Freddie Mercury’s “Crazy Little Thing Called Love” is a classic that took just a few minutes to write. While soaking in a tub at the Bayerischer Hof Hotel in Munich, Mercury crafted this hit in about five to ten minutes. He used a guitar, even though he admitted he wasn’t very good at playing it. This limitation actually helped him create a great song by sticking to a few simple chords.
Released in 1979, “Crazy Little Thing Called Love” became Queen’s first No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100, staying at the top for four weeks. It later appeared on their album, The Game, which came out on June 30, 1980, and topped charts in both the US and the UK.
The song pays tribute to Elvis Presley and early rock ‘n’ roll. It describes love as something hot to touch and hard to hold onto. The lyrics also mention motorbike riding, adding to the rock ‘n’ roll vibe.
Brian May added his iconic guitar solo later, using a Telecaster that Roger Taylor had lying around. May plugged it in and recorded the part, giving the song an extra edge.
The single hit UK stores on October 12, 1979, with a live version of “We Will Rock You” as the B-side. In the US, it was released on December 7, with “Spread Your Wings” on the flip side.
“Crazy Little Thing Called Love” is a timeless anthem that captures the spirit of love and rock music, showcasing Mercury’s unique talent and creativity.
