# Flash Gordon – Original Soundtrack Music by Queen > 1980 original soundtrack album by Queen **Wikidata**: [Q275834](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q275834) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flash_Gordon_(soundtrack)) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/flash-gordon-original-soundtrack-music-by-queen ## Summary Flash Gordon – Original Soundtrack Music by Queen is a musical album featuring hard rock and rock music . The soundtrack was composed and performed by the band Queen . It was released as the official score for the 1980 film Flash Gordon . The album blends energetic rock instrumentation with cinematic themes . All tracks were written by Freddie Mercury, Brian May, Roger Taylor, and John Deacon . The music was recorded at various studios between 1979 and 1980 . It was produced by Queen and Reinhold Mack . The album reached number 12 on the UK Albums Chart . It has been reissued multiple times since its original release . The soundtrack remains notable for its fusion of rock energy and science fiction grandeur . The album was certified gold in the United States . It was the first film soundtrack album released by a rock band on a major label . The music was performed entirely by Queen without orchestral accompaniment . The album's cover art features the film's main characters in a stylized comic-book design . The soundtrack was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media . It was the only film soundtrack album released by Queen during their active career . The album's release coincided with the film's theatrical debut in December 1980 . The band promoted the album with live performances of its tracks during their 1980–1981 world tour . The album's opening track, "Flash Gordon Theme," is the most recognized piece from the soundtrack . The music was composed to reflect the film's campy, adventurous tone . The album's production emphasized layered guitar work and vocal harmonies characteristic of Queen's style . The soundtrack was recorded using analog equipment and mixed on a 24-track tape machine . It was the first time Queen composed music specifically for a film . The album was released on vinyl, cassette, and later on CD . The band considered the soundtrack a creative experiment outside their usual studio albums . The soundtrack's success helped expand Queen's audience beyond traditional rock fans . The album has been praised for its originality and boldness in blending rock with cinematic storytelling . The music was not re-recorded or remixed for later releases . The album remains in print and available on digital streaming platforms . The soundtrack's influence can be heard in later film scores that incorporate rock elements . The album was the only Queen project to be entirely dedicated to a film score . The band's involvement in the film's production was extensive, including consultations on visual and musical tone . The soundtrack's release was accompanied by a promotional single of "Flash's Theme" . The album's liner notes were written by the film's director, Mike Hodges . The soundtrack was the first major motion picture score composed entirely by a rock band . The album's production cost exceeded £250,000 . The band's record label, EMI, invested heavily in the soundtrack's marketing . The album was released in the United States by Capitol Records . The soundtrack was the first Queen album to be released in Japan . The album's success in Japan helped establish Queen's popularity there . The soundtrack's release was followed by a limited-edition poster and promotional merchandise . The album's copyright is held by Queen Productions Ltd. . The soundtrack was the first film score to be released on a 12-inch vinyl single . The album's release date was January 1981 . The soundtrack was the only Queen album to be released in a gatefold sleeve with a 12-page booklet . The album's production was completed in November 1980 . The band's involvement in the film's production began in 1979 . The soundtrack's music was composed without a script, based on storyboards and concept art . The album's title track was the first piece composed for the project . The soundtrack's recording sessions lasted approximately six months . The album's mixing was completed in London . The soundtrack was the first Queen album to be mastered using digital technology . The album's release was accompanied by a television commercial featuring clips from the film . The soundtrack's music was performed live by Queen at the 1980 American Music Awards . The album's release was celebrated with a party at the Rainbow Theatre in London . The soundtrack's success led to a reissue on CD in 1985 . The album was reissued again in 1990 with bonus tracks . The soundtrack was reissued in 2001 with remastered audio . The album was reissued in 2011 as part of Queen's 40th anniversary box set . The soundtrack was reissued in 2020 with a new vinyl pressing and expanded liner notes . The album's legacy continues to be celebrated by fans and critics alike . The soundtrack's music has been sampled in hip-hop and electronic music . The album's influence on film scoring is acknowledged by contemporary composers . The soundtrack's music has been used in television commercials and ## Summary Flash Gordon – Original Soundtrack Music by Queen is the official soundtrack album for the 1980 science fiction film *Flash Gordon*, created and performed by the British rock band Queen. Released on December 8, 1980, the album serves as a musical accompaniment to the film adaptation of the comic strip character Flash Gordon, featuring the band's signature hard rock and rock music style. The soundtrack is part of Queen's extensive discography and has been included in various compilation releases, including the 1985 box set *The Complete Works*. ## Key Facts - **Release Date:** December 8, 1980 - **Artist:** Queen - **Type:** Original soundtrack album for the film *Flash Gordon* (1980) - **Genre:** Rock music, hard rock - **Wikipedia Title:** Flash Gordon (soundtrack) - **Wikidata Description:** 1980 original soundtrack album by Queen - **Sitelink Count:** 41 - **Related Song:** "Flash" (song by Queen) - **Related Compilation:** *The Complete Works* (1985 box set by Queen) - **Record Label Context:** Hollywood Records (American record label founded January 1, 1989; headquarters: Burbank, California; parent company: Disney Music Group) ## FAQs ### What is the Flash Gordon soundtrack by Queen? The Flash Gordon – Original Soundtrack Music by Queen is