{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2021}} {{Use British English|date=January 2012}} {{Infobox album | name = The Game | type = studio | artist = Queen | cover = Queen The Game.png | alt = | released = 30 June 1980<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bpi.co.uk/award|title=Black Keys, Howlin' For You, Single - The BPI|website=Bpi.co.uk|access-date=30 June 2025}}</ref> | recorded = June–July 1979<br>February–May 1980 | studio = Musicland (Munich, Germany) | genre = {{hlist|Rock<ref name="Popmatters"/>|funk rock<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.popmatters.com/queen-the-game-40-atr-2647087835.html|title=Funk Rock and Synthesizers in Munich: Queen's 'The Game' at 40|last1=Ingalls|first1=Chris|publisher=PopMatters|date=26 August 2020|access-date=4 August 2022}}</ref>|pop<ref name="Smith 2022"/>|disco<ref name="Smith 2022">{{cite news|first= Troy L. |last= Smith |title= Every No. 1 album of the 1980s ranked from worst to best|website= Cleveland.com |date= 10 November 2022|access-date= 13 December 2024|url= https://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/2022/11/every-no-1-album-of-the-1980s-ranked-from-worst-to-best.html|quote=''The Game'' is the sound of Queen making a conventional pop album – a hybrid of disco and rock...}}</ref>||new wave<ref>{{Cite web|title=20 of the Best New Wave Albums by Rock/Pop Artists|url=https://www.popmatters.com/20-best-new-wave-albums|website=PopMatters|date=19 June 2025 |language=en}}</ref>}} | length = 35:42 | label = {{hlist|EMI|Elektra}} | producer = Queen | prev_title = Live Killers | prev_year = 1979 | next_title = Flash Gordon | next_year = 1980 | misc = {{Extra chronology | artist = Queen studio album | type = studio | prev_title = Jazz | prev_year = 1978 | title = The Game | year = 1980 | next_title = Flash Gordon | next_year = 1980 }}{{Singles | name = The Game | type = studio | single1 = Crazy Little Thing Called Love | single1date = 12 October 1979<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bpi.co.uk/brit-certified|title=BRIT Certified - The BPI|website=Bpi.co.uk|access-date=30 June 2025}}</ref> | single2 = Save Me | single2date = 25 January 1980 | single3 = Play the Game | single3date = 30 May 1980 | single4 = Another One Bites the Dust | single4date = 22 August 1980 | single5 = Need Your Loving Tonight | single5date = 18 November 1980 (US) }} }}
'''''The Game''''' is the eighth studio album by the British rock band Queen. It was released on 30 June 1980 by EMI Records in the UK and by Elektra Records in the United States. The album is the first by Queen to feature a synthesizer, specifically the Oberheim OB-X.<ref>{{cite book |last=Baker |first=Theodore |author-link=Theodore Baker |author2=Nicolas Slonimsky |author2-link=Nicolas Slonimsky |title=Baker's Biographical Dictionary of Musicians: Centennial Edition |edition=5th |year=1965 |publisher=Schirmer Books |isbn=0028655257 |quote=The album yielded ... 'Play the Game,' which featured the group's first use of the synthesiser...}}</ref><ref name="Reed 2020">{{cite web |last1=Reed |first1=Ryan |title=How Queen Embraced the Synthesizer on "Play the Game" |url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/queen-play-the-game/ |website=Ultimate Classic Rock |publisher=Townsquare Media |access-date=14 August 2024 |ref=Reed 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240301063616/https://ultimateclassicrock.com/queen-play-the-game/ |archive-date=1 March 2024 |date=8 June 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref>
''The Game'' features a different, more pop-oriented sound compared to its predecessor, ''Jazz'' (1978). As a result of this stylistic shift, it became the only Queen album to reach number one in the US ''Billboard'' 200, and it remains their best-selling studio album in the United States, with four million copies sold.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Gold & Platinum |url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/ |access-date= |website=RIAA |language=en-US}}</ref> Songs on the album include the rockabilly tribute "Crazy Little Thing Called Love", which became the band's first number-one single on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100, and the funk-inspired "Another One Bites the Dust", which was their second and final US number-one hit.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Anderson |first=Trevor |date=February 23, 2018 |title=Rewinding the Charts: In 1980, Queen Got ‘Crazy’ Atop the Hot 100 |url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/queen-crazy-little-thing-called-love-hot-100-number-1-rewinding-charts/ |access-date= |website=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Rutherford |first=Kevin |date=October 4, 2019 |title=Rewinding the Charts: In 1980, Another One Topped the Chart for Queen |url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/queen-another-one-bites-the-dust-rewinding-the-charts/ |access-date= |website=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref>
The album was reissued in May 2003 on DVD-Audio with Dolby 5.1 surround sound and DTS 5.1.
