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"'39"
The back sleeve of the Italian single sleeve for "You're My Best Friend"
Song by Queen
from the album A Night at the Opera
A-side"You're My Best Friend"
PublishedQueen Music Ltd.
Released18 June 1976
RecordedAugust–November 1975
Genre
Length3:30
Label
SongwriterBrian May
Producers

"'39" is a song by British rock band Queen. Composed by lead guitarist Brian May, it is the fifth track on their fourth studio album A Night at the Opera. The song was also the B-side to "You're My Best Friend".

Inspired by May's studies in astrophysics, the song relates the tale of a group of astronauts who embark on what is, from their perspective, a year-long voyage. Upon their return, however, they realise that a hundred years have passed on Earth due to the effects of time dilation from traveling at relativistic speeds, and the loved ones they left behind are now all dead or aged.[5]

Recording

[edit]

I felt a little like that about my home at the time, having been away and seen this vastly different world of rock music which was totally different from the way I was brought up. People may not generally admit it but I think that when most people write songs there is more than one level to them – they'll be about one thing on the surface, but underneath they're probably trying, maybe even unconsciously, to say something about their own life, their own experience – and in nearly all my stuff, there is a personal feeling.

Brian May, on the meaning of "'39"[6]

May sings lead vocal on the studio recording of the song, one of his few lead vocals on Queen recordings.

May had asked bassist John Deacon to play double bass as a joke but a couple of days later he found Deacon in the studio with the instrument, and he had already learned to play it.[7]

May had been working on his thesis in astrophysics, but eventually abandoned his studies to pursue his career with Queen. In 2006, he resumed his studies and eventually completed his thesis, titled A Survey of Radial Velocities in the Zodiacal Dust Cloud, and received his PhD in 2008.[8]

Since Queen had named their albums A Night at the Opera and A Day at the Races after two of the Marx Brothers' most popular films, surviving brother Groucho Marx invited Queen to visit him at his Los Angeles home in March 1977 (five months before he died). The band thanked him, and performed "'39" a cappella.[9]

The song is the 39th album track released by the band when counting each album track from the debut album onwards.

Live performances

[edit]

The song was a live favourite throughout the 1970s, often being used as a singalong in concert.[10] It was first performed in Edinburgh in September 1976 and remained in setlists until December 1979, although the song was briefly performed in 1984. Instead of May singing the lead vocals live, Mercury did. The Guardian later commented that live performances of the song were played as "a raucous, rollicking sea shanty".[6]

The version recorded at concert at Festhalle Frankfurt on 2 February 1979 is featured on the live album Live Killers.[11]

George Michael performed "'39" at the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert in April 1992.[12][13] Michael cited this song as his favourite Queen song, claiming he used to busk it on the London Underground.[14]

Later the song was included by Queen on the setlists of their Queen + Adam Lambert tours in 2012 and 2014–2015 featuring Adam Lambert[15] & both Queen + Paul Rodgers Tours, which were Queen + Paul Rodgers Tour & Rock the Cosmos featuring Paul Rodgers; as on the album, it is sung by May.

Personnel

[edit]

Information is taken from the album's Liner Notes[16] except where noted

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

'39

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
"'39" is a song by the British rock band Queen, written by lead guitarist . It is the fifth track on the band's 1975 fourth studio album, A Night at the Opera, which was released on 21 November 1975. The song is presented in the style of a , featuring and upright bass, with a duration of 3:30. It explores a narrative about a group of space explorers on a near-light-speed voyage that lasts one year for them but spans a century on due to , returning to find their loved ones deceased. May, who earned a PhD in , incorporated relativistic concepts into the lyrics. "'39" was released as the B-side to the single "You're My Best Friend" on 18 June 1976 in the UK, which peaked at number 7 on the UK Singles Chart. The track has since become a fan favourite and is frequently performed live by May.

Background and writing

Development

'39 was primarily written by Queen guitarist Brian May in 1975, during the preparatory phase for the band's fourth studio album, A Night at the Opera. Drawing from his academic background in astrophysics, May incorporated science fiction concepts such as space exploration and time dilation into the song's framework, crafting a narrative centered on interstellar travel. In a 1975 interview with Melody Maker, May described the composition as reflective of personal themes of departure and loss, stating that “It was my insecure feeling of wondering if everything gets left behind if you go out in search of what we are going out in search of.” The song took shape amid band rehearsals held that summer at Penrhos Court in , , where Queen honed material in the venue's acoustically favorable main hall prior to formal recording. May sketched initial demos on , developing the track's distinctive folk-inspired style through collaborative sessions with the group. This acoustic approach contrasted with Queen's typical sound, emerging organically as May experimented with lighter, narrative-driven arrangements suited to the song's conceptual roots.

