14+ Best Funeral Songs by Queen
Established in 1970, Queen’s music has influenced music for decades. Depending on the era, Queen’s music varies greatly- with their earliest albums evoking influences from progressive rock and even heavy metal. While their arena rock classics garnered the band global fame and esteem, epitomizing the music of the 1980s, Queen’s experimental approach to the development of music allowed for the recording of songs from many different musical genres and influences. For this reason, you’ll be sure to find the perfect song to commemorate your passed loved one from Queen’s diverse discography.
Queen Funeral Songs Recommendations
- These Are the Days of Our Lives
- You’re My Best Friend
- Heaven For Everyone
- The Show Must Go On
- Made in Heaven
- Dear Friends
- Who Wants to Live Forever?
- Spread Your Wings
- Only the Good Die Young
- Long Away
- Mother Love
- White Queen (As It Began)
- Bijou
- My Melancholy Blues
Queen funeral songs List
These Are the Days of Our Lives, Queen
Purchase These Are the Days of Our Lives via Amazon Music
Famous Covers
If the original tune doesn’t suit your musical requirements, a cover version by Petula Clark exists. This tune would be particularly suitable for memorializing a loved one from England- especially if they were alive during Petula Clark’s heyday.
Sometimes I get the feelin’
I was back in the old dayslong ago
When we were kids when we were young
Things seemed so perfect – you know
The days were endless we were crazy we were young
The sun was always shinin’
We just lived for fun
Sometimes it seems like lately
I just don’t know
The rest of my life’s been just a show
Those were the days of our lives
The bad things in life were so few
Those days are all gone now but one thing is true
When I look and I find I still love you
You can’t turn back the clock you can’t turn back the tide
Ain’t that a shame
I’d like to go back one time on a roller coaster ride
When life was just a game
No use in sitting and thinkin’ on what you did
When you can lay back and enjoy it through your kids
Sometimes it seems like lately
I just don’t know
Better sit back and go with the flow
Cos these are the days of our lives
They’ve flown in the swiftness of time
These days are all gone now but some things remain
When I look and I find no change
Those were the days of our lives, yeah
The bad things in life were so few
Those days are all gone now but one thing’s still true
When I look and I find
I still love you
I still love you
This iconic ballad is only made more emotive by the tragic context of its release. Featured in the 1991 album Innuendo, this song was one of the last songs Freddie Mercury was involved in the production of. The music video of this song is particularly renowned, due to it being the last music video Freddie Mercury featured in before his tragic death from AIDS. The appropriateness of this tune as a funeral song is demonstrated by its use in commemorating both George Michael and Lady Diana Spencer in memorial services.
Those were the days of our lives
The bad things in life were so few
Those days are all gone
Now but one thing is true
When I look and I find I still love you
You’re My Best Friend, Queen
Purchase You’re My Best Friend on Amazon Music
Famous covers
A beautiful acoustic cover version by Paul Canning is available, which we think would be a gorgeous, emotive choice for the final song featured at the funeral. Typically, the last song played at a funeral service is the happiest song featured, and this contemplative acoustic melody would perfectly fit into that category.
Ooh, you make me live
Whatever this world can give to me
It’s you, you’re all I see
Ooh, you make me live now, honey
Ooh, you make me live
Oh, you’re the best friend that I ever had
I’ve been with you such a long time
You’re my sunshine
And I want you to know
That my feelings are true
I really love you
(Ooh) Oh, you’re my best friend
Ooh, you make me live
Ooh, I’ve been wandering ’round (‘Round)
But still come back to you
(Ooh, still come back to you)
In rain or shine, you’ve stood by me, girl (Girl)
I’m happy at home
(happy at home)
You’re my best friend
Ooh, you make me live
Whenever this world is cruel to me
I got you to help me forgive
Ooh, you make me live now, honey
Ooh, you make me live
Oh, you’re the first one
When things turn out bad
You know I’ll never be lonely
You’re my only one
And I love the things
I really love the things that you do
Oh, you’re my best friend (Oh)
Ooh, you make me live
(Live, live, live)
I’m happy, happy at home
You’re my best friend, oh
Oh, you’re my best friend
Ooh, you make me live, ooh
Ooh, you’re my best friend
While certainly a happier funeral song, this tune written by John Deacon could be used in many precious ways to venerate a loved one after their passing. Written in honor of his wife Veronica Tetzlaff, this tune depicts the strong, emotional connection the couple shared, transgressing the purely romantic.
