Who wrote the song "Bicycle Race"?

Freddie Mercury wrote the Queen song “Bicycle Race.” He composed it after being inspired by watching the 18th stage of the 1978 Tour de France pass through Montreux, Switzerland, while Queen were recording their album Jazz.

The song was recorded in July 1978 and released later that year as part of a double A-side single with “Fat Bottomed Girls.” Both songs appeared on Jazz, and each song refers humorously to the other. “Bicycle Race” is known for its rapid changes in musical style, unusual chord progressions, layered vocals, and prominent bicycle-bell effects.

The song is sometimes incorrectly credited to Brian May because May was Queen’s guitarist and a major contributor to the band’s songwriting. However, the official writing credit belongs to Mercury. The other band members performed on the recording: May played guitar, Roger Taylor drums, and John Deacon bass.

Its promotional video became controversial because it featured a bicycle race involving nude models at Wimbledon Greyhound Stadium. Despite the controversy, the single became a notable 1978 Queen release and later appeared on the band’s Greatest Hits compilation.