Flash (song)
Encyclopedia
"Flash" is a song by British rock
group Queen
. Written by guitarist Brian May
, "Flash" is the theme song of the 1980 film Flash Gordon
. The soundtrack released to coincide with the film contained only the music composed and performed by Queen.
There are two versions of the song. The album version ("Flash's Theme") is in fact the start to the movie, with all the dialogue from the first scene. The single version features dialogue cut from various parts of the movie, most memorably, Brian Blessed
's character exclaiming "Gordon's alive!" This version was also included on the Greatest Hits
compilation from 1981.
Flash is sung as a duet
between Freddie Mercury
and Brian May
, with Roger Taylor
adding the high harmonies. May plays all of the instruments except for the rhythm section. He used a Bösendorfer
Imperial Grand Piano (with 97 keys instead of 88, having an extra octave on the low range), Oberheim
OBX synth (which he plays in the video) and his homemade Red Special
guitar.
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
group Queen
Queen (band)
Queen are a British rock band formed in London in 1971, originally consisting of Freddie Mercury , Brian May , John Deacon , and Roger Taylor...
. Written by guitarist Brian May
Brian May
Brian Harold May, CBE is an English musician and astrophysicist most widely known as the guitarist and a songwriter of the rock band Queen...
, "Flash" is the theme song of the 1980 film Flash Gordon
Flash Gordon (film)
Flash Gordon is a 1980 British/American science fiction film, based on the comic strip of the same name created by Alex Raymond. The film was directed by Mike Hodges and produced and presented by Dino De Laurentiis. It stars Sam J. Jones, Melody Anderson, Topol, Max von Sydow, Timothy Dalton, Brian...
. The soundtrack released to coincide with the film contained only the music composed and performed by Queen.
There are two versions of the song. The album version ("Flash's Theme") is in fact the start to the movie, with all the dialogue from the first scene. The single version features dialogue cut from various parts of the movie, most memorably, Brian Blessed
Brian Blessed
Brian Blessed is an English actor, known for his sonorous voice and "hearty, king-sized portrayals".-Early life:The son of William Blessed, a socialist miner, and Hilda Wall, Blessed was born in the town of Goldthorpe, West Riding of Yorkshire, England...
's character exclaiming "Gordon's alive!" This version was also included on the Greatest Hits
Greatest Hits (Queen)
Greatest Hits is a compilation album by the British rock group Queen. When released in November 1981, the record consisted of Queen's best-selling singles since their first chart appearance in 1974 with "Seven Seas of Rhye", until their most recent album at the time, The Game...
compilation from 1981.
Flash is sung as a duet
Duet (music)
A duet is a musical composition for two performers. In classical music, the term is most often used for a composition for two singers or pianists; with other instruments, the word duo is also often used. A piece performed by two pianists performing together on the same piano is referred to as...
between Freddie Mercury
Freddie Mercury
Freddie Mercury was a British musician, singer and songwriter, best known as the lead vocalist of the rock band Queen. As a performer, he was known for his flamboyant stage persona and powerful vocals over a four-octave range...
and Brian May
Brian May
Brian Harold May, CBE is an English musician and astrophysicist most widely known as the guitarist and a songwriter of the rock band Queen...
, with Roger Taylor
Roger Meddows-Taylor
Roger Meddows Taylor , known as Roger Taylor, is a British musician, singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. He is best known as the drummer, backing vocalist and occasional lead vocalist of British rock band Queen. As a drummer he is known for his "big" unique sound and is considered one of...
adding the high harmonies. May plays all of the instruments except for the rhythm section. He used a Bösendorfer
Bösendorfer
Bösendorfer is an Austrian piano manufacturer, and a wholly owned subsidiary of Yamaha. The brand is known for producing pianos with a uniquely rich, singing, and sustaining tone...
Imperial Grand Piano (with 97 keys instead of 88, having an extra octave on the low range), Oberheim
Oberheim
Oberheim Electronics is an American company, founded in 1969 by Tom Oberheim , which manufactured audio synthesizers and a variety of other electronic musical instruments.-Oberheim Electronics:...
OBX synth (which he plays in the video) and his homemade Red Special
Red Special
The Red Special is an electric guitar owned by Queen guitarist Brian May and custom-built by May and his father. The Red Special is also sometimes named in reviews as the Fireplace or the Old Lady, both nicknames used by May when referring to the guitar. A guitar that would define May's signature...
guitar.
Remixes and covers
- UK DJ Vanguard remixed the theme and released as single during the early DVD release of the film. The single managed to peak at #15 on the UK singles charts at that time.
