Face It Alone

The Zoo Crew is spinning "Face It Alone" by Queen, a track that’s got the Zoo Freaks buzzing with its haunting beauty. This song, released on October 13, 2022, was a hidden gem from the band’s 1988 sessions for their album The Miracle. Originally thought "unsalvageable" by Brian May and Roger Taylor, it was rediscovered during preparations for The Miracle Collector's Edition box set, released November 18, 2022. Roger Taylor called it a "little gem" and a "very passionate piece," while Brian May marveled at hearing all four members, including John Deacon, working together in the studio after all these years. The track, featuring Freddie Mercury’s powerful vocals, was recorded amidst the tension of Mercury’s HIV diagnosis in 1987, adding emotional weight to its lyrics about inner turmoil. A lyric video dropped on release day, followed by an official music video on October 21, 2022, blending band footage with The Miracle session visuals. Critics praised Mercury’s performance, with The Telegraph calling it "tender, moving, and defiant," though The Guardian noted it’s more of an emotional footnote than a classic. On release, it topped iTunes download charts in 21 countries and was the world’s most downloaded song for five days straight.

Another tidbit that’s got the Zoo Freaks talking is how "Face It Alone" almost didn’t see the light of day. Brian May and Roger Taylor revealed in a June 2022 interview that the track was nearly lost, only salvaged through meticulous studio work by their team. The song was one of six unreleased tracks in the collector’s edition, alongside others like "When Love Breaks Up" and "Dog With a Bone." Fans on Reddit have speculated about other unreleased Queen material, but this track’s rediscovery was a rare treat, especially since Queen rarely left songs in the vault. The band’s official X account hyped the video premiere, and posts from outlets like PlanetRockRadio and CNN amplified the buzz, with fans celebrating Mercury’s voice shining through 31 years after his passing in 1991. The track’s slow, somber ballad style, with its pounding drums and finger-picked guitar, feels like a time capsule from a pivotal moment in Queen’s history.

Now, let’s rewind to how Queen got their start, a story as epic as their music. Formed in London in 1970, the band began with Freddie Mercury on lead vocals and piano, Brian May on guitar, and Roger Taylor on drums, with John Deacon joining as bassist in 1971. Before Queen, May and Taylor played in a band called Smile, which Mercury, a fan, pushed to take bolder creative risks. He joined in 1970, proposed the name "Queen," and set the stage for their larger-than-life sound. Their early work leaned into progressive rock, hard rock, and heavy metal, influenced by 1960s and early 1970s British acts like The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, and David Bowie. Mercury also drew from rock and roll icons like Little Richard and gospel legend Aretha Franklin. Their self-titled debut album dropped in 1973, but it was 1974’s Queen II and Sheer Heart Attack that put them on the UK charts, paving the way for global stardom with A Night at the Opera in 1975 and its iconic track "Bohemian Rhapsody." Queen’s knack for blending genres—arena rock, pop rock, and more—made them one of rock’s most versatile bands.

Queen’s journey wasn’t just about music; it was about breaking boundaries. They played historic shows, like the 1986 concert in Budapest behind the Iron Curtain, drawing 80,000 fans in one of Eastern Europe’s biggest rock events. Their 1986 Magic Tour, including a legendary Wembley Stadium performance, cemented their live legacy. Even after Mercury’s death, May and Taylor kept Queen alive, touring with vocalists like Paul Rodgers and Adam Lambert, while releasing archival projects like Queen Forever in 2014. Fans can dive deeper into their world through the official Queen website, follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and X. For Zoo Freaks wanting more, check out fan communities like the Queen Fans Worldwide Facebook group or the QueenWorld fan site, where devotees share news, memorabilia, and love for the band’s enduring legacy.