{{toclimit|3}}
==Songs== ===Side one=== ===="Play the Game"==== {{Main|Play the Game (song)}} "Play the Game" was written by Freddie Mercury. The song begins with a series of overlapping synthesizer sounds played on an Oberheim OB-X, signaling the band's acceptance of electronic instruments into what had previously been an explicitly "no synths" sonic approach. It was released as the album's third single on 30 May 1980, reaching No. 14 in the UK and No. 42 in the United States. The song was performed live until 1982.
===="Dragon Attack"==== "Dragon Attack" was written by Brian May and was featured as the B-side of the UK single release of "Another One Bites The Dust", due to its stylistic similarity as a funk rock song.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.popmatters.com/queen-the-game-40-atr-2647087835.html|title=Funk Rock and Synthesizers in Munich: Queen's 'The Game' at 40|last1=Ingalls|first1=Chris|publisher=PopMatters|quote=Guitarist Brian May brings his considerable chops to songs like his own composition “Dragon Attack”, a slinky funk-rock workout with lots of solid riffs and stinging leads (at times reminiscent of the extended guitar workouts on “Brighton Rock” from 1974’s Sheer Heart Attack).|date=26 August 2020|access-date=4 August 2022}}</ref> It was performed live from 1980 to 1985. Two remixes of the track were scheduled to appear on the cancelled 1992 ''BASIC Queen Bootlegs'' album. The first, by Jack Benson and R.A.K., was included as a bonus track on 1991 reissues of ''The Game''. The second was an instrumental remix by Dave Ogilvie.
===="Another One Bites the Dust"==== {{Main|Another One Bites the Dust}}
"Another One Bites the Dust" was written by John Deacon. The song, a funk and disco track, was released as a single at the suggestion of Michael Jackson, a fan of the band who attended their July 1980 concert at The Forum near Los Angeles. It quickly became a success, reaching No. 1 in the United States and several other countries, and No. 7 in the United Kingdom. It is Queen's best selling single, with sales of approximately 7 million copies worldwide. The song was performed live from 1980 until the band's final tour with Mercury in 1986. Portions of the song were included in a Queen medley performed by Extreme at The Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert in 1992.
===="Need Your Loving Tonight"==== {{Main|Need Your Loving Tonight}}
"Need Your Loving Tonight" was written by Deacon. The song was released as a single in November 1980 and reached No. 44 in the United States. It was performed frequently during The Game Tour in 1980 and less frequently in 1981, but was not performed live thereafter.<ref name=wild>{{cite book|title=Queen: Every Album, Every Song|author=Wild, Andrew|page=71|year=2018|publisher=Sonicbond|isbn=9781789520033}}</ref>
===="Crazy Little Thing Called Love"==== {{Main|Crazy Little Thing Called Love}}
"Crazy Little Thing Called Love" was written by Mercury as a tribute to Elvis Presley while he was relaxing in a bath at the Bayerischer Hof Hotel in Munich, where Queen were staying during the recording of ''The Game''. The track was released as a single eight months before release of the album. It peaked at No. 2 in the United Kingdom in late 1979 and then No. 1 in Australia, Canada, Mexico, Netherlands, and the United States in early 1980. The song was performed live from 1979 to 1986, first during the Crazy Tour and later as part of Queen's set at Live Aid. In addition to playing guitar on the recording, Mercury also played guitar in live performances of the song.
===Side two=== ===="Rock It (Prime Jive)"==== "Rock It (Prime Jive)" was written by Roger Taylor. The song begins with Mercury singing the intro and then Taylor sings the rest of the song. The song was only performed live in North and South America, and in Japan, during The Game and Hot Space Tours respectively.
===="Don't Try Suicide"==== "Don't Try Suicide" was written by Mercury, and is Mercury's third and final song on the album. The song has never been performed live. The song was the B-side on the American release of "Another One Bites the Dust". In 1992, DJ Muggs remixed the track for inclusion on the later cancelled ''BASIC Queen Bootlegs'' compilation.
===="Sail Away Sweet Sister"==== "Sail Away Sweet Sister (To the Sister I Never Had)" was written by May and features him on lead vocals. The bridge was sung by Mercury. The song was recorded in June/July 1979. It has never been performed live by Queen, but has been by Guns N' Roses and by Brian May himself during the Another World tour in 1998. The song was sampled by Das EFX on their 1998 track "Change" from the album ''Generation EFX''.<ref>{{Cite AV media notes|title=Generation EFX|author=Das EFX|year=1998|type=liner notes|publisher=EastWest Records America|id=7559-62063-1}}</ref>
The song has also been on compilation albums ''Deep Cuts, Volume 2 (1977–1982)'' and ''Queen Forever''.
