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

In The Cards

In The CardsSong Writing

Songwriters have used cards and card games to make sense of heartache, togetherness, and even Gonorrhea.

"Private Eyes" - The Story Behind the Song

"Private Eyes" - The Story Behind the SongSong Writing

How a goofy detective movie, a disenchanted director and an unlikely songwriter led to one of the biggest hits in pop history.

Dave Mason

Dave MasonSongwriter Interviews

Dave reveals the inspiration for "Feelin' Alright" and explains how the first song he ever wrote became the biggest hit for his band Traffic.

Al Kooper

Al KooperSongwriter Interviews

Kooper produced Lynyrd Skynyrd, played with Dylan and the Stones, and formed BS&T.

Little Big Town

Little Big TownSongwriter Interviews

"When seeds that you sow grow by the wicked moon/Be sure your sins will find you out/Your past will hunt you down and turn to tell on you."

Lou Gramm - "Waiting For A Girl Like You"

Lou Gramm - "Waiting For A Girl Like You"They're Playing My Song

Gramm co-wrote this gorgeous ballad and delivered an inspired vocal, but the song was the beginning of the end of his time with Foreigner.