Who Wants to Live Forever: what is the song about?
Quick answer
“Who Wants to Live Forever” is a 1986 power ballad by Queen, written by guitarist Brian May for the fantasy film Highlander. It appears on the album A Kind of Magic. The song reflects on love and loss from the point of view of an immortal, who must watch the person he loves grow old and die.
Key facts
- Artist
- Queen
- Written by
- Brian May
- Album
- A Kind of Magic (1986)
- Film
- Highlander (1986)
The story behind it
In Highlander, Connor MacLeod (Christopher Lambert) is an immortal Scottish warrior. In one of the film’s most emotional sequences, he cares for his wife, Heather, as she ages and dies while he stays young. Brian May wrote the song after seeing an early cut of that scene, reportedly in the back of a car on the way home from the screening.
Queen wrote and performed most of the film’s soundtrack, including the title song “Princes of the Universe” and “A Kind of Magic.”
What the song is about
The lyrics wrestle with a paradox: living forever sounds like a gift, but without the people you love, it becomes a burden. The song balances that sadness with the idea that love, even if short, can feel like it lasts forever.
The recording
- Brian May sings the first verse; Freddie Mercury sings most of the rest.
- It features a full orchestra, arranged and conducted by Michael Kamen, rather than the band’s usual rock sound.
- It reached the UK top 30 as a single, and has grown in popularity ever since.
Legacy
The song has become a favorite at memorials and tributes, and is often linked to Freddie Mercury, who died in 1991. It’s been covered by many artists, from opera singers to rock bands, and featured in films, TV and sporting events.
For another classic rock band with a famous rock opera, see The Who. For another 1980s film favorite, read about Who Framed Roger Rabbit.
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