Oh, you’re the best friend that I ever had
Been with you such a long time
You’re my sunshine
And I want you to know
That my feelings are true
I really love you
(Ooh) Oh, you’re my best friend
Heaven for Everyone, Queen
Purchase Heaven for Everyone on Amazon Music
Famous Covers
A band titled KING have created a metal version of this song, which would be perfect for memorializing someone you love who appreciated heavy metal music and Queen. Or, a piano cover by Valtteri Nieminen could provide an emotive beginning to a memorial service.
This could be heaven
This could be heaven
This could be heaven
This could be heaven,
This could be heaven for everyone
In these days of cool reflection (reflection)
You come to me and everything seems alright
In these days of cold affections
You sit by me and everything’s fine
This could be heaven for everyone
This world could be fed,
This world could be fun
This could be heaven for everyone
This world could be free,
This world could be one
In this world of cool deception
Just your smile can smooth my ride
These troubled days of cruel rejection
You come to me, soothe my troubled mind
Yeah this could be heaven for everyone
This world could be fed,
This world could be fun
This should be love for everyone (yeah)
This world should be free,
This world could be one
We should bring love to our daughters and sons
Love, love, love, love
This could be heaven for everyone
You know that
(This could be heaven for everyone)
Yes!
(This could be heaven for everyone)
This could be heaven for everyone
Listen.
What people do to other souls
They take their lives, destroy their goals
Their basic pride and dignity
Is stripped and torn and shown no pity
When this should be heaven for everyone
This could be heaven,
This could be heaven
This could be heaven for everyone
This could be heaven,
Could be heaven for everyone
This could be heaven
(This could be heaven)
This could be heaven,
Could be heaven for everyone
Originally released on an album by The Cross featuring guest vocals by Freddie Mercury, this song was reworked to be a Queen song in 1995 by Roger Taylor, the drummer for Queen and the writer of this tragic ballad. This release utilized the lead and backing vocals produced by Mercury for feature in the original song by The Cross, released four years posthumously in memory of Mercury.
In these days of cool reflection
You come to me
And everything seems alright
In these days of cold affections
You sit by me and everything’s fine
The Show Must Go On, Queen
Purchase The Show Must Go On via Amazon Music
Famous covers
Many incredible covers of this song exist, including a posthumous release featuring Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath fame on electric guitar alongside the surviving members of Queen. Celine Dion also produced a noteworthy rendition of this anthem, so you’ll be sure to find the perfect version to memorialize a loved one.
Empty spaces, what are we living for?
Abandoned places, I guess we know the score, on and on
Does anybody know what we are looking for?
Another hero, another mindless crime
Behind the curtain, in the pantomime
Hold the line
Does anybody want to take it anymore?
The show must go on
The show must go on, yeah
Inside my heart is breaking
My makeup may be flaking
But my smile, still, stays on
Whatever happens, I’ll leave it all to chance
Another heartache, another failed romance, on and on
Does anybody know what we are living for?
I guess I’m learning
I must be warmer now
I’ll soon be turning, round the corner now
Outside the dawn is breaking
But inside in the dark I’m aching to be free
The show must go on
The show must go on
Inside my heart is breaking
My makeup may be flaking
But my smile, still, stays on
My soul is painted like the wings of butterflies
Fairy tales of yesterday, grow but never die
I can fly, my friends
The show must go on
The show must go on
I’ll face it with a grin
I’m never giving in
On with the show
I’ll top the bill
I’ll overkill
I have to find the will to carry on
On with the show
Show
Show must go on, go on, go on, go on, go on, go on, go on, go on
This song may be the most haunting in Queen’s extensive discography. Written by Brian May in an attempt to document Freddie Mercury’s insistence to perform in the face of his looming mortality, this tune delves into emotional subject matter with virtuosity and power. This song would best memorialize someone who faced their death or other issues in their life with strength and grace, like Mercury did.
