Somebody to Love (Queen song)#George Michael and Queen version

{{Infobox song

| name = Somebody to Love

| cover = Stlove.jpg

| alt =

| caption = UK single picture sleeve

| type = single

| artist = Queen

| album = A Day at the Races

| B-side = * "White Man" (UK)

"Long Away" (Poland)

| released = 19 November 1976 (UK){{cite web |url=https://dutchcharts.nl/showitem.asp?interpret=queen&titel=Somebody+To+Love&cat=s |title=Queen – Somebody To Love |website=Dutch Charts |access-date=2024-08-26}}

| recorded = 1976

| studio =

| genre = * Rock

gospel{{cite web|date=3 June 2016|title=Queen – "Somebody to Love" (Singles Going Steady Classic)|url=https://www.popmatters.com/queen-somebody-to-love-singles-going-steady-classic-2495429575.html|access-date=29 October 2020|website=PopMatters}}{{Cite web|last=Elliott|first=Paul|title=Every song on Queen's Greatest Hits, ranked from worst to best|url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/queen-greatest-hits-ranked-freddie-mercury-brian-may-roger-taylor-john-deacon|access-date=4 December 2020|website=loudersound|date=13 July 2016|language=en}}

| length = 4:56

| label = * EMI (UK)

Elektra (US)
Tonpress (Poland)

| writer = Freddie Mercury

| producer = Queen

| prev_title = You're My Best Friend

| prev_year = 1976

| next_title = Tie Your Mother Down

| next_year = 1977

| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|kijpcUv-b8M|"Somebody to Love"}}}}

}}

"Somebody to Love" is a song by the British rock band Queen, written by lead singer and pianist Freddie Mercury. It debuted on the band's 1976 album A Day at the Races and also appears on their 1981 compilation album Greatest Hits.

The song has similarities to Queen's earlier hit "Bohemian Rhapsody" with its complex harmonies and guitar solos; however instead of mimicking an English choir, the band turned to a gospel choir. It reached {{abbr|No.|Number}} 2 in the UK and No. 13 on the US Billboard Hot 100. The song demonstrated that "Queen could swing as hard as it could rock, by channeling the spirit of gospel music".{{cite web |last=Fox |first=Brian |title=John Deacon on Queen's 'Somebody to Love' |url=http://go.galegroup.com.mctproxy.mnpals.net/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA202358229&v=2.1&u=mnaminncom&it=r&p=STOM&sw=w |publisher=Bass Player |access-date=27 March 2012}}

Written by Mercury at the piano, "Somebody to Love" is a soul-searching piece that questions life without love. Through voice layering techniques, Queen was able to create the soulful sound of a 100-voice choir from three singers: Mercury, Brian May, and Roger Taylor. John Deacon did not sing backing vocals, on the album recording. Mercury's fascination and admiration for Aretha Franklin was a major influence for the creation of this song.

Queen played "Somebody to Love" live from 1977 to 1985, and a live performance of the song is featured on the albums Queen Rock Montreal and Queen on Fire – Live at the Bowl. In addition to these live performances, there were collaboration tributes to "Somebody to Love" after Mercury's death in 1991. The song was performed live on 20 April 1992 during the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert, with George Michael on lead vocals.{{cite web|url=http://www.ultimatequeen.co.uk/videos/fmtributedvd.htm#somebody |title=Queen "The Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert" video and song lyrics |website=Ultimatequeen.co.uk |access-date=11 October 2016}}

Since its release in 1976, the song has appeared in several television shows, such as the Idol franchise, The X Factor, and Glee, as well as films, including Happy Feet and Ella Enchanted. It has also been covered by many artists, including Taylor Hawkins.

