On This Day: February 23 1980 - Crazy Little Thing Called Love by Queen Became the Number One Song in America

  • Author Author Pete
  • Publish date Published Published
  • Reading time 2 min read

Welcome to the We Love the Eighties Community

This community is dedicated to the music, movies, television, games, radio, and pop culture that defined the 1980s. It is a place for people who lived the decade, as well as those who appreciate what made it unforgettable. Members use this forum to check in during live radio blocks, share weekly listening memories, and talk about what the music, shows, and moments of the 80s bring back for them. Guests are welcome to browse selected discussions, while full participation requires registration. If you would like to understand the intent behind this community and how it is curated, you can read more here: About This Community. Explore current conversations, share your memories, and take part in a community built around real 80s experiences.

Join the discussion

See what members are talking about right now
Free registration. Facebook and Google login available.

Overview Discussion

On This Day: February 23 1980 - Crazy Little Thing Called Love by Queen Became the Number One Song in America
On this day February 23 1980 Crazy Little Thing Called Love by Queen became the number one song in America. This rockabilly-inspired track, written by Freddie Mercury, marked Queen’s first number one hit in the United States. It held the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 from February 23 to March 21 and also reached number one in Canada, the Netherlands, and Australia.

Freddie Mercury famously wrote Crazy Little Thing Called Love in just a few minutes while soaking in a bathtub at the Munich Hilton. Inspired by Elvis Presley’s rock and roll style, the song showcased a different side of Queen, featuring a stripped-down sound with Mercury playing rhythm guitar for the first time on a studio recording. The track was released as the lead single from their 1980 album The Game, which would later produce another massive hit, Another One Bites the Dust.

With its catchy rhythm and vintage rock feel, the song quickly became a fan favorite and remains a staple in Queen’s live performances.

Fun fact: Queen recorded Crazy Little Thing Called Love at Musicland Studios in Munich, Germany, and finished the entire song in less than an hour.

Trivia question: While Crazy Little Thing Called Love was Queen’s first number one hit in the US, they had already achieved chart success worldwide. Can you name another Queen song that became a number one hit in any country before 1980?

Comments

There are no comments to display
Back
Top