Google’s Awesome Freddie Mercury Doodle

The style and fun Google approaches their logo doodles nowadays makes for an entertaining visit to Google’s search page. Whether it’s Pac-Man, Les Paul or Alexander Calder’s nifty mobile–all courtesy of robust HTML5-style web design–the Google Doodles rarely disappoint.

Actually, they’re never disappointing, even if they aren’t as obvious as others. With that in mind, the latest worldwide Google Doodle–more on the “worldwide” aspect in a second–celebrates one of the most famous lead singers who’s walked the planet, the incomparable Freddie Mercury of Queen. In true modern web development fashion, the latest celebratory logo is done with all of the HTML5 goodlness you’ve come to expect from Google and their new path regarding doodles.

When clicked, the logo loads an animated Queen performance of “Don’t Stop Me Now,” and it’s awesome. Because Google hasn’t yet allowed embedding of their awesome animation-rich logos, the power of YouTube will have to suffice:

If there’s a better way to search the web, it needs to introduce itself in a hurry.

As indicated, the Freddie Mercury Google Doodle can be viewed on a worldwide basis, but for obvious reasons, its not available in the United States. Mercury’s birthday is on September 5, 1946, and in 2011, that’s the same day the United States celebrates Labor Day, which falls on the first Monday of September. It’s pretty clear Google didn’t want to appear disrespectful to its United States visitors. That being said, the fact there’s not a Labor Day logo for IP addresses originating in the U.S. is little surprising.

With that in mind, you can view the Freddie Mercury logo on just about any international Google index page, but, considering the Doodle’s subject matter, a link the British Google homepage is only logical. Granted, Mercury wasn’t born in England, but he certainly made his fame there. Speaking of, here’s a tried-and-true Queen song to continue the celebration:

And if you have the time, I seriously recommend Queen’s 1986 performance at Wembley Stadium. The official Queen YouTube page is also offering it as a celebration of Mercury birthday. It’s over 90 minutes long, but if there’s nothing on the docket, it’s worth the watch:

Thoughts on Google’s latest? Let us know in the comments.

There are 8 Comments. Add Yours.

Steve
September 5, 2011 at 2:23 pm

I realize that Google is under no obligation to produce ANY holiday doodles, but I still expected one for Labor Day. I was disappointed when I went to the Google site for just that purpose and there was not one to be found. Too bad they did not take the time to create one.
- spookiewon
  September 6, 2011 at 10:37 am
  
  Why? Labor Day isn’t an American thing. Most countries have a Labor Day, but they celebrate them on different days. So you think Google should have a US Labor Day doodle? Do you think they should have a doodle for every country’s Labor Day celebration, or just the US?
  
  We in the US seem to believe the entire world revolves around us, that we’re the richest and most powerful country in the world, and everyone should care about what we care about and believe what we believe. In reality, we’re a morally and financially bankrupt people who needs to keep out noses where they belong. We’ve sold out to WalMart and Bank of America and the Christian Coalition.
  
  Good on Google for keeping ir real. We ARE NOT the center of the universe, we’re a petty nation busy ripping off other nations and our own middle class to line the pockets of the super rich, all the while trying to force our own corrupt and immoral religion down the throats of the world. Thanks Google for keeping the focus global. Way to not be evil.
  - spookiewon
    September 6, 2011 at 10:43 am
    
    the word “c l a s s” is NOT an inappropriate word and I DO NOT appreciate being censored by a moronic system that doesn’t prevent people from exposing others to objectionable language, because I can type it so your system can’t find and censor it, but it does make people who don’t use those words (out of respect for those who find them objectionable) look like they are swearing at others. I did not use inappropriate language at Steve, and would not, and censoring me is way out of line.
  - steve sullivan
    September 6, 2011 at 11:28 am
    
    good for you !
HollyhoodScoop
September 6, 2011 at 4:54 am

I could see why they choose to do this super cool doodle. I was expecting some type of holidayish doodle (I think so was everybody else) but they chose a great song and created a cool animated graphic. Something totally different, helping you through the work day,week,month, year or hour! Pushing you through the workday. It’s uplifting, upbeat, and fun. Google is obviously not trying to follow, they’re definitely leaders and trendsetters. We call that, a mover and a shaker! I think it’s great!
Real Estate Web Design Delhi
September 6, 2011 at 6:35 am

Love the way google keeps up it’s innovative ideas.
David Trotter
September 6, 2011 at 6:46 am

Excellent way to celebrate Freddys Birthday! Google have found a great way to have users continue to use their service by keeping us wondering what they will do with their logo next and how it relates to what is happening around the world that day. Shame the US missed out on it.
steve sullivan
September 6, 2011 at 11:25 am

WOW! I’d love to see and hear more like this…it could be an animated version of someone giving a snippit of a famous speech , kids going up to a door on halloween..” TRICK OR TREAT !! ” …Santa landing on a rooftop and going down the chimney ….Father Time morphing into the Baby New Year…Man , sooooo many ideas !! Cool stuff to look forward to in the upcoming week ! Steve