Brian May airs unreleased Queen track from 1973: “No one has ever heard this version”
The guitarist treated fans to a sneak preview of an unreleased outtake recorded in 1973 for the band’s second studio album ‘Queen II’.
Queen fans were treated to an early Christmas present from guitarist Brian May, who took to the airwaves to host digital radio station Planet Rock this week.
During his 45-minute Christmas special, May played his top 10 festive songs, kicking the show off with Queen’s first Yuletide single, Thank God It’s Christmas from 1984. Other festive tracks played included Christmas Time by The Darkness, Chuck Berry’s Run Rudolph Run and Santa Claus is Coming to Town by the Crystals.
Queen revisit Brian May-penned song
Saving the unheard Queen outtake for last, May finished off by playing Not for Sale (Polar Bear) - a song he had originally written when he was with his university band, Smile. A bootleg version of Smile performing the song, recorded in 1969, has been in circulation for some years.
He resurrected the song during the recording sessions for Queen’s second studio album ‘Queen II’, recorded in London, in August 1973.
May explained that Not for Sale (Polar Bear) which feature him and Freddie Mercury sharing lead vocals “goes back a very long way, but to my knowledge no one has ever heard this version”.
He added: “It’s a work in progress and will appear on the forthcoming rebuild of the ‘Queen II’ album, coming next year. But I’m sneaking this into my Planet Rock special because I’m fascinated to know what people think about it”.
Queen II Collector’s Edition is scheduled to be released in 2026. The original 11-track album will be fully remastered and include extra bonus tracks - new mixes, alternate versions and outtakes including Not for Sale (Polar Bear).
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