Brian May plays Queen's '39' at the 2014 Starmus Festival

Brian May plays the famous Queen song "'39" which incorporates a story of time dilation from relativity theory, at the Starmus Sonic Universe Concert. (video by David J. Eicher)

[@jesseheard]

I'm going to sing this in 2039.

[@danielhorsten4989]

20 years to go, I'll join you!

[@nurlindafsihotang49]

In space?

[@schmilew1230]

me too

[@catcollector6195]

I'm hoping Dr. May will be leading it!

[@jacntt04]

19 years to go! I'm with you!

[@superemepwr]

Brian May = Modern Sir Isaac Newton with a masterful Guitar Solo

[@nurlindafsihotang49]

And do a physic relativity theory lesson in a rock concert 😂😂😂

[@Falcrist]

A literal rockstar astrophysicist.

[@dirtyunclehubert]

hair = johann sebastian bach. overall a proper genius!

[@monicaharvatt633]

As powerful and amazing as Freddie’s vocals and energy were and astonishing as Queen was, this is my favorite Queen song.

[@sebcedes]

If you close your eyes, we’re still in 1975.

[@vivikamikazeowo2216]

And if I close my eyes... I'm crying :)

[@tootstanner]

If only

[@Jo_Wardy]

all you need is a 60s or 70s car and this tape on cassette or 8 track

[@martinpacker1616]

Yeah, he got it wrong when he said "1976". Oh well. :-)

[@JohnVella1968]

@@martinpacker1616 or maybe he did write it in 1976, then he travelled back in time, using his weird science-magic, and gave his younger self a copy of the song, with strict instructions to release it in 1975... ooh, spooky. lol

[@them2002]

His voice still sounds like it did on the album.

[@grroppen2140]

44 years later still sounds great

[@Mustang_2137]

Actually not at all

[@MitchellBauerOfficial]

Jakub Jankiewicz well he’s 45 years older than he was. i agree it obviously doesn’t sound the same but it has the relatively same style

[@TheNeonRabbit]

Well, he sounds more shaky & winded but I don't mind. He's a treasure who contributed every bit as much as Freddie.

[@Anduenev]

@@TheNeonRabbit Yeah I feel like Freddie gets all the attention obviously I like Freddie his singing is good but I love Brian Mays singing and Roger Taylor’s singing I’m obviously not saying Freddie is bad so nobody get mad at me lmao

[@wynnie_margeaux]

I never understood why Freddie would always sing when they performed this live. Brian's vocals are amazing

[@raghadb2044]

bc he has nothing to do on stage

[@wynnie_margeaux]

@@raghadb2044 I could just imagine him prancing around on stage behind Brian

[@delilahtaylor4156]

Uhm bc freddie was the main vocalist lol

[@JeffSyam]

Probably someone told him that at 0.39 Astronomical Unit from Sun, there's Planet Mercury. So this song has something to do with him.

[@justananimelover5677]

@@JeffSyam oh shoot wow

[@JeffSyam]

When someone hints to me that '39 also can be referred to a planet at 0.39 astronomical-unit from the Sun,... it blows my mind. The planet is Mercury.

[@jussapitka6041]

Someone also said it's Queen's 39th song.

[@leandrozacovichi5537]

@@jussapitka6041 OMG I couldn't believe this until I searched it. It blew my mind. Twice.

[@davidnissim589]

@@jussapitka6041 And a movie with a similar theme, Interstellar, came out in 2014... 39 years after this song

[@neerai707]

Interestellar in just one song. Thank you dr. May. We love you.

[@kirkwahmmett1666]

I Would like the comment but it is at 39 so I'll keep it as is. That is how I explain this song to people who don't get the meaning intuitively.

[@davidnissim589]

As of last year, he's Sir Dr. May. He was Knighted :)

[@stephenmccann872]

Loved it when Brian sang " Yeah, we're going home". It was like the bouncer came to throw him out then realised he was the main man

[@cameronprior4698]

My 14-year-old son loves this song. He is studying physics too, lol.

[@ArohaSuomi]

I love hearing that enthusiastic lady in the audience who gasps and knows which song Brian is going to sing as soon as he says the word "space".

[@reelgirl8544]

Yeah, Bri, *'39* sure is a catchy song. Last week it was on loop in my brain nonstop for about 39 hours...even in my sleep.🎵😴🎶 True story.

[@grroppen2140]

the song has a ' at the beginning

[@nyles66]

Me too! My family is aggravated with me but I can't get it out of my head!

