I Want to Break Free

"I Want to Break Free" is a song by the British rock band Queen, written by bassist John Deacon and released in 1984 on the album *The Works*.

"I Want to Break Free" is a song by the British rock band Queen, written by bassist John Deacon and released in 1984 on the album *The Works*. It became especially well known for its music video, which features the band in drag and parodies the British soap opera *Coronation Street*. The song was released as a single and became a hit in several countries, including the United Kingdom and parts of continental Europe.

Background and release

"I Want to Break Free" was written by John Deacon in 1983 and released on 2 April 1984 as a single from Queen's album *The Works*. It was issued in multiple versions, including album, single, and extended forms.

Music video

The song is especially known for its video, in which the band members appear in drag. The concept was a parody of the long-running ITV soap opera *Coronation Street* and was proposed by drummer Roger Taylor.

Reception and chart performance

The single performed well in Europe and South America, reaching number 3 in the United Kingdom and topping charts in Austria, Belgium, and the Netherlands. It reached number 45 on the US Billboard Hot 100. In Canada, the single reached number 26.

Live performances and legacy

The track became a staple of Queen's 1984–85 Works Tour and their 1986 Magic Tour. It has since remained one of the band's best-known songs and is often associated with themes of liberation.