The moments fans anticipate most during a concert are often the ones that fill even seasoned musicians with anxiety — those epic solos or intricate arrangements that demand perfection. For Queen guitarist Brian May, one song stands out as particularly daunting, even among the band’s famously elaborate catalogue.
Though May is considered one of the most skilled guitarists in rock history, not even he is immune to the pressure of performing technically demanding music. A prime example of this challenge is the iconic “Bohemian Rhapsody,” a song that fans adore but one that is anything but easy to play live. The song’s complexity, layered arrangement, and sheer theatricality transform each performance into a nerve-wracking feat.
This very complexity is part of what made Queen’s discography ideal for stage adaptation. Their hit musical We Will Rock You, built on their vast catalogue, brought the band’s ambitious compositions to life in new ways. With an ensemble of musicians — including multiple guitarists and a keyboard player capable of mimicking guitar parts — the theatrical production allowed May’s elaborate arrangements to be fully realized on stage.
“I had a lot of fun with We Will Rock You, our musical,” May explained in an interview with Guitar Player. “I have a couple of great guitarists and a keyboard player who can sound like a guitarist if we ask him to. I’ve had a lot of fun rearranging some of our stuff to be played live, in a way that I wouldn’t be able to do on my own. But obviously some of the stuff we did on record is so complex it would take ten guitars at once to actually reproduce it.”
But even with those adaptations, some tracks remain elusive in live performance. When asked if there was a specific song in Queen’s catalogue that caused him the most nerves, May pointed to “The Millionaire Waltz.”
“Probably ‘Millionaire Waltz’,” May said. “I don’t think we’ve ever managed to play that all the way through.”
Although “The Millionaire Waltz” may not be as widely recognized as “Bohemian Rhapsody,” it is equally intricate in composition. The song effortlessly shifts from powerful to playful, its dramatic flair carried by Freddie Mercury’s masterful vocals. Yet, it’s May’s orchestration that brings the composition to life, showcasing his ability to construct melodies that are both grand and celestial.
Far from being random experimentation, “The Millionaire Waltz” is a refined exploration of musical excess. May’s arrangement mirrors Mercury’s vision and vocal execution with astonishing precision. In a 2008 reflection, May credited Mercury with inspiring the track’s extravagant style. “This was our greatest musical excess,” May admitted. “It teems with baroque life and makes ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ look easy. Great piece of Freddie.”
Mercury, in turn, acknowledged May’s contribution: “Actually, I’d like to say that Brian did do a very good job on the actual guitars. He’s really taken his guitar orchestration to its limits. I don’t know how he’s ever going to outdo that one, actually.”
Despite their fame and technical prowess, Queen’s music remains a testament to the ambition and skill of its members. “The Millionaire Waltz” may not have become a staple of their live sets, but it endures as one of their most musically daring works — a piece even the great Brian May found too complex to conquer on stage.
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