Kicking off Queen's electrifying 1986 album A Kind of Magic, "One Vision" is a pulsating rock anthem that fuses the band's signature bombast with a message of unity and shared dreams, penned primarily by Freddie Mercury with contributions from the entire group. Inspired by Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech and echoing the utopian spirit of John Lennon's "Imagine," the song transforms a quest for "one vision" into a soaring call for global harmony amid the Cold War tensions of the era. With its thunderous bassline courtesy of John Deacon, Brian May's incendiary guitar riffs, and Mercury's operatic vocals building to a euphoric climax, the track—famously featuring a bizarre, improvised "fried chicken" outro—captures Queen's playful yet profound essence. More than just a stadium shaker, "One Vision" stands as a testament to the power of collective aspiration, reminding us that in a divided world, one shared dream can ignite a revolution of the heart.
A Kind Of Magic -
One Vision
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Lyric line
Interpretation & Notes
Intro/Verse 1 — Quest for unity 0:00–0:30
1
One man, one goal, one mission
Establishes a singular focus on purpose, evoking determination and clarity.
2
One heart, one soul
Emphasizes emotional and spiritual unity as the foundation for collective action.
3
Just one solution
Suggests a straightforward path to harmony, simplifying complex divisions.
4
One and only way to share it
Highlights sharing as the key to achieving oneness.
5
One vision
Introduces the central metaphor: a unified dream or ideal.
Chorus — Call to unity 0:30–0:50
6
One flesh, one bone
Reinforces physical and intrinsic interconnectedness of humanity.
7
One true religion
Advocates for a universal faith or belief system transcending divisions.
8
One voice spoken for the millions
Represents collective representation, one voice for the masses.
9
One vision
Repeats the hook, building anthemic momentum.
Verse 2 — Aspirational dreams 0:50–1:20
10
No wrong, no right
Transcends moral binaries, seeking a higher common ground.
11
I'm gonna tell you there's no black and white
Rejects racial and simplistic divisions, promoting inclusivity.
12
No blood, no stain
Envisions a world free from violence and conflict.
13
All we need is one worldwide vision
Expands the vision to a global scale, universal brotherhood.
Bridge — Personal and collective yearning 1:20–1:50
14
What we need is one worldwide vision
Reiterates the global plea, emphasizing necessity.
15
(One world)
Echoes the ideal of a singular, unified world.
16
One flesh, one bone
Returns to the unity motif, layering for emphasis.
17
Don't want to live alone
Expresses the human aversion to isolation, craving connection.
18
Same heart, same bone
Underscores shared humanity at a fundamental level.
19
Don't want to live alone
Repeats the isolation fear, building emotional intensity.
Chorus/Outro — Euphoric repetition 1:50–5:10
20
One vision, one aim
Merges vision with purpose, driving toward resolution.
21
One hope, one plan
Adds layers of aspiration: hope and strategic unity.
22
One life, one soul
Encompasses existence itself in the oneness theme.
23
Just one solution
Circles back to the singular answer: unity.
24
One flash of light, yeah
Symbolizes enlightenment or a sudden revelation of truth.
25
One god, one vision (one vision)
Invokes divine unity, blending spirituality with the human dream.
26
One flesh, one bone
Final reaffirmation of interconnectedness.
27
One moment in time
Captures the ephemerality and preciousness of unity.
28
When the power of love
Positions love as the ultimate unifying force.
29
Will rule the heart of the nation
Envisions love conquering division on a national, then global scale.
30
And the power of love
Repeats to build to climax.
31
Will rule the heart of the nation
Culminates in triumphant optimism.
32
(One vision)
Fades with echoing refrain, leaving a sense of ongoing aspiration.
33
God works in mysterious ways
Adds a philosophical nod to divine mystery in achieving unity.
34
(One vision)
Interweaves faith with the vision theme.
35
Lightning flashes across the sky
Evokes dramatic, transformative energy.
36
From east to west
Symbolizes global reach of the unifying force.
37
Do or die
Urges decisive action, high stakes for the vision.
38
Now, now, now, now, now
Creates urgency with rhythmic repetition.
39
One man, one man
Returns to individual agency within the collective.
40
One bar, one night
Grounds the grand vision in everyday moments.
41
One vision (one vision)
Ties personal experience to the universal dream.
42
One flesh, one bone
Final unity chant.
43
One god (one vision)
Merges divinity with the vision.
44
One vision (one vision)
Ends on a repetitive, hypnotic affirmation.
45
(One vision) Fried chicken
Humorous, improvised ad-lib by Freddie, adding Queen's signature whimsy to the serious theme.
Reading guide: A rousing plea for global unity, One Vision blends Queen's rock prowess with inspirational lyrics, drawing from civil rights ideals to envision a borderless world. Themes of division vs. oneness , individual vs. collective , and dream vs. reality pulse through the track, culminating in a message of love's transformative power. Despite its lofty aspirations, the song's playful energy and unexpected humor keep it grounded, making it an enduring call to shared humanity.
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One Vision — Tech Specs
Album
A Kind of Magic (1986)
Released
Single: 4 November 1985 (UK)
Recorded
September 1985 – Musicland Studios, Munich
Genre
Arena rock / Hard rock
Length
5:10 (album) / 4:00 (single edit)
Producer(s)
Queen & Reinhold Mack
Composer
Credited to Queen.
Main riff & concept: Brian May.
Lyrics: inspired by Martin Luther King Jr. speech, later humorous twist (“fried chicken”).
Main riff & concept: Brian May.
Lyrics: inspired by Martin Luther King Jr. speech, later humorous twist (“fried chicken”).
Band Line-up
Freddie Mercury – lead vocals, synthesizers
Brian May – guitars, backing vocals, synths
Roger Taylor – drums, backing vocals, electronic drums
John Deacon – bass guitar, synth bass
Brian May – guitars, backing vocals, synths
Roger Taylor – drums, backing vocals, electronic drums
John Deacon – bass guitar, synth bass
Technical Personnel
Reinhold Mack – producer, engineer
David Richards – additional engineering
David Richards – additional engineering
Notable Features
Written after Live Aid (1985) as a unifying anthem.
Powerful guitar riff and driving rhythm, suited for stadiums.
Famous for Mercury ad-libbing “fried chicken” at the end.
Music video directed by Godley & Creme — behind-the-scenes, raw footage style.
Used in the 1986 film Iron Eagle.
Powerful guitar riff and driving rhythm, suited for stadiums.
Famous for Mercury ad-libbing “fried chicken” at the end.
Music video directed by Godley & Creme — behind-the-scenes, raw footage style.
Used in the 1986 film Iron Eagle.