthetically, you had to have all four around the microphone, but John (Deacon) didn't sing on the records. By his own admission he didn't have the voice. He did sing on-stage but the crew always knew to keep the fader very low."
Several bootleg recordings and live videos exist where evidently John's mic was not turned down, and it becomes painfully obvious that the above statement is true - one particular live performance of "In The Lap Of The Gods" is wince-inducing!
In October 2009 a remake by the cast of the Fox TV musical comedy Glee returned this song to #28 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #26 on the UK singles chart. Their version was featured in the episode "The Rhodes Not Taken."
Frank Turner covered this for the B-side to his vinyl release of "I Still Believe" in 2011.
The Voice contestant Jordan Smith's rendition took the song back into the upper reaches of the Hot 100. The week after his performance of the song on the December 7, 2015 episode of the singing competition, Smith's version debuted at #21 on the chart.
This was used in a commercial for the Honda Ridgeline that debuted during the 2016 Super Bowl. In the spot, a flock of sheep sing this song, having heard it when they were transported in a Ridgeline with a truck-bed audio system, which we're sure is quite handy for teaching songs to sheep.
Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn January 13th 1977, Queen began their fifty-nine date 'Day at the Races' world tour at the 13,520 seat Milwaukee Auditorium in Milwaukee, Wisconsin... At the time the group's "Somebody to Love"* was at #15 on Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart; and the following week it peaked at #13 {for 2 weeks} and spent a total of 15 weeks on the Top 100... It reached #1 in the Netherlands... Freddy Mercury, aka Farrokh Bulsara, passed away on November 24th, 1991 at age 45... May he R.I.P. * Personally, my favorite Queen recording.
Markantney from BiloxeAug 2014,
Freddie's (Acapella) "Somebody toooooooooooo love,..." towards the end of the song and then Queen closing it out with those excellent background lyrics and music,..and then Freddie tops that with some serious "Riffing",... it's one of the best vocal performances I can name.
And George Michael did the song some serious justice when he performed it in tribute.
Jeff from Kingston, TnFreddie had a tremendous stage presence to him. Brandon Flowers (the Killers) does not have the pipes as Freddie did but you can see the influence in showmanship as well as songwriting. George Michael is the best match in vocals on his tribute cover. Anne Hathaway besides being hot does a good job in Ella enchanted. Glee cast.....Well..... Good for them.
Erin from Toronto, OnFreddie Mercury's song Somebody To Love was also on the GREATEST HITS I album too.
Cathy from Boston, MaIt's long been said that of all the songs Freddie wrote, this one was his favorite. Although it was not quite as huge a hit as Bohemian Rhapsody, Freddie considered it a better song. He wrote it as a homage to Gospel music, and specifically in honor of his favorite singer, Aretha Franklin. On several occasions he expressed a wish that Aretha might someday sing a cover of this song, but she hasn't yet. George Michael also names this song as his favorite in Queen's catalog. He performed it at the Freddie Mercury Tribute concert in 1992. Somebody to Love was also covered on the television show Glee. Freddie's longtime roadie Peter (Ratty) Hince said that this song sounded even better live than the recorded version on Queen's album A Day at the Races.
Denise from Richmond, VaThis song is one of Freddie Mercury's great hits. I have him live from his concert at the mk bowl in june of 1982 on dvd and when he sings that song I just melt, he sounds like he is black and I am a black lady and I grew up on Queen and alot of R&B singers like Queen. He is so soulful and god knew what he was doing when he made Freddie Mercury. No one has a voice like him and no one will ever sound like him he was so giftedand he died to damn young. Love you Freddie.
Libby from Burbank, CaThis song is so great we just couldn't think of a better song to walk down the isle to...we choreographed our wedding entrance and our friends & family loved it! Thank you Queen for creating the perfect song! Check out our video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lGSOau3wSM
Joe from Santa Maria, CaOne of the greatest, if not the greatest songs ever & and it only reached 13 on the chart. I wonder what classics were ranked in front of it.
