Despite being forced to postpone its second world tour joined by singer and “American Idol” runner-up Adam Lambert, Rolling Stone reports Queen is not letting coronavirus stop them from making music.
While Lambert and Queen band members Brian May and Roger Taylor have been under lockdown in their individual homes to stay safe from COVID-19, WTHR reports they each remotely recorded their parts in a newly released version of Queen’s iconic “We Are The Champions” — except this time, the “champions” are the healthcare workers across the world fighting the coronavirus.
“Just like we sent our young men and women into two world wars to fight, these young men and women are now fighting for us and risking their lives every day,” May told Rolling Stone. “That’s what this song has become about. It’s for everyone who is out there working and putting their life at risk.”
The video, which cuts between footage of the musicians and of healthcare workers and COVID-19 patients around the world, is raising money for the World Health Organization’s COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund. So far, thanks to Google matching and doubling every donation — $2 for every $1 donated — nearly half of their $7.5 million goal has already been raised.
73-year-old drummer Taylor is no stranger to the sacrifices healthcare workers are making, as his own daughter is one of the healthcare professionals working on the front lines. She can even be seen in the new video holding up cards that read “Stay Safe All. You are the Champions,” reports Rolling Stone.
“By each playing our part and addressing the difficult times we are all sharing we will win this challenge,” the band said in a joint statement to Variety. “During this time our thoughts and thanks are with those dedicated medical heroes standing up to the battle daily on our behalf. They are the champions. You are the champions.”