Song#: 0458
Date: 01/17/1981
Debut: 79
Peak: 42
Weeks: 10
Genre: Rock, Soundtrack
Pop Bits: While their previous album "The Game" was topping the chart, Queen finished off their soundtrack album to the movie "Flash Gordon." Very few films at the time used a rock score written and performed by a specific band and Queen's venture certainly became memorable. This first and only single from the album was done in a style reflective of the cartoon-ish nature of the film and became instantly recognizable. Although the single did not reach the Top 40 and the album petered out at #23, it has become something of a cult hit - the same as what would happen with the film. Although not a major box office dud, it didn't do great business and was considered a failure in the US. However, in the UK the film was a smash hit and the song and album went into the Top 10.
ReduxReview: "FLASH! Aaaa...Aaaaa!" I really don't know a person who would not know what this is if I said (sang?) it. It is pure camp classic in my book. However, as a single it borders on novelty and besides the chuggin' beat and the aforementioned line, there really is little here in the way of an actual song. But it does remain a well-known oddity in the Queen catalog.
ReduxRating: 5/10
Trivia: Over the years, the film and soundtrack have become pop culture touchstones and both have been used on TV shows, commercials and films. Most recently, the soundtrack was used in the 2012 movie "Ted," where the "Flash Gordon" movie is important in the plot of the film.
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I have too many touchpoints of my life to both this soundtrack and movie. The best part of it is that I know how silly and cartoonish it is. That's the entire beauty of it. Besides, I've remodeled it to "Donk! Aaa aaa! Savior of the universe"
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