The video has become the first pre-1990’s video to reach 1bn views on the platform.
Bohemian Rhapsody was Queen’s first Top 10 hit in the US and in the UK it went to No.1 for nine straight weeks.
The promotional video was based on their Queen II album cover. It was directed by Bruce Gowers and was shot in three hours for a cost of £4,500 at the time at the band’s rehearsal space.
To celebrate the video reaching 1bn views, Queen, in partnership with YouTube Music, Universal Music Group and Hollywood Records have announced the launch of “You Are The Champions’, a new campaign featuring three new user generated videos for three of the band’s tracks.
A newly remastered HD version of the video has also been made available today on the band’s YouTube channel.
Additionally, the song’s lyrics have been added in multiple languages including English, Spanish, Italian, French, Japanese, Polish, German, Indonesian Bahasa, Korean, Czech, Russian & Turkish whilst watching the video.
“We are honoured that Bohemian Rhapsody has just hit one billion views on YouTube.”
Brian May and Roger Taylor
Queen members Brian May and Roger Taylor, said: “We are honoured that Bohemian Rhapsody has just hit one billion views on YouTube.
“We want to thank you all and celebrate with our amazing fans all around the world by creating three new music videos to our songs, all featuring you! Whether you are a musician, singer, dancer, visual artist or you just want to have some fun. Go to www.youarethechampions.com to find out more and we’ll see you on the road somewhere.”
“Bohemian Rhapsody is a sonic and cinematic masterpiece that’s one of the most enduring songs of all time.”
Lyor Cohen, Global Head of Music for YouTube, added: “Bohemian Rhapsody is a sonic and cinematic masterpiece that’s one of the most enduring songs of all time.
“The newly remastered video on YouTube will ensure the song continues to be rediscovered, embraced and beloved by old and new generations of music fans around the world; it’s incredible to help change the way fans experience music and provide a place for artist and fan connections worldwide.”
“We are thrilled that Queen’s iconic Bohemian Rhapsody video has reached a historic one billion views on YouTube.”
Celine Joshua, Universal Music Group
Celine Joshua, General Manager, Commercial, Content and Artist Strategy at Universal Music Group, said: “We are thrilled that Queen’s iconic Bohemian Rhapsody video has reached a historic one billion views on YouTube.
“Now, together with Queen, YouTube and Hollywood Records, we are excited to launch ‘You Are The Champions’, an innovative new user generated video campaign with Queen’s incredible fans around the world at its core.
“This will be the first of a series of custom initiatives we have planned in the coming months on the official Queen channel.”Music Business Worldwide
