One might expect Brian May’s favorite Queen song to be a regular feature in the band’s live performances. However, the track he holds dearest is one he and fellow bandmate Roger Taylor choose not to perform out of respect for the late Freddie Mercury.
Queen’s extensive catalog is a treasure trove of legendary hits, experimental sounds, and genre-defying masterpieces. The band’s innovative spirit has created such a rich discography that it can be overwhelming for newcomers to know where to begin. Yet even within such an impressive body of work, personal favorites naturally emerge—especially for the artists themselves.
During a global livestream several years ago promoting the Live Around the World album and film, Brian May, Roger Taylor, and current touring frontman Adam Lambert participated in a fan Q&A segment. When asked to name their favorite Queen songs, Taylor had no trouble naming a few:
“So hard. Obviously ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ comes to mind, and ‘Under Pressure.’ There are songs like ‘Somebody To Love,’ which was a great record but comes into its own live.”
Lambert, meanwhile, found it impossible to choose:
“I can’t pick a favorite. It depends on the mood, the day…”
Brian May, however, gave a more specific—and deeply personal—response. He named “The Miracle,” a song written by Mercury during a particularly challenging time in his life.
“I’m going to pick a song that not everybody knows out there, which is called ‘The Miracle,’ which Freddie wrote that I always thought has a strange, unique magic to it. Especially because Freddie wrote it at a time when it was very hard for him to be optimistic, and he was. It’s just very beautiful. I’ll go for that.”
May’s admiration for “The Miracle” goes beyond its musical qualities. The song’s optimistic message, crafted by Mercury under emotionally and physically difficult circumstances, makes it a powerful testament to Mercury’s resilience and artistry. As a result, May and Taylor choose not to perform it live, keeping it as a preserved piece of Mercury’s legacy.
In a career filled with groundbreaking music, May’s respect for this particular song—and for the friend who wrote it—underscores the emotional depth behind Queen’s iconic work.
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