To celebrate the launch of the limited-edition Queen I Dolby Atmos Audiophile Blu-ray, Queen legends Sir Brian May and Roger Taylor have unveiled a brand-new animated lyric video for “My Fairy King,” a standout track from their remastered 1973 debut album.
The video brings to life the enchanted imagery embedded in Freddie Mercury’s lyrics, immersing viewers in a fantastical world inspired by art and imagination. Simon Lupton, co-founder of Seven Seas Films, explains the concept behind the animation: “We wanted to bring the fantastical creatures and images Freddie paints in the lyrics to life. Knowing Freddie’s deep connection to art, we imagined the song as a painting—perhaps one Freddie had seen or even created himself—with all the individual elements coming together into a single vibrant masterpiece. This is combined with striking visuals of the band from that early era.”
Sir Brian May reflected on the significance of “My Fairy King” in Queen’s evolution, describing it as “the first time we really saw Freddie working at his full capacity.” He noted it was one of Queen’s early epics, featuring intricate vocal overdubs and harmonies that would become a hallmark of their sound. In an interview with the Library of Congress, May highlighted how the track paved the way for future masterpieces like Bohemian Rhapsody: “We were already dealing with a lot of complexity in the studio. On ‘My Fairy King,’ you hear Freddie layering bits, and he’d explain how different parts connected. We were used to building songs piece by piece.”
Written during the heady days following Queen’s 1970 formation, “My Fairy King” offers a glimpse into Freddie Mercury’s boundless creativity. The song is set in the imaginary realm of Rhye—a fantasy kingdom conceived by Freddie and his sister Kashmira during childhood. The lyrics conjure a magical world where “dragons fly like sparrows” and “rivers are made from wine so clear.” Echoing the whimsy of Robert Browning’s The Pied Piper, the song describes a land where “horses [are] born with eagle wings” and “honey bees have lost their stings.”
Musically, the track is one of the band’s most ambitious arrangements from their early years. It shifts seamlessly from ethereal dreamscapes into hard-rocking sections as pillagers invade Rhye, “running like thieves and killing like knives.” The lineup’s instrumental prowess shines throughout—from Freddie’s powerful piano to Brian May’s signature harmony guitar and Roger Taylor’s soaring falsetto layered in cascading vocals.
As Queen continues to captivate new generations, “My Fairy King” stands as a testament to Freddie Mercury’s visionary artistry and the band’s fearless innovation—a historic first that foreshadowed the legendary complexity and grandeur to come.