Background

Like "Bohemian Rhapsody", the major hit from Queen's previous album A Night at the Opera (1975), "Somebody to Love" has a complex melody and deep layering of vocal tracks. But while "Bohemian Rhapsody" was based on English choir styles, "Somebody to Love" was based on a gospel choir arrangement.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDa_xdaiIq8 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211219/QDa_xdaiIq8 |archive-date=19 December 2021 |url-status=live|title=Queen interview: Brian May on Somebody to Love |date=17 August 2011 |publisher=YouTube |access-date=11 October 2016}}{{cbignore}} It was the first single from A Day at the Races, on which Mercury, May and Taylor multitracked their voices to create the impression of a 100-voice gospel choir. The lyrics, especially combined with the gospel influence, create a song about faith, desperation and soul-searching; the singer questions both the lack of love experienced in his life, and the role and existence of God. This is reinforced by frequent use of word painting. The lyrics also speak to the feelings of desperation and isolation that accompany trying to find love as a queer man in an unaccepting and lonely world ("I just gotta get out of this prison cell. Someday I'm gonna be free."). Staying true to Queen's guitar-driven style, it was also filled with intricate harmonies and a notable guitar solo by May, and it went to No. 2 on the UK Singles Chart and No. 13 on the US Billboard Hot 100.Whitburn, Joel (2006). The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits. Billboard BooksRoberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums. London: Guinness World Records Limited

Written in the key of A{{music|flat}} major, the song features dramatic intervalic contrasts, ranging from F2 in the harmonies on the line "Can anybody find me?" to A{{music|flat}}2 to a C5 in full voice up to an A{{music|flat}}5 in falsetto in the lead vocals, all sung by Mercury.{{cite web |title=Freddie Mercury's highest notes |publisher=YouTube |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWIaoj4dGq8 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120830232844/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWIaoj4dGq8 |archive-date=30 August 2012 |url-status=dead|access-date=5 January 2011}} The band have spoken of sections of the song which were recorded but never made it onto the final mix of the song, some of which have been leaked online.

{{blockquote|text="Somebody to Love" is Aretha Franklin-influenced. Freddie's very much into that. We tried to keep the track in a loose, gospel-type feel. I think it's the loosest track we've ever done.{{cite web |url=http://www.queenpedia.com/index.php?title=Somebody_To_Love |title=Somebody To Love |work=queenpedia.com |access-date=13 March 2010}}|author=Roger Taylor}}

A promotional video was made combining a staged recording session at Sarm Studios (where the A Day at the Races album was recorded) and film footage of the band's record breaking performance at Hyde Park that September.{{cite web|first1=Greg |last1=Brooks |first2=Gary |last2=Taylor |url=http://queenonline.com/en/the-band/discography/day-races/ |title=A Day At The Races |website=Queenonline.com |access-date=11 October 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160926213701/http://queenonline.com/en/the-band/discography/day-races/ |archive-date=26 September 2016}}[https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/sevenages/events/stadium-rock/queen-play-hyde-park/ Queen play Hyde Park] BBC. Retrieved 1 September 2011 Peter Hince, the head of Queen's road crew, recalled to Mojo magazine: "Aesthetically, you had to have all four around the microphone, but John (Deacon) didn't sing on the records. By his own admission, he didn't have the voice. He did sing on-stage but the crew always knew to keep the fader very low."{{cite web|url=http://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=6669 |title=Somebody To Love by Queen Songfacts |website=Songfacts.com |access-date=11 October 2016}} The song was included on their first Greatest Hits, released in 1981.

Reception

Billboard stated that the song grabs attention with gimmicks such as changes in volume and tempo and the use of classical music elements.{{cite news|title=Top Single Picks|newspaper=Billboard|access-date=13 July 2020|page=70|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/70s/1976/Billboard%201976-11-20.pdf|date=20 November 1976}} Cash Box said that "sounding like the Harvard Chorale on the opening and backing up Freddie Mercury might be their idea of a logical progression from A Night at the Opera", and that "there's a grand finale, with handclapping and thundering percussion."{{cite news|title=CashBox Singles Reviews|date=20 November 1976|page=27|accessdate=11 December 2021|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/70s/1976/Cash-Box-1976-11-20.pdf|newspaper=Cash Box}} Record World said that "the group continues to stretch the limitations of the commercial single" by incorporating "operatic overtures" along the lines of "Bohemian Rhapsody".{{cite magazine|magazine=Record World|date=November 20, 1976|page=1|accessdate=2023-03-03|title=Hits of the Week|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Record-World/70s/76/Record-World-1976-11-20.pdf}} Los Angeles Times critic Robert Hilburn said that "its gospel-tinged urgency maintain's the English band's knack for arrangements that are at once off-beat, yet well within the broad rock mainstream.{{cite news|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|accessdate=2023-01-04|via=newspapers.com|author=Hilburn, Robert|date=November 13, 1976|page=36|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115785422/the-los-angeles-times/|title=A Hit Parade Beyond the Top 10}}