My soul is painted like the wings of butterflies
Fairy tales of yesterday, grow but never die
I can fly, my friends
Made in Heaven, Queen
Purchase Made in Heaven via Apple Music
Famous Covers
A beautiful piano version of Made In Heaven byFabrizio Spaggiari exists too. This edition would be perfect for play at the beginning of a funeral service, as people are entering the hall.
I’m taking my ride with destiny
Willing to play my part
Living with painful memories
Loving with all my heart
Made in heaven, made in heaven
It was all meant to be, yeah
Made in heaven, made in heaven
That’s what they say
Can’t you see
That’s what everybody says to me
Can’t you see
Oh I know, I know, I know that it’s true
Yes it’s really meant to be
Deep in my heart
I’m having to learn to pay the price
They’re turning me upside down
Waiting for possibilities
Don’t see too many around
Made in heaven, made in heaven
It’s for all to see
Made in heaven, made in heaven
That’s what everybody says
Everybody says to me
It was really meant to be
Oh can’t you see
Yeah everybody, everybody says
Yes it was meant to be
Yeah yeah
When stormy weather comes around
It was made in heaven
When sunny skies break through behind the clouds
I wish it could last forever, yeah
Wish it could last forever, forever
Made in heaven
I’m playing my role in history
Looking to find my goal
Taking in all this misery
But giving it all my soul
Made in heaven, made in heaven
It was all meant to be
Made in heaven, made in heaven
That’s what everybody says
Wait and see, it was really meant to be
So plain to see
Yeah, everybody, everybody, everybody tells me so
Yes it was plain to see, yes it was meant to be
Written in the stars
Written in the stars
Written in the stars
Originally the third single released by Freddie Mercury in his successful solo career in 1985, Queen released a version of the song using Mercury’s original vocal and piano recordings with instrumental backing by the surviving members of Queen. Mercury’s version evokes pop and soft rock influences, while the Queen version possesses a hard rock ambience.
When stormy weather comes around
It was made in heaven
When sunny skies
Break through behind the clouds
I wish it could last forever, yeah
Wish it could last forever, forever
Dear Friends, Queen
Purchase Dear Friends via Amazon Music
Famous Covers
A cover of this tune was produced by Def Leppard too, so it’s safe to say you’ll find a version of this song befitting your loved one’s style.
So dear friends
Your love has gone
Only tears to dwell upon
I dare not say
As the wind must blow
So a love is lost
A love is won
Go to sleep and dream again
Soon your hopes will rise
And then from all this gloom
Life can start anew
And there’ll be no crying soon
Embodying Queen’s characteristic hard/glam rock sound for which they are so famous today, Dear Friends was one of the two songs Brian May wrote during a long hospital stay in which he was treated for a duodenal ulcer. The other song he wrote was Now I’m Here, which shared the same nostalgic, contemplative tone as Dear Friends. This tune is the shortest Queen song to date, spanning only a minute and eight seconds. Hence, it would be a great choice to fill in space during the setlist for a service.
So a love is lost, a love is won
Go to sleep and dream again
Soon your hopes will rise and then
From all this gloom life can start anew
And there’ll be no crying soon
Who Wants to Live Forever
Purchase Who wants to Live Forever via Amazon Music
Famous Covers
Seal, Sarah Brightman and the German band Dune have all recorded editions of this iconic track. Also, Adam Lambert performed this ballad live with the three surviving members of Queen at the Isle of Wight Festival in 2016, in tribute to those impacted by the tragic mass shooting at Pulse, an LGBT+ club in Orlando, earlier that day.
