A Night At The Opera

A Bohemian Opera Masterpiece

Released as a vinyl LP in the UK on November 21, 1975, on EMI Records (catalogue: EMTC 103 / 0C 066 ○ 97176), Queen’s A Night At The Opera — their fourth studio album — was a theatrical rock triumph. Produced by Roy Thomas Baker & Queen across six studios, this 11-track opus featured “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “You're My Best Friend,” and “Love Of My Life.” Iconic embossed gatefold with Blair’s cut, card inner (3/4 die-cut corners). Peaked at No. 1 UK, No. 4 US. Issued in multiple pressings and cassette/8-track variants. The album that made Queen superstars.

Album Overview

Release Details

Label: EMI Records.

Formats: Vinyl LP (embossed gatefold), cassette, 8-track cartridge.

℗ & ©: 1975 Queen Productions Ltd.

Full Track Listing (all formats)

Side A

1. Death On Two Legs (Dedicated To...) (3:37) – Written-By: Mercury

2. Lazing On A Sunday Afternoon (1:06) – Written-By: Mercury

3. I'm In Love With My Car (3:00) – Vocals: Roger Taylor – Written-By: Taylor

4. You're My Best Friend (2:47) – Electric Piano: John Deacon – Written-By: Deacon

5. '39 (3:13) – Double Bass: John Deacon – Vocals: Brian May – Written-By: May

6. Sweet Lady (4:09) – Written-By: May

7. Seaside Rendezvous (2:12) – Orchestrated By [Vocal Brass]: Roger Taylor – Orchestrated By [Vocal Woodwind]: Freddie Mercury – Written-By: Mercury

Side B

1. The Prophet's Song (7:31) – Toy Koto: Brian May – Written-By: May

2. Love Of My Life (4:06) – Harp: Brian May – Written-By: Mercury

3. Good Company (3:22) – Ukulele [Genuine Aloha], Guitar [Jazz Band]: Brian May – Vocals: Brian May – Written-By: May

4. Bohemian Rhapsody (5:48) – Operatic Vocals: Brian, Freddie, Roger – Written-By: Mercury

5. God Save The Queen (1:07) – Arranged By: May – Written-By: Trad.

Cassette Album (TC-EMTC 103 / 0C 244 ০ 97176) – UK

Side A/B identical to vinyl.

8-Track Cartridge (8X-EMTC 103 / OC 246 o 97176) – UK

Program A

1. Death On Two Legs (Dedicated To...)

2. Lazing On A Sunday Afternoon

3. I'm In Love With My Car

4. You're My Best Friend

Program B

5. '39

6. Sweet Lady

7. Good Company

Program C

1. Seaside Rendezvous

2. The Prophet's Song

Program D

1. Love Of My Life

2. Bohemian Rhapsody

3. God Save The Queen

UK Variants

Vinyl releases 1975

- LP, Album – EMI EMTC 103 / 0C 066 ○ 97176 – UK – 1975 (Blair’s/Blair’s cut)

- LP, Album – EMI EMTC 103 – UK – 1975 (crest design © on front)

- LP, Album – EMI EMTC 103 – UK – 1975 (non-Blair’s/Blair’s cut)

Cassette releases 1975

- Cassette, Album – EMI TC-EMTC 103 / 0C 244 ০ 97176 – UK – 1975 (black/white labels)

- Cassette, Album – EMI TC-EMTC 103 – UK – 1975 (grey shell/blue text)

8-Track Cartridge

- 8-Track, Album – EMI 8X-EMTC 103 – UK – 1975

Production and Context

Produced by Roy Thomas Baker & Queen. Recorded at Sarm East, Roundhouse, Olympic, Rockfield, Scorpio, Lansdowne. Mixed at Sarm East. No synthesisers! The album that bankrupted Queen to make — and made them legends.

Singles Released

- Bohemian Rhapsody (31 Oct 1975)

- You're My Best Friend (18 Jun 1976)

Album Chart Performance

- UK: 1

- US: 4

Legacy and Collectibility

A Night At The Opera is Queen’s operatic masterpiece — "Bohemian Rhapsody", "You're My Best Friend", "The Prophet's Song". Original UK embossed gatefold vinyls (mint with intact corners). Verify catalogue EMTC 103.

This LP is a must-have for Queen collectors.

Do you have A Night At The Opera in your vinyl stack? Is Bohemian Rhapsody still your headbanger? 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