Inspiration

Brian May's inspiration for "'39" stemmed from his background in and fascination with the effects of as described in Albert Einstein's theory of . The song depicts a group of space explorers embarking on a voyage to find new worlds for humanity, where the journey feels like one year aboard their ship due to relativistic speeds near that of light, but a full century elapses on , leaving the travelers to confront a world—and descendants—unrecognizable from the one they left behind. May has stated that he crafted the track as a folk-style seemingly sung in the distant future, reflecting back on this profound human drama of separation and loss. This sci-fi narrative draws on classic themes of differential time passage in literature, akin to ' The Time Machine (1895), where the protagonist's travels through time reveal how eras shift dramatically for the traveler compared to those remaining stationary, emphasizing isolation and societal change. May initially sketched the melody on , capturing its sea shanty-like to evoke tales of old-world voyagers.

Composition

Musical structure

"'39" is composed in (though the studio recording is in A♭ major), featuring a moderate of approximately 100 BPM that contributes to its relaxed, folk-inspired atmosphere. The song employs a 6/8 , imparting a waltz-like swinging that evokes a sense of gentle propulsion, akin to a sea voyage. The instrumentation centers on Brian May's 12-string , which provides the rhythmic and harmonic foundation through intricate fingerpicking and strumming patterns. contributes , adding a warm, upright tone that enhances the song's nautical folk character, while Roger Taylor's minimal percussion—primarily , snare, and —maintains a light, swinging pulse without overpowering the arrangement. Layered vocal harmonies from May, , and Taylor form a choral texture, reminiscent of traditional sea shanties, with close-knit intervals creating a robust, communal sound. Structurally, the song follows a verse-chorus form, beginning with a brief intro that sets the acoustic mood before transitioning into the first verse. Verses build narratively with rising vocal lines and harmonic shifts, leading into choruses that emphasize the group harmonies for emotional lift. An extended outro features a fade-out on repeating chorus elements, gradually layering in additional vocal ad-libs and guitar fills to prolong the wistful resolution. This arrangement supports the song's themes of through its timeless, ballad-like progression.

Lyrics and themes

The lyrics of "'39," written by Queen guitarist , recount the story of a group of space explorers known as the Volunteers who depart in the year of '39 on a starship bound for the stars. From their perspective, the journey to a distant world and back lasts only one year, during which they claim new lands and build a legacy. However, due to time dilation effects from traveling at near-light speeds, 100 years have passed on upon their return, leaving them to confront a profoundly altered where their loved ones have died and their descendants now dwell in "the land that our grandchildren knew." May employs poetic devices that mimic the structure and tone of traditional folk ballads, transforming the sci-fi premise into a timeless seafaring tale with lines like "Here the ship sailed out into the blue and sunny morn / The sweetest sight, ever seen." The repetitive phrasing in the opening—"In the year of '39 / Assembled here the Volunteers"—evokes a communal gathering and shared fate, while of ephemeral messages, such as "Write your letters in the sand / For the day I take your hand," symbolizes the fragility of human bonds across vast temporal distances. The recurring chorus plea, "Don't you hear my call, though you're many years away," heightens the collective sense of isolation and unheeded longing among the returned explorers. At its core, the song explores the emotional impact of time's uneven passage, emphasizing isolation as the explorers grapple with a forever changed by their absence. It delves into the human cost of , portraying the of familial ties and personal continuity, as captured in the reflective "For so many years have gone / Though I'm older but a year." Through this lens, "'39" conveys the bittersweet price of discovery, where progress severs the threads of intimacy and belonging without resorting to technical explanations.