Live performances

The song was a staple of the A Day at the Races and News of the World tours in 1977–78.[http://www.queenconcerts.com/live/queen/notwna.html Queen live on tour: News Of The World: Setlist] Queen Concerts. Retrieved 2 July 2011[http://www.queenconcerts.com/live/queen/adatrna.html Queen live on tour: Day At The Races (world): Setlist] Queen Concerts. Retrieved 2 July 2011 For the Jazz and Live Killer tours, it was also played consistently.[http://www.queenconcerts.com/live/queen/jazz.html Queen live on tour: Jazz] Queen Concerts. Retrieved 1 September 2011 During the Game Tour, it was only played early in the tour. It was also played for South America Bites the Dust, Live at the Bowl and Queen Rock Montreal.[http://www.allmusic.com/album/r1239496 Queen Rock Montreal] Allmusic. Retrieved 1 September 2011[http://www.queenconcerts.com/live/queen/southam.html Queen live on tour: S. America Bites The Dust] Queen Concerts. Retrieved 1 September 2011 Later during the Works Tour, a shortened version was played as a medley preceding "Killer Queen".[http://www.queenconcerts.com/live/queen/works1984.html Queen live on tour: The Works 1984] Queen Concerts. Retrieved 1 September 2011 A live version from the 1984/85 tour was recorded and filmed on the concert film, Final Live in Japan 1985.[http://www.ultimatequeen.co.uk/videos/finaljapan.htm#somebody Final Concert Live In Japan: Somebody To Love] Ultimate Queen. Retrieved 1 September 2011

When performed live, Mercury would often alter the melodies of the song, but would generally hit the sustained A{{music|flat}}4 notes throughout the song. The A{{music|flat}}4 at the peak of the building line "can anybody find {{em|me}}" on the studio version was not part of Mercury's original melody, but the other band members felt that it worked better than his. Live, Mercury sang his original take on this line.

This was also one of few tracks where Deacon sang backing vocals when performed live. His voice was clearly heard on bootlegs from the band's performance at Earls Court in June 1977 and at the Houston Summit in December 1977.

Even after Mercury's death in 1991, renditions of "Somebody to Love" have been performed live with the remaining band members, May and Taylor, and a number of different lead singers. At the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert held at Wembley Stadium, the song was performed by George Michael. Michael's performance of "Somebody to Love" has been hailed as "one of the best performances of the tribute concert".{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A3818793 |title=h2g2 – Queen's Greatest Hits 3 |website=bbc.co.uk |date=22 March 2005 |access-date=11 October 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://www.albumlinernotes.com/Queen_Greatest_Vol_3.html|title=Queen Greatest Vol 3|work=Albumlinernotes.com |date=17 January 1997|access-date=21 April 2011}} The song was later re-released in 1993 as the lead track of an EP called Five Live, which reached No. 1 in the UK. This version is also available on Greatest Hits III, released in 1999.[http://www.allmusic.com/song/somebody-to-love-t2415720 Queen: Somebody to Love] Allmusic. Retrieved 6 July 2011

The song was performed on the setlists of their Queen + Adam Lambert tours in 2012, 2014–2015 and 2016 featuring Adam Lambert{{cite web|title=Queen + Adam Lambert Set List: Calgary, Saddledome|url=http://www.queenonline.com/en/news-archive/queen-adam-lambert-set-list-calgary-saddledome/|website=Queen Online|access-date=22 October 2014}} and at the iHeartRadio Festival 2013 as Queen + Fun.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIGJECUU2rE |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211219/XIGJECUU2rE |archive-date=19 December 2021 |url-status=live|title=Queen and fun. – Somebody To Love & Fat Bottomed Girls live in Las Vegas |publisher=YouTube |date=16 October 2012 |access-date=11 October 2016}}{{cbignore}}

