"Long Away" is a song by the British rock band Queen; it is the third track on their 1976 album A Day at the Races. Brian May wrote the song and sings the lead vocals. It was released as the third single from the album in North America and New Zealand only.
Recording It is one of the few songs where May uses a guitar other than his Red Special. For the rhythm guitar parts, he used an electric Burns twelve string guitar (although he used the Red Special for the second guitar solo in the middle section of the track). Originally, May wanted to use a Rickenbacker guitar (as he admired John Lennon), but he didn't get along well with the Rickenbacker's thin neck.
Roger Taylor sings the highest parts of the song.
Meaning The song has a sad tone, describing that "for every star in heaven / there's a sad soul here today," and an overall sense of melancholic nostalgia lies over the song. It is similar in feel to the song '39 from A Night at the Opera, although without the folk influence.
Reception The Washington Post described it as "an affectionate recreation of the mid-'60s Beatles/Byrds sound," and one of the best songs on the album. Wesley Strick of Circus magazine, in a mixed review of the album, named the album's best song and also noted the influence of the Beatles and the Byrds. He observed that Long Away was "haunting" and "never smart-ass or strickly for laughs, "Long Away" - unlike most of Races - feels real." Cash Box said that "this gentle tune is built from endless layers of strummed guitars, showcasing the versatile Freddie Mercury's sweetest voice and the group's distinctive high register harmonies."
Other album appearances The song also appears on two Queen compilation albums: Deep Cuts, Volume 1 (1973–1976) (2011) and Queen Forever (2014).
Band comments on the song
Personnel Queen Brian May – lead and backing vocals, guitars Freddie Mercury – backing vocals Roger Taylor – drums, percussion, backing vocals, co-lead vocals (phrase "Look for a day") John Deacon – bass guitar
References
External links Lyrics at Queen official website