Thank God It's Christmas

A Non-Album Festive Queen Classic

Released as a 7-inch vinyl single in the UK on November 26, 1984, on EMI Records (catalogue: QUEEN 5), Queen’s “Thank God It's Christmas” was their first original Christmas song — a non-album single written by Brian May & Roger Taylor. Backed with “Man On The Prowl” and “Keep Passing The Open Windows” (both from *The Works*), produced by Queen & Mack. Peaked at No. 21 on the Official Singles Chart for 6 weeks. Issued in paper labels, silver injection labels, and promo variants, with a 12-inch extended version. A perennial festive Queen staple.

Single Overview

Release Details

Label: EMI Records.

Formats: Vinyl, 7", 45 RPM, Single (paper/silver injection labels, promo), 12" 45 RPM.

Full Track Listing

7" Vinyl (QUEEN 5) – all UK pressings

Side A

Thank God It's Christmas (4:19) – Written-By: May, Taylor

Side B

1. Man On The Prowl (3:28) – Written-By: Mercury

2. Keep Passing The Open Windows (5:21) – Written-By: Mercury

12" Vinyl (12 QUEEN 5) – UK

Side A

1. Thank God It's Christmas (4:19)

2. Man On The Prowl (Extended Version) (6:04)

Side B

Keep Passing The Open Windows (Extended Version) (6:47)

Global Variants

- 7", 45 RPM, Single, Paper Labels – EMI QUEEN 5 – UK – 1984

- 7", 45 RPM, Single, Silver Injection Labels – EMI QUEEN 5 – UK – 1984

- 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo – EMI QUEEN 5 – UK – 1984

- 12", 45 RPM – EMI 12 QUEEN 5 – UK – 1984

- 7", 45 RPM, Single – EMI – Brazil – 1984

- 7", 45 RPM, Single – EMI – Germany – 1984

- 7", 45 RPM, Single – EMI – Ireland – 1984

- 7", 45 RPM, Single – EMI – Italy – 1984

- 7", 45 RPM, Single – EMI – Netherlands – 1984

- 7", 45 RPM, Single – EMI – Portugal – 1984

- 7", 45 RPM, Single – EMI – South Africa – 1984

Production and Context

Produced by Queen & Mack (Reinhold Mack) for Raincloud Productions Ltd. Non-album A-side, B-sides from The Works (1984). A Queen Christmas original.

Official Singles Chart Data

Peak position: 21

6 weeks – 08/12/1984 to 12/01/1985

36 → 21 → 22 → 32 → 44 → 69

Singles Released and Chart Performance

UK Official Singles Chart: 21 (6 weeks) – entry 8 Dec 1984

Legacy and Collectibility

“Thank God It's Christmas” is Queen’s beloved festive non-album single. Original UK EMI pressings (paper/silver labels) Verify catalogue QUEEN 5.

Streams on Spotify make it a perennial Christmas re-entry. This single is a must-have for Queen Christmas collectors.

Do you have Thank God It's Christmas in your vinyl stack? Is it turkey time yet? 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