Text originally published on the Mad Sound website.
This Thursday, the 19th, the guitarist turns 71, and we pay tribute to him here.
Queen is one of the few classic rock bands in which all members contributed individually to the creative process. Brian May , the band's legendary guitarist, composed more than any other member, except, of course, Freddie Mercury .
July 19, 2018 marks the 71st birthday of John May, author of numerous hits and solo albums. And, of course, we couldn't let this day pass without honoring him. Here is a list of the best songs composed by this living legend:
1.”Who Wants to Live Forever”
The sixth song on the album A Kind of Magic (1986) was also featured in the film Highlander , capturing the underlying theme of the work like no other song. It also includes a rare duet with Freddie Mercury and Brian May's unforgettable middle guitar climax in the form of a solo.
2. "The Show Must Go On"
The song that symbolizes Mercury's "farewell" as Queen's frontman couldn't be complete without a dramatic solo. Serving as a testament to the singer's energy and passion on stage, May composed "The Show Must Go On" as a tribute. Upon hearing his concern about his health and ability to sing, Mercury took a shot of straight vodka, declaring: "I'll do it, darling."
3. "Keep Yourself Alive"
Despite being a mature and well-crafted debut, few people bought Queen's self-titled debut single. Even as a commercial failure, the song is complex and sculpted with different guitar effects, a result of May's perfectionism and a high level of self-demand in the studio.
https://youtu.be/JofwEB9g1zg
4. "Tie Your Mother Down"
“Tie Your Mother Down” was, for years, the first song played by the band at concerts. The second single from the album A Day at the Races (1976) was a great success from its release, characterized by a humorous and sarcastic tone.
5. "Fat Bottomed Girls"
Another example of Brian May's sense of humor, "Fat Bottomed Girls" was a hit, even though it received some criticism from feminist movements of the time. It first appeared on the album Jazz (1978), later being included on the Greatest Hits (1981) and then as a single alongside "Bicycle Race."
https://youtu.be/-D99n9f3vU4
6. "We Will Rock You"
Perhaps one of Queen's best-known songs, the "anthem" was released in two different versions, one accompanying "We Are the Champions" with rhythmic beats and great chart success, and the other a calmer hard rock version diluted with May's guitar. This was the version that always opened the band's shows in the late 1970s.
7. "The Prophet's Song"
During rehearsals for the album Sheer Heart Attack (1974) and his recovery from an illness, May dreamed of a massive flood, accompanied by progressive rock and a toy Japanese koto (traditional stringed instrument) as a soundtrack. The result, mixed with Freddie Mercury's vocals, was "The Prophet's Song".
8. "Brighton Rock"
The extended version of “Brighton Rock,” the opening track from Sheer Heart Attack (1974), allowed May to express himself freely as a guitarist and, with the help of drummer Roger Taylor, explore the boundaries between light and heavy sounds.
9. "Dead on Time"
Featuring one of Mercury's best vocal performances and May's agile yet truculent delivery, "Dead on Time" is arguably one of the most underrated songs in Queen's history.
10. "Hammer to Fall"
“Hammer to Fall” showcases May’s riffing skills and, given the context of the Cold War and the growing threat of imminent dangers, as well as allusions to death, the song became a hit.
11.”39”
May takes center stage as the vocalist in this song full of science fiction references, which tells the story of space travelers returning to planet Earth. When they discover that Einstein's Theory of Relativity has interfered with the lives of human beings, the travelers will have to deal with the fact that all their loved ones are dead or ill.
12. "Now I'm Here"
Written in the hospital while May was recovering from a bout of hepatitis, "Now I'm Here" was, in Mercury's words, made to "show that we still rock and roll. We haven't forgotten our roots."
13. "Good Company"
Written in homage to May's father, this song is mostly played with a banjo-ukulele and accompanied by a jazz-influenced band. This band is, in fact, May in sync with perfectly orchestrated effects.
Happy Birthday, Brian May!