Ever since 2011, the charismatic Adam Lambert has been igniting stages worldwide as the frontman for Queen under the moniker Queen + Adam Lambert. With his powerhouse vocals and magnetic stage presence, he's breathed new life into the legendary band's classic hits. However, in a recent candid conversation with Forbes, Lambert revealed that there's one song, exquisitely sung by the late Freddie Mercury, that he's intentionally chosen not to perform.
Since joining forces with Queen in 2011, Adam Lambert and the legendary band have released two live albums together, including 'Live in Japan' released in 2016, and 'Live Around the World' released in 2020. Their collaboration has taken them on a whirlwind of successful tours, starting with their first performance in Kyiv in 2012.
Over the years, Queen + Adam Lambert have crisscrossed the globe, performing in places like North America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, and Japan. Their performances have been well-received by both critics and fans alike, proving that the magic of Queen's music is still very much alive. Currently, Queen + Adam Lambert is getting ready for a long-awaited North American Tour.
In a heartfelt revelation, Lambert shared that there's one particular song he loves and would like to sing but won't out of respect for Freddie Mercury's exceptional voice. This decision, he explained, came after realizing just how beautifully Freddie had sung the track. Hence, he suggested they do something with the song that would not interfere with Freddie's vocals in any way.
Lambert said:
"There was a song that I particularly love called 'Take My Breath Away,' that is just the most beautiful recording of Freddie. I was so in love with it, but I realized, 'I don't even want to touch it. It's that beautiful.' And that's when I suggested, 'Let's play a little piece of it, of Freddie singing it just as a way to set the mood for something.'
We do that now; we've been incorporating it for a while right before we do 'Who Wants To Live Forever.' It's just this beautiful palette cleanser in that moment. And I love hearing his voice on it. So that's one I dreamed of singing, but then decided that I shouldn't try because it's just too good."
Brian May, Queen's iconic guitarist, also weighed in on the subject, emphasizing the importance of keeping Freddie Mercury's spirit alive in their performances. May shared that they've found ways to incorporate Freddie's presence into the show without relying on backing tracks or other artificial methods.
May said:
"It's nice because Freddie is very much in the show. You will hear Freddie during the show, and you'll see him a bit through various little methods that we have. But what you won't hear is any clicks or backing tracks. You'll just hear us and a few little nuances of Freddie in there, which we love. Freddie is part of the origin of all of this stuff, and he's still there. His spirit is very strong."
Adam Lambert's decision to refrain from singing 'Take My Breath Away' is a touching tribute to the irreplaceable Freddie Mercury, whose voice continues to enchant and captivate audiences even today. By honoring Freddie's memory and embracing his spirit, Queen + Adam Lambert keep the flame of their timeless music burning bright, proving that some legends never truly fade away.
