13 Great Songs About Death
2. Queen - The Show Must Go On
All aspects of this song are truly tragic. Written by guitarist Brian May after discovering the extent of Freddie Mercury's HIV/AIDS illness, the closer to Innuendo describes Mercury's desire to continue performing despite his diagnosis.
Outlining how one should enjoy life whilst it is still possible to do so, the song echoes Mercury's twilight years at a time where the scope of his illness was not yet public knowledge.
Chillingly chosen as the last song of the 1991 album due to the band's belief that this may well have been Mercury's last album, the funeral favourite was performed by the surviving members of Queen, plus Elton John and Black Sabbath's Tony Iommi at The Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert.
It was also used to send off bassist Paul Deacon's career when he retired from music in 1997 after performing the song with Queen and Elton John.
May was initially concerned that Mercury would not be able to perform the challenging vocals of the song due to his ill health. As a testament to the man, May states that Mercury retorted "I'll f*cking do it, darling" and proceeded to absolutely smash the take.
Remaining strong until the end, May said of his friend in the 2011 documentary Days of our Lives "he never moaned, he never said 'my life is sh*t, this is terrible, I hate it [etc.]', he had an incredible strength and peace."
What a hero.