Peak
24
Weeks
12
Score
1,425
Chart Year
1979
Scores & Rankings
Chart Performance
Peak Position24
Peak DateJan 13, 1979
Weeks at Peak1
Weeks Charted12
Weeks in Top 406
Weeks in Top 100
Weeks at #20
Weeks at #10
Scoring
Summary Calc437
Weekly Calc988
Total Score1,425
Rankings
Year Ranking#163
Decade Ranking#1,653
Billboard Year#164
Top 5000#10,077
Details
- Album
- Jazz
- Label
- Elektra Records
- Genre
- Rock
- Duration
- 1:00
- Composer(s)
- Freddie Mercury
- Entered Chart
- Nov 11, 1978
- Peak Date
- Jan 13, 1979
- Released
- Unknown
- Recorded
- Unknown
- Catalog #
- Elektra 45541A
- B-Side
- Fat Bottomed Girls
Music Video
Filmed by Denis de Vallance, the promotional video featured 65 nude women, all professional models, bicycle racing at Wimbledon Greyhound Stadium, southwest London. The group rented the stadium and several dozen bicycles for one day for filming the scene; however, when the renting company became aware of the way their bikes were used, they requested that the group purchase all the bicycle seats.[5][11] The original video used special effects to hide the nudity.[12] However, due to the nudity, the video is age-restricted on YouTube and banned in several countries, including China.
Notes
"Bicycle Race" is a song by the British rock band Queen. It was released on their 1978 album Jazz and written by Queen's lead singer Freddie Mercury. It was released as a double A-side single together with the song "Fat Bottomed Girls", reaching number 11 in the UK Singles Chart and number 24 in the Billboard Hot 100 in the US.[2][3] The song is included in their 1981 Greatest Hits compilation. The song is notable for its video featuring a bicycle race with nude women at Wimbledon Stadium. The controversial video was edited or even banned in several countries. The song itself has appeared in various media with a bicycle theme
Bicycle, bicycle, bicycle I want to ride my bicycle, bicycle, bicycle I want to ride my bicycle I want to ride my bike I want to ride my bicycle I want to ride it where I like You say black, I say white You say bark, I say bite You say shark, I say hey man Jaws was never my scene And I don't like Star Wars You say Rolls, I say Royce You say God give me a choice You say Lord, I say Christ I don't believe in Peter Pan Frankenstein or Superman All I wanna do is Bicycle, bicycle, bicycle I want to ride my bicycle, bicycle, bicycle I want to ride my bicycle I want to ride my bike I want to ride my bicycle I want to ride my bicycle, races are coming your way So forget all your duties, oh yeah Fat bottomed girls, they'll be riding today So look out for those beauties, oh yeah On your marks, get set, go Bicycle race, bicycle race, bicycle race Bicycle, bicycle, bicycle I want to ride my bicycle, bicycle, bicycle, bicycle (I want a) bicycle race You say coke, I say 'caine You say John, I say Wayne Hot dog, I say cool it man I don't wanna be the President of America You say smile, I say cheese Cartier, I say please Income tax, I say Jesus I don't wanna be a candidate For Vietnam or Watergate 'Cause all I want to do is Bicycle, bicycle, bicycle I want to ride my bicycle, bicycle (c'mon), bicycle I want to ride my bicycle I want to ride my bike I want to ride my bicycle I want to ride it where I like
Chart History (12 weeks)
| Week | Chart Date | Position | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nov 11, 1978 | 70 | 56 |
| 2 | Nov 18, 1978 | 56 | 70 |
| 3 | Nov 25, 1978 | 45 | 81 |
| 4 | Dec 2, 1978 | 41 | 85 |
| 5 | Dec 9, 1978 | 31 | 95 |
| 6 | Dec 16, 1978 | 27 | 99 |
| 7 | Dec 23, 1978 | 25 | 101 |
| 8 | Dec 30, 1978 | 25 | 101 |
| 9 | Jan 6, 1979 | 25 | 101 |
| 10 | Jan 13, 1979 | 24 | 102 |
| 11 | Jan 20, 1979 | 59 | 67 |
| 12 | Jan 27, 1979 | 96 | 30 |