- In 1988, Public Enemy used a sample of "Flash" for their song "Terminator X to the Edge of Panic", released on the album It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us BackIt Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us BackIt Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back is the second studio album by American hip hop group Public Enemy, released April 14, 1988, on Def Jam Recordings. Recording sessions for the album took place at Chung King Studios, Greene Street Recording, and Sabella Studios in New York City...
. - Chicago-based band Tub RingTub Ring-Biography:Tub Ring formed in 1992 as a high school punk band.The band really took form with addition of keyboard player Rob Kleiner, who spent his teenage years following around the band Mr. Bungle. With Kleiner added to the band, Tub Ring adopted the similar sounds of Mr. Bungle. Mr...
has been known to cover the song at concerts. - The song was played by My Chemical RomanceMy Chemical RomanceMy Chemical Romance is an American alternative rock band from New Jersey, formed in 2001. The band consists of lead vocalist Gerard Way, guitarists Ray Toro and Frank Iero, and bassist Mikey Way and have a diverse sound incorporating elements of punk, emo, glam metal, and progressive rock...
on the Projekt RevolutionProjekt RevolutionProjekt Revolution is a music festival hosted by Linkin Park, bringing artists of various genres of music together. Linkin Park started Projekt Revolution in the year 2002 with just one stage...
tour, in several shows. - Garage rock band Louis XIVLouis XIV (band)Louis XIV was an American rock band from San Diego, California.-Beginnings: :Lead singer/guitarist Jason Hill, guitarist Brian Karscig, and drummer Mark Maigaard formed the group in April 2003 while living in Paris, France. Bassist James Armbrust soon joined after.Louis XIV, the band's first album,...
covered the song on the 2007 EP The Distances from Everyone to YouThe Distances from Everyone to YouThe Distances from Everyone to You is Louis XIV's 2nd EP. It was released on September 11, 2007.-Track listing:#"There's a Traitor in This Room" – 3:37#"Your Shoes Are the Star of the Show" – 3:06#"The Distances from Everyone to You" – 5:08...
. - Noise rock/Grindcore band The LocustThe LocustThe Locust is a musical group from San Diego, California, United States known for their unique mix of grindcore speed and aggression, mathcore complexity, and new wave weirdness.- Style :...
played a version of the song on the compilation Dynamite With a Laserbeam: Queen As Heard Through the Meat Grinder Of Three One G - Tenacious DTenacious DTenacious D is an American rock band that was formed in Los Angeles, California in 1994. Composed of lead vocalist and guitarist Jack Black and lead guitarist and vocalist Kyle Gass, the band has released two albums – Tenacious D and The Pick of Destiny...
starts their concert with Flash on the DVD The Complete Master Works. - MaxNormal.TVMaxNormal.TVMaxNormal.TV was a South African four-piece electronic/hip-hop outfit formed in 2001 which eventually evolved into Die Antwoord.-Early days:...
used "Flash" in their song "Rap Fantasy". Instead of "Flash" they changed the words to, "Max Normal".
Uses in popular culture
- A segment of the song is often played at Miami HeatMiami HeatThe Miami Heat is a professional basketball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. The team is a member of the Southeast Division in the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association . They play their home games at American Airlines Arena in Downtown Miami...
home games when superstar Dwyane WadeDwyane WadeDwyane Tyrone Wade, Jr. nicknamed Flash or D-Wade, is an American professional basketball player for the Miami Heat. Awarded 2006 Sportsman of the Year by Sports Illustrated, Wade has established himself as one of the most well-known and popular players in the league...
, who is nicknamed "Flash," makes a spectacular play. - The song was played at Philadelphia PhilliesPhiladelphia PhilliesThe Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
home games when Phillies reliever Tom GordonTom GordonThomas Gordon , nicknamed "Flash", is a former Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. He played with the Kansas City Royals , Boston Red Sox , Chicago Cubs , Houston Astros , Chicago White Sox , New York Yankees , Philadelphia Phillies and the...
, whose nickname is "Flash Gordon", entered the game. - The song is played in the film Blades of GloryBlades of GloryBlades of Glory is a 2007 American comedy film directed by Josh Gordon and Will Speck, and starring Will Ferrell and Jon Heder. The movie was released on March 29, 2007 by DreamWorks and MTV Films...
when Will FerrellWill FerrellJohn William "Will" Ferrell is an American comedian, impressionist, actor, and writer. Ferrell first established himself in the late 1990s as a cast member on the NBC sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live, and has subsequently starred in the comedy films Old School, Elf, Anchorman, Talladega...
and Jon HederJon HederJonathan Joseph "Jon" Heder is an American screenwriter, actor, and filmmaker. His feature film debut came in 2004 as the title character of the comedy film Napoleon Dynamite...
