Fat Bottomed Girls

"Fat Bottomed Girls," penned by Queen guitarist Brian May for their 1978 album Jazz, is a rollicking anthem that celebrates curvier women with a bluesy, hard rock edge. The song, a double A-side single with "Bicycle Race," hit number 11 on the UK Singles Chart and number 24 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming one of Queen's most iconic tracks. Its provocative lyrics, like “Left alone with big fat Fanny / She was such a naughty nanny,” sparked controversy, with some critics, like Rolling Stone’s Dave Marsh, calling it objectifying, while May defended it as a fun, complimentary piece. In a 2008 Mojo interview, May revealed he wrote it with Freddie Mercury in mind, noting Mercury’s appreciation for “fat bottomed girls… or boys,” adding a playful nod to the singer’s ambiguous sexuality. The song’s drop D guitar tuning, a rarity for Queen, gives it a distinctive metallic groove, and live performances featured Mercury singing the entire track, with Roger Taylor and May on harmonies, differing from the studio version where May led the chorus.

The song’s legacy includes its infamous promotion tied to the Jazz album, which included a fold-out poster of nude women cycling at Wimbledon Greyhound Stadium, meant to hype both "Fat Bottomed Girls" and "Bicycle Race." This stunt, detailed on Wikipedia, led to the bike rental company demanding Queen replace all 65 bicycle seats after learning of their use. The poster was deemed too risqué for U.S. release, so Elektra Records offered a coupon for fans to request it, as noted on Queen’s official site. Fans on Reddit have shared nostalgic stories, like one user recalling their dad’s pride in owning the poster from the late ’70s, highlighting its cultural impact. The song’s empowering vibe has made it an anthem, inspiring covers by over 60 artists, including Adam Lambert and Paul Rodgers, and even influencing Spinal Tap’s “Big Bottom,” as noted by American Songwriter.

In 2023, "Fat Bottomed Girls" stirred debate when it was omitted from Queen’s Greatest Hits on Yoto, a children’s audio platform, due to its suggestive lyrics, as reported by The Independent. Yoto cited their average listener age of five, and Queen agreed to the removal, though fans on X were divided—some called it censorship, others argued it was inappropriate for kids. A post on Reddit from 2023 speculated the song might reflect May’s youthful experience with a “naughty nanny” named Fanny, though May clarified it was also about the band’s broader experiences with fans on tour, not just glamorous groupies but devoted “unruly kids” who fueled rock’s romance.

Queen, formed in London in 1970, began when Brian May and Roger Taylor, then in the band Smile, joined forces with Freddie Mercury, a charismatic singer with a vision for theatrical rock. As detailed on Queen’s official website, John Deacon completed the lineup in 1971 after a series of bassists. Mercury’s stage presence and vocal range, combined with May’s innovative guitar work, Taylor’s dynamic drumming, and Deacon’s understated basslines, crafted a sound that blended rock, glam, and opera. Their early gigs in London clubs built a cult following, leading to a deal with EMI Records. Their 1973 debut album, Queen, showcased their ambition, but it was 1975’s A Night at the Opera, with the groundbreaking "Bohemian Rhapsody," that catapulted them to global fame. Queen’s ability to fuse genres and push boundaries made them one of the greatest rock bands, with over 300 million records sold worldwide.

Fans can connect with Queen through their official website, which offers news, tour dates, and merch, or follow them on social media at Facebook, Instagram, and X, where posts like a 2022 X update celebrated "Bicycle Race" going platinum alongside "Fat Bottomed Girls." Fan communities thrive online, with The Official International Queen Fan Club offering exclusive content and events, and Facebook groups like the Queen Fan Group fostering discussions among Zoo Freaks and beyond. The r/queen subreddit is another hub for fans to share trivia, like praising Roger Taylor’s drum fills or debating the song’s deeper meanings, keeping Queen’s legacy alive.