A soaring anthem of camaraderie from Queen's 1986 album A Kind of Magic, "Friends Will Be Friends" is a collaborative gem by Freddie Mercury and John Deacon, released as a single between the chart-topping "A Kind of Magic" and "Who Wants to Live Forever." With Mercury's emotive vocals gliding over Brian May's melodic guitar riffs and Roger Taylor's steady rhythms, the song transforms personal turmoil—economic woes, romantic betrayal, and physical exhaustion—into a universal celebration of friendship's unwavering support. Crafted for the Highlander soundtrack era, its lyrics paint a vivid picture of life's "red letter days" giving way to hope through loyal companions who offer care when love and hope falter. A staple of Queen's Magic Tour, the track's anthemic chorus and heartfelt plea to "hold out your hand" resonated deeply, especially as one of Mercury's final live performances, cementing its place as a timeless reminder that true friends are there, right till the end.
A KIND OF MAGIC -
Friends Will Be Friends
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Lyric line
Interpretation & Notes
Verse 1 — Struggles of life 0:00–0:30
1
Another red letter day
Sarcastically refers to a significant but troubling day, likely filled with bad news.
2
So the pound has dropped and the children are creating
Describes economic hardship and chaotic family life, adding to stress.
3
The other half ran away
Refers to a partner leaving, abandoning the relationship.
4
Taking all the cash and leaving you with the lumber
Implies financial betrayal, left with burdens ("lumber" as dead weight).
5
Got a pain in the chest
Suggests physical or emotional stress, possibly heartbreak or anxiety.
6
Doctors on strike what you need is a rest
Highlights lack of support, even medical, amplifying feelings of helplessness.
Pre-Chorus — Comfort in friendship 0:30–0:50
7
It's not easy love, but you've got friends you can trust
Acknowledges love's challenges but introduces friends as a reliable support.
Chorus — Strength of friendship 0:50–1:20
8
Friends will be friends
Declares the enduring nature of true friendship.
9
When you're in need of love they give you care and attention
Highlights friends providing emotional support when love fails.
10
Friends will be friends
Repeats for emphasis, reinforcing reliability.
11
When you're through with life and all hope is lost
Suggests friends are there even in the darkest moments of despair.
12
Hold out your hand 'cause friends will be friends
Encourages reaching out, as friends will always respond.
13
Right till the end
Affirms lifelong loyalty of friends, through all trials.
Verse 2 — Moving forward 1:20–1:50
14
Now it's a beautiful day
Shifts to a brighter tone, signaling hope or relief.
15
The postman delivered a letter from your lover
Introduces a romantic gesture, hinting at possible reconciliation.
16
Only a phone call away
Suggests closeness, yet a barrier to connection remains.
17
You tried to track him down but somebody stole his number
Indicates frustration in reconnecting, symbolizing ongoing separation.
18
As a matter of fact
Transitions to acceptance of the situation.
19
You're getting used to life without him in your way
Shows personal growth and adaptation to independence.
Pre-Chorus — Friendship's ease 1:50–2:10
20
It's so easy now, 'cause you got friends you can trust
Emphasizes how friends make coping with life's challenges easier.
Chorus — Reaffirmation of friendship 2:10–2:40
21
Friends will be friends
Repeats the anthem of friendship's constancy.
22
When you're in need of love they give you care and attention
Reinforces friends as a source of emotional support.
23
Friends will be friends
Reiterates the dependable nature of true friends.
24
When you're through with life and all hope is lost
Reaffirms friends' presence in moments of despair.
25
Hold out your hand 'cause friends will be friends
Encourages reaching out for help, assured of friends' support.
26
Right till the end
Repeats the vow of lifelong loyalty.
Outro — Final celebration of friendship 2:40–4:07
27
It's so easy now, 'cause you got friends you can trust
Reiterates the comfort and ease provided by friends.
28
Friends will be friends
Restates the anthem-like quality of friendship.
29
When you're in need of love they give you care and attention
Reaffirms friends as a source of emotional nurturing.
30
Friends will be friends
Continues the repetitive affirmation.
31
When you're through with life and all hope is lost
Echoes support in life's lowest moments.
32
Hold out your hand friends will be friends
Slightly varied phrasing, maintaining the call to reach out.
33
Right till the end
Repeats the promise of enduring friendship.
34
Friends will be friends
Final repetition of the core mantra.
35
When you're in need of love they give you care and attention
Reprises the nurturing role of friends.
36
Friends will be friends
Continues the anthem-like repetition.
37
When you're through with life and all hope is lost
Final echo of support in despair.
38
Hold out your hand 'cause right till the end, friends will be friends
Combines phrases for a powerful, conclusive statement.
39
Yeah, yeah
Ad-libs for emotional and crowd-pleasing closure.
Reading guide: A heartfelt ode to the enduring power of friendship, Friends Will Be Friends from Queen's 1986 album A Kind of Magic offers solace amid life's trials. Written by Freddie Mercury and John Deacon, the song contrasts romantic and financial struggles with the unwavering support of friends, exploring themes of loss vs. loyalty , despair vs. hope , and solitude vs. connection. With its anthemic chorus and Mercury's soaring delivery, it became a live favorite, reminding us that true friends remain a beacon of care and attention, right till the end.
Friends Will Be Friends — Tech Specs
Album
A Kind of Magic (1986)
Released
Single: 9 June 1986 (UK)
Recorded
1985–1986, Musicland Studios (Munich)
Genre
Rock / Anthemic ballad
Length
4:08 (album) / 4:38 (extended single)
Producer(s)
Queen & Reinhold Mack
Composer
Freddie Mercury & John Deacon (credited to Queen)
Mercury provided vocal lines & arrangement, Deacon contributed chord progressions and lyrics.
Mercury provided vocal lines & arrangement, Deacon contributed chord progressions and lyrics.
Band Line-up
Freddie Mercury – lead & backing vocals, keyboards
Brian May – guitars, backing vocals
Roger Taylor – drums, percussion, backing vocals
John Deacon – bass guitar, keyboards
Brian May – guitars, backing vocals
Roger Taylor – drums, percussion, backing vocals
John Deacon – bass guitar, keyboards
Technical Personnel
Reinhold Mack – producer, engineer
David Richards – additional programming & mixing
David Richards – additional programming & mixing
Notable Features
Written as a modern “We Are the Champions”-style anthem, but about friendship rather than victory.
Served as the **official Queen fan-club anthem** during the mid-80s.
Released as a single between “A Kind of Magic” and “Who Wants to Live Forever.”
Music video filmed in front of a live audience at JVC Studios, London.
Regularly performed live during the 1986 Magic Tour.
Served as the **official Queen fan-club anthem** during the mid-80s.
Released as a single between “A Kind of Magic” and “Who Wants to Live Forever.”
Music video filmed in front of a live audience at JVC Studios, London.
Regularly performed live during the 1986 Magic Tour.