do their final competition together, with the song as the background and basis for their routine at the end of the movie. - "Flash" is the opening song that Tenacious DTenacious DTenacious D is an American rock band that was formed in Los Angeles, California in 1994. Composed of lead vocalist and guitarist Jack Black and lead guitarist and vocalist Kyle Gass, the band has released two albums – Tenacious D and The Pick of Destiny...
plays in their Complete Masterworks DVD. - Some Sci Fi ChannelSci Fi Channel (United States)Syfy , formerly known as the Sci-Fi Channel and SCI FI, is an American cable television channel featuring science fiction, supernatural, fantasy, reality, paranormal, wrestling, and horror programming. Launched on September 24, 1992, it is part of the entertainment conglomerate NBCUniversal, a...
teaserTeaser trailerA teaser campaign is an advertising campaign which typically consists of a series of small, cryptic, challenging advertisements that anticipate a larger, full-blown campaign for a product launch or otherwise important event. These advertisements are called "teasers" or "teaser ads"...
-advertisements for the 2007 Flash GordonFlash Gordon (2007 TV series)Flash Gordon is an American science fiction television series that debuted on Sci Fi in the United States on August 10, 2007 and continued airing new episodes through February 8, 2008. It has also appeared on the United Kingdom Sci Fi Channel and SPACE in Canada...
series play the signature beats from the song over a simple logo. The song is not used in the actual show. - Mark DudbridgeMark DudbridgeMark Daniel Dudbridge is an English professional darts player.-Darts career:He started playing in his very early teens, citing Dennis Priestley as one of his heroes...
, an English darts player from Bristol, uses it as his entrance music on stage. A take on his nickname Flash. - "Flash" has been used as the opening theme song for Fuji TV's Formula One coverage in Japan since the 2007 season.
- This song has been played on Toy Story 2 advert on ABC1 and Disney Channel using "Buzz" instead of "Flash".
- NBA superstar Shaquille O'Neal sung the song during a press-conference but replaced flash with "Shaq, ahhh, he's the saviour of the universe"
- The song also can be listened in the anime "Macademi Wasshoi!", more specifically in the chapter 5, is the theme of presentation of one character.
- The song was featured in the Family Guy episode "Not All Dogs Go To Heaven", when Brian wonders why nobody has even seen God and what does he do up there.
- The song was used in a 2011 commercial for the Blackberry PlaybookBlackBerry PlayBookThe BlackBerry PlayBook is a tablet computer by Research In Motion , best known for the BlackBerry smartphone. It competes against Apple's iPad and a slew of Android-powered tablets....
, with "Flash" referring to the tablet computer's inclusion of Adobe Flash PlayerAdobe Flash PlayerThe Adobe Flash Player is software for viewing multimedia, Rich Internet Applications and streaming video and audio, on a computer web browser or on supported mobile devices. Flash Player runs SWF files that can be created by the Adobe Flash authoring tool, by Adobe Flex or by a number of other...
. - The song has recently been used in the UK Innocent smoothie advertising campaign replacing "Flash" with "Fruit"
- The song was used on a promo for the CBS reality show The Amazing RaceThe Amazing RaceThe Amazing Race is a reality television game show in which teams of two people, who have some form of a preexisting personal relationship, race around the world in competition with other teams...
, replacing "Flash" with "Phil", referring to the show's host Phil KeoghanPhil KeoghanPhilip John "Phil" Keoghan is a New Zealand-born television personality, best known for hosting the U.S. version of The Amazing Race on CBS, since its 2001 debut. He is also the creator and host of No Opportunity Wasted, which has been produced in the United States, New Zealand, and Canada...
. - At the 2011 LHSAA Division IV State Swimming Championships in Sulphur, LouisianaSulphur, LouisianaSulphur is a city in Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 22,512 at the 2000 census. Sulphur is a suburb of Lake Charles, and is part of the Lake Charles Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...
, defending 500 Yard FreestyleFreestyleFreestyle or Freestyler may refer to:* Coca-Cola Freestyle, The Coca-Cola Company's vending machine* FreeStyle, a television show on HGTV* Free Style , a 2009 American film...
State Champion Harry Browne attempted to use this song as his walkout music. However, due to technical problems, he was cheated out of using the song. In his rage, he went out and won the 500 Free by more than 20 seconds.
Live recording
- Queen on Fire - Live at the BowlQueen on Fire - Live at the BowlQueen on Fire - Live at the Bowl is a double compact disc live album by English band Queen released on October 25, 2004 in Europe and on November 9, 2004 in the US....
- Queen Rock MontrealQueen Rock MontrealQueen Rock Montreal is a live album by English rock band Queen. It was released in 2007 as a double CD / triple vinyl on 28 October in Australia, 29 October in Europe, and 30 October in the US....