"Friends Will Be Friends" is a song performed by Queen, written by Freddie Mercury and John Deacon, released on 9 June 1986 as a single for the album A Kind of Magic.[1] It was the band's 30th single in the UK upon its release, reaching number 14 in the UK.
The song was included in various greatest hits compilations by Queen such as Greatest Hits II, Greatest Flix II and Greatest Video Hits II.
Musical arrangement
The song's key signature is G major, and makes heavy use of Brian May's melodic guitar playing style. The song was debuted on the second show of The Magic Tour (Leiden). Queen played the complete version of the song for the first two Leiden shows then the arrangement was shortened on 14 June (Paris). The shorter version is featured on the Live At Wembley release. On all live versions, the song was performed in F major, modulated down a tone.
Music video
The video was directed by DoRo and filmed at JDC Studios, Wembley in May 1986 and features the band performing the song in front of fan club members. During the show, Freddie Mercury "high fives" audience members, and at the end cuts the mic and sings along with them, letting them lead. Because of this, this performance was nicknamed "Queen's Greatest Show Never Performed".
Critical reception
Upon its release in the UK, reviews were largely negative. Di Cross of Record Mirror considered "Friends Will Be Friends" to be "more overblown pomposity from a band who have made anthemic pop big business", although she noted it is "a bit mellower and slightly less theatrical than their usual performance". She was critical of the "banal lyrics", but concluded it was one of two "bearable" songs on a "disturbingly dull album".[3] Stuart Husband of Number One awarded one out of five stars, calling it "more of the usual hard-driving over the top drivel".[4] John McCready, writing for the NME, noted its chart potential and popularity but added that it is "so sad to see bags full of bombast translated into pound notes".[5] Howard Johnson of Kerrang! stated, "I used to be big musical friends with Queen, but I'm veering sharply towards enemy ground! The same as usual and not as good as A Night at the Opera days."[6]
Track listings
7" Single
A Side. "Friends Will Be Friends" (Album Version) - 4:07
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