===="Coming Soon"==== "Coming Soon" was written by Taylor. Mercury and Taylor share lead vocals. The song had been started during the ''Jazz'' sessions.
===="Save Me"==== {{Main|Save Me (Queen song)}}
"Save Me" was written by May, in tribute to a friend whose marriage had recently ended. May played most of the instruments on the track including acoustic and electric guitars, piano and synthesizer. The song was performed live from 1979 to 1982. When live the song features a short piano entrance absent from the studio version. The song peaked at No. 11 in the UK Singles Chart.
==Artwork== The photo on the cover of the EMI CD is different from that originally used on the LP and cassette release, even though the Hollywood CD still has the original photo. The original photo (with Roger Taylor having folded arms and Brian May not having a hand resting upon his exposed hip) is shown in the article. This alternate photo was also used on the cover of the album in the ''Crown Jewels'' box set released in 1998, and on the DTS DVD-Audio edition of the album released in 2003.
==Tour== {{main|The Game Tour}}
==Reception== {{Music ratings |rev1 = AllMusic |rev1score = {{Rating|4.5|5}}<ref name="am">[{{AllMusic|class=album|id=the-game-mw0000650663|pure_url=yes}} ''The Game'']. AllMusic. Retrieved 19 November 2010.</ref> |rev2 = ''Chicago Tribune'' |rev2Score = {{Rating|2.5|4}}<ref>{{cite news|last=Kot|first=Greg|author-link=Greg Kot|date=19 April 1992|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1992/04/19/an-18-record-80-million-copy-odyssey/|title=An 18-record, 80 Million-copy Odyssey|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|access-date=19 April 2016}}</ref> |rev3 = ''The Encyclopedia of Popular Music'' |rev3Score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref>{{cite book|last=Larkin|first=Colin|author-link=Colin Larkin (writer)|year=2011|title=The Encyclopedia of Popular Music|publisher=Omnibus Press|isbn=978-0857125958|edition=5th<!--|page=2006-->|page=2248}}</ref> |rev4 = ''The Guardian'' |rev4Score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="Petridis">{{cite news|last=Petridis|first=Alexis|author-link=Alexis Petridis|date=15 December 2011|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2011/dec/15/queen-jazz-game-flash-gordon-review|title=Queen: Jazz; The Game; Flash Gordon; Hot Space – review|newspaper=The Guardian|location=London|access-date=19 April 2016}}</ref> | rev5 = ''MusicHound Rock'' | rev5Score = {{rating|3|5}}<ref>{{cite book|editor1-last=Graff|editor1-first=Gary|editor2-last=Durchholz|editor2-first=Daniel|title=MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide|publisher=Visible Ink Press|location=Farmington Hills, MI|year=1999|section=Queen|isbn=1-57859-061-2|pages=909–910}}</ref> |rev6 = ''Record Mirror'' |rev6score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="recordmirror">{{Cite web|url=https://queenarchives.com/qa/|title=Queen Archives :: Interviews, Articles, Reviews – Freddie Mercury, Brian May, Roger Taylor, John Deacon|website=Queenarchives.com|access-date=30 June 2025}}</ref> |rev7 = ''The Rolling Stone Album Guide'' |rev7score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/artists/queen/albumguide |title=Queen: Album Guide |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=10 June 2012}}</ref> |rev8 = ''Smash Hits'' |rev8score = 3/10<ref name="Smash Hits">{{cite journal|last=Taylor|first=Steve|title=Albums|journal=Smash Hits|issue=10–23 July 1980|page=31}}</ref> |rev9 = ''Uncut'' |rev9Score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=1026367|title=Queen – The Game CD Album|publisher=CD Universe|access-date=17 January 2018}}</ref> }}
Contemporary critical reception was mixed. ''Billboard'' notes that "The energy never flags, the music is expertly rendered throughtout, and the effects and studio trickery are stubtly handled".<ref>{{cite magazine |date=July 12, 1980|title=Billboard Spotlight Pick: The Game|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kSQEAAAAMBAJ&lpg=PP1&pg=PT85#v=onepage&q&f=false|magazine=Billboard|page=54|volume=92|issue=28|editor=}}</ref> ''Cashbox'' believed that "While its high harmony, melodic heavy metal sound is unmistakable, each song on "The Game" has a totally different sound from the next."<ref name=":13">{{Cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/cashbox42unse_7/page/8/mode/2up|title=Cash Box Album Reviews|date=July 12, 1980|publisher=Cash Box Pub. Co.