Recording and production

Studio sessions

The recording of '39 formed part of the intensive studio sessions for Queen's album A Night at the Opera, which took place across multiple locations from August to November 1975 and were characterized by their extended duration and experimental approach. The basic backing tracks for the song were captured on August 18, 1975, at in Monmouth, , during the initial phase of album production where the band focused on laying down foundational elements for several tracks simultaneously. Vocal overdubs and final mixing for '39 were completed later at SARM (East) Studios in , allowing the band to refine the amid the album's broader workflow. The production utilized 24-track analogue tape recorders, a technology that enabled extensive multi-tracking for the song's harmonious vocal sections, with the tape frequently bounced to accommodate additional layers without losing fidelity. Under the guidance of producer and engineer Roy Thomas Baker, the sessions emphasized precise layering of vocals to evoke a sea shanty-like chorus, contrasting the song's acoustic-driven folk structure with the album's more elaborate orchestral and operatic elements. Brian May's contributions included acoustic guitar tones derived from a Martin D-35 for the rhythmic foundation, complemented by electric guitar elements from his custom Red Special, which added tonal warmth and sustain to the track's instrumental passages. The relative simplicity of '39's arrangement—featuring minimal instrumentation like double bass and tambourine—facilitated rapid completion of the core tracks compared to the marathon overdubbing required for other songs on the album, though the extended fade-out demanded careful balancing of harmonies for seamless resolution.

Personnel

'39 was performed by the four members of Queen, with taking lead and backing vocals as well as handling acoustic and parts. contributed backing vocals, Roger Taylor provided backing vocals along with drums and percussion, and played , specifically using for this track. The production was handled by the band Queen in collaboration with , while Mike Stone served as the engineer. All vocals on the recording were performed exclusively by the band members, with no guest musicians involved.

Release and promotion

Single details

'39 was released as a single primarily as the B-side to "You're My Best Friend" on June 18, 1976, in the United Kingdom, following its debut as an album track on Queen's 1975 release A Night at the Opera. In the United States, the single appeared slightly earlier on June 10, 1976, via . The release served as part of the ongoing promotion for the album, highlighting additional tracks beyond the lead single "." The single was issued in the standard 7-inch vinyl format across major markets, including the and under with catalog number EMI 2494, and in under Elektra with catalog number E 45318. Regional variants included similar 7-inch pressings, such as those in and , though B-sides remained consistent with '39 backing "You're My Best Friend." No alternative B-sides like "Sweet Lady" were used for this pairing. The artwork for the single featured a picture sleeve with a promotional color photograph of the four band members—Freddie Mercury, Brian May, Roger Taylor, and John Deacon—posed together in a studio setting, emphasizing their theatrical image. Packaging typically included standard EMI or Elektra labels with track listings and production credits to Queen. No dedicated promotional video was produced for '39 or the single.

Commercial performance

"'39" served as the B-side to Queen's single "You're My Best Friend" from the album A Night at the Opera, released in 1976. The single achieved moderate commercial success, peaking at number 7 on the UK Singles Chart and spending 8 weeks in the Top 40. In the United States, it reached number 16 on the , marking Queen's third Top 20 hit there. As a B-side track, "'39" benefited from the single's promotion but did not chart independently in major markets. It received notable airplay on album-oriented rock radio stations following the album's release, contributing to the growing popularity of A Night at the Opera among rock audiences. The song's inclusion on A Night at the Opera helped drive the album's strong sales, with over 6 million copies sold worldwide. In the , the album surpassed 3 million units, earning 3× Platinum certification from the RIAA and establishing Queen's breakthrough in the market. While single sales for "You're My Best Friend" / "'39" were modest outside the , the track resonated more strongly in , where Queen's fanbase was more established compared to .

Reception and legacy

Critical response

Upon its 1975 release on A Night at the Opera, "'39" was praised by critics for offering a whimsical, folk-inflected respite amid the album's more operatic and experimental tracks. In a contemporary Rolling Stone review, the song was commended as guitarist Brian May's strongest venture into Paul McCartney-style crooning to date, highlighting its melodic charm and vocal warmth. Retrospective critiques have consistently elevated "'39" within discussions of Queen's songwriting prowess, particularly May's ability to blend scientific concepts with emotional narrative. characterizes it as a "delightful sci-fi ditty" featuring light flavors and a playful chorus that exemplifies the band's stylistic range beyond even "." The Guardian later described it as a "haunting folk song" with a , sea-shanty that poignantly evokes lost love and regret through May's clear, high vocals. While occasionally overshadowed by the album's heavier hits in early assessments, the track's thematic depth—exploring and human separation—has fostered enduring appreciation for its conceptual ingenuity in Queen analyses.