Personnel

Freddie Mercury – lead and backing vocals, piano
Brian May – guitars, backing vocals
Roger Taylor – drums, backing vocals
John Deacon – bass

Charts

=Weekly charts=

scope="col"\| Chart (1976–1977) ! scope="col"\| Peak position
class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
scope="row"\| Australia (Kent Music Report){{cite book\|title=Australian Chart Book 1970-1992\|last=Kent\|first=David\|author-link=David Kent (historian)\|publisher=Australian Chart Book\|location=St Ives, N.S.W.\|year=1993\|isbn=0-646-11917-6}} \| 15
{{single chart\|Flanders\|2\|artist=Queen\|song=Somebody to Love\|access-date=6 March 2016\|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart\|Wallonia\|5\|artist=Queen\|song=Somebody to Love\|access-date=4 August 2020\|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart\|Canadatopsingles\|5\|artist=Queen\|song=Somebody to Love\|access-date=28 July 2013\|chartid=5163\|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart\|Denmark\|19\|artist=Queen\|song=Somebody to Love\|access-date=6 March 2016\|rowheader=true}}
scope="row"\| Finland (Suomen Virallinen){{cite book\|first=Jake\|last=Nyman\|year=2005\|title=Suomi soi 4: Suuri suomalainen listakirja\|edition=1st\|publisher=Tammi\|location=Helsinki\|isbn=951-31-2503-3\|language=fi}} \| 21
{{single chart\|Ireland2\|6\|artist=Queen\|song=Somebody to Love\|access-date=6 March 2016\|rowheader=true}}
scope="row"\| Italy (Musica e Dischi){{cite web\|url=http://www.musicaedischi.it/classifiche_archivio.php\|title=Classifiche\|work=Musica e Dischi\|language=it\|access-date=28 May 2022}} Set "Tipo" on "Singoli". Then, in the "Artista" field, search "Queen". \| 10
{{single chart\|Dutch40\|1\|year=1977\|week=2\|access-date=18 March 2020\|rowheader=true\|refname=sca}}
{{single chart\|Dutch100\|1\|artist=Queen\|song=Somebody to Love\|access-date=6 March 2016\|rowheader=true}}
scope="row"\| South Africa (Springbok){{cite web\|title=SA Charts 1965–March 1989\|url=http://www.rock.co.za/files/springbok_top_20_(Q).html\|access-date=5 September 2018}} \| 7
{{single chart\|UK\|2\|artist=Queen\|song=Somebody to Love\|date=1976-12-11\|access-date=6 March 2016\|rowheader=true}}
scope="row"\| US Billboard Hot 100{{cite magazine \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7kQEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PT86 \|page=86 \|title=Billboard Hot 100 \|date=29 January 1977 \|magazine=Billboard \|volume=89 \|number=4 \|issn=0006-2510}} \| 13
scope="row"\| US Cash Box Top 100{{cite web \|url=http://cashboxmagazine.com/archives/70s_files/19770122.html \|title=Cash Box Top 100 Singles (Week ending January 22, 1977) \|access-date=9 June 2016 \|archive-date=4 October 2012 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121004085857/http://cashboxmagazine.com/archives/70s_files/19770122.html \|url-status=dead }} \| 9
{{single chart\|West Germany\|21\|artist=Queen\|songid=8010\|song=Somebody to Love\|access-date=6 March 2016\|rowheader=true}}

