With his thrilling stage presence and grandiose vocals, Queen’s Freddie Mercury is rightfully remembered as one of the greatest frontmen in music history. And while his incredible voice is a crucial part of some of the band’s biggest songs, like “Bohemian Rhapsody,” he sometimes traded vocal duties with his bandmates.
“’39”
Guitarist Brian May wrote and provided lead vocals on the acoustic folk track “’39,” from A Night at the Opera. The song explores the concept of time dilation through an astronaut who has been gone for a year. He returns to Earth to discover decades have passed, and his lover is dead.
“I’m In Love with My Car”
“I’m In Love with My Car” was written by drummer Roger Taylor, who also sang on the track. He was inspired by roadie Jonathan Harris and his car, and the song was released as the B-side to “Bohemian Rhapsody.” Bandmate May originally asked if it was a joke.
“All Dead, All Dead”
May and Mercury both sang on the piano ballad “All Dead, All Dead” from News Of The World. May wrote the song about the death of his cat Pixie. “It always gives me a surprise when I listen to it because it was meant to really bring tears to your eyes,” May said in 1983. “It almost does it to me.”
“Sail Away Sweet Sister”
May and Mercury also shared vocals on the May-written power ballad “Sail Away Sweet Sister” on The Game, released in 1980. The album’s liner notes state the song is ”to the sister I never had,” and the lyrics describe a young woman growing up and setting out to follow her own path in life.
“Tenement Funster”
Taylor wrote and provided vocals for Sheer Heart Attack’s “Tenement Funster,” a song about a young, rebellious man in search of a good time. The track had a few alternate titles, and on the album, it flows directly into “Flick of the Wrist.” Taylor often played “Tenement Funster” live on his solo tours in the ‘80s.
“She Makes Me (Stormtrooper In Stilettos)”
May wrote the ballad “She Makes Me (Stormtrooper In Stilettos)” for Sheer Heart Attack while he was in the hospital. The song shows a softer side of the band, and while May is the lead vocalist, Mercury joins him on harmony. It was the final single released from the album, and Queen only ever played it live once, in 1970.
(Photo by Gijsbert Hanekroot/Redferns)
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