Fat Bottomed Girls

"Fat Bottomed Girls" is a song by the English rock band Queen. Written by guitarist Brian May, the track featured on their 1978 album Jazz, and later on their compilation album, Greatest Hits.[1] When released as a single with "Bicycle Race", the song reached number 11 in the UK Singles Chart, and number 24 in the BillboardHot 100 in the US.[2][3]

The song is formed around an open bluesy, metallic guitar tuning, with the tune opening with its chorus.[4] It was one of the few Queen songs played in an alternative guitar tuning, being played in drop D tuning.[5] The song's music video was filmed at the Dallas Convention Center in Texas in October 1978.[6]

Queen performed "Fat Bottomed Girls" in concert from 1978 to 1982.[7][8][9] Since its release, the song has appeared on television and film, and has been covered by a number of artists.[6]

Contents
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 * 1 Versions
 * 2 Sales and certifications
 * 3 Personnel
 * 4 Live recordings
 * 5 Chart performance
 * 6 References
 * 7 External links

Versions[edit]
Vocal arrangements are quite different between the studio version and the live version. In live performances, the lead vocals during the chorus were sung by Freddie Mercury and harmonised with an upper voice (Roger Taylor) and a lower voice (Brian May). In the studio version, there is no higher harmony. The lead vocals on the verses are sung by Freddie Mercury, while Brian May sings lead on the chorus.

The single version (which can be found on Greatest Hits) omits the extended guitar interludes between the verses as well as fading out before the ending.[10]

In the US, the 1991 Hollywood Records reissue of Jazz included a bonus remix of Fat Bottomed Girls by Matt Wallace.

In 1992, Organized Konfusion remixed the track for inclusion on the later-cancelled BASIC Queen Bootlegs compilation. This version included an alternate vocal take of the track by Mercury, as well as hip-hop production and added rap verses.

"Fat Bottomed Girls" was released as a double A-side with the song "Bicycle Race", and includes the line "Get on your bikes and ride".[10] "Bicycle Race" contains the line "Fat bottomed girls, they'll be riding today, so look out for those beauties, oh yeah",[11] completing a double cross-reference between the two songs.

Personnel[edit]

 * Freddie Mercury - lead and backing vocals
 * Brian May - chorus vocals and backing vocals, electric guitar
 * Roger Taylor - drums
 * John Deacon - bass guitar

Live recordings[edit]

 * Queen on Fire - Live at the Bowl
 * Return of the Champions
 * Super Live in Japan
 * Live in Ukraine