[@twomblypublishing]

same

[@helihaaja7383]

I was amazed how Brian pronounced s" SSsSsS

[@woozihae]

I'm always singing it lmaoo

[@maddy7]

Finally, & thankfully, I can hear & watch Brian sing HIS OWN SONG, "39". No one else, including Freddie, should have sung it.

[@jussapitka6041]

The original recording was

[@sherimcdaniel3491]

Wow. Brian May sharing just an iota of what secrets lay inside that amazing brain of his. Just when I thought he had finally given us everything, he gives a bit more....and then more....and yet even more!! I’ve loved “39” since the moment I heard it after I ran home, unpacked “Night at the Opera,” and played it for the first time. I didn’t understand at all what it was about back then, the lyrics seemed a bit nonsensical, but the music was great! When I finally “got it,” I loved it even more...for in understanding what it meant, a new admiration and enjoyment formed. (plus I loved watching Roger bang that drum into submission!) Thank you, Brian. I’m falling in “fan love” with you a bit more. 😉 You’ve shown your fan-friends just a small bit of who Brian May is. I can’t imagine what it would be to see all of the layers there are that we’ll never see. Amazing!

[@desire91]

Brian u r a genius. this is my favourite song ever!!!!!! loove it!

[@marzennasinka8816]

What a great song!🙏🙏🙏

[@marzennasinka8816]

And a great musician💗💗💗

[@tinolagunes4681]

He needs to explain at the "normal people" what he's talking about in his song! jajaja excelente song!

[@josefasoto7841]

this video will never stop making me happy

[@ryannewton1202]

Funny how he sings the harmony of the 1st chorus, rather than the melody.

[@tatomar001]

Probably because he can no longer get to the high notes he sang in the recording a lot of muaicians have this problem when they get old

[@AchromaticBen]

I think I can actually explain this, even though it might be odd. Back when they used to perform this as Queen, Freddie would always sing it, but Brian would his singing on the chorus. Brian is probably just used to singing the chorus parts like that, so stuck with what he knew. Brian CAN sing this song however he wants, it's not an issue with his voice. :)

[@15gilsonrd]

He let Freddie sing the melody...✨💜😢

[@15gilsonrd]

Maggie ‘Touch of the Heavens!’ 👑😇🕊

[@czvnndlcrz3203]

@@PoopTickler lol he did not sing the falcetto, it's just the background voice

[@Walt-w3q]

A friend gave me the single in '76, "You're My Best Friend," and "39" was on the back. Incredible!!!!

[@Moxie351]

Loved it❤❤❤

[@OthmanAlFinlandi]

This song brings me back of time even before 1975

[@zippyt.libertine3787]

Beautiful song from the heart and mind of an astrophysicist.

[@sherryheim5504]

I just had to sing Roger's high notes for you. Such a great song, I sing it all the time.

[@margaritaramis7728]

Como pasa el tiempo, ya han pasado 10 años 🥰

[@datdang9113]

The best song of Brian May in my opinion.

[@nancywillets5268]

What a beautiful song & then hearing his fantastic voice singing it is just awesome. He is such a wonderful person 💕

[@chrissmith7669]

Lol, I love it. Wrote it back when he thought it was a good idea to reach out. Now he knows better. Sad but true statement on the human race.

[@birgitwest143]

Brian May and Rick Wakeman. How cool We saw YES featuring ARW last year and will see Brian with Queen this summer. Both these guys are musical legends. Love 39!!!

[@makigero27]

i love this song and the great compose from Bryan May... the original...

[@AnaWagner565]

Ele é lindo!

[@luciagosler1161]

Play it more often, dear Brian! I think, I"m in love with this song! And your' cry!.... 👍❤️👋❤️❤️❤️

[@catcollector6195]

Laughing at Wakeman's face: "Oh god, is there going to be a test later???"

[@jester5019]

Sing it Brian!

[@MrKmoconne]

KZbin's anti ad block campaign is impacting my ability to watch your videos.

[@cassgarsa1341]

He's so amazing... I hope he's having a happy birthday.

[@dryter]

Always one of my favorite songs. I love Brian's description of the basis.

[@marymayforreal.]

4:00 brian was doing roger's part was excellent 😍😍😍😍

[@recordman555]

One of the greatest songs ever written. Thank you, Brian.

[@afifakimih8823]

Who knows,that brian may has a pHD in Astrophysics..?? So he knows about Einstein's General Relativity. It's always pleased me that a great musician a great is also a astrophysicist..!

