“You’re My Best Friend” Queen – The Story Behind The Song
Every member of Queen wrote at least one hit for the band… “You’re My Best Friend” is John Deacon’s song.
John Deacon wrote this song about his wife. He enjoyed a mostly quiet home life, and particularly in the early days of Queen, John was very shy and quiet. It took a good deal of time before he worked up the nerve to bring the song to the band.
The Electric Piano Was Not Freddie’s Best Friend
John Deacon learned to play the electric piano for this song. Freddie Mercury played piano for Queen plenty but gave a fat “NO” to the electric keyboard. “I refused to play that damn thing. It’s tiny and horrible and I don’t like them. Why play those when you have a lovely superb piano?” (from songfacts)
John said in a later interview, “Freddie didn’t like the electric piano, so I took it home and I started to learn on the electric piano and basically that’s the song that came out when I was learning to play piano. It was written on that instrument and it sounds best on that.” (from Express) John Deacon learned to play the electric piano and ended up with this amazing song. Incredible!
“You’re My Best Friend” ended up being the follow-up release to “Bohemian Rhapsody.”
Queen – “You’re My Best Friend” Video
John Deacon became rather reclusive after Freddie’s death in 1991. He retired from music and touring. The band still maintains contact with him, and runs decisions by him – according to Brian May, the rule is that if Deacon does not reply to an email, that’s his way of saying it has his approval.
In an interview with RockFM, Brian May said, “Of course, we love John and we will always will, but we don’t have any significant contact with him now. That’s the way he wants it, he wanted to cut that tie and to be a private person and we have to respect that.”
Queen + Adam Lambert are live at LCA on October 10th, 2023.