There’s no time for us
There’s no place for us
What is this thing that builds our dreams, yet slips away from us
Who wants to live forever
Who wants to live forever
Oh ooo oh
There’s no chance for us
It’s all decided for us
This world has only one sweet moment set aside for us
Who wants to live forever
Who wants to live forever
Ooh
Who dares to love forever
Oh oo woh, when love must die
But touch my tears with your lips
Touch my world with your fingertips
And we can have forever
And we can love forever
Forever is our today
Who wants to live forever
Who wants to live forever
Forever is our today
Who waits forever anyway?
This enduring power ballad, written for use on the Highlander soundtrack, has retained its popularity with Queen fans over many decades. Readers of Rolling Stone magazine voted the ballad the fifth best song ever produced by Queen in 2014, and many musicians have covered this hit. Who Wants to Live Forever was featured in Diana, Princess of Wales: Tribute as the opening track, and was voted by Brits the fifth most popular funeral song in 2005. The impact of this record hence cannot be understated, and would serve as a great way to commemorate someone who had a great impact on your life.
But touch my tears with your lips
Touch my world with your fingertips
And we can have forever
And we can love forever
Forever is our today
Spread Your Wings, Queen
Purchase Spread Your Wings via Amazon Music
Famous Covers
German power metal band Blind Guardian covered the track in 1992, and this version would work perfectly at the funeral of someone who loves German power metal.
Sammy was low
Just watching the show
Over and over again
Knew it was time
He’d made up his mind
To leave his dead life behind
His boss said to him, boy you’d better begin
To get those crazy notions right out of your head
Sammy who do you think that you are?
You should’ve been sweeping up the Emerald Bar
Spread your wings and fly away
Fly away, far away
Spread your little wings and fly away
Fly away, far away
Pull yourself together
‘Cause you know you should do better
That’s because you’re a free man
He spends his evenings alone in his hotel room
Keeping his thoughts to himself, he’d be leaving soon
Wishing he was miles and miles away
Nothing in this world, nothing would make him stay
Since he was small
Had no luck at all
Nothing came easy to him
Now it was time
He’d made up his mind
This could be my last chance
His boss said to him, now listen boy
You’re always dreaming
You’ve got no real ambition, you won’t get very far
Sammy boy, don’t you know who you are?
Why can’t you be happy at the Emerald Bar?
So honey, spread your wings and fly away
Fly away, far away
Spread your little wings and fly away
Fly away, far away
Pull yourself together
‘Cause you know you should do better
That’s because you’re a free man
Come on, honey
Fly with me
Another iconic power ballad by Queen, this song written by John Deacon explores the plight of a man to become greater than he currently is, in the face of much adversity. Gary Nuhn of Dayton Daily News very accurately stated that the track comprises ‘a song with Beatles-like lyrics of a man pulling himself up’. This could be a great memorial song for a father, somebody who worked very hard to become successful after having experienced adversity in their younger years.
Spread your wings and fly away
Fly away, far away
Spread your little wings and fly away
Fly away, far away
Pull yourself together
‘Cause you know you should do better
That’s because you’re a free man
No-One But You (Only the Good Die Young), Queen
Purchase No-One But You (Only the Good Die Young) via Amazon Music
Famous Covers
An orchestral version was released by Kerry Ellis in collaboration with Brian May in 2005.
A hand above the water
An angel reaching for the sky
Is it raining in heaven
Do you want us to cry?
And everywhere the broken-hearted
On every lonely avenue
No-one could reach them
No-one but you
One by one
Only the Good die young
They’re only flying too close to the sun
And life goes on –
Without you…
Another Tricky Situation
I get to drowin’ in the Blues
And I find myself thinkin’
Well – what would you do?
Yes! – it was such an operation
Forever paying every due
Hell, you made a sensation
You found a way through – and
One by one
Only the Good die young
They’re only flyin’ too close to the sun
We’ll remember
Forever…
And now the party must be over
I guess we’ll never understand
The sense of your leaving
Was it the way it was planned?