|isbn=|location=|pages=8|volume=42|issue=7}}</ref> ''Record World'' in its Album Hits of the week said that "These artists do it all masterfully." on this album."<ref name=":222">{{Cite magazine |last1=|first1=|date=July 12, 1980|title=Album Reviews: Pick Hits|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Record-World/80s/80/Record-World-1980-07-12.pdf|access-date=May 16, 2026|magazine=Record World|page=1|volume=|issue=}}</ref> For ''Record Mirror'', Robin Smith wrote of the album, "It's like winning the men's singles at Wimbledon."<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Smith |first1=Robin |editor1-last=Martin |editor1-first=Alf |title=Queen Play and Win |journal=Record Mirror |date=21 June 1980 |volume=27 |issue=25 |page=16 |url=https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50859961071_c0842407bc_o.jpg |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250126233946/https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50859961071_c0842407bc_o.jpg |url-status=dead |archive-date=2025-01-26 |access-date=26 January 2025 |publisher=Morgan Gramplan, Ltd. |location=London, England|language=English |issn=0144-5804}}</ref> ''Rolling Stone'' felt that it was "nice to hear a Queen album with songs, not 'anthems'," but opined that "these guys know how this music should sound and feel, but they can't bend enough to get with it."<ref name="rolling">{{Cite web|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/the-game-183469/|title=The Game|first=Steve|last=Pond|website=Rollingstone.com|date=18 September 1980|access-date=30 June 2025}}</ref> ''The Washington Post'' gave a scathing review, writing: "After five years of unchallenging, dismal albums, this was supposed to be Queen's comeback. But no such luck."<ref name="washington">{{cite news|url=http://www.queenarchives.com/index.php?title=Queen_-_08-21-1980_-_The_Game_-_Washington_Post|date=1980-08-21|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101128145632/http://www.queenarchives.com/index.php?title=Queen_-_08-21-1980_-_The_Game_-_Washington_Post|archivedate=2010-11-28|title=Washington Post review|newspaper=Washington Post}}</ref> Steve Taylor, writing for ''Smash Hits'', was equally as dismissive, writing "sandwiched between two slabs of Queen's usual symphonic and/or choral pomp-rock [...] lies a filling of utterly unoriginal corn".<ref name="Smash Hits" />
''Creem'' readers voted ''The Game'' the seventh greatest album of 1980.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rocklistmusic.co.uk/creem_lists.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070110130743/http://www.rocklistmusic.co.uk/creem_lists.htm |url-status=usurped |archive-date=10 January 2007 |title=Rocklist.net...Creem magazine selected readers |publisher=Rocklistmusic.co.uk |access-date=10 January 2012}}</ref> At the Grammy Awards in 1981, Queen and Mack were nominated for Producer of the Year (Non-Classical) while "Another One Bites the Dust" was nominated for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=LRBWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=S-IDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5450,5824095&dq|title=Here's complete list of the Grammy nominees|location=Eugene, Oregon|date=February 21, 1981|page=36|number=121|work=Eugene Register-Guard|publisher=Guard Publishing}}</ref> Queen received an American Music Award nomination for Favorite Pop/Rock Band/Duo/Group, while "Another One Bites the Dust" received the award for Favorite Pop/Rock Single.<ref name="Rock on the Net">{{cite news|url=http://www.rockonthenet.com/archive/1981/amas.htm |title=8th American Music Awards |work=Rock on the Net |access-date=18 March 2018 }}</ref>
In a retrospective review, AllMusic's Stephen Thomas Erlewine said that the album's "disco rock blends" showed a band that has "turned away from rock and toward pop", "turning decidedly, decisively pop, and it's a grand, state-of-the-art circa 1980 pop album that still stands as one of the band's most enjoyable records."<ref name="am"/> AllMusic would go on to name ''The Game'' as Queen's best album of the 1980s.<ref>[{{AllMusic|class=album|id=the-miracle-r15983/review|pure_url=yes}} ''The Miracle'']. AllMusic. Retrieved 19 November 2010.</ref> Evan Sawdey of ''PopMatters'' called ''The Game'' a "regular ol' rock album".<ref name="Popmatters">{{cite web|url=http://www.popmatters.com/review/151473-queen-queen-40-limited-edition-collectors-box-set-volumes-2-3/|title=Queen: Queen 40 Limited Edition Collector's Box Set Volumes 2 & 3|work=PopMatters|date=2 December 2011|access-date=27 January 2015}}</ref> In 2008, ''Out'' ranked the album number 28 of 100 in a poll of "more than 100 actors, comedians, musicians, writers, critics, performance artists, label reps, and DJs, asking each to list the ten albums that left the most indelible impressions on their lives."<ref>{{cite web|title=The 100 Greatest, Gayest Albums (of All Time)|url=http://www.out.com/detail.asp?id=24093|website=Out|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081017201730/http://www.out.com/detail.asp?id=24093|archive-date=October 17, 2008|access-date=February 3, 2024}}</ref>
