Lily Of The Valley

Album: Sheer Heart Attack (1974)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song was written by Freddie Mercury and was one of guitarist Brian May's favorite songs by Freddie. The song is believed to be about the 1835 novel Lily of the Valley by Honoré de Balzac. Freddie loved French novels and the French language (songs such as "Killer Queen," "Let Me Entertain You," and "Seaside Rendezvous" contained French sayings, for example). The song also references Queen II's "Seven Seas of Rhye" in the line "Messenger from Seven Seas has flown to tell the King of Rhye he's lost his throne." >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Blaze - Hendersonville, TN
  • The song was actually released as a single, but failed to chart - the B-side was their debut single "Keep Yourself Alive". Also, "Lily of the Valley" was part of a trio of Queen songs that the progressive metal band Dream Theater covered on the bonus disc of their Black Clouds and Silver Linings album - the other two being "Flick of the Wrist" and "Tenement Funster."

Comments: 2

  • Mia from NyFreddie Mercury was brilliant sadly this other masterpiece didn’t become heard
  • Steve from Hockessin, , DeGreat fantasy piece by Freddie. I sing this to my daughter every time I rock her to sleep.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Art Alexakis of Everclear

Art Alexakis of EverclearSongwriter Interviews

The lead singer of Everclear, Art is also their primary songwriter.

Psychedelic Lyrics

Psychedelic LyricsMusic Quiz

Whoa man! Do you know which band came up with these cosmic lyrics?

Fire On The Stage

Fire On The StageSong Writing

When you have a song called "Fire," it's tempting to set one - these guys did.

70s Music Quiz 1

70s Music Quiz 1Music Quiz

The '70s gave us Muppets, disco and Van Halen, all which show up in this groovy quiz.

Bob Dylan Lyric Quiz

Bob Dylan Lyric QuizMusic Quiz

Think you know your Bob Dylan lyrics? Take this quiz to find out.

Guy Clark

Guy ClarkSongwriter Interviews

Vince Gill, Emmylou Harris and Lyle Lovett are just a few of the artists who have looked to Clark for insightful, intelligent songs.