Al’s Music of the Day, 23 May 2026

More glutenous homage

I’m sure it will please Ms. Jackie to learn that another of her posts inspired the mental radio to dial in an old favorite, which I played yesterday while mowing the lawn, pre-holiday.

Back in the day, my high school gang and I were huge Queen fans. I never got to see them live, for reasons that I am now uncertain of, since they toured regularly in the 1970s and early 80s.

But not seeing them does not mean we didn’t perform them. We regularly acted out their more theatrical tunes, and predated the AMC Pacer-based Wayne’s World Bohemian Rapsody bit by a decade or so. I demand royalties.

Fat Bottomed Girls was written by Queen guitarist-now-astrophysicist Brian May, and was a top-25 hit in the US. It was released along with Bicycle Race as a dual A-side single and each song references the other. Both were off the 1979 “Jazz” LP.

And while front man Freddy Mercury may not have been attracted to females with ample glutes, his vocals provide a standout tribute. On the album, Mercury is backed by May on the chorus, which differs from live performances where Roger Taylor joins in to create a three-part harmony.

Being my Queen’s birthday, I’ve now got to get off my ample bottom and get to tending to her special day.

Freddy…take it from here.