===Band appraisal=== {{blockquote|Yeah, that was when we started trying to get outside what was normal for us. Plus we had a new engineer in Mack and a new environment in Munich. Everything was different. We turned our whole studio technique around in a sense, because Mack had come from a different background from us. We thought there was only one way of doing things, like doing backing tracks: We would just do it until we got it right. If there were some bits where it speeded up or slowed down, then we would do it again until it was right. We had done some of our old backing tracks so many times, they were too stiff. Mack's first contribution was to say, "Well you don't have to do that. I can drop the whole thing in. If it breaks down after half a minute, then we can edit in and carry on if you just play along with the tempo". We laughed and said "Don't be silly. You can't do that". But in fact, you can. What you gain is the freshness, because often a lot of the backing tracks is first time though. It really helped a lot. There was less guitar on that album, but that's really not going to be the same forever; that was just an experiment.|sign=Brian May<ref name="recordmirror"/>}}
==Track listing== All lead vocals by Freddie Mercury unless noted. {{Track listing | headline = Side one | extra_column = Lead vocals | title1 = Play the Game | writer1 = Freddie Mercury | length1 = 3:30 | extra1 = | title2 = Dragon Attack | writer2 = Brian May | length2 = 4:18 | extra2 = | title3 = Another One Bites the Dust | writer3 = John Deacon | length3 = 3:35 | extra3 = | title4 = Need Your Loving Tonight | writer4 = Deacon | length4 = 2:50 | extra4 = | title5 = Crazy Little Thing Called Love | writer5 = Mercury | length5 = 2:42 | extra5 = }} {{Track listing | headline = Side two | extra_column = Lead vocals | title6 = Rock It (Prime Jive) | writer6 = Roger Taylor | length6 = 4:33 | extra6 = Roger Taylor with Mercury | title7 = Don't Try Suicide | writer7 = Mercury | length7 = 3:52 | extra7 = | title8 = Sail Away Sweet Sister | writer8 = May | length8 = 3:33 | extra8 = Brian May with Mercury | title9 = Coming Soon | writer9 = Taylor | length9 = 2:51 | extra9 = Mercury with Taylor | title10 = Save Me | writer10 = May | length10 = 3:48 | extra10 = | total_length = 35:42 }}
{{Track listing | headline = Bonus track (1991 Hollywood Records CD reissue) | title11 = Dragon Attack | note11 = 1991 bonus remix by R.A.K. and Jack Benson | length11 = 4:19 | total_length = 40:01 | title6 = | title10 = | length9 = | title9 = | length8 = | title8 = | length7 = | title7 = | length6 = | title4 = | length5 = | title5 = | length4 = | length3 = | title3 = | length2 = | title2 = | length1 = | title1 = | all_writing = | length10 = }}
{{Track listing | headline = Disc 2: Bonus EP (2011 Universal Music CD reissue) | title1 = Save Me | note1 = Live at the Montreal Forum, November 1981 | length1 = 4:18 | title2 = A Human Body | note2 = B-side to "Play The Game" | length2 = 3:44 | title3 = Sail Away Sweet Sister | note3 = Take 1 with guide vocal, February 1980 | length3 = 2:34 | title4 = It's a Beautiful Day | note4 = Original spontaneous idea, April 1980 | length4 = 1:31 | title5 = Dragon Attack | note5 = Live at the Milton Keynes Bowl, June 1982 | length5 = 5:15 | total_length = 17:22 | all_writing = | title6 = | length6 = | title7 = | length7 = | title8 = | length8 = | title9 = | length9 = | title10 = | length10 = | writer2 = Taylor<ref>{{cite web |title=Queen "The Game" album and song lyrics |url=http://www.ultimatequeen.co.uk/queen/songs/the-game.htm#A%20Human%20Body |website=Ultimatequeen.co.uk}}</ref> | writer4 = Mercury<ref>{{cite web |title=Queen Demos of Released Tracks A-I Lyrics |url=http://www.ultimatequeen.co.uk/queen/songs/demos-1.htm#It's%20A%20Beautiful%20Day |website=Ultimatequeen.co.uk}}</ref> }}
