Description
Queen – Flash Gordon (Original Soundtrack Music) – Double Compact Disc
Released in 1980, Flash Gordon (Original Soundtrack Music) captures Queen stepping into the world of film scoring while still maintaining the bold, theatrical style that defined their music. Written for the science-fiction adventure film Flash Gordon, the album functions as both a soundtrack and a Queen record, blending instrumental score pieces with a handful of full songs performed by the band.
Rather than approaching the project like a traditional orchestral film score, Queen embraced the futuristic atmosphere of the movie by incorporating synthesizers and electronic textures alongside their usual rock instrumentation. The result is a sound that feels perfectly aligned with the colorful, larger-than-life aesthetic of the film. Pulsing keyboards, dramatic guitar riffs, and layered vocal effects create a musical backdrop that mirrors the epic space opera unfolding on screen.
The album’s most recognizable track is “Flash,” the energetic theme song built around the instantly memorable chant of “Flash! Ah-ah!” The song captures the heroic spirit of the film’s central character while delivering the kind of bold, arena-ready rock anthem that Queen had perfected by that point in their career.
Much of the album consists of shorter instrumental pieces that function as musical scenes. These tracks weave together synthesizer melodies, rhythmic patterns, and dramatic sound effects, sometimes incorporating dialogue snippets from the film itself. Guitarist Brian May contributes soaring lead guitar moments that cut through the electronic textures, while the rhythm section of Roger Taylor and John Deacon adds a driving pulse to several pieces.
Freddie Mercury’s presence is also strongly felt throughout the soundtrack. His voice appears in key moments, bringing the theatrical intensity and vocal power that had become central to Queen’s identity. Even within the context of a film score, his performance style adds a sense of grandeur to the music.
While Flash Gordon differs from Queen’s typical studio albums, it highlights the band’s willingness to experiment with new formats and sounds. The combination of rock, electronic elements, and cinematic composition creates a distinctive entry in their catalog.
Over time, the soundtrack has developed a cult following among both Queen fans and science-fiction enthusiasts. It stands as a unique moment in the band’s career—an album where their larger-than-life musical style meets the spectacle of classic space adventure storytelling.
Brand new, never played and still sealed in the factory plastic
Track Listing
Flash’s Theme
In The Space Capsule (The Love Theme)
Ming’s Theme (In The Court Of Ming The Merciless)
The Ring (Hypnotic Seduction Of Dale)
Football Fight
In The Death Cell (Love Theme Reprise)
Execution Of Flash
The Kiss (Aura Resurrects Flash)
Arboria (Planet Of The Tree Men)
Escape From The Swamp
Flash To The Rescue
Vultan’s Theme (Attack Of The Hawk Men)
Battle Theme
The Wedding March
Marriage Of Dale And Ming (And Flash Approaching)
Crash Dive On Mingo City
Flash’s Theme Reprise (Victory Celebrations)
The Hero
Flash (Single Version)
The Hero (October 1980… Revisited)
The Kiss (Early Version, March 1980)
Football Fight (Early Version, No Synths – February 1980)
Flash (Live In Montreal, November 1981)
The Hero (Live In Montreal, November 1981)
