Flash Gordon is the first soundtrack album and ninth studio album by the British rock band Queen, released on 8 December 1980 by EMI Records in the UK and on 27 January 1981 by Elektra Records in the US. It is one of two film soundtracks that they produced, along with Highlander. It is the soundtrack to the science fiction film Flash Gordon and features lyrics on only two tracks. "Flash's Theme" was the only single to be released from the album, under the title "Flash". The album reached number 10 on the UK charts and number 23 on the US Billboard 200.
The album was reissued worldwide on 27 June 2011 (excluding the US and Canada, where it was released on 27 September) as part of the band's 40th anniversary.Second Set of Re-issues: Out This Week! Queen. Retrieved 7 July 2011 The reissue adds an EP of related tracks.
Unlike most soundtrack albums, audio from the film is prominently used in the theme song and the score selections of the album.
Track listing All tracks are instrumental unless noted.
Track 1 listed as "Man" on the 1982 US LP, 5E-518-B Track 6 based on "Bridal Chorus"
Personnel Personnel taken from Flash Gordon liner notes.
Queen Freddie Mercury – lead vocals, synthesisers Brian May – lead guitar, vocals, synthesisers, piano on "Flash's Theme" and "The Hero", organ on "The Wedding March" John Deacon – bass guitar, guitar, synthesisers Roger Taylor – drums, vocals, synthesisers
Additional personnel Brian May – production Mack – production, mix-down engineering, original recordings on "The Hero" Alan Douglas – mix-down engineering, original recordings (all except "The Hero") Howard Blake – additional orchestral arrangements, conducting John Richards – orchestra recordings Eric Tomlinson – orchestra recordings Neil Preston – Queen photos Cream – artworks
Charts
Weekly charts +Weekly chart performance for Flash GordonChart (1980–81)PeakpositionAustralian Albums (Kent Music Report)29Japanese Albums (Oricon) 12
Year-end Chart (1981)PositionAustrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)"Jahreshitparade 1981" (in Austrian). Austrian Charts Portal. Hung Medien. Retrieved 5 May 2017.13German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)"Official German Charts: Album–Year Charts 1981". Offzielle Charts. Retrieved 5 May 2017.15
Certifications
References
External links Queen official website: Discography: Flash Gordon: includes lyrics of "Flash's Theme" (all versions) and "The Hero". Official Video (YouTube)