Which Queen songs feature Brian May on lead vocals?
Most associate the sound of Queen with Freddie Mercury’s voice. Everything he touched seemed to turn to gold, adorning the band in an unapologetic twinkle that stood proud in the face of adversity and against critical eyes, especially during a time when rock wanted to remain as conventional as it possibly could. With Mercury at the helm, expectations were bound to be subverted, but with Brian May around, they would always have their edge.
Mercury exuded the kind of off-centre flamboyance and confidence that ensured that Queen always stood out. On top of that, he had an immense range and on-stage showmanship, making him one of the most genuinely talented and charismatic musicians in history. When we discuss Mercury now, it often concerns his cultural impact and ability to charge forward unflinchingly during one of the most difficult societal periods.
However, May gifted the band with significant flavour; his guitar playing provided a specific and instantly recognisable sound to Queen’s music, with fiery solos, intricate finger-picking, and unexpected licks becoming an inextricable aspect of their sound. Aside from his instrumental ability and technical proficiency, May also exuded an effortless aura on stage, knowing that at precisely any moment, they were making history.
Perhaps it was his clear vision and ability to write hit songs, even in the early days when he and Roger Taylor were looking for something that would stick. Although many of their hits eventually came from the mastermind that was Mercury, May penned a handful of classics, from the poignant ‘Now I’m Here’ to the anthemic ‘Hammer to Fall’.
So, which songs feature Brian May on lead vocals?
Although May should also be appropriately credited for the ever-powerful ‘We Will Rock You’, he also delivered lead vocals on some songs, including the first verse to ‘Who Wants To Live Forever’, alongside special verses for ‘Mother Love’, ‘I Want It All’, and ‘Flash’s Theme’. However, he delivered full lead vocals on a few of their songs too, including ‘Some Day One Day’, ’39’, ‘Sail Away Sweet Sister’, ‘Sleeping on the Sidewalk’, ‘Leaving Home Ain’t Easy’, ‘Good Company’, ‘Long Away’, and ‘She Makes Me (Stormtrooper in Stilettoes)’.
Interestingly, while many of the songs driven by Mercury’s vocals exude an anthemic, explosive quality, May’s adopt a more warm and rich melodic charm. On ‘Long Away’, for instance, his voice wraps the song in a blanket of intricacy, highlighting his natural instinct for great songwriting and performance alongside his penchant for musical nuance.
This appreciation for intimacy and depth also guides his own favourites, particularly as he once regarded Made in Heaven as the best, which holds significant weight considering it was the first to be released after Mercury’s passing in 1991. However, he explained his choice relates to his affinity for depth and meaning, saying, “It’s got so much depth to it, so much spiritual content and emotion because we were working with Freddie’s voice when Freddie was no longer here”.
Although Queen will never be the same without Mercury, it’s clear that May’s immense talent and unwavering drive will always ensure their legacy remains intact. This unrelenting ambition has also resulted in the release of several hits after Mercury’s death, proving that May has always been one of the group’s central driving forces beyond just his musical ability.