{{Track listing | headline = Bonus videos (2011 iTunes deluxe edition) | title6 = Vocal Improv/Dragon Attack | note6 = Live at Morumbi Stadium, São Paulo, March 1981<ref>{{cite web |title=Queen "On Air": Live on Air album and song lyrics |url=http://www.ultimatequeen.co.uk/queen/songs/on-air-live-on-air.htm#Alright%20Alright |website=Ultimatequeen.co.uk}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Queen "On Air": Live on Air album and song lyrics |url=http://www.ultimatequeen.co.uk/queen/songs/on-air-live-on-air.htm#Dragon%20Attack |website=Ultimatequeen.co.uk}}</ref> | title7 = Save Me | note7 = Live at Seibu Lions Stadium, Tokyo, November 1982<ref>{{cite web |title=Queen "Live in Japan" video and song lyrics |url=http://www.ultimatequeen.co.uk/queen/videos/live-in-japan.htm#Save%20Me |website=Ultimatequeen.co.uk}}</ref> | title8 = Crazy Little Thing Called Love | note8 = Saturday Night Live, September 1982<ref>{{cite web |title=Queen Miscellaneous Live Song Lyrics |url=http://www.ultimatequeen.co.uk/queen/songs/miscellaneous-live.htm#Crazy%20Little%20Thing%20Called%20Love%20(Saturday%20Night%20Live%201982) |website=Ultimatequeen.co.uk}}</ref> | length5 = | length10 = | title10 = | length9 = | title9 = | length8 = 3:58 | length7 = 3:56 | length6 = 5:02 | title3 = | title5 = | length4 = | title4 = | length3 = | length2 = | title2 = | length1 = | title1 = | all_writing = | total_length = 29:38 }}
==Personnel== '''Queen''' *Freddie Mercury – lead vocals {{small|(1–5, 7, 9, 10)}}, co-lead vocals {{small|(6, 8)}}, backing vocals {{small|(all tracks)}}, piano {{small|(1, 7, 8)}}, synthesiser {{small|(1)}}, acoustic guitar {{small|(5)}} *Brian May – electric guitar {{small|(all tracks)}}, backing vocals {{small|(1, 2, 4–8, 10)}}, acoustic guitar {{small|(7, 8, 10)}}, synthesiser {{small|(8, 10)}}, piano {{small|(10)}}, lead vocals {{small|(8)}} *Roger Taylor – drums {{small|(all tracks)}}, backing vocals {{small|(all but 3)}}, electric guitar {{small|(9)}}, synthesiser {{small|(6, 9)}}, lead vocals {{small|(6, "A Human Body")}}, co-lead vocals {{small|(9)}}, percussion *John Deacon – bass guitar {{small|(all tracks)}}, electric guitar {{small|(3)}}, acoustic guitar {{small|(4)}}, piano {{small|(3)}}
'''Additional musician''' *Mack – synthesiser {{small|(6, 10)}}
'''Production'''<ref>{{Cite AV media notes |title=The Game |others=Queen |date=1980 |type=Album liner notes}}</ref> *Queen – production, sleeve concept *Reinhold Mack – co-production, engineering, mastering *Allen Zentz – mastering *Brian Gardener – mastering *Cream – sleeve design *Peter Hince – photography *Christopher Hopper – photography
==Charts== {{col-begin}} {{col-2}}
===Weekly charts=== {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" ! Chart (1980–1981) ! Peak<br />position |- !scope="row"| Argentina (CAPIF)<ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/80s/1981/CB-1981-05-02.pdf|title=Argentina|publisher=Cash Box|page=39|date=2 May 1981|via=American Radio History|access-date=21 November 2019}}</ref> | align="center"| 1 |- ! scope="row"| Australian Albums (Kent Music Report)<ref name=aus>{{cite book|last=Kent|first=David|author-link=David Kent (historian)|title=Australian Chart Book 1970–1992|edition=illustrated|publisher=Australian Chart Book|location=St Ives, N.S.W.|year=1993|isbn=0-646-11917-6}}</ref> | align="center"| 11 |- {{Album chart|Austria|5|artist=Queen|album=The Game|rowheader=true|access-date=22 April 2022}} |- {{Album chart|Canada|1|artist=Queen|album=The Game|chartid=0248a|rowheader=true|access-date=22 April 2022}} |- {{Album chart|Netherlands|1|artist=Queen|album=The Game|rowheader=true|access-date=22 April 2022}} |- ! scope="row"| Finnish Albums (The Official Finnish Charts)<ref name=FINI>{{cite book|last=Pennanen|first=Timo|title=Sisältää hitin – levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1972|edition=1st|publisher=Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava|location=Helsinki|year=2006|isbn=978-951-1-21053-5 | page= 166 | language= fi}}</ref> | align="center"| 24 |- !scope="row"| French Albums (SNEP)<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.infodisc.fr/Album_Q.php |website =Infodisc.fr |language=fr |access-date=9 June 2012 |title=Le Détail des Albums de chaque Artiste – Q |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141022124902/http://infodisc.fr/Album_Q.php |archive-date=22 October 2014 }} ''Select ''Queen'' from the menu, then press ''OK''.''</ref> | align="center"| 17 |- {{Album chart|Germany|2|artist=Queen|album=The Game|id=8944|rowheader=true|access-date=22 April 2022}} |- ! scope="row"|Italian Albums (''Musica e Dischi'')<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.musicaedischi.it/classifiche_archivio.php|title=Classifiche|work=Musica e Dischi|language=it|access-date=27 May 2022}} Set "Tipo" on "Album". Then, in the "Artista" field, search "Queen".