Queen’s enigmatic guitarist Brian May has been behind some of the greatest songs to come from rock's classic era.
These days, the guitarist is singing the praises of a tune from 2013 that he calls “one of the best rock songs ever.”
His passion explains why May has lent his talents — and the iconic tone of his Red Special guitar – to a special reworking of the song: “Could Have Been Me,” the breakthrough single from British glam-rockers the Struts.
May somehow missed the song’s initial release, when it became the lead single for the Struts’ 2014 debut album, Everybody Wants. When he did eventually hear it, he was taken aback.
“I wish I'd heard that song when I was a kid,” May tells Classic Rock. “It’s a classic.”
The Struts formed in 2012, combining shades of Led Zeppelin, Queen, AC/DC and — oddly — Leonard Cohen into their unique brand of glam. Luke Spiller, the band's singer and songwriter, even recalls imitating Freddie Mercury and Bon Scott in front of the mirror when he was just 11.
“Could Have Been Me” earned the band a slot supporting the Rolling Stones in Paris in June 2014, a month before their debut LP hit the shelves. Spiller says s the chance to rework the song with one of the band's heroes has only compounded the tune's meaning.
“This song is all about seizing your dreams and living life to the fullest, no matter the obstacles,” Spiller divulges. “It’s a powerful anthem that reminds us to chase what sets our souls on fire.
“Collaborating with Brian on this track is a dream realized, and I can’t wait for you all to feel the energy and inspiration behind it.”
Much of that energy comes from May’s harmony-rich contributions. His guitar sings throughout, at times growling like a V8 engine, at others sprinkling the playfully camp panache that underpinned Queen's legendary music.
“It's one of the best rock songs ever,” May declares, noting, “It was actually bigger in America than it was in Britain: it passed people by over here, and it shouldn't have done.”
The song gained traction in the U.S. two years after its release, thanks to growing prominence on the radio, eventually peaking at number five on the Alternative Songs chart.
Notes May, “It's a very inspirational song: I don't want to look back and think I didn't live my life and take all the opportunities that were in front of me. I love that sentiment. It says everything that a kid needs to know when they're growing up.”
Oddly, the band’s label, Interscope, warned the band not to let May add too many guitars to the track, saying guitars aren’t in vogue.
No one bothered to pay them any mind.
“I could hardly believe I was hearing that,” May scoffs. “It’s ridiculous. The guitar is very much parallel to a human voice, and that's what makes it immortal. That's why people express themselves through guitar as well as through their voice. I don't think guitars are on the way out just yet!"
While May arms himself, of course, with the Red Special as an extension of his voice, Spiller’s voice and the swagger with which he delivers his performance on the song feel very close to home for their guest star.
“Working with Luke, I'm often thinking of Freddie,” May confesses. “There are a lot of similarities. They both have this unstoppable belief. They have incredible voices, they’re great songwriters, but they have that extra ingredient: ‘I’m going to do this, I’m going to let the world come to me.’ That’s what Freddie had, and that‘s what I see in Luke.”
“Hopefully, this song will go on to inspire many more people to take life by the scruff of the neck and drink it down deeply,” Spiller concludes. “Every day is a gift. Let’s celebrate them together.”
Mercury has been on Brian May’s mind a lot recently, with his first-ever signature guitar bestowed with a touching tribute to the late rock icon.
He’s also said he had to fight with him to get a guitar solo on one of Queen’s biggest hits — although another monster hit didn’t need one – and has discussed his favorite Queen deep cut. He says the band never plays the “magic” song live out of respect for Freddie.
