Queen fans were treated to a rare and unexpected holiday gift this week as legendary guitarist Sir Brian May unveiled a never-before-heard track from the band’s archives. During his dedicated Christmas special on Planet Rock radio, May premiered “Not for Sale (Polar Bear),” a recording featuring the late Freddie Mercury on vocals that was originally cut from the tracklist of the band’s seminal 1974 album, Queen II.
The song, which has existed in various forms in the band’s history, was recorded during the prolific sessions that produced hits like “Seven Seas of Rhye.” However, it was ultimately shelved and has remained in the vault for over five decades. While die-hard collectors have long circulated low-quality bootlegs of the song—often originating from May’s pre-Queen band, Smile—the guitarist confirmed that this specific studio version by Queen has never been released to the public until now.
Speaking during the broadcast, May offered insight into why he chose to reveal the track now. “It’s a song that goes back a very long way, but to my knowledge, no one has ever heard this version,” he explained to listeners. He described the recording as a “work in progress” rather than a fully polished final mix, adding, “I’m sneaking this into my Planet Rock special because I’m fascinated to know what people think about it.”
The premiere of “Not for Sale (Polar Bear)” serves as more than just a standalone curiosity; it is a strategic teaser for the band’s future archival plans. May confirmed that a comprehensive “rebuild” of the Queen II album is currently in the works and is scheduled for release in 2026. This follows the band’s recent pattern of meticulously restoring their early catalog, similar to the extensive Queen I box set released in 2024. The upcoming reissue aims to present the album with improved sonic fidelity and will likely include this “lost” track as a key selling point for collectors.
Musically, “Polar Bear” holds a unique place in the Queen mythology. It was originally written by May for Smile, the band he formed with drummer Roger Taylor and vocalist Tim Staffell in the late 1960s before Freddie Mercury joined the fold. The fact that Queen attempted to re-record it for their second album demonstrates how the band’s early repertoire often bridged the gap between their collegiate roots and their ascent to stadium-rock stardom. The version aired on Planet Rock showcases Mercury’s distinct vocal theatricality, transforming the gentle, somewhat whimsical composition into something unmistakably “Queen.”
This revelation continues a streak of high-profile archival discoveries for the band. In recent years, surviving members May and Taylor have unearthed other “lost” tracks, such as “Face It Alone” from The Miracle sessions and “Let Me In Your Heart Again” from The Works era. These releases have proven that despite Mercury’s passing in 1991, the band’s vault still holds significant material that offers new perspectives on their creative peak.
For fans who missed the initial broadcast, May’s Planet Rock Christmas Special is scheduled to be rebroadcast on Christmas Day, offering another chance to hear the track before its official physical release next year.
