Hear Queen’s Fast Version of ‘We Will Rock You’ From 1977 BBC Session

Queen have unleashed their rapid “fast version” of “We Will Rock You,” recorded during a 1977 session for legendary DJ John Peel, from the group’s upcoming collection of BBC recordings Queen on Air. The two-disc compilation, featuring 24 songs culled from the band’s BBC sessions, is due out November 4th.

Freddie Mercury and company recorded the up-tempo version of the track for the BBC on the same day their News of the World, the album containing “We Will Rock You,” was released in the U.K. Although the “fast version” of “We Will Rock You” became a live staple for the band, the performance on Queen on Airmarks the only time the band played this rendition in the studio.

“‘We Will Rock You’ ”“ profundity or just another teenage anthem!?” Peel said after playing the track on the air in 1997. “I’ve never seen them live. I must admit I’d like to ”“ a band that sounds like nutters, actually, and I like that because I like rock music to sound a little out of control.”

Queen also shared snippets from a pair of BBC interviews ”“ Brian May’s 1978 chat with John Tobler and a 1980 conversation between drummer Roger Taylor and Tommy Vance ”“ from the six-disc deluxe edition of Queen on Air.

This deluxe edition tacks on three discs worth of Queen interviews and radio appearances ”“ 220 minutes in total ”“ plus an additional CD packed with live concert broadcasts from London in 1973, Brazil in 1981 and Germany in 1986.

The deluxe version comes with a booklet containing rare photographs and sleeve notes compiled by band archivist Greg Brooks, as well as memories from the band and BBC producers Jeff Griffin and Bernie Andrews and comments from legendary Radio 1 DJs John Peel and Bob Harris from the time of the original broadcasts.

Preorder Queen on Air, also available as a 3LP vinyl, at the band’s website.