Queenhavereleased a never-before-heard Christmas song ‘NotForSale (Polar Bear)’ –listenbelow.
The track was recorded in 1974 during the sessions for the band’s second studio album ‘Queen II’, but it did not make the final cut. Astheyready thatrecord’sreissue, which is due in 2026,they have shared ‘NotForSale (Polar Bear)’ in time for Christmas.
GuitaristBrian May, who wrote the song for hispreviousband Smile,gave the song its premiere during a stint presenting on the Planet Rock radio stationon Monday (December 22), and has said that it “goes back a very long way, but to my knowledge no one has ever heard this version”.
“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,” May added. “I hope people have a wonderful Christmas and a great New Year!”
Listen to the song, aslow-burnerthat sees May andFreddie Mercurytrade lead vocals, here:
In other news, earlier this month May giftedBlack Sabbath’sTony Iommiwith a left-handed replica of hisclassic Red Special guitar.
The original Red Special was assembled fromscratchin the early 1960s by May with his father Harold, as he was unable to afford a major brand.Built with mahogany from an old fireplace mantle and an oak fingerboard with mother-of-pearl buttons, itremainedMay’s primary guitar on stage throughout Queen’s success in the ‘70s and ‘80s and became synonymous with the band’s sound.
May’s wife Anita Dobson implied that despite Queen working onnew musicwith Adam Lambert, it was unlikely that they would resume full-scale touring. “They will do little bits and bobs, but theywon’tdo those big tours,” she said.
May suffered a minor stroke last year, which he said came on “all of a sudden, out of the blue”.He said it left him without any control over one of his arms and described it as “a little scary”.