And so we grace another table
And raise our glasses one more time
There’s a face at the window
And I ain’t never, never sayin’ goodbye…
One by one
Only the Good die young
They’re only flyin’ too close to the sun
Cryin’ for nothing
Cryin’ for no-one
No-one but you
Written by Brian May six years after the tragic passing of his beloved bandmate Freddie Mercury, this track memorializing Mercury was the last single ever produced by Queen. It was originally meant for release as part of Brian May’s solo music career, but it was produced alongside the other surviving band members at the behest of Roger Taylor upon hearing it. Taylor requested that the original lyrics would be changed to be less focused on Mercury, making the track much more relatable to those whose loved ones pass too soon.
And it’s one by one
Only the good die young
They’re only flyin’ too close to the sun
Crying for nothin’
Crying for no one
No one but you
Long Away, Queen
Purchase Long Away via Amazon Music
Famous Cover
An acapella version by Queen is available, which would provide an emotive opening to any memorial service.
You might believe in Heaven
I would not care to say
For every star in Heaven
There’s a sad soul here today
Wake up in the morning with a good face
Stare at the Moon all-day
Lonely as a whisper on a star chase
Does anyone care anyway?
For all the prayers in Heaven
So much of life’s this way
Did we leave our way behind us?
Such a long, long way behind us?
Who knows when, now who knows where?
Where the light of day will find us?
Look for the day
Take heart, my friend, we love you
Though it seems like you’re alone
A million lights above you
Smile down upon your home
Oh, hurry, put your troubles in a suitcase
Come, let the new child play
Lonely as a whisper on a star chase
I’m leaving here, I’m long away
For all the stars in Heaven
I would not live
I could not live this way
Did we leave our way behind us?
Such a long, long way behind us?
Leave it for some hopeless lane
Such a long, long way
Such a long, long way
Such a long, long way
Such a long, long way
I’m looking for
Looking for that day
Another classic written by Brian May, this tune was the only single released by Queen during Freddie Mercury’s lifetime in which Mercury didn’t feature as lead vocalist. Instead, May provided the lead vocals for this song, allowing him to fully ensnare the melancholic, contemplative tone of this song. Long Away mixes musical techniques made popular by bands such as The Byrds or The Beatles to evoke a nostalgic, almost bittersweet melody.
Hurry, put your troubles in a suitcase
Come let the new child play
Lonely as a whisper on a star chase
I’m leaving here, I’m long away
For all the stars in heaven
I would not live, I could not live this way
Mother Love, Queen
Purchase Mother Love via Amazon Music
I don’t want to sleep with you
I don’t need the passion too
I don’t want a stormy affair
To make me feel my life is heading somewhere
All I want is the comfort and care
Just to know that my woman gives me sweet
Mother love ah ha
I’ve walked too long in this lonely lane
I’ve had enough of this same old game
I’m a man of the world and they say that I’m strong
But my heart is heavy, and my hope is gone
Out in the city, in the cold world outside
I don’t want pity, just a safe place to hide
Mama please, let me back inside
I don’t want to make no waves
But you can give me all the love that I crave
I can’t take it if you see me cry
I long for peace before I die
All I want is to know that you’re there
You’re gonna give me all your sweet
Mother love ah ha (mother love)
My body’s aching, but I can’t sleep
My dreams are all the company I keep
Got such a feeling as the sun goes down
I’m coming home to my sweet
Mother love
God works in mysterious ways
Eeeeh dop, de dop, dep dop
I think I’m goin’ back to the things I learned so well in my youth
Mother Love is a particularly moving piece, comprising both the final vocal performance of Freddie Mercury and the last lyrics written collaboratively by Brian May and Mercury. Before the end of his life, Mercury worked determinedly to produce as much music as he could before he met his untimely end. This was the last song written in his effort, performed in May, 1991 before his death in November. While the title of this song implies a purely maternal love, this tune explores themes of romance and loyalty. Therefore, this ballad would provide a great homage to a lost lover or spouse.
