Queen’s ‘Fat Bottomed Girls’ is an “empowering” song despite being removed from its Greatest Hits album, according to several women. 

The song was removed from a recent version of Queen’s album aimed at younger listeners. 

Streaming platform Yoto said in the album’s release that “the lyrics in some of these songs contain adult themes, including occasional references to violence and drugs”. 

“Whilst no swear words are used parental discretion is advised when playing this content to or around younger children,” it said. 

'Fat Bottomed Girls' has appeared on all previous Queen's Greatest Hits album.

Many have argued the song should not have been removed from a child-focused album. 

Self-proclaimed “fat-bottomed girl” Mary told Lunchtime Live the song should not be targetted as a negative influence on children. 

"They’re like, ‘Oh we have to save the kids’, but when I was a kid, I was going around singing Madonna’s 'Like a Prayer’ and that’s a very sexy song,” she said. 

“Since 1978 when that song came out, there have been so many songs like ‘I Like Big Butts’, ‘Bootalicious’, which got the word put into the dictionary in 2007. 

“If you’re listening to Cardi B or any of those other singers – the level of explicit lyrics there are more concerning to me.” 

'You're allowed to have a preference'

Mary said the word fat has been “demonised by people who weaponise it” against overweight people. 

“We do need to be more careful about how we speak to people, but certainly not about a song,” she said. 

“You're allowed to have a preference – you can’t be offended by somebody’s preference. 

“I don’t particularly like really thin men.” 

Freddie Mercury and Brian May. Image: Pictorial Press Ltd / Alamy Stock Photo

Orla said she was “not a bit offended” by the song – and said it was actually more empowering. 

“They weren’t sung in a bad way, there was no bad intention behind it,” she said. 

She said not letting a song about fat women be played just makes those women feel worse. 

“There are a lot of young girls who deem themselves to be fat but are not because of all of the very skinny girls,” she said. 

“It is what it is – leave us alone. 

“Look at Lizzo – I know she’s had a lot of bad press recently but look at how fabulous she is in all those clothes.” 

'They're trying to make controversy'

Chris said he thinks this is fake controversy generated by the record company. 

“When you’re picking the greatest hits of Queen, that’s subjective anyway, and they never had to mention the fact they weren’t going to put it on there - there’s enough songs to make the record,” he said. 

“This is the record company trying to make some controversy in regard to the records.” 

Chris said the song came out when the fashion industry was telling the world “to be a woman is to be a twig”. 

“We should be teaching the kids that variety is the spice of life,” he said. 

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