Live performances and covers

Queen's "'39" debuted live on September 1, 1976, at the Edinburgh Playhouse in , , during early promotional shows leading into the A Day at the Races Tour. The song quickly became a setlist staple, performed 207 times by the band across their tours, including full renditions during the 1977 A Day at the Races Tour and the 1977–1979 Tour. It often opened the acoustic segment of concerts, showcasing May's work alongside the group's layered harmonies, as rehearsed for the 1977 tour. In the , performances were less frequent and adapted for evolving setlists, with shortened versions appearing sporadically. During the 1986 Magic Tour, "'39" was featured primarily as an instrumental intro in select shows, such as the concert on July 19, providing a brief acoustic prelude without full vocals. This tour marked one of the song's final outings with , emphasizing its role in transitioning to more electric segments amid the band's stadium-scale production. The song has been revived in Queen's later lineups, with performing it 166 times as of 2024. The song has inspired numerous covers, highlighting its folk-rock appeal and Brian May's songwriting. A prominent tribute came from , who performed it at the 1992 for AIDS Awareness, delivering a heartfelt rendition that paid homage to the original's themes of time and loss. Other notable reinterpretations include Brandi Carlile's acoustic version in 2013, which captured the track's intimate harmonies, and Ingram Hill's 2005 cover emphasizing its narrative drive. While not featured on the official soundtrack, "'39" has appeared in media tributes to Queen, underscoring its enduring legacy beyond the stage.

References

  1. https://www.discogs.com/master/5863-Queen-A-Night-At-The-Opera
  2. https://www.songfacts.com/facts/queen/39
  3. https://www.discogs.com/release/492900-Queen-Youre-My-Best-Friend
  4. https://www.queenonline.com/features/queen-in-the-welsh-marches-fan-feature-by-nathan-hodges
  5. https://bestclassicbands.com/queen-39-song-facts-3-14-188/
  6. https://www.vulture.com/2023/07/brian-may-queen-freddie-mercury-superlatives.html
  7. https://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/queen/39/MN0063992
  8. https://tunebat.com/Info/-39-Remastered-2011-Queen/65NTcXUtOb27NHKQ4fAcw0
  9. https://www.queenconcerts.com/queenzone/1180487.html
  10. https://www.discogs.com/release/1843103-Queen-A-Night-At-The-Opera
  11. https://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2012/mar/20/old-music-queen-39
  12. https://www.hooktheory.com/theorytab/view/queen/39
  13. https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/queen/39.html
  14. https://www.queensongs.info/album-data/queen/a-night-at-the-opera
  15. https://www.soundonsound.com/people/queen-night-opera
  16. https://www.queenconcerts.com/instruments/band.html
  17. https://www.discogs.com/release/5931776-Queen-A-Night-At-The-Opera
  18. https://www.facebook.com/mercurydaily/posts/10-june-1976-queen-released-youre-my-best-friend-in-the-usa-with-39-brian-may-as/731663702793721/
  19. https://www.45cat.com/record/emi2494
  20. https://www.discogs.com/release/1696025-Queen-Youre-My-Best-Friend-39
  21. https://www.discogs.com/release/1295705-Queen-Youre-My-Best-Friend
  22. https://www.officialcharts.com/songs/queen-youre-my-best-friend/
  23. https://www.udiscovermusic.com/stories/queen-youre-my-best-friend-song/
  24. https://forums.stevehoffman.tv/threads/queen-and-related-single-by-single-thread.487840/page-4
  25. https://www.ultimateclassicrock.com/queen-night-at-the-opera-debt/
  26. https://bestsellingalbums.org/album/37140
  27. https://www.ukmix.org/forum/chart-discussion/artist-chart-analysis/33727-queen-charts-sales-history/page139
  28. https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/a-night-at-the-opera-250972/
  29. https://www.allmusic.com/song/39-mt0032250563
  30. https://www.classicrockreview.com/2015/10/1975-queen-night-at-opera/
  31. https://www.setlist.fm/song/queen/39-2bd6bca2.html
  32. https://www.setlist.fm/stats/songs/queen-43d6e37f.html?songid=2bd6bca2
  33. https://www.queenonline.com/news/watch-queen-the-greatest-live-rehearsals-part-4-episode-4
  34. https://www.queenconcerts.com/live/queen/1986-magic.html
  35. https://www.setlist.fm/stats/songs/queen-adam-lambert-23c93ca7.html?songid=2bd6bca2
  36. https://secondhandsongs.com/performance/660/all
  37. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ApK88o7iL2U
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