Queen’s Final Album, ‘Made in Heaven,’ Offered a Poignant Farewell to Freddie Mercury, Released 28 Years After His Death
Teh album Made in Heaven, released in november 1995, served as queen’s final studio album with Freddie Mercury and a deeply emotional coda to the band’s storied career following his death in 1991. Constructed from vocal tracks Mercury recorded before his passing, and instrumental parts laid down by Brian May, Roger Taylor, and John Deacon, the album became a global phenomenon, reaching No. 1 in the U.K. and selling an estimated 5 million units worldwide.
The project began taking shape with producer Dave Richards, who helped organize the wealth of unreleased material. “dave came in with an overview and helped everyone bring it together,” engineer Justin Shirley-Smith recalls. “But everyone was pushing and really enthusiastic.” The album wasn’t solely comprised of entirely new compositions; performances of “Made in Heaven” and “I Was Born to Love You” were reworked from Mercury’s 1985 solo album, mr. Bad Guy, with new Queen arrangements. “It’s a Beautiful Day,” an outtake from 1980’s The Game, was reimagined in both contemplative and anthemic forms to frame the album.
Other tracks had equally circuitous origins. ”Heaven for Everyone” initially appeared on Roger Taylor’s band The Cross’ debut album, Shove It, though Taylor re-recorded the vocals for Made in Heaven. “Let me Live” was an expanded version of an unfinished song from 1984’s The Works,originally featuring Rod Stewart and Jeff Beck. “My Life Has Been Saved” was a reworked B-side from 1989’s The Miracle, replacing the track “Too Much Love Will Kill You,” which was removed from the album at the last minute. The Made in Heaven version of “My Life Has Been Saved” included only one added vocal ad lib.
A surprise addition was “Track 13,” a nearly 23-minute ambient instrumental piece with fragments of Mercury’s vocals, created overnight by richards and May during mastering.It has been interpreted as a sonic representation of Mercury’s afterlife.
Despite not reaching the Top 50 in the U.S.,Made in Heaven was certified gold in early 1996. According to those involved, the album provided closure for the band. “[[[[Made in Heaven]was very cathartic for them,” says journalist Jack Macrae. “Roger was noticeably changed by the experience. They were in the doldrums for a while after Freddie went-it left a big hole in thier lives.”
shirley-Smith remembers Richards describing Mercury’s creative process: “I remember Dave Richards saying that Freddie would come up with an idea, and if it was just someone coming in off the street, you’d have them thrown out because it’s so ridiculous. But because it was Freddie, you’d try it out-and it would turn out to be amazing.” The album ultimately allowed Queen to deliver a final, poignant farewell to their iconic frontman.
