As strongly in the major key this song is, it tells quite the tale. Lyrics ranging from “each morning I get up I die a little” to “everyone wants to put me down” portray Freddie as damaged, depressed and ultimately longing for love as a means of leaving his sorrows.

The song hit number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100, and is the sixth track on A Day at the Races, Queen’s fifth album. Following the acclaimed A Night at the Opera, Queen continues their more progressive rock style, as opposed to their initial hard rock sound. Queen substitutes typical Rock power chords for more lush, thick harmonies. The multi-tracking of vocals previously present on songs such as “Killer Queen” and “Bohemian Rhapsody”, Queen achieves beautiful harmonies throughout, with the backing vocals used mostly in echo and canon, either restating the preceding line or altering it slightly.

It is quite something to note that not only was Freddie Mercury singing, but also Brian May and Roger Taylor.

The gospel -esque harmonies are influenced by Aretha Franklin, and similar to her style, is very loose and free flowing. Not only is it musically like a gospel song, but the lyrics are reminiscent of the typical struggles sung heartily in gospel songs. Freddie has spoken of his love of Aretha Franklin before, hence the inspiration for the song’s style.