Flash Gordon (Original SoundtracK) Album: 1980

A Hawkmen Arena Rock Odyssey

Released as a vinyl LP and TC in the UK on December 8, 1980, on EMI Records (catalogue: EMC 3351 / OC 062-64 203), Queen’s Flash Gordon (Original Soundtrack Music) — the score to the cult film — was their ninth studio album. Produced by Brian May & Mack, recorded at Townhouse, Music Centre, Advision, and Utopia Studios, this 18-track concept featured dialogue from the movie and the hit single “Flash.” Peaked at No. 10 on the UK Albums Chart for 15 weeks.

Album Overview

Release Details

Label: EMI Records.

Formats: Vinyl LP, TC cassette.

Full Track Listing

Side A

1. Flash's Theme

2. In The Space Capsule (The Love Theme)

3. Ming's Theme (In The Court Of Ming The Merciless)

4. The Ring (Hypnotic Seduction Of Dale)

5. Football Fight

6. In The Death Cell (Love Theme Reprise)

7. Execution Of Flash

8. The Kiss (Aura Resurrects Flash)

Side B

1. Arboria (Planet Of The Tree Men)

2. Escape From The Swamp

3. Flash To The Rescue

4. Vultan's Theme (Attack Of The Hawk Men)

5. Battle Theme

6. The Wedding March

7. Marriage Of Dale And Ming (And Flash Approaching)

8. Crash Dive On Mingo City

9. Flash's Theme Reprise (Victory Celebrations)

10. The Hero

Cassette Album (TC-EMC 3351) – UK

Side A/B identical to vinyl.

UK Variants

- LP, Album – EMI EMC 3351 – UK – 1980

- Cassette, Album – EMI TC-EMC 3351 – UK – 1980

Production and Context

Produced by Brian May & Mack (Reinhold Mack). Additional orchestral arrangements by Howard Blake. Recorded February–March & October–November 1980. Queen’s first full soundtrack — dialogue-heavy, synth-driven, and gloriously over-the-top.

Singles Released and Chart Performance

- Flash (November 24, 1980) – UK No. 10

Album Chart Performance

- UK: 10 (15 weeks) – entry December 20, 1980

Legacy and Collectibility

Flash Gordon is Queen’s cult cinematic soundtrack — pure ‘80s camp and grandeur. Original UK EMI gatefold vinyls fetch £20–£60 on eBay/Discogs, cassettes £10–£30. Verify catalogue EMC 3351. This album is a must-have for Queen soundtrack collectors.

Do you have Flash Gordon in your vinyl stack? Ah-ah, saviour of the universe? Share in the comments!

Sources

Information is drawn from my personal knowledge and supplemented by web sources, including Discogs, 45cat, AllMusic, Rate Your Music, Wikipedia, BBC Official Charts Company, Billboard Chart History and YouTube

Whilst every effort is made to provide accurate information, mistakes do happen. Simply leave a comment and the post will be updated. Thank you.