In the 1980s, iconic rock band Queen continued to enjoy their previous years’ successes. The release of three classic Queen albums – A Night at the Opera, News of the World, and The Game – cemented their place as a major driving force in the musical zeitgeist. But songs like ‘Bohemian Rhapsody significantly changed labels’ attitudes toward radio play for decades.
After releasing the iconic Flash Gordon soundtrack in 1980, the band’s legendary frontman Freddie Mercury felt compelled to create something unique. It elevated his and Queen’s artistry and challenged audience expectations. This desire led to the release of Hot Space in 1982. However, its sound seemed to divert too abruptly from Queen’s familiar and well-loved foundation for many fans, particularly those in the UK.
At its core, Hot Space draws heavily on disco influences. Mercury stated in the book Freddie Mercury: A Life, In His Own Words, that he wanted the album to be inspired by another of the band’s dance hits, ‘Another One Bites the Dust‘. He also has greater musical coherence than their previous releases.
Although many fans welcomed the new direction, Mercury became frustrated with how English fans reacted. “In this case, with Hot Space, I think it is a big risk. And the public has been torn between two,” he said. “I hope the Americans see it as something new because England has completely ignored it. It was not their cup of tea. So, they just rejected it.”
The album’s second single, ‘Body Language,’ represented the band’s newfound desire to hone their skills in creating funky dance beats. While ‘Body Language’ received some attention in the United States, Mercury expressed dissatisfaction with the response in England.
“I’m extremely upset — outraged,” he admitted. “I just think they should have given it a chance. I mean, I know ‘Body Language’ was the first of its kind from us. Widespread criticism met it in England. He said, “I’m not going to send leave back and come out with a rehash of ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ because of that situation.” He added, “There’s no way I’m going to see that. But I’m glad the Americans have seen that side of things.”
‘Body Language’ performed better in the United States than in the United Kingdom. It fell short of the success of Queen’s earlier, more popular hits such as ‘Crazy Little Thing Called Love‘.
Perhaps the album’s abrupt departure from their usual style, unfortunate timing, or even Brian May’s less prominent role in ‘Body Language‘ perplexed fans. Regardless, its allure stems from its status as a genuine hidden treasure.