Dane from Lima,ohio, FlMy favorite Queen song by far.So positive.Even tho their music is known for its harmonies,this one towers above the others.A true harmony masterpiece.
Chris from Stamford, CtAn absolute masterpiece by the greatest voice in rock. Even the "low part" requires a B-flat-4. Insane!
Stu from Philly, PaI seriously do not know anyone who knows this song and doesn't like it. Every once in awhile, a song is written so well that you just can't help but enjoy it. This is undoubtedly one of those songs. Like many have said before me, this was my theme while i was searching for my wife. I love to sing this at karaoke, and it's with this song I get my loudest responses. Freddie Mercury, RIP, was a vocal giant among giants.
Nikita from Drogheda, IrelandThis is my favourite song of all time, and I believe is very true. Queen is the best band ever!
John from Cincinnati, OhThis is, without a doubt, one of the greatest songs in the rock era. If you can close your eyes and let your mind absorb this masterpiece, it will give you goose bumps!
Thomas from Somerville, AlI got hooked on this song the first time I heard it and it has always been a favorite of mine ever since.
Jennifer Harris from Grand Blanc, MiI loved George Michael's version! It is awesome.
Jeremy from Ventura, CaThis song brings me back to a time when i was heartbroken and was desperate for love...
Ryan from Farmer City, IlEverytime this song comes up on my local mix oldies radio station, I turn the volume WAY UP to blast my head with the catchy rhythm and glorious vocals of the great Freddie Mercury. BTW Freddie is rumored to have a 6 1/2 octave vocal range, and this song he hits on a few occasions the top of his range (without vocoding or octave raisers, pray).
Josh from TorontoI mean absolutly NOTHING by this, but I'm amazed how well David Bowie, Elton John, and Queen sound together. If you know what I mean...but seriously. Amazing.
Kristin from Atlanta, GaFreddie's voice is so amazing in this song. Its just so calming but it bring something up in you at the same time
Bess from San Diego, CaAwesome song. I love the Gospel style. It gets in your head real quick, but a lot of Queen songs do that, too. Freddie's vocal range was amazing!
Becky from Locust Grove, GaBrittney Murphy in the movie "Happy Feet" did this song great justice, a true homage to Freddie.
Jailene from K-town, WaI absolutely love this song...it is so amazing, and I love the lyrics. Beautiful! ^^
Stefano from Rome, ItalyThis song has everything to be considered one of the greatest of all times. A dragging rhythm in 6/8, a wonderful Gospel choir, a perfect interaction between the choir and the lead singer, an almost-four-octave voice extension needed to sing it, an amazing guitar solo (in A flat), some incredible vocal figures (the legato 17a "lo-o-o-o-o-o-o-ve" in the capella section makes me think about a sort of an inverted clarinet intro from Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue). It's really a classic, and I would pay to listen it sung by Aretha Franklin, Ella Fitzgerald, Nina Simone. A gospel song? A rock song? A R&B song? All these, and also other things. In a single word, a masterpiece.
Lalah from Wasilla, AkIn the movie "Ella Enchanted" Ann Hathaway sings this song. She does it justice too. My daughter loved the song then I played the original and turned the next generation on to this classic band. Cute movie, by the way.
Caitlin from Upper Township, Njone of my favorite love songs. it's not sappy,mushy romatic. it's realistic. people are often discouraged by not being loved, but the important thing is to never give up. the lyrics are passionate and beautiful with awesome vocals.big thumbs up on this song
Kaylee from Why Do You Need To Know This?, KyThis is a wonderful song! It's beautiful. It's my theme song. Definetely one of my faves.
Jackie from Rancho Santa Margarita, CaThis song never fails to make me smile. It's been re-recorded for the movie "Happy Feet" by Brittany Murphy - I can't imagine it will ever by as impassioned as Freddy's original version, but I am glad to see this great song is out there for the next generation.
Melquiades from Cali, South AmericaOhh this is sooooo great. Please people hear freddy sing this.
