# A Kind of Magic > 1986 studio album by Queen **Wikidata**: [Q300447](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q300447) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Kind_of_Magic) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/a-kind-of-magic ## Summary *A Kind of Magic* is a 1986 studio album by the British rock band Queen, released on June 2, 1986. The album is notable for its blend of hard rock and symphonic elements, featuring tracks like "Who Wants to Live Forever" and "Friends Will Be Friends," which became major hits. It marked a return to the band's rock roots after their previous album, *The Works* (1984), and showcased their signature sound. ## Key Facts - **Release date**: June 2, 1986 - **Genre**: Hard rock - **Notable tracks**: "Who Wants to Live Forever," "Friends Will Be Friends," "One Vision," "One Year of Love," "Princes of the Universe," "Pain Is So Close to Pleasure," and "A Kind of Magic" (from the *Highlander* film soundtrack) - **Genre classification**: Hard rock (inception: 1967) - **Sitelink count**: 44 (indicating widespread online references) - **Wikipedia title**: *A Kind of Magic* - **Wikidata description**: 1986 studio album by Queen ## FAQs **What genre does *A Kind of Magic* belong to?** *A Kind of Magic* is classified as hard rock, a genre characterized by chordal guitar riffs, prominent basslines, and powerful drumming, which aligns with Queen’s signature sound. **Who composed the songs on *A Kind of Magic*?** The album features original songs written and composed by Queen members, including Roger Taylor, as well as tracks like "A Kind of Magic," which was written by Taylor for the *Highlander* film soundtrack. **What are the most famous songs from the album?** The album includes several well-known tracks, such as "Who Wants to Live Forever," "Friends Will Be Friends," and "One Vision," which became major hits and are staples of Queen’s live performances. **How does *A Kind of Magic* differ from Queen’s previous work?** *A Kind of Magic* marked a return to Queen’s rock roots after *The Works* (1984), which had a more electronic and synth-pop influence. The album blended hard rock with symphonic elements, showcasing the band’s dynamic range. ## Why It Matters *A Kind of Magic* holds significant cultural and musical importance as it represented Queen’s return to their hard rock foundation after experimenting with electronic sounds. The album’s success helped reaffirm Queen’s status as one of the leading rock bands of the 1980s. Tracks like "Who Wants to Live Forever" and "Friends Will Be Friends" became anthems, demonstrating Queen’s ability to evolve while staying true to their core identity. Its blend of rock and symphonic elements influenced later artists and solidified Queen’s legacy in the music industry. ## Notable For - **Genre-blending**: *A Kind of Magic* successfully merged hard rock with symphonic elements, showcasing Queen’s versatility. - **Chart success**: The album’s tracks, including "Who Wants to Live Forever," reached high positions on music charts, reinforcing Queen’s commercial appeal. - **Live performances**: Many songs from the album became staples in Queen’s live shows, demonstrating their enduring popularity. - **Cultural impact**: The album’s themes of love, adventure, and immortality resonated with audiences, contributing to its lasting influence. ## Body ### Overview *A Kind of Magic* is the eighth studio album by the British rock band Queen, released on June 2, 1986. The album was a return to the band’s hard rock roots after *The Works* (1984), which had incorporated more electronic and synth-pop elements. *A Kind of Magic* featured a mix of original compositions and tracks written for film soundtracks, including "A Kind of Magic," which was written by Roger Taylor for the *Highlander* film. ### Musical Style and Composition The album is classified as hard rock, a genre characterized by chordal guitar riffs, prominent basslines, and powerful drumming. Tracks like "Who Wants to Live Forever" and "Friends Will Be Friends" showcased Queen’s ability to blend rock with symphonic and pop influences. The album’s production emphasized dynamic range, with a mix of intense rock riffs and melodic ballads. ### Notable Tracks - **"Who Wants to Live Forever"**: A symphonic pop song that became one of the album’s most famous tracks, known for its dramatic orchestration and anthemic chorus. - **"Friends Will Be Friends"**: A 1986 single that highlighted Queen’s ability to craft catchy, uplifting rock anthems. - **"One Vision"**: An original composition that demonstrated the band’s creative range, blending rock with a sense of unity. - **"A Kind of Magic"**: Written by Roger Taylor for the *Highlander* film soundtrack, this track showcased Taylor’s songwriting skills and the band’s willingness to collaborate on film projects. ### Release and Reception *A Kind of Magic* was released in various formats, including digital, CD, and LP, reflecting the era’s diverse consumption methods. The album received positive reviews for its return to Queen’s rock essence and its successful blend of genres. It contributed to the band’s continued relevance in the 1980s music scene. ### Legacy and Influence *A Kind of Magic* is remembered for its ability to balance commercial success with artistic innovation. Tracks like "Who Wants to Live Forever" and "Friends Will Be Friends" remain staples of Queen’s live performances, demonstrating their enduring appeal. The album’s success helped solidify Queen’s status as one of the leading rock bands of the decade, influencing later artists who sought to blend rock with other musical styles. ## References 1. MusicBrainz 2. AllMusic 3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013 4. Discogs 5. Spotify 6. BabelNet 7. [AllMusic](https://www.allmusic.com/album/mw0000195390)