scope="col"\| Chart (2018–2019) ! scope="col"\| Peak position
class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
scope="row"\| Australia (ARIA){{Cite web\|url=https://www.ariacharts.com.au/charts/singles-chart\|title=ARIA Singles Chart (26 November, 2018)\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181124205238/https://www.ariacharts.com.au/charts/singles-chart\|archive-date=24 November 2018\|publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association\|access-date=4 August 2020}}{{cite web \|title=Top 50 Singles \|url=https://australian-charts.com/weekchart.asp?cat=s&year=2018&date=20181202 \|website=Australian-charts.com \|access-date=4 August 2020 \|date=2 December 2018}} \| 47
scope="row"\| Canada (Hot Canadian Digital Songs){{Cite magazine\|url=https://www.billboard.com/biz/charts/2018-11-17/hot-canada-digital-song-sales\|title=Hot Canadian Digital Song Sales: Nov 17, 2018\|magazine=Billboard\|date=22 December 2014\|access-date=24 November 2018\|url-access=subscription }} \| 20
{{single chart\|France\|154\|artist=Queen\|song=Somebody to Love\|access-date=4 August 2020\|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart\|Hungarysingle\|25\|year=2018\|week=45\|artist=Queen\|song=Somebody to Love\|access-date=15 November 2018\|rowheader=true}}
scope="row"\| Italy (FIMI){{Cite web\|url=https://www.fimi.it/top-of-the-music/classifiche.kl#/charts/1/2018/50 \|title=Top Singoli Classifica settimanale WK 50 \|language=it\|publisher=Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana\|date=7 December 2018\|access-date=4 August 2020}} \| 58
{{single chart\|Billboardjapanhot100\|63\|artist=Queen\|rowheader=true\|access-date=12 December 2018}}
{{single chart\|Portugal\|75\|artist=Queen\|song=Somebody to Love\|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart\|Spain\|78\|artist=Queen\|song=Somebody to Love\|rowheader=true\|access-date=4 August 2020}}
{{single chart\|Billboardrocksongs\|5\|artist=Queen\|rowheader=true\|access-date=5 December 2018}}

=Year-end charts=

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

scope="col"| Chart (1977)

! scope="col"| Position

scope="row"| Australia (Kent Music Report){{cite web |url=https://i.imgur.com/dHS3QPH.jpg |title=Kent Music Report No 183 – 26 December 1977 > National Top 100 Singles for 1977 |publisher=Kent Music Report |via=Imgur.com|access-date=8 January 2022}}

| 100

scope="row"| Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders){{cite web|url=http://www.ultratop.be/nl/annual.asp?year=1977&cat=s|title=Jaaroverzichten 1977|publisher=Ultratop|access-date=18 March 2020}}

| 27

scope="row"| Canada Top Singles (RPM){{cite web|url=http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/image.aspx?Image=nlc008388.5502a&URLjpg=http%3a%2f%2fwww.collectionscanada.gc.ca%2fobj%2f028020%2ff4%2fnlc008388.5502a.gif&Ecopy=nlc008388.5502a |title=Image : RPM Weekly – Library and Archives Canada |website=Bac-lac.gc.ca |date=17 July 2013 |access-date=11 October 2016}}

| 63

scope="row"| Netherlands (Dutch Top 40){{cite web|url=https://www.top40.nl/bijzondere-lijsten/top-100-jaaroverzichten/1977|title=Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1977|publisher=Dutch Top 40|access-date=18 March 2020}}

| 38

scope="row"| Netherlands (Single Top 100){{cite web|url=https://dutchcharts.nl/jaaroverzichten.asp?year=1977&cat=s|title=Jaaroverzichten – Single 1977|publisher=MegaCharts|language=nl|access-date=18 March 2020}}

| 46

scope="row"| US Billboard Hot 100{{cite web|url=http://www.musicoutfitters.com/topsongs/1977.htm |title=Top 100 Hits of 1977/Top 100 Songs of 1977 |website=Musicoutfitters.com |access-date=11 October 2016}}

| 88

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
scope="col"\| Chart (2019) ! scope="col"\| Position
scope="row"\| US Hot Rock Songs (Billboard){{cite magazine\|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2019/hot-rock-songs\|title=Hot Rock Songs – Year-End 2019\|magazine=Billboard\|date=2 January 2013\|access-date=18 March 2020}} \| 20

