New York, NY (Top40 Charts) In honor of the life and legacy of
Freddie Mercury and Queen, and in celebration of the upcoming biopic, Bohemian Rhapsody, multi-platinum band
5 Seconds Of Summer release a cover of Queen's 1974 seminal hit, "Killer Queen" today at all digital providers.
Says 5SOS, "Queen have been such a massive influence on us as a band. Their unique harmonies, the fluidity to their songwriting and how they each used their own musicality to back each other up have always inspired us. We chose to cover, 'Killer Queen' because we kept hearing it while writing our third album,
Youngblood and were so enamored by the production and their early realization of the minimalist approach to the track. For us, the exploration of individual vocalists in a band is incredibly important and
Queen helped us to see the future of how we want to sing, in addition to how we play our instruments. As a pioneer of individuality, Freddie taught us what it means to embrace the idea of truly being yourself and that's a part of
Queen that lives on in their music now, more than ever."
The song, produced by Linus, follows singer-songwriter and musician, Shawn Mendes' acoustic interpretation of the iconic 1981 No. 1 hit, "
Under Pressure" and was recorded as the second installment in a series of three artist covers in support of the Mercury
Phoenix Trust (MPT). The MPT was founded in 1992 by Brian May,
Roger Taylor and Jim Beach to support the global fight against HIV/AIDS. 5SOS, together with Universal
Music Group (UMG) and Queen, will donate net profits of the track to the MPT.
"Everyone at the Mercury
Phoenix Trust is thrilled that 5 Seconds of Summer have joined our global campaign fighting AIDS in celebration of the movie Bohemian Rhapsody. Thank you 5SOS for giving us such an impeccable version of Freddie's classic
Killer Queen," said Queen's manager, Jim Beach.
About The Mercury
Phoenix Trust: Following the moving and hugely successful Tribute Concert in 1992, Brian May,
Roger Taylor and Jim Beach set up The Mercury
Phoenix Trust (MPT) in memory of the iconic.
Freddie Mercury who died from AIDS related causes in 1991. The
Trust is a core part of rock band
Queen and Freddie's legacy, with the passion and power behind the music forming the bedrock of the MPT. The MPT has reached millions in the fight against HIV/AIDS worldwide, providing USD17 million to over 1,000 projects in 56 countries. The MPT predominantly funds smaller organisations it assesses and vets as they effectively work at grassroots level, where governments, larger NGOs and markets don't often reach. Through grassroots movements, events and social media, the MPT provides a platform for the voice of youth to be heard. It also provides a way in which Freddie's devoted followers and new generations of fans can celebrate his life, keeping Freddie's memory powerfully alive. With an estimated 36.9 million people living with HIV/AIDS and 1.8 million more becoming newly infected with HIV in 2017 alone, the battle is far from over making the work of the MPT and its global partners all the more essential. For more information on the organization please visit: https://www.mercuryphoenixtrust.com
About 5 Seconds Of Summer: Hailed as the "biggest new rock act in the world" by Rolling Stone, 5 Seconds of Summer (5SOS) is now the only band (not vocal group) in chart history to have its first three full-length studio albums enter the chart at No. 1. The band's third album,
Youngblood and its title track are a smash hit, with cumulative worldwide streams approaching 500million. "
Youngblood" hit No. 1 on Apple Music's biggest pop playlist, "Today's Hits," and Spotify's "Today's Top Hits" playlist, remaining on the latter for 20 consecutive weeks. The song holds the No. 1 spot at Top 40 Pop radio for four weeks and counting and is climbing the Top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The album's first single, "Want You Back," debuted at No. 1 on iTunes in over 18 countries earlier this year. Combined sales of 5SOS's self-titled debut album and 2015's
Sounds Good Feels Good now exceed six million units worldwide.
Sounds Good Feels Good charted at No. 1 in 12 countries, including the U.S., the U.K., and Australia. "She's Kinda Hot topped the iTunes charts in 44 countries. 5SOS is
Luke Hemmings (vocals/guitar), Michael Clifford (vocals/guitar), Calum Hood(vocals/bass), and Irwin (vocals/drums).
