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We Will Rock You

"We Will Rock You" is a 1977 song by the British rock band Queen, written by Brian May and released on the album *News of the World*.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

"We Will Rock You" is a 1977 song by the British rock band Queen, written by Brian May and released on the album *News of the World*. It is known for its stomp-stomp-clap rhythm and audience-participation style, and it has become one of Queen’s best-known songs.

Background and release

"We Will Rock You" was released by Queen in 1977 on the album *News of the World*. It was written by guitarist Brian May and became one of the band’s signature recordings.

Composition and style

The song is built around a simple stomp-stomp-clap rhythm and group vocals, with little instrumentation until the ending guitar solo. Its structure was designed to be highly participatory and stadium-friendly.

Reception and legacy

The song became a major anthem in sports and live events and is among Queen’s most recognisable works. Its cultural impact was reflected in later honors such as its Grammy Hall of Fame induction.

Cultural use

"We Will Rock You" is often used to energize crowds at sporting events and public performances. It is commonly associated with Queen’s closing pairing of "We Will Rock You" and "We Are the Champions".

Key facts

  • The song was written by Brian May of Queen and released in 1977 on *News of the World*.
  • It uses a minimalist arrangement built around foot stomps, claps, and a brief guitar solo.
  • The song became a widely used sports anthem and audience-participation chant.
  • It was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2009.
  • Rolling Stone ranked it at number 330 on its 2004 list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
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Canadian context

Queen’s music, including "We Will Rock You," has had wide airplay and strong popularity in Canada, where it remains a familiar stadium and classic-rock anthem.

Frequently asked questions

Who wrote "We Will Rock You"?
Brian May, the guitarist of Queen, wrote the song.
When was "We Will Rock You" released?
It was released in 1977 on Queen’s album *News of the World*.
What is the song known for?
It is best known for its stomp-stomp-clap rhythm and crowd-participation format.
Was "We Will Rock You" inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame?
Yes. It was inducted in 2009.
Is "We Will Rock You" often used at sports events?
Yes. It is widely used as a stadium and sports anthem.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/We_Will_Rock_You
    Supports: Song identification, writer, album, release year, Grammy Hall of Fame, and ranking references.
  2. YouTube — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNZw4ERcR_g
    Supports: Stomp-stomp-clap recording details and body-percussion style as described in the source text.
  3. National Journal — https://nationaljournal.uk/world/we-will-rock-you/
    Supports: Release year, composition style, sports-anthem use, and historical context.
  4. Wikipedia — https://www.wikipedia.org/
    Supports: General corroboration across language editions for writer, album, and release year.