Brian May, the celebrated guitarist of Queen, has undeniably carved a remarkable niche in the music industry, becoming a beloved figure for fans of the iconic rock band. With timeless hits like Under Pressure, Don't Stop Me Now, We Will Rock You, and the monumental Bohemian Rhapsody, Queen has left an indelible mark on musical history, inspiring countless artists across generations. As the phenomenal Bohemian Rhapsody secures its status as the most streamed song of the 20th century and approaches its 50th anniversary this year, fans eagerly anticipate how the band will celebrate.
Recently, May shared a tribute to the classic song on social media. In a heartwarming video, he wound up a music box rendering of Bohemian Rhapsody, exclaiming, “This is a gem! Perfect!” His appreciation for the song came with a touch of humor as he captioned his post: "What a difference a semitone makes!!! This makes me giggle every time. Maybe Freddie should have written his melody line this way in the first place! ha ha! Fabulous! Bri." Such playful affection captures the spirit of Queen’s music and May’s enduring connection to it.
When discussing Queen's songs, May has consistently expressed a special fondness for their live performances. In a candid moment on The One Show, he stated, “I still love playing them all, I have to be honest. I would have to say We Will Rock You. Especially as this is the moment when we’re relaunching the musical that is named after that song. It always gives me a good feeling.” This enthusiasm highlights the personal joy the musician finds in performing, particularly during significant events like the musical's revival, which resonates deeply with long-time fans.
Yet, despite being a music icon, May's tastes extend beyond the obvious hits. He has a soft spot for the band’s lesser-known track, The Miracle, penned by Freddie Mercury just before his untimely death. The rock group has never performed the song live, likely out of respect for their legendary bandmate. During a Q&A session on the band’s official YouTube channel, May revealed, “I’m going to pick a song that not everybody knows out there, which is called The Miracle, which Freddie wrote that I always thought has a strange, unique magic to it. Especially because Freddie wrote it at a time when it was very hard for him to be optimistic, and it’s just very beautiful. I’ll go for that.” This choice reveals the poignant depth of May’s emotional connection to his band’s music.
But it’s not just Queen's music that gets him moving. In 2019, May shared a compilation of his top favorite tracks through Queen’s official Spotify profile. The playlist showcases a delightful mix, highlighting both celebrated classics and underrated tracks. It includes timeless gems such as Doris Day’s soulful Secret Love, John Lennon’s introspective Jealous Guy, Led Zeppelin’s rock masterpiece Kashmir, and Foreigner’s enduring love ballad I Want to Know What Love Is.
Brian May's eclectic taste extends further with noted mentions of several other songs in his Spotify list. The roster is as varied as it is impressive, featuring:
- Bohemian Rhapsody - Queen
- Love Kills (The Ballad) - Queen
- Bold as Love - Jimi Hendrix
- My Generation (Mono Version) - The Who
- Jealous Guy - John Lennon
- Secret Love - Doris Day
- Maybe Baby - The Crickets
- Kashmir - Led Zeppelin
- Back On My Feet Again - The Babys
- The Tracks Of My Tears - Smokey Robinson & The Miracles
- Stand By Me - Ben E. King
- When a Man Loves a Woman - Percy Sledge
- I Want to Know What Love Is - Foreigner
- Where Were You - Jeff Beck, Alice Cooper
- Shapes Of Things - The Yardbirds
- Key To Love (Mono) - John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers, Eric Clapton
This presentation not only reinforces his enduring love for music but also highlights how influences from across eras and genres weave through his own artistry. Brian May remains an artist who cherishes both the profound familiar melodies and the hidden gems in music, making him a beloved figure in the industry.
