Who Wants to Live Forever
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| "Who Wants to Live Forever" | ||
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| Single by Queen | ||
| from the album A Kind of Magic | ||
| Released | 15 September 1986 | |
| Format | vinyl record (7"/12") | |
| Recorded | 1985/1986 | |
| Genre | Ballad | |
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| Label | EMI | |
| Writer(s) | Brian May | |
| Producer(s) | Queen and David Richards | |
| Chart positions | ||
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| Queen singles chronology | ||
| "Friends Will Be Friends" (1986) |
"Who Wants to Live Forever" (1986) |
"Pain Is So Close to Pleasure" (1986) |
"Who Wants to Live Forever" is a song by the English rock band, Queen. The song is the sixth track on the album A Kind of Magic, released in June 1986, and was written by guitarist Brian May for the soundtrack to the film Highlander. (It was later used in the television series of the same name, in the episodes The Gathering and Revenge is Sweet.) May sings lead on the first verse before Freddie Mercury takes over for the remainder of the song. The version which can be heard in the film is unique, in that it features Mercury singing lead vocals on the first verse.
An instrumental version of the song, titled "Forever", was included as a bonus track on the CD version of the album. This instrumental featured only a piano, with keyboard accompaniment during the chorus sections. It is likely that this track was recorded solely by Brian May.
"Who Wants to Live forever" is a line of dialogue taken from the movie Flash Gordon, which was also scored by Queen.
The line was also quoted in episode 21 of season 3 of Babylon 5 ("Shadow Dancing").
[edit] Cover versions
- In 1989, Brian May's daughter Louisa, who was at the time eight years old, sang a version of the song. It was included on a 12 inch single, along with another version of the song that Brian May performed with two kids named Ian and Belinda.
- Sarah Brightman also has recorded this song on her Time to Say Goodbye album, released in 1997.
- Dune recorded an orchestrated version on the 1997 album Forever. It was also released as the first single from the album.
- In 2005, the song was covered by Breaking Benjamin on the album Killer Queen: A Tribute to Queen.
- In Season 5 of American Idol, contestant Katharine McPhee sang this song as her choice for Queen week.
- In Season 4 of Canadian Idol, contestant Eva Avila sang this song as her choice for Rock and Roll week.
| Queen |
| John Deacon | Brian May | Freddie Mercury | Roger Taylor History | Live performances | Songs |
| Discography |
|---|
| Studio albums: Queen | Queen II | Sheer Heart Attack | A Night at the Opera | A Day at the Races | News of the World | Jazz | The Game | Flash Gordon | Hot Space | The Works | A Kind of Magic | The Miracle | Innuendo | Made in Heaven |
| Live albums: Live Killers | Live Magic | Live at Wembley '86 | Queen on Fire - Live at the Bowl | Return of the Champions |
| Compilation albums: Greatest Hits | At the Beeb | Greatest Hits II | Classic Queen | Queen Rocks | Greatest Hits III | Stone Cold Classics |
| DVDs: We Will Rock You | The Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert | Greatest Video Hits 1 | Live at Wembley Stadium | Greatest Video Hits 2 | We Are the Champions: Final Live in Japan | Queen on Fire - Live at the Bowl | Return of the Champions | Super Live in Japan |
| Related Articles |
| Ibex | Larry Lurex | Smile | The Cross | Queen + Paul Rodgers |
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