Deacon wrote the song for his wife, Veronica, to whom he remains married to this day. In this song, he plays a Wurlitzer electric piano in addition to bass guitar. The characteristic 'bark' of the Wurlitzer's bass notes plays a prominent role in the song. During live performances, the band used a grand piano rather than an electric, and it would be played by Freddie Mercury, while Deacon played the bass guitar.
For the music video, it shows the band in a huge ballroom surrounded by over one thousand candles, including a huge chandelier hung above them on the ceiling. The video was filmed in the summer of 1976. (May later mentioned that the video was shot in the middle of a very unpleasant heatwave and the ballroom in which they were filming did not have air conditioning.) Also, Deacon is seen playing a grand piano, even though he plays a regular electric on the recording.
The band answered Tom Browne on 24 December 1977 in a live BBC Radio One interview, regarding Deacon's control of the piano for the recording.
John Deacon: "Well, Freddie didn’t like the electric piano, so I took it home and I started to learn on the electric piano and basically that’s the song that came out you know when I was learning to play piano. It was written on that instrument and it sounds best on that. You know, often on the instrument that you wrote the song on."
Freddie Mercury: I refused to play the damn thing (the Wurlitzer). It’s tiny and horrible and I don’t like them. Why play those things when you’ve got a lovely superb grand piano? No, I think, basically what he is trying to say is it was the desired effect.
You're My Best Friend
Queen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Whatever this world can give to me
It's you you're all I see
Ooh, you make me live now, honey
Ooh, you make me live
Oh, you're the best friend that I ever had
I've been with you such a long time
That my feelings are true
I really love you
Oh, you're my best friend
Ooh, you make me live
Ooh, I've been wandering 'round
Still come back to you (still come back to you)
In rain or shine, you've stood by me girl
I'm happy at home (happy at home)
You're my best friend
Ooh, you make me live
Whenever this world is cruel to me
I got you to help me forgive
Ooh, you make me live now, honey
Ooh, you make me live
Oh, you're the first one when things turn out bad
You know I'll never be lonely
You're my only one
And I love the things
I really love the things that you do
Oh, you're my best friend, oh
Ooh, you make me live, live, live, live
I'm happy, happy at home
You're my best friend
Oh
Oh, you're my best friend
Ooh, you make me live
Ooh, you're my best friend
The song "You're My Best Friend" by Queen is a love letter to a cherished friend who has been a constant source of strength and support. The lyrics express the joy and gratitude the singer feels for having the friend in their life. The chorus captures the essence of the song, as it repeats several times:
"Ooh, you make me live
Whatever this world can give to me
It's you, you're all I see
Ooh, you make me live now, honey
Ooh, you make me live"
The singer acknowledges that the world can be a difficult and unforgiving place, but with their best friend by their side, they feel capable of facing any challenge. They describe their friend as their "sunshine," and express their deep love and appreciation for them.
The verses of the song expand on this theme, highlighting the long-standing relationship between the singer and their best friend. They describe how they've been together "such a long time," and how their friend has stood by them "in rain or shine." The singer admits that even when they've "been wandering 'round," they always come back to their friend, who feels like home to them.
In short, "You're My Best Friend" is a beautiful tribute to the power of friendship and the impact a true friend can have on our lives.
Line by Line Meaning
Ooh, you make me live
You give me life, energy, and purpose.
Whatever this world can give to me
Regardless of what the world throws at me.
It's you you're all I see
You are the center of my universe.
Ooh, you make me live now, honey
You make me feel alive in every moment, my dear.
Oh, you're the best friend that I ever had
You are my closest and most cherished friend.
I've been with you such a long time
We have been together for a significant amount of time.
You're my sunshine and I want you to know
You bring light and warmth to my life, and I want to express my gratitude.
That my feelings are true
My feelings for you are genuine and authentic.
I really love you
I love you deeply and unconditionally.
Ooh, you make me live
You give me life, energy, and purpose.
Ooh, I've been wandering 'round
I've been searching and exploring different paths.
Still come back to you (still come back to you)
Yet, I keep returning to you, my constant.