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

scope="col"| Chart (2019)

! scope="col"| Position

scope="row"| US Hot Rock Songs (Billboard){{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2019/hot-rock-songs|title=Hot Rock Songs – Year-End 2019|magazine=Billboard|date=2 January 2013|access-date=18 March 2020}}

| 20

Certifications

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Brazil|artist=Queen|title=Somebody to Love|award=Gold|type=single|relyear=1976|certyear=2024|access-date=8 July 2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Denmark|award=Platinum|artist=Queen|id=12371|certyear=2023|title=Somebody to Love|type=single|access-date=26 April 2023}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Germany|award=Gold|artist=Queen|relyear=1976|certyear=2023|title=Somebody to Love|type=single|access-date=1 June 2023}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Italy|award=Platinum|number=2|artist=Queen|relyear=1976|access-date=October 28, 2024|certyear=2024|title=Somebody to Love|type=single|id=13452}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Spain|type=single|artist=Queen|title=Somebody to Love|award=Platinum|relyear=1976|certyear=2024|id=-56|access-date=18 February 2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=single|artist=Queen|title=Somebody To Love|award=Platinum|number=2|relyear=2011|certyear=2024|id=14614-1614-1|note=2011 release|access-date=28 June 2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=single|artist=Queen|title=Somebody to Love|award=Platinum|number=5|relyear=1976|certyear=2025|access-date=February 14, 2025}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true|noshipments=true|streaming=true}}

Other versions

=George Michael and Queen version=

{{Infobox song

| name = Somebody to Love

| cover =

| alt =

| border = yes

| type = single

| artist = George Michael and Queen

| EP = Five Live

| B-side = Dear Friends

| released = {{start date|1993|5|6|df=y}}

| recorded = 20 April 1992

| studio =

| venue = Wembley Stadium (London)

| genre =

| length = 5:17

| label = Parlophone

| writer = Freddie Mercury

| producer = * Queen

George Michael

| chronology = George Michael

| prev_title = Too Funky

| prev_year = 1992

| next_title = Killer

| next_title2 = Papa Was a Rollin' Stone

| next_year = 1993

| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|oYAR8RigqDA|"Somebody to Love" (live)}}}}

}}

English singer-songwriter George Michael performed the song with Queen's remaining members at the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert in April 1992. It was included as the first track on the 1993 EP Five Live, credited to George Michael and Queen with Lisa Stansfield.{{cite magazine |last1=Grow |first1=Kory |title=Flashback: See Bowie, Metallica, Axl Rose Pay Tribute to Freddie Mercury |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/flashback-see-bowie-metallica-axl-rose-pay-tribute-to-freddie-mercury-115123/ |access-date=13 December 2018 |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=20 April 2017}} As part of the EP, the cover reached No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart for three weeks.