[@wyborcza27]

who didn't know, found out from Bohemian Rhapsody, the movie

[@nurlindafsihotang49]

And Deacy/John Deacon is an electrician engineer, Freddy is a designer major/art in focus of paintings, and Roger is a dentist/Biology major (hence all his songs have to do with anatomy and chicken?) Who knew nerds can be Rock Gods eh?😂

[@luciagosler1161]

Wonderful Brian! W're waiting for 2039!🤘🥰❤🤗

[@taur611]

A true "Genius" is Brian May not those who insist we call them that...

[@Dan-pq6gm]

im pretty sure people who disliked this vid disliked bcuz they didnt understand the theory of relativity

[@johnmclaughlin8877]

In 2014 when Brian performed this it was 39 years since 39 appeared on An Night at the Opera... Great song, great album and great human being.

[@stockman1514]

Wakeman and May are two of my musical heroes. I’d kill to see those two perform together.

[@pyt7778]

Thanks so much for this upload!!🙏

[@magicalmysterybeatles9084]

I love him so much ❤️❤️❤️

[@rosariotipanjacho8932]

❤❤❤SIR.BRIAN EL MEJOR GUITARRISTA DEL ROCK ILOVEYOU REINA 👑👑👑👑❤❤❤❤ CON ROGER TAYLOR ❤️❤️❤️ DIOS LOS BENDIGA

[@jaydenwhitlen1489]

Rick looks like he just came back from Dungeons And Dragons

[@irishpotato5811]

surface success be quiet or ill sick my fucking DEMIGORGON ON YÖU!!!!!!!!‘

[@TS-pp3xw]

ik i'm late but he always does.

[@martina-jl5hv]

Ay dios como lo quiero al señor este lpm ♡

[@splendidemendax1453]

Fun fact: Planet Mercury's astronomical units is 0,39... Coincidence? I don't think so...

[@polyphonicgherkins]

It's also the 39th record by Queen.

[@davebain1982]

@@polyphonicgherkins not exactly their 39th song now is it. It just comes in at number 39 because of the order of the songs, coincidence and nothing more, that song could have been placed anywhere on the album

[@tormentor502]

better songwriters in my opinion Brian May John Deacon Freddie Mercury Roger Taylor

[@Plasticmilxy]

Freddie>John

[@LeticiaFerreira-ze2gj]

@Daffa Hazza everyone

[@sergiuboxing]

Best songwriters in MY opinion: No.1: Brian may No.1: John Deacon No.1: roger Taylor And no.1: Freddie Mercury Bc all of their Songs are Great (sry for my English ahah)

[@emitwilson8906]

@@sergiuboxing idk about misfire

[@madzcadoodlehopper8822]

I love all of the songs they’ve all written, but I’ve noticed I likes brian mays songs more. Especially the prophets song.

[@flgbanjo]

I cry every time.

[@2bad2twist]

How can you not stop clapping and foot stomping to this song....

[@walterjeffreys40]

I felt so smart and so dumb at the same time when I finally realized what this song was about ages ago. A decade of picturing some huge Galleon sailing to new lands..

[@FedorChistyakov]

Я обожаю Брайана вот эта фраза nice people это про него.

[@Jamescraigjohnson]

Fantastic

[@samsignorelli]

A wonderful song, with a story line involving time dilation, written by someone with a legit doctorate in astrophysics....and who could not look more like Sir Isaac Newton if he tried. What's not to love?

[@francesedwards9854]

I want to wear a cape like Rick Wakeman! Brian ROCKS!

[@SalvarezP]

I want Brian May to be my science professor 🤩

[@winstonbeech3418]

If you're British, World War 2 started in 1939. For a long time I read the lyrics to be about the volunteers that fought that war, letters in the sand of the Normandy beaches, their grandchildren today living in the lands that the WW2 generation fought for. Of course it's not, but it made me think along those lines. This is my favorite Queen song, and I noticed Brian didn't capo his 12 string - perhaps the vocal range has dropped a half tone :-) Anyway, I love watching his hands on the changes. Excellent close up video.

[@brucebaur5670]

Insightful post. My thanks.

[@johannweber5185]

Well, it is a song about saving your society (in this case I asume mankind), succeeding but having to sacrify the life they used to have (the protagonists of the song did not die but lost all their loved ones due to the progress of time). So there are a lot of dimilarities between your initial interpretation and the actual lyrics.

