Single A4 page from notebook containing draft, and near complete lyrics for ‘Who Wants to Live Forever’ on one side and ‘A Kind of Magic’ on the reverse.

Both tracks are from the 1986 LP ‘A Kind of Magic’ and were featured in the classic film ‘Highlander’. Both tracks were released as singles during 1986 and achieved worldwide success. The tracks are considered by Queen fans worldwide as two of their best tracks.

These lyrics were handwritten by Freddie when recording the tracks during late 1985 and January 1986. There are slight differences in the wording of some lyrics, as the tracks were taking shape during the recording process. The writing is in black ink and on an A4 page torn from a notepad.

The set of lyrics have been on display in Queen Studio Experience museum since it opened in 2013. Incredibly, nobody has ever seen the lyrics for ‘A Kind of Magic’ on the reverse side of ‘Who Wants To Live Forever’. This is the first time they are on public display.

The side with 'A Kind of Magic' features both Freddie and Roger Taylor's handwriting. 2 lines read "This Man Had a Goal, His Pain Was One Soul" which appears to be an early incarnation of "One Vision". The side with 'Who Wants to Live Forever' are all in Freddie's handwriting.

‘Who Wants to Live Forever’ was written by Brian May and both Brian and Freddie sing parts on the various releases. Freddie sang the entire version that featured in ‘Highlander’, and his vocals on this track are considered some of the best he ever recorded.

‘A Kind of Magic’ was written by Roger Taylor, but was a track that according to Roger, “Freddie really believed in this song and reworked it as a single”. Guitarist, Brian May also recalled, "Mercury ‘polished’ the lyrics, added the bassline, and re-arranged the structure, although the end result was still solely credited to Taylor. The track, as originally conceived by Roger, was lugubrious and heavy and Freddie totally lightened it up to make it a commercially accessible thing, adding all the little riffs.”

When interviewed about the track David Richards recalled "It was pretty hard to keep up with all Freddie’s ideas. I remember one day we were working on ‘A Kind of Magic’ and he said, ‘I want to hear a herd of wildebeests swinging from left to right.’ I said, ‘Oh yeah, fine, how am I going to do this?’ I spent another two days thinking about it, realizing he wanted some kind of stereo effect. Eventually, we came up with these magic effects that went swinging round.”

Having the opportunity to purchase one such set of lyrics very rarely happens. To have two incredible sets of lyrics, back to back, on the same page is unprecedented. The recent Freddie Mercury auction highlighted the demand for lyrics and it really is a once in a lifetime opportunity for Queen fans and collectors to both see and bid on this incredible set.

Provenance: Freddie's handwritten lyrics have been consigned by the late producer's estate and the Queen Studio Experience museum in Montreux, Switzerland where they were on display.

Co-producer for Queen’s later masterpieces, David Richards ensured every track had the magic Mercury envisioned. Best known for his work with Queen and David Bowie, David Richards co-produced Queen’s final 4 albums ‘A Kind Of Magic’, ‘The Miracle’, ‘Innuendo’ and ‘Made In Heaven’.

Richards was instrumental in crafting the sound that defined the band's latter years with hits including ‘’Under Pressure’’, ‘’A Kind Of Magic’’, ‘’Who Wants To Live Forever