| Single Chronology | |
| Last single | Liar (1974) |
| This single | Seven Seas Of Rhye (1974) |
| Next single | Killer Queen/Flick Of The Wrist (1974) |
| Queen/Queen II Chronology | |
| Last track | Jesus (Queen) Funny How Love Is (Queen II) |
| This track | Seven Seas Of Rhye |
| Next track | Procession (Queen segueing into Queen II) Brighton Rock (Queen II segueing into Sheer Heart Attack) |
Seven Seas Of Rhye is a song by Queen. It was written by Freddie Mercury for the band's 1974 album Queen II. It was released as a single with See What A Fool I've Been on the B-side. A rudimentary instrumental version also appears as the final track on the group's debut album Queen, with the final version on the follow-up Queen II.
The completed version served as the band's third single, and after performing the song on the BBC’s Top of the Pops in February 1974 it became their first ever hit, reaching number 10 on the UK Singles Chart. It is the earliest-released song to appear on their Greatest Hits album, with the exception of some versions where their first single, "Keep Yourself Alive", is included.
History[]
Composition[]
Initially "Seven Seas of Rhye" was simply an "instrumental musical sketch closing their first album". An expanded rendition, planned for inclusion on the album Queen II, was publicly premiered when Queen was offered a sudden chance to appear on the BBC’s Top of the Pops in February 1974, and was rushed to vinyl two days later on 23 February. It became their first chart entry after gaining airtime on BBC Radio 1,[4]peaking at number 10 on the UK Singles Chart, which in turn persuaded Freddie Mercury to take up Queen as his full-time career.
The song features a distinctive arpeggiated piano introduction, as well as a guitar riff at 1:27, which is played in reverse.
The version on Queen II ends with a cross fade, instruments blending into the band singing "I Do Like To be Beside the Seaside", accompanied by a stylophone played by Roy Thomas Baker, which was a sole exception to their "no synths" statement.
In popular culture[]
A version of the song was sung by Khashoggi in the We Will Rock You musical.
The song was used in a commercial for Borderlands 3.
Personnel[]
Freddie Mercury - lead and backing vocals, piano
Brian May - electric guitar, backing vocals
Roger Taylor - drums, gong, percussion, backing vocals
John Deacon - bass guitar
Roy Thomas Baker - stylophone
Chart positions[]
| Chart (1974) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| United Kingdom (Official Charts Company) | 10 |