Queen The Game 1980 Vinyl Record

Queen The Game 1980 Vinyl Record

Cover: VG (has seam split)
Inner Sleeve: VG (has seam split)
Record: VG+
We grade our records conservatively.

Own a piece of rock history with this original 1980 pressing of Queen’s iconic album The Game. Featuring massive hits like “Another One Bites the Dust” and “Crazy Little Thing Called Love,” this album showcases Queen’s shift into pop and disco, while retaining their signature rock sound. It’s the first Queen album to use synthesizers, marking a new era for the band. A must-have for collectors and Queen fans alike, this vinyl offers the perfect mix of classic rock and experimentation from one of the greatest bands in music history!

Queen’s The Game (1980 Vinyl Record) is the band’s eighth studio album, released on June 30, 1980. Known for marking a shift in Queen’s musical style, this album incorporates more pop and disco elements while retaining the band’s rock roots. It was also notable as their first album to feature the use of a synthesizer, a significant departure from their earlier sound.

Overview:

• Artist: Queen
• Album Title: The Game
• Release Date: June 30, 1980
• Label: EMI (UK), Elektra (US)
• Format: Vinyl
• Genre: Rock, Pop Rock, Disco

Notable Tracks:

The Game features some of Queen’s most famous hits:

1. “Another One Bites the Dust” – A funk-influenced track, this song became one of Queen’s biggest hits, topping the US charts and gaining massive airplay worldwide.
2. “Crazy Little Thing Called Love” – A rockabilly-inspired track, written by Freddie Mercury, that hit No. 1 in both the UK and US.
3. “Save Me” – A powerful ballad written by Brian May, showcasing the band’s softer, more emotional side.
4. “Play the Game” – The album’s opener, a classic Queen track, blending melodic piano with strong guitar riffs.

Musical Style:

The Game represents a stylistic shift for Queen, as they experimented with more contemporary genres like funk and disco while maintaining their rock edge. Tracks like “Another One Bites the Dust” show the band’s versatility and willingness to evolve, appealing to both rock and pop audiences. It was also the first Queen album to feature the use of synthesizers, marking a departure from their earlier "no synths" policy.

Artwork:

The album cover features the band in black leather jackets against a metallic silver background, giving the cover a sleek, modern look. The minimalist design contrasts with some of Queen’s more elaborate earlier album covers, reflecting the band’s shift toward a more straightforward, polished sound.

Reception & Legacy:

The Game was a commercial success, reaching No. 1 on both the UK and US charts. It became Queen’s best-selling studio album in the US, largely thanks to the massive success of “Another One Bites the Dust” and “Crazy Little Thing Called Love.” Critics praised the band’s ability to experiment with new sounds while maintaining their signature style.

The album remains a favorite among fans and is a landmark in Queen’s discography, marking a transition to the 1980s and showing their adaptability to different musical trends.

For collectors, an original 1980 vinyl pressing of The Game is a sought-after item, representing an important era in Queen’s musical evolution.

Record grading:

• Mint (M): Perfect in every way. No scuffs, scratches, or signs of wear. The sleeve is also flawless.

• Near Mint (NM or M-): The record and sleeve are nearly perfect. The record may have very minor signs of use, like faint sleeve marks, but no noticeable defects.

• Very Good Plus (VG+): The record has slight wear, including light scuffs or minor surface noise, but still plays well. The sleeve may have some wear like slight ring wear or minor creasing.

• Very Good (VG): The record shows more significant wear, with visible scuffs or light scratches, and may have more noticeable surface noise or pops. The sleeve will have visible signs of aging or wear, such as seam splits or ring wear.

• Good Plus (G+) / Good (G): The record plays through without skipping but has considerable wear, including surface noise and scratches. The sleeve may have significant damage such as tears, writing, or heavy ring wear.

• Fair (F) / Poor (P): The record is heavily damaged, scratched, or warped, and may not play through without skipping or repeating. The sleeve will likely have extensive damage.
  
  Album cover grading:
  

  • Mint (M): Perfect condition, with no signs of wear. No seam splits, creases, ring wear, writing, or discoloration. Extremely rare.

  • Near Mint (NM or M-): The cover is nearly flawless. It may have the slightest hint of wear but no major defects. Corners are sharp, and no creases or fading.

  • Very Good Plus (VG+): The cover shows light wear, such as slight ring wear, small corner dings, or minor seam wear. There may be some small writing or a light crease, but overall it’s well-kept.

  • Very Good (VG): More noticeable wear, including ring wear, seam splits, small tears, or writing. The artwork may be slightly faded, but the cover is still functional and not heavily damaged.

  • Good Plus (G+) / Good (G): Significant wear, including heavy ring wear, noticeable seam splits, major creasing, or large amounts of writing. The cover may have significant damage but still holds the record.

  • Fair (F) / Poor (P): Extremely worn or damaged, with large tears, missing parts, major seam splits, or heavy writing. The cover may be heavily deteriorated or even unusable.