</ref> | align="center"| 10 |- !scope="row"|Japanese Albums (Oricon)<ref name="JPN">{{cite book|title=Oricon Album Chart Book: Complete Edition 1970–2005|publisher=Oricon Entertainment|location=Roppongi, Tokyo|year=2006|isbn=4-87131-077-9|language=ja}}</ref> | align="center"| 5 |- {{Album chart|New Zealand|11|artist=Queen|album=The Game|rowheader=true|access-date=22 April 2022}} |- {{Album chart|Norway|2|artist=Queen|album=The Game|rowheader=true|access-date=22 April 2022}} |- !scope="row"|Spanish Albums (AFE)<ref>{{cite book|last=Aranegui|first=Fernando Salaverri|year=2015|title=Sólo Éxitos 1959-2012|chapter=1980 [Albums]|language=es|publisher=Fundación SGAE|pp=245–248|ISBN=9788480488662}}</ref> | style="text-align:center"| 13 |- {{Album chart|Sweden|7|artist=Queen|album=The Game|rowheader=true|access-date=22 April 2022}} |- {{Album chart|UK|1|artist=Queen|album=The Game|rowheader=true|access-date=22 April 2022}} |- {{Album chart|Billboard200|1|artist=Queen|refname=Billboard 200|rowheader=true|access-date=22 April 2022}} |} {{col-2}}
===Year-end charts=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="text-align:center;" |- !scope="col"| Chart (1980) !scope="col"| Position |- !scope="row"| Austrian Albums Chart<ref name="atyearend">{{cite web |url=http://austriancharts.at/1980_album.asp |title=Austriancharts.st – Jahreshitparade 1980 |publisher=Hung Medien |access-date=1 August 2010}}</ref> | 15 |- !scope="row"| Canadian Albums Chart<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?brws_s=1&file_num=nlc008388.0275&type=1&interval=24&PHPSESSID=mhe12pta2k83e08udtq66ot062 |title=Top 100 Albums |publisher=RPM |date=20 December 1980 |access-date=6 December 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304113124/http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?brws_s=1&file_num=nlc008388.0275&type=1&interval=24&PHPSESSID=mhe12pta2k83e08udtq66ot062 |archive-date=4 March 2016}}</ref> | 14 |- !scope="row"| Japanese Albums Chart (Oricon)<ref name="JPYearend80">{{cite web |url=http://www2.wbs.ne.jp/~ms-db/oricon/oricon%2084.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070219093050/http://www2.wbs.ne.jp/~ms-db/oricon/oricon%20album80.htm |archive-date=19 February 2007 |title=日本で売れた洋楽アルバムトップ23 |trans-title=Top-23 international albums on the Japanese Oricon Year-End Charts 1980 |access-date=21 October 2007}}</ref> | 79 |- ! scope="row" | New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/annual-albums/1980-12-31|title=Top Selling Albums of 1980 — The Official New Zealand Music Chart|publisher=Recorded Music New Zealand|access-date=29 January 2022}}</ref> | 34 |- !scope="row"| UK Albums Chart<ref name="UKYearend">{{cite web|url=http://chartheaven.9.forumer.com/a/complete-uk-yearend-album-charts_post21.html |title=Complete UK Year-End Album Charts |access-date=3 October 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120111074744/http://chartheaven.9.forumer.com/a/complete-uk-yearend-album-charts_post21.html |archive-date=11 January 2012 }}</ref> | 46 |- !Chart (1981) !Position |- !scope="row"| Canadian Albums Chart<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?brws_s=1&file_num=nlc008388.4687&type=1&interval=24&PHPSESSID=mhe12pta2k83e08udtq66ot062 |title=Top 100 Albums of 1981 |publisher=RPM |date=26 December 1981 |access-date=6 December 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020235914/http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?brws_s=1&file_num=nlc008388.4687&type=1&interval=24&PHPSESSID=mhe12pta2k83e08udtq66ot062 |archive-date=20 October 2012}}</ref> | 44 |- !scope="row"| US Billboard Year-End<ref name="USYearend">{{cite web |url=http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/charts/archivesearch/article_display/855414?imw=Y |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121231080641/http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/charts/archivesearch/article_display/855414?imw=Y |url-status=dead |archive-date=31 December 2012 |title=Top Pop Albums of 1981 |website=billboard.biz |date=1981-12-31 |access-date=2012-02-24}}</ref> | 55 |- !Chart (2019) !Position |- ! scope="row"|Icelandic Albums Chart<ref>{{cite web|url=https://plotutidindi.is/arslistar/tonlistinn-plotur-2019/|title=Tónlistinn – Plötur – 2019|publisher=Plötutíóindi|language=is|access-date=1 April 2022}}</ref> | 92 |} {{col-end}}
