New Delhi: Iconic British rock band Queen and American singer Adam Lambert Friday released a new version of the Queen classic ‘We Are the Champions‘.
Retitled ‘You Are the Champions‘, the song is a tribute to healthcare workers on the frontline of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The band’s guitarist Brian May, drummer Robert Taylor and Lambert gathered virtually to record the video. It was shot on mobile phones and coordinated via Instagram across London, Cornwall and Los Angeles.
Announcement ! Something new from QAL tonight. Come back and see me here at 12 midnight British Summer Time – and ALL will be revealed !! OK ? Bri https://t.co/lRlWeqRBG9
— Dr. Brian May (@DrBrianMay) April 30, 2020
The new video is a collection of images showing healthcare staff in the United Kingdom. It also features “thank you” messages for the frontline workers.
Directed by Drew Gleason and Tyler Macey, the video has been released on all streaming and download services and proceeds from it will go to the World Health Organisation’s Covid-19 Solidarity Response Fund.
The original song, released in 1977, was written and sung by the band’s lead singer Freddie Mercury who later died of bronchial pneumonia resulting from AIDS. The song, which was a worldwide success, is considered a rock anthem and was later inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2009.
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‘Shame that UK was unprepared to fight pandemic’
In an interview with the BBC recently, May said he was “angry and sad” that healthcare workers were “expected to go in and risk their lives” without proper protection.
“People have died. Young people who had their whole lives ahead of them. I find it absolutely heartbreaking,” he said.
May also added that it was a shame UK remained unprepared for the coronavirus pandemic, which has so far taken the lives of more than 100 National Health Service and other healthcare staff.
More than 1.7 lakh people are infected in the UK and over 26,000 have been killed so far. Globally, the coronavirus pandemic has infected more than 30 lakh people and killed over 2.35 lakh.
Also read: The Freddie Mercury story that goes untold in Bohemian Rhapsody