Crazy Little Thing Called Love

Hey there, Zoo Freaks! The Zoo Crew is spinning the vinyl for Queen's rockabilly gem, Crazy Little Thing Called Love, from their 1980 album The Game. This track, penned by Freddie Mercury, was famously written in just 10 minutes while he was soaking in a bubble bath at the Bayerischer Hof Hotel in Munich. Mercury, inspired by Elvis Presley, wanted to capture that raw, 1950s rock 'n' roll vibe, and he deliberately kept it simple, using only a few guitar chords he knew. The song's spontaneity paid off—it became Queen's first No. 1 hit in the U.S., topping the Billboard Hot 100 for four weeks in 1980. Fun fact: Mercury, usually a piano man, played rhythm guitar both in the studio and live for this track, a first for him. He rushed to record it before guitarist Brian May could add too many layers, ensuring that stripped-down, Elvis-inspired feel. Posts on X from fans like @QueenWillRock highlight Mercury's bathtub inspiration, and Roger Taylor once mentioned a legend that John Lennon was moved by this song to return to music, though it remains unconfirmed.

Another tidbit? The guitar solo was a bit of a saga. Mercury originally recorded it, but the tapes were lost, so Brian May stepped in, using a Fender Telecaster instead of his usual Red Special to nail that vintage sound. May admitted in a 2011 Absolute Radio interview that he was pushed out of his comfort zone, but fans loved the result. The song’s live performances were electric, with Mercury strutting and conducting crowds, as seen in clips from their 1982 Japan show shared by @QueenWillRock on X. It was even performed by Robert Plant with Queen at the 1992 Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert. The track’s success didn’t stop with Queen—Dwight Yoakam’s 1999 cover hit No. 12 on the U.S. country charts and popped up in a Gap commercial, proving its timeless swagger.

Now, let’s rewind to how Queen got their start. Formed in London in 1970, the band came together when Freddie Mercury, a fan of the band Smile, joined guitarist Brian May and drummer Roger Taylor after Smile’s lead singer split. Mercury pushed for a bold, experimental sound and suggested the name "Queen," embracing its theatrical flair. They auditioned bassists until John Deacon joined in 1971, completing the classic lineup. Their early gigs were scrappy, often playing to small crowds, but their 1973 debut album, Queen, recorded during studio downtime at Trident Studios, showed their raw potential. It was their 1974 album, Sheer Heart Attack, with the hit Killer Queen, that launched them globally, blending glam, hard rock, and Mercury’s flamboyant stage presence. By the time A Night at the Opera dropped in 1975 with Bohemian Rhapsody, Queen were unstoppable, selling over 300 million records worldwide to date.

Want to dive deeper into Queen’s world? Check out their official site at queenonline.com for tour dates, merch, and news. Follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and X for updates and throwback content. Fans can connect on sites like QueenWorld.com for exclusive interviews and archives or join groups like the Official Queen Fan Club on Facebook to swap stories and rare finds with fellow devotees. Keep rocking with the Zoo Crew, Zoo Freaks!