==Certifications and sales== {{Certification Table Top}} {{Certification Table Entry|title=The Game|artist=Queen|type=album|relyear=1980|region=Argentina|award=Platinum|number=2|certref=<ref name="auto"/>}} {{Certification Table Entry|title=The Game|artist=Queen|type=album|relyear=1980|region=Austria|award=Gold}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=Brazil|type=album|award=Gold|relyear=1980|certyear=1984|certref=<ref name=CB>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Archive-Cash-Box-IDX/80s/1984/CB-1984-05-05-OCR-Page-0027.pdf|access-date=August 20, 2024|title=International Dateline-Brazil|magazine=Cash Box|date=May 5, 1984|page=27}}</ref>|salesamount=130,000|salesref=<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7CQEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PT99|title=Industry struggles|magazine=Billboard|via=Google books|page=52|date=January 26, 1985|access-date=September 24, 2021|last=McGowan|first=Chris}}</ref>}} {{Certification Table Entry|type=album|relyear=1980|region=Canada|artist=Queen|title=The Game|certyear=1981|award=Platinum|number=6|certref=<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auction/2023/freddie-mercury-a-world-of-his-own-crazy-little-things-2/queen-freddie-mercurys-commemorative-canadian-in|date=18 August 2023|title=Queen - Freddie Mercury's commemorative Canadian in-house sales award - 'Queen Rules Canada', 1992}}</ref>}} {{Certification Table Entry|type=album|region=Denmark|award=Silver|relyear=1980|certyear=1981|certref=<ref name=DEN>{{cite web|url=https://soundstation.dk/shop/4-all-products/130756-the-game---authentic-record-award---presented-to-queen/|access-date=26 April 2023|title=The Game - Authentic Record Award - Presented to Queen}}</ref>|salesamount=25,000|salesref=<ref name=DEN/>|note=original release}} {{Certification Table Entry|title=The Game|artist=Queen|type=album|relyear=1980|region=Denmark|award=Platinum|certyear=2025|id=14767|access-date=4 February 2025|note=reissue}} {{Certification Table Entry|title=The Game|artist=Queen|type=album|relyear=1980|region=Germany|award=Gold}} {{Certification Table Entry|title=The Game|artist=Queen|type=album|relyear=1980|region=Italy|award=Gold|certyear=2021|note=sales since 2009}} {{Certification Table Entry|type=album|relyear=1980|region= Mexico|artist=Queen|title=The Game|certyear=1982|award=Gold|certref=<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sothebys.com/buy/e3f10e70-0f46-4b1d-bacb-adc99c44cd8d/lots/289e45bd-b738-45d5-8542-15705ce9baeb|title=Queen – Freddie Mercury's in-house Mexican sales awards | Freddie Mercury: A World of His Own | Crazy Little Things 2 | 2023|website=Sotheby's|access-date=30 June 2025}}</ref>}} {{Certification Table Entry|title=The Game|artist=Queen|type=album|relyear=1980|region=Netherlands|award=Gold}} {{Certification Table Entry|title=The Game|artist=Queen|type=album|relyear=1980|id=1980-12-05|source=newchart|access-date=2024-11-20|region=New Zealand|award=Gold}} {{Certification Table Entry|title=The Game|artist=Queen|type=album|relyear=2008|certyear=2009|region=Poland|award=Platinum|note=2008 Agora SA album reissue|date=8 July 2009}} {{Certification Table Entry|title=The Game|artist=Queen|type=album|relyear=1980|certyear=1981|region=Spain|award=Gold|certref=<ref name="Spanish certifications 1979-1990">{{cite book|url=http://www.mediafire.com/view/x263f6daopkswo8|last=Salaverri|first=Fernando|title=Solo Exitos 1959-2002 Ano A Ano: Certificados 1979-1990|year=2005|publisher=Iberautor Promociones Culturales|page=914|isbn=8480486392}}</ref>}} {{Certification Table Entry|title=The Game|artist=Queen|type=album|relyear=1980|region=United Kingdom|award=Gold|certyear=1980|id=6949-1614-2|access-date=9 February 2022}} {{Certification Table Entry|title=The Game|artist=Queen|type=album|relyear=1980|region=United States|award=Platinum|number=4}} {{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true}}
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *[http://www.queenonline.com/en/the-band/discography/game/ Queen official website: Discography: The Game]: includes lyrics of all non-bonus tracks except "Another One Bites the Dust".
{{Queen}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Game (Album), The}} Category:1980 albums Category:Albums produced by Reinhold Mack Category:Elektra Records albums Category:EMI Records albums Category:Hollywood Records albums Category:Parlophone albums Category:Queen (band) albums Category:Funk rock albums by English artists Category:New wave albums by English artists