Fat Bottomed Girls cut from Queen’s greatest hits to appease younger audience

One of Queen's most iconic songs, Fat Bottomed Girls, has been removed from their greatest hits album. Photo / Getty Images

Queen’s Fat Bottomed Girls has been dropped from a greatest hits compilation targeted at younger listeners.

The suggestive 1978 single in praise of “dirty ladies” with fuller figures was a chart success and featured on previous selections of favourite tracks by the glam rock band.

However, a new compilation of Queen hits released by Universal Music for a younger market does not feature the Fat Bottomed Girls and its lyrics celebrating the beauty of a “heap big woman”.

The new greatest hits album has been made available on Yoto, an audio platform specifically aimed at children.

A new generation listening to the work of Queen will be shielded from the song, which describes an infatuation with “Fat bottomed girls” who “make the rockin’ world go round”.

The track written by Brian May includes the lyrics “I was just a skinny lad, Never knew no good from bad, But I knew life before I left my nursery, left alone with big fat Fanny, she was such a naughty nanny, big woman, you made a bad boy out of me”.

The track which reached number 11 in the UK charts appeared on a 1981 Greatest Hits album released by Queen, but has been omitted from the new release. Other hits including Bohemian Rhapsody and We Will Rock You do feature, but these popular tracks now come with an online content warning for would-be listers.

The warning on the Yoto website says: “Please note that the lyrics in some of these songs contain adult themes, including occasional references to violence and drugs.

“These are the original and unedited recordings. Whilst no swear words are used parental discretion is advised when playing this content to or around younger children.”

The album has been billed as a way for a new generation to encounter and appreciate Queen, with the Yoto website stating: “Queen are one of those bands that bring generations together… and now their greatest hits are available for kids to enjoy on Yoto.

“It’s the ideal introduction to the music of Queen for young music lovers and the perfect soundtrack to kitchen dance parties, road-trip singalongs, bedtime air guitar sessions… and much much more.”

Pitched to children

The album has been released with a young audience in mind as part of a Universal Music strategy to pitch to children.

Sarah Boorman, head of youth Strategies, Universal Music UK, previously explained: “The partnership between UMG and Yoto is the first time any major frontline music will be available on the Yoto service.

“At UMG, we believe that children should have access to a rich and varied musical offering so that they may foster a life-long love of music of all types. We are excited to launch with Queen’s iconic Greatest Hits 1 album as our first release, with many more historic releases set to follow in the coming months.”

Universal Music Group has been contacted for comment.