MOST-STREAMED SONG FROM THE 20TH CENTURY

Credit: Photographer Terry O’Neill. Copyright Queen Productions Ltd. 1975

Taken from original Bohemian Rhapsody session

‘Greatest Rock Song of All Time’ Breaks Records as it passes 1.6 Billion Streams 

Santa Monica, December 11, 2018 – Universal Music Group (UMG), the world-leader in music entertainment, today announced “Bohemian Rhapsody,” the iconic single by British rock legends Queen, officially became the world’s most-streamed song from the 20th Century, as well as the most-streamed Classic Rock song of all time.  UMG’s teams around the world have actively promoted discovery across streaming platforms, physical reissues, merchandise and experiential programs to introduce ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ to new fans more than 40 years after it was first recorded.  Today, the original song and official video for “Bohemian Rhapsody,” taken from Queen’s seminal 1975 album A Night At The Opera, surpassed 1.6 billion streams globally across all major streaming services.  

“Bohemian Rhapsody” is regularly cited as one of the greatest songs ever recorded. In 2004, the song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame and Freddie Mercury’s vocal performance was named by the readers of Rolling Stone magazine as the best in rock history.  

The instantly recognizable anthem also has been buoyed by the success of the biographical film Bohemian Rhapsody, which tells the incredible story of the band’s storied career. In just five weeks on release the film has become the highest grossing music biopic in history.

Brian May, Queen’s guitarist and founding member said, “So the River of Rock Music has metamorphosed into streams! Very happy that our music is still flowing to the max!"

Sir Lucian Grainge, Chairman and CEO of Universal Music Group, said, “’Bohemian Rhapsody’ is one the greatest songs by one of the greatest bands in history. We are so proud to represent Queen and are thrilled to see the song still inspiring new fans around the world more than four decades after its release.  My congratulations to Queen and Jim Beach on an incredible achievement that is a testament to the enduring brilliance of Queen.”

UMG represents Queen’s iconic catalog globally outside North America, as well as providing support to the band across global merchandise, retail licensing and brand management through Bravado, UMG’s brand-management and merchandise company.  UMG also produces and distributes audio-visual releases from from Queen via the company’s Eagle Rock division, the leading producer and distributor of music programming for broadcast, DVD, Blu-Ray, TV and digital media.  These releases include Queen documentaries, concert films and their award-winning immersive virtual reality film ‘VR The Champions’. In North America, Queen’s recorded music catalog is represented by Hollywood Records.  

The Soundtrack to Bohemian Rhapsody is available now on Walt Disney Co.’s Hollywood Records and UMG’s Virgin EMI.