ROCK MOMENT – Queen ‘You’re My Best Friend’
Queen’s ‘You’re My Best Friend’ is one of the band’s most heartfelt and enduring songs—a moment of pure sincerity amid their usual bombast. Written by bassist John Deacon, the 1975 hit stands out for its warmth, tenderness, and simplicity. It first appeared on A Night at the Opera, the same album that gave the world “Bohemian Rhapsody.” While Freddie Mercury often took the spotlight, this track was entirely Deacon’s creation, both musically and lyrically.
Deacon wrote ‘You’re My Best Friend’ for his wife, Veronica Tetzlaff, whom he married that same year. The song’s gentle lyrics—“Ooh, you make me live, whatever this world can give”—reflect a deep affection and domestic happiness that contrasted with the wilder lifestyles of his bandmates. He composed it on a Wurlitzer electric piano, a choice that gave the tune its distinctive, bright sound. Freddie reportedly disliked the instrument, preferring a grand piano, but his soulful vocals brought Deacon’s simple love song to life.
Recorded at Trident and Rockfield Studios, the track became a hit single in 1976, reaching the Top 10 in the U.K. and Top 20 in the U.S. It remains a staple on classic rock radio and one of Queen’s most universally loved songs.
While Queen were known for their epic rock operas and flamboyant showmanship, ‘You’re My Best Friend’ revealed a quieter side—a reminder that behind the flash and fury were musicians capable of genuine emotional connection. For Deacon, it wasn’t about fame or spectacle; it was simply a love letter to the person who grounded him amid the chaos of rock stardom.
