Queen frontman Mercury died in 1991, and this week a new recording of the song Time Waits For No One was unveiled.
Fans have been wondering why they hadn’t heard this recording before, and what the story behind it is – and May has explained all on Instagram.
He wrote yesterday: “This new version of Freddie’s take on the theme song from Dave Clark’s 1986 musical of the same name is getting lots of attention.
“I see people asking why it wasn’t available until now, but of course it was. The original version is still up there on YouTube, with 3.4 million views!
“A lot of people are asking us why this release was done in certain ways, but none of our team had anything to with this remake – so we can’t help you ! It’s not a Queen song, so it doesn’t come under our jurisdiction.
“It’s obviously not a Freddie-penned song either – he got involved as a favour to his close friend Dave Clark.”
May added: “Being Freddie, he couldn’t (like me, I guess!) half-do it.
“He plunged in and did a huge production on a rather featureless song, determined to make it into a timeless epic!
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“Freddie’s production included a big ‘orchestration’, and loads of glorious vocal harmonies, and the original video had him interacting (visually only) with the cast of the musical.
“None of which you get in this new version, because Dave Clark has, for this release, smartly lifted Freddie’s lead vocal and placed it alone with a new piano track – played by Mike Moran.
“So you don’t get Freddie’s production, but what you DO get is Freddie’s lead vocal almost naked, and clear as a bell. And WHAT a vocal – what a voice!”
Reflecting on Mercury’s remarkable skills as an artist, May went on: “Freddie poured so much passion into it you get the impression he could make you weep singing the phone directory!!!
“I hope this does well, because Dave Clark is a very nice man, and was a great friend to Freddie.
“One thing is for sure – the world has a fierce appetite for Freddie right now. How happy he would be.”
May himself has been in rehearsals with Roger Taylor and Adam Lambert this week – as they gear up for their eagerly awaited Rhapsody Tour.
This comes after May went on a pilgrimage to the sites of Mercury’s childhood, including his school and home.