In rain or shine, you've stood by me girl
You've supported me through good and bad times, my dear.
I'm happy at home (happy at home)
I am content and fulfilled in my life with you.
You're my best friend
You are my closest and most cherished friend.
Whenever this world is cruel to me
When the world is harsh and unkind.
I got you to help me forgive
I have you to help me let go and forgive.
Oh, you're the first one when things turn out bad
You are the first person I turn to in difficult times.
You know I'll never be lonely
You understand and alleviate my loneliness.
You're my only one
You are my one and only true companion.
And I love the things
I appreciate and adore the qualities.
I really love the things that you do
I deeply love and appreciate the things you do for me.
Ooh, you make me live, live, live, live
You make me feel absolutely alive and vibrant.
I'm happy, happy at home
I am filled with joy and contentment in my life with you.
You're my best friend
You are my closest and most cherished friend.
Oh
An expression of appreciation and affection.
Oh, you're my best friend
You are my closest and most cherished friend.
Ooh, you make me live
You give me life, energy, and purpose.
Ooh, you're my best friend
You are my closest and most cherished friend.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: John Deacon
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
This Is Queen
You're My Best Friend
Ooh, you make me live
Whatever this world can give to me
It's you you're all I see
Ooh, you make me live now honey
Ooh, you make me live
Oh, you're the best friend that I ever had
I've been with you such a long time
You're my sunshine and I want you to know
That my feelings are true
I really love you
Oh, you're my best friend
Ooh, you make me live
Ooh, I've been wandering 'round
But I still come back to you
In rain or shine
You've stood by me girl
I'm happy at home
You're my best friend
Ooh, you make me live
Whenever this world is cruel to me
I got you to help me forgive
Ooh, you make me live now honey
Ooh, you make me live
You're the first one
When things turn out bad
You know I'll never be lonely
You're my only one
And I love the things
I really love the things that you do
Oh, you're my best friend
Ooh, you make me live
I'm happy at home
You're my best friend
Oh, you're my best friend
Ooh, you make me live
You're my best friend
This Is Queen
You're My Best Friend
Ooh, you make me live
Whatever this world can give to me
It's you you're all I see
Ooh, you make me live now honey
Ooh, you make me live
Oh, you're the best friend that I ever had
I've been with you such a long time
You're my sunshine and I want you to know
That my feelings are true
I really love you
Oh, you're my best friend
Ooh, you make me live
Ooh, I've been wandering 'round
But I still come back to you
In rain or shine
You've stood by me girl
I'm happy at home
You're my best friend
Ooh, you make me live
Whenever this world is cruel to me
I got you to help me forgive
Ooh, you make me live now honey
Ooh, you make me live
You're the first one
When things turn out bad
You know I'll never be lonely
You're my only one
And I love the things
I really love the things that you do
Oh, you're my best friend
Ooh, you make me live
I'm happy at home
You're my best friend
Oh, you're my best friend
Ooh, you make me live
You're my best friend
Susana H
Cheers to you the lucky ones with a best friend! For those who don't find that friend yet, keep on!🦄
Jacqueline Perry
I still need a best friend 😞
Wendy Phillips
You should read My Angels by Janie Phillips and reunite with your best friends ❤️
Jesus So
I had one, he hasn't talked to me in two years, friendship doesn't exist to me anymore Lol
ZAY!
I love my best friends!
nana the dog
My best friend is awesome!
A Guy
I dedicate this to my Mom, the sweetest woman on Earth, and my best friend. I promise to always be your sunshine Mom, you're the best.
LandronSC
Its been years since i heard this song. My mom used to play alot of queen's songs in the car going anywhere. I loved it. Nothing made me happier than hearing queen. But im only 16, why is nostalgia hitting me so hard? I cried practically the whole song listening again. I dont want to grow up. I miss being a kid. I miss hearing this song.
G
Music helps form attachments and memories. It can explain your feelings better than you can most days. Art is just as important as mathematics or any other concept taught to kids. Humanity needs art. Without it we are the very beasts we claim to have evolved from