Queen released “In the Lap of the Gods” in 1974. The song appears on Sheer Heart Attack, the band’s third studio album, which was released that year.
Freddie Mercury wrote the original “In the Lap of the Gods,” a dramatic album track built around his expressive lead vocal and Queen’s layered harmonies. Roger Taylor’s high backing vocals and Brian May’s guitar work contribute to its theatrical atmosphere. The song is followed on the album by “Stone Cold Crazy,” and its placement helps give Sheer Heart Attack a continuous, adventurous feel.
A common source of confusion is Queen’s later song “In the Lap of the Gods… Revisited,” also on Sheer Heart Attack. The two titles refer to separate tracks: the original is shorter and more experimental, while the “Revisited” version became especially important in Queen’s live performances. The 1974 date refers to the album release and is the standard year accepted for the song. Sheer Heart Attack helped establish Queen internationally before the group’s breakthrough with A Night at the Opera in 1975.