Queen band members reflect on musical legacy and Freddie Mercury

Guitarist Brian May has identified ‘It’s a Hard Life’ as the most beautiful song written by the late Freddie Mercury. Released in 1984 as part of the album The Works, the track reached number six in the U.K. despite a more modest performance in the U.S.

May described the composition as a deeply personal piece where Mercury ‘really opened up’ during the creative process. The song is noted for its emotional depth, featuring Mercury’s falsetto and ornate piano work alongside May’s melodic guitar lines.

The band’s history is also marked by early struggles and significant confidence. In 1974, following a hostile reception at the Sunbury Pop Festival in Australia, Freddie Mercury predicted the group would become the biggest band in the world. This followed years of playing to minimal audiences, including a 1972 performance in London attended by only six people.