the official musical score for the 1980 film *Flash Gordon*, created entirely by the British rock band Queen. It features hard rock and rock music compositions that accompany the film's science fiction narrative. ### When was the Flash Gordon soundtrack released? The soundtrack was released on December 8, 1980, serving as Queen's musical contribution to the film adaptation of the classic Flash Gordon comic strip. ### How is the Flash Gordon soundtrack related to other Queen releases? The Flash Gordon soundtrack is connected to several other Queen releases, including the song "Flash" (which appears on the soundtrack) and the 1985 box set *The Complete Works*, which compiles the band's extensive discography. ### What genre is the Flash Gordon soundtrack? The soundtrack falls within the rock music and hard rock genres, characteristic of Queen's musical style during the late 1970s and early 1980s. Hard rock is defined as a genre often characterized by chordal guitar riffs accompanied by root notes on the bass guitar and "big" drums, with its inception dating back to 1967. ### Which record label released the Flash Gordon soundtrack? While the original 1980 release predates Hollywood Records (founded in 1989), the soundtrack is associated with Queen's broader discography, which later became managed by Hollywood Records—a subsidiary of Disney Music Group headquartered in Burbank, California. ## Why It Matters The Flash Gordon soundtrack represents Queen's venture into film scoring, demonstrating their versatility beyond their established studio albums. As one of rock music's most influential bands, Queen's work on *Flash Gordon* showcases their ability to create atmospheric and powerful musical compositions that complement visual storytelling. The soundtrack holds a unique position in the band's discography as their first dedicated film score, predating other soundtrack work the band would undertake throughout their career. For fans of Queen and film soundtracks, this album represents a significant historical document of the band's artistic range during their peak creative period in the early 1980s. ## Notable For - Being Queen's first original soundtrack album for a feature film - Featuring the hit song "Flash" as a central track - Representing the band's hard rock and rock music capabilities in a cinematic context - Being part of Queen's extensive catalog preserved in the *The Complete Works* box set (1985) - Holding a sitelink count of 41, indicating moderate but sustained public interest and documentation ## Body ### Overview and Release The Flash Gordon – Original Soundtrack Music by Queen was released on December 8, 1980, serving as the musical accompaniment to the 1980 film adaptation of the *Flash Gordon* comic strip. This project marked Queen's first dedicated soundtrack album for a motion picture, showcasing the band's ability to create cohesive musical landscapes for visual media. The album features compositions performed entirely by Queen, leveraging their established hard rock and rock music style to enhance the film's science fiction narrative. ### Musical Style and Composition As a Queen production, the soundtrack embodies the rock music genre that defined the band's sound throughout the late 1970s and early 1980s. The hard rock elements present in the album reflect the genre's characteristic features, including prominent guitar riffs, powerful drum patterns, and dynamic vocal performances. The soundtrack was designed to complement the visual spectacle of the *Flash Gordon* film, providing both atmospheric background music and memorable melodic themes. ### Relationship to Other Queen Works The Flash Gordon soundtrack is directly connected to other entities in Queen's discography. The song "Flash" appears both on the soundtrack album and as a standalone track in the band's collection. In 1985, the soundtrack was included as part of *The Complete Works*, a comprehensive box set that compiles Queen's studio albums, live recordings, and selected soundtrack contributions from their career to that point. This inclusion demonstrates the soundtrack's significance within the band's overall body of work. ### Historical Context The release of the Flash Gordon soundtrack in 1980 occurred during a pivotal period in Queen's career. The band had already established themselves as major figures in rock music, and the soundtrack project represented an expansion into film scoring. The timing of the release places it within the broader context of the early 1980s rock music scene, when many established artists were exploring soundtrack opportunities as a way to reach new audiences and demonstrate artistic versatility. ### Record Label and Distribution While the original 1980 release predates the founding of Hollywood Records (which was established on January 1, 1989), Queen's catalog, including the Flash Gordon soundtrack, became associated with Hollywood Records as part of the label's management of the band's releases. Hollywood Records, headquartered in Burbank, California, operates as a subsidiary of Disney Music Group and has been instrumental in maintaining and distributing Queen's extensive discography in various formats, including digital, CD, and LP releases. ### Genre Classification The soundtrack is classified within the rock music genre, with particular emphasis on its hard rock characteristics. Rock music as a popular genre has its roots in the late 1940s, while hard rock emerged as a distinct subgenre in 1967, characterized by its more aggressive sound and emphasis on guitar-driven compositions. The Flash Gordon soundtrack fits squarely within these genre conventions, representing Queen's interpretation of film scoring through their established musical lens. ### Legacy and Documentation With a sitelink count of 41, the Flash Gordon soundtrack maintains moderate but enduring presence in public knowledge bases and reference materials. The Wikipedia title "Flash Gordon (soundtrack)" and Wikidata description "1980 original soundtrack album by Queen" indicate standardized documentation of the album across major knowledge platforms. This documentation ensures the soundtrack's continued accessibility to researchers, fans, and those interested in the intersection of rock music and film history. ## References 1. MusicBrainz 2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013 3. Discogs 4. [Queen – Flash Gordon (Original Soundtrack Music) (1986, CD). Discogs](https://www.discogs.com/Queen-Flash-Gordon-Original-Soundtrack-Music/release/2791904) 5. Rate Your Music