[@nacho6438]

Came for the song Left with an Astrophysics Degree

[@wilrennehan3205]

I would love to have a few pints with this genius

[@MauroBrisola]

Queen is a kind of magic.

[@lyj2000]

'39 부를때마다.. 되게 가슴 벅차오르고 슬픔

[@DavidMiller-cc3qv]

Great song A+ with Wakeman!

[@chriskeranen]

Applause.

[@luciagosler1161]

Wow!👍🥰❤👏👏👏

[@DavidParker-jr5bd]

I just can't get enough

[@karlarca]

No one commented this so I’ll say it. 3:03 Brian May forgets the lyrics and almost sings the wrong line. Even the legends make mistakes.

[@davebain1982]

Who cares

[@brucebaur5670]

Actually, he caught the first line just in time with " . . . assembled here the volunteers." Even the authors can occasionally stumbled over the lyrics of their own songs. I've done it myself.

[@Aygaber]

Ջաաաան․․․ it is wonderful!!!

[@sofiaa_008]

¿Soy yo o Brian se sigue escuchando igual hace 6 décadas atras?

[@apocyldoomer]

I believe that time travel is possible, I would like to go back to the Roaring Twenties and party with the flappers, and than to the beginnings of man, the Cro Magnum world, just for 1 week, both eras, and so much more!!

[@MattyBeeProductions]

An now... SIR BRIAN MAY

[@samskarebyaha]

Yeah, the one and only Mr.Brian May oops Dr.Brian May😃

[@capvers_my_love]

Sir Brian May now

[@oliviercalmel2]

My favorite Queen' song

[@JochenBrand1106]

Brian sings harmony (a third down I think) in the first refrain but there is no Freddie, so he goes back to sing 1st voice in the second refrain. I have never heard him sing harmony alone :-)

[@DerMannDerSeineMutterwar]

Saw it live in Berlin last year

[@marinoraven9598]

Awesoje brian may

[@ytsejamryuta]

2:37

[@diegomendoza8978]

Brian May, astrofisico, uno de los mejores guitarristas de la historia, simplemente la mera verga

[@Jo_Wardy]

Brian May is the Rajesh Koothrapali of the music world.

[@mikaylachapman9036]

Brian May should've had an appearance in Big Bang Theory, it would've made sense

[@onafetsonitnerros]

Brian May and Rick Wakeman, two british freemasons, plays a folk ballad together live.

[@garlicandchips1]

He said he wrote this in 76 yet a.n.a.t.o was made in 75 did he travel in time to 76 and come back in 75 to write this lol

[@KelliViti]

All that's missing is Skunk Baxter. He needs backup vocals, & they can have conversations with each other. Minus the need for explanation of any kind. LOL

[@tyyip1829]

The astronomer with twelve strings from the heavens...

[@1234readyandplay]

1:05 woo woo woo

[@cyanide250]

All waiting 39

[@ZillaYT]

He writes like an astro-physicist.

[@josuerojas1856]

i miss the falsettos for Roger

[@feistyy]

is he playing with the pianist / keyboardist? from Yes?

[@valentinaunlimited5561]

👑❤️🎼🔥

[@asimov4979]

Itd be nice to have a 12 string but god damn tuning would be annoying

[@AxelTabbertFrylestam]

I have one and it's alright, the tuner's on the side so it takes ~3 min to tune

[@brucebaur5670]

Not difficult at all. The top two pairs of strings are the same; the oher four are mere octaves of each. Try it; you'll see.

[@BC99]

This song helped me understand Interstellar.

[@hatis2794]

Lmao

[@hatis2794]

@@LS-qs9ju my god

[@ElectricSmurf]

Kind of sad to hear him say how his view has changed on human space exploration has changed. Hard to fault it. However, IF life doesn’t exist elsewhere in the universe is it humanity’s duty or right to take life to the stars, no matter how flawed we are? Or is it best just to let life die out on Earth when the Sun makes living here impossible, or some other calamity befalls life on Earth?

[@darksword1]

The original recording with brian may is great. This live version is hard to listen to. Brians voice is too screechy live. I think the best live version is by george michael.

[@macshaneeee]

If people really resonate with the lyrics of the song, this hits hard. Especially hard since of the generation we're currently in....

[@wilburfranz5409]

I hope the astronaut who will go to Mars sing this song

[@joetaylor6657]

😍🥰🤗😍🥰🤗😍🥰🤗

[@sHino_Hammer]

i can see Freddie is there...