Having composed ‘Crazy Little Thing Called Love’ on guitar, Mercury played rhythm guitar while performing the song live, which was the first time he played guitar in concert with Queen. Since its release, the song has been covered by several artists including Elvis Presley. Freddie Mercury said that he originally wrote the song as a tribute to Elvis. Mercury also said, “I wrote the song in ten minutes, using a guitar which I can’t play for nuts, and in one way it was quite a good thing because I was restricted, knowing only a few chords. It's a good discipline because I simply had to write within a small framework. I couldn't work through too many chords and because of that restriction I wrote a good song, I think”- Freddie Mercury.
Having written ‘Crazy Little Thing Called Love’ on guitar, for the first time ever, Mercury played guitar in concerts, for example at ‘Live Aid’ at the Wembley Stadium, London in 1985.
Personally, while I recognise that love may be ‘crazy’, of one thing it certainly isn’t, it could never be described as ‘little’! It is the most important thing in the life of any man, woman, child and even animal.
Apart from God, parents and family, the greatest embodiment of love I know in my life is my lovely wife, Sheila; the protector of my body and the custodian of my heart and soul. Every time I look at her, I fall in love with her all over again. Despite my life-threatening condition that was medically diagnosed shortly after our marriage, I can truly say that I have never been happier in my life as I am today. I know that I will always love Sheila because whatever trial faces us, she will always love me back. If I sleep better today it is because of Sheila’s love. Whereas dreaming of Sheila has the tendency to keep me asleep, being with her is undoubtedly keeping me alive. If I have one regret, and it refers directly to that ‘Crazy thing called love’, it’s that I cannot turn back the clock. Was I able to, I’d be able to have found Sheila sooner and loved her longer, and what's 'little' about that?
Love and peace Bill xxx