I can’t take it if you see me cry
I long for peace before I die
All I want is to know that you’re there
You’re going to give me all your sweet
Mother love
White Queen (As It Began), Queen
Purchase White Queen (As It Began) via Amazon Music
So sad her eyes smiling dark eyes
So sad her eyes as it began
On such a breathless night as this
Upon my brow the lightest kiss
I walked alone
And all around the air did sway
My lady soon will stir this way
In sorrow known
The white Queen walks
And the night grows pale
Stars of lovingness in her hair
Heeding unheard pleading one word
So sad my eyes she cannot see
How did thee fare what have thee seen
The mother of the willow green
I call her name
And ‘neath her window have I stayed
I loved the footsteps that she made
And when she came
White Queen how my heart did ache
And dry my lips no word would make
So still I wait
My goddess hear my darkest fear
I speak too late
It’s for evermore that I wait
Dear friend goodbye
No tears in my eyes
So sad it ends
As it began
Brian May wrote this concert favorite, demonstrating his expertise in conceptual songwriting. Embodying mystical and medieval elements, the lyrics of this tune evoke the romantic ballads of Shakespeare in a tender memorial of a passed romantic conquest. Any lovers of fantasy or the Bard would be perfectly memorialized by this touching ode.
It’s forevermore that I wait
Dear friend, goodbye
No tears, my eyes
So sad it ends
As it began
Bijou, Queen
Purchase Bijou via Amazon Music
You and me
We are destined
You’ll agree
To spend the rest of our lives with each other
The rest of our days like two lovers
For ever
Yeah
For ever
My Bijou
This track co-written by Brian May and Freddie Mercury is especially favored by lovers of progressive rock- a phenomenon owing to the track’s guitar-heavy melody. The creation of this track is owed to May and Mercury’s joint effort to write a song ‘inside-out’, wherein the guitars carry the melody instead of the vocals. This loving lament would provide an emotive feature at the funeral of a beloved spouse or partner.
You and me
We are destined, you’ll agree
To spend the rest of our lives
With each other
The rest of our days like two lovers
My Melancholy Blues, Queen
Purchase My Melancholy Blues via Amazon Music
A live recording from the 1977 BBC Sessions is available if a live version is preferred.
Another party’s over
And I’m left cold sober
My baby left me for somebody new
I don’t wanna talk about it
Want to forget about it
Wanna be intoxicated with that special brew
Come and get me
Let me
Get in that sinking feeling
That says my heart is on an all-time low
So, don’t expect me
To behave perfectly
And wear that sunny smile
My guess is I’m in for a cloudy and overcast
Don’t try and stop me
‘Cause I’m heading for that stormy weather soon
I’m causing a mild sensation
With this new occupation
I’m permanently glued
With this extraordinary mood
So, now move over
Let me take over
With my melancholy blues
I’m causing a mild sensation
With this new occupation
I’m in the news
I’m just getting used
To my new exposure
Come into my enclosure
And meet my… ha-ha-ha-ha-ha
Another escape from the typical songwriting traditions, this Jazz-influenced hit was written and performed by Freddie Mercury in 1997. Notably, this track is one of the few songs produced by Queen without Brian May’s involvement. This song contemplates upon the more sad elements of life, providing a relatable ode to those suffering across the world. This tune would be appropriate for feature at the beginning of a funeral according to standard funeral etiquette, wherein the saddest tunes are played at the beginning of the service.
So come and get me, let me
Get in that sinking feeling
That says my heart
Is on an all time low
So don’t expect me
To behave perfectly
And wear that sunny smile
Frequently Asked Questions
Is anyone from Queen still alive?
As of the 3rd of September 2022, three members of Queen are still alive: Brian May, Roger Taylor and John Deacon.
Who founded Queen?
The three founding members of Queen were Freddie Mercury, Brian May and Roger Taylor. The bassist John Deacon joined the band shortly after.
What was Queen’s first hit?
Queen’s first No.1 in the Billboard Hot 100 was the 1980 track, Crazy Little Thing Called Love. This track was an instant and enduring hit, lasting four whole weeks at No.1!