Queen releases long-lost Freddie Mercury song 30 years after icon’s death: ‘Goosebumps’
A former PE teacher has been banned from the profession after being found guilty of calling Freddie Mercury a homophobic slur. (Getty)
Queen has shared an unheard song recorded with Freddie Mercury over 30 years ago.
The song, titled “Face It Alone”, was originally taped during the band’s sessions for their 13th studio album The Miracle but didn’t make it to the final cut of the 1989 album.
It was rediscovered when Queen’s production and archive team revisited the original sessions as they worked on the upcoming reissue of the album, due to be released in November.
Drummer Roger Taylor told BBC Radio 2 back in June that the band found a “little gem from Freddie” that they had “kind of forgotten about” but now wanted to share with fans.
“It’s wonderful, a real discovery,” Taylor said. “It’s a very passionate piece.”
Guitarist Brian May said it was “great to hear all four” of the original members of Queen “working in the studio on a great song idea, which never got completed… until now”.
Queen released the song along with an official lyric video on Thursday (13 October).
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The soulful ballad features a pounding drum line and slow guitar melody as Freddie Mercury sings: “When something so dear to your life/Explodes in sight/You feel your soul is set on fire.
“Your life is your own/You’re in charge of yourself/Master of your home/In the end/You have to face it all alone.”
“This feels like a letter from Freddie that we were not meant to read until after he passed,” read one comment.
“Lovely to hear his voice on another Queen song again.”
“For us who were born after Freddie’s death it really is quite a special experience to see new material getting released,” another added.
One person simply commented: “Goosebumps!”
Queen was founded in 1970 by Mercury, May, Taylor and John Deacon. The British band went on to become one of the world’s most successful music groups with hits like “We Will Rock You”, “Bohemian Rhapsody” and “Under Pressure”.
Freddie Mercury died 24 November, 1991 of AIDS-related complications at the age of 45. The LGBTQ+ icon has remained a guiding star in the music industry for his electric stage presence, breathtaking performances and amazing vocal prowess.