=Charts=

==Weekly charts==

scope="col"\| Chart (1993) ! scope="col"\| Peak position
class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
{{single chart\|Australia\|19\|artist=George Michael and Queen\|song=Somebody to Love (Live)\|access-date=6 March 2016\|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart\|Austria\|15\|artist=George Michael and Queen\|song=Somebody to Love (Live)\|access-date=6 March 2016\|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart\|Flanders\|8\|artist=George Michael and Queen\|song=Somebody to Love (Live)\|access-date=6 March 2016\|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart\|Canadatopsingles\|13\|artist=George Michael and Queen\|song=Winter Melody\|access-date=28 July 2013\|chartid=0993\|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart\|Canadaadultcontemporary\|11\|chartid=1001\|publishdate=2 March 1991\|access-date=16 August 2013\|artist=George Michael and Queen\|rowheader=true}}
scope="row"\| Europe (European Hit Radio){{cite magazine\|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1993/MM-1993-05-15.pdf\|title=EHR Top 40\|magazine=Music & Media\|volume=10\|issue=20\|date=15 May 1993\|page=26\|access-date=9 April 2024}} \| 1
{{single chart\|France\|16\|artist=George Michael and Queen\|song=Somebody to Love (Live)\|access-date=6 March 2016\|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart\|Germany\|21\|artist=George Michael and Queen\|song=Somebody to Love (Live)\|access-date=6 March 2016\|rowheader=true\|songid=49058\|refname="ger"}}
scope="row"\| Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40){{cite magazine\|url=https://timarit.is/page/2612045#page/n1/mode/2up\|title=Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (30. apríl –6. maí)\|magazine=Dagblaðið Vísir\|language=is\|page=29\|date=6 May 1993\|access-date=1 June 2020}} \| 2
{{single chart\|Ireland2\|1\|artist=George Michael and Queen with Lisa Stansfield\|song=Somebody to Love\|access-date=6 March 2016\|rowheader=true}}
scope="row"\| Italy (Musica e dischi){{cite magazine\|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1993/MM-1993-06-05.pdf\|title=Top 10 Sales in Europe\|magazine=Music & Media\|volume=10\|issue=23\|date=5 June 1993\|page=23\|access-date=24 November 2019}} \| 9
scope="row"\|Italy Airplay (Music & Media){{cite magazine\|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1993/MM-1993-05-15.pdf\|title=Regional EHR Top 20: South\|magazine=Music & Media\|volume=10\|issue=20\|page=27\|date=15 May 1993}} \| 2
{{single chart\|Dutch40\|5\|year=1993\|week=22\|access-date=7 October 2019\|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart\|Dutch100\|6\|artist=George Michael and Queen\|song=Somebody to Love (Live)\|access-date=6 March 2016\|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart\|New Zealand\|8\|artist=George Michael and Queen\|song=Somebody to Love (Live)\|access-date=6 March 2016\|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart\|UKsinglesbyname\|1\|artist=George Michael and Queen\|access-date=6 March 2016\|rowheader=true}}
scope="row"\| UK Airplay (Music Week){{cite magazine\|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1993/Music-Week-1993-05-29.pdf\|title=Top 50 Airplay Chart\|magazine=Music Week\|date=29 May 1993\|page=18\|access-date=29 April 2024}} \| 7
{{single chart\|Billboardhot100\|30\|artist=George Michael\|rowheader=true\|access-date=6 March 2016}}
{{single chart\|Billboardadultcontemporary\|42\|artist=George Michael\|rowheader=true\|access-date=24 October 2022}}
{{single chart\|Billboardpopsongs\|15\|artist=Queen\|rowheader=true\|access-date=4 August 2020}}
scope="row"\| US Cash Box Top 100{{cite magazine\|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/90s/1993/CB-1993-05-29.pdf\|title=Top 100 Pop Singles\|magazine=Cash Box\|volume=LVI\|issue=38\|date=29 May 1993\|page=12\|access-date=20 April 2024}} \| 32

==Year-end charts==

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

scope="col"| Chart (1993)

! scope="col"| Peak
position

scope="row"| Belgium (Ultratop){{cite web|url=https://www.ultratop.be/nl/annual.asp?year=1993|title=Jaaroverzichten 1993|publisher=Ultratop|language=nl|access-date=1 June 2020}}

| 59

scope="row"| Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM){{cite magazine|url=https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/image.aspx?Image=nlc008388.2334&URLjpg=http%3a%2f%2fwww.collectionscanada.gc.ca%2fobj%2f028020%2ff4%2fnlc008388.2334.gif&Ecopy=nlc008388.2334|title=The RPM Top 100 A\C Tracks of 1993|magazine=RPM|publisher=Library and Archives Canada|access-date=1 June 2020}}

| 88

scope="row"| Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40){{cite news|url=https://timarit.is/page/2621535?iabr=on#page/n15/mode/2up|title=Árslistinn 1993|newspaper=Dagblaðið Vísir|language=is|page=17|date=4 January 1994|access-date=1 June 2020}}

| 51

scope="row"| Netherlands (Single Top 100){{cite web|url=https://dutchcharts.nl/jaaroverzichten.asp?year=1993&cat=s|title=Jaaroverzichten – Single 1993|publisher=MegaCharts|language=nl|access-date=1 June 2020}}

| 68

==Certifications==

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=single|artist=George Michael & Queen|title=Somebody to Love|award=Silver|relyear=2011|certyear=2022|id=14614-977-1|access-date=14 January 2022}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true|noshipments=true|streaming=true}}

=Troye Sivan version=

{{Infobox song

| name = Somebody to Love

| cover =

| alt =

| type = single

| artist = Troye Sivan

| album =

| B-side =

| released = 2 November 2018{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/au/album/somebody-to-love-single/1440302715|title=Somebody to Love – Troye Sivan single|date=2 November 2018|publisher=iTunes Australia|access-date=5 November 2018}}

| recorded = 2018

| studio =

| venue =

| genre =

| length = 2:25

| label =

| writer = Freddie Mercury

| producer = Leland

| prev_title = Revelation

| prev_year = 2018

| next_title = I'm So Tired...

| next_year = 2019

}}

In November 2018, Australian singer Troye Sivan released a version of the song. The song was released to coincide with the release of the film Bohemian Rhapsody. Universal Music Group released three tracks by different artists channeling their inner Freddie Mercury; this is the third and final installment, following Shawn Mendes' "Under Pressure" and 5 Seconds of Summer's "Killer Queen" released in October 2018.{{cite web|url=https://ew.com/music/2018/10/12/shawn-mendes-under-pressure-queen/|title=Shawn Mendes drops cover of Queen's 'Under Pressure' |publisher= EW|date=12 October 2018|access-date=27 October 2018}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/8479646/shawn-mendes-teddy-geiger-under-pressure|title= Shawn Mendes and Teddy Geiger Pay Tribute to Queen With Acoustic 'Under Pressure' Cover: Listen|magazine=Billboard| date=12 October 2018|access-date=27 October 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://www.altpress.com/news/5-seconds-of-summer-killer-queen-cover/|title= 5 SECONDS OF SUMMER HONOR FREDDIE MERCURY WITH "KILLER QUEEN" COVER|publisher=alt press|date=26 October 2018|access-date=28 October 2018}} Similarly to the aforementioned tracks, proceeds from the single benefit the Mercury Phoenix Trust.{{cite web|url=https://www.thefader.com/2018/11/03/troye-sivan-queen-somebody-to-love-cover|title=Hear Troye Sivan cover Queen's "Somebody To Love" |publisher=The Fader|date=3 November 2018|access-date=5 November 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://www.spin.com/2018/11/troye-sivan-somebody-to-love-queen-cover/|title=Hear Troye Sivan Cover Queen's "Somebody To Love" |publisher=SPIN|date=3 November 2018|access-date=6 November 2018}}

In a statement, Sivan said, "I'm so beyond honored to have been asked to cover 'Somebody to Love' by Queen, a masterful song by the most legendary band."{{cite web|url=https://consequenceofsound.net/2018/11/troye-sivan-queen-cover-somebody-love/ |title=Troye Sivan covers Queen's "Somebody to Love": Stream |publisher=Consequence of Sound|date=3 November 2018|access-date=5 November 2018}}

=Reception=

Queen's manager Jim Beach said Sivan's version "is both moving and totally original". Luke Schatz of Consequence of Sound said, "While Mercury's version soared with choir-like vocals and dramatic instrumentation, Sivan employs a more mellow, minimalist approach. Here, his calming voice is accompanied by little more than bass and keys."

References

External links

[https://queenpedia.com/index.php?title=Somebody_To_Love_%28single%29 Queenpedia] – detailed worldwide release information
{{YouTube|oYAR8RigqDA|Queen & George Michael – "Somebody to Love" (Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert)}}

Category:Queen (band) songs

Category:1976 singles

Category:1993 singles

Category:George Michael songs

Category:Songs written by Freddie Mercury

Category:Music videos directed by Bruce Gowers

Category:Elektra Records singles

Category:EMI Records singles

Category:Hollywood Records singles

Category:Parlophone singles

Category:1976 songs

Category:Troye Sivan songs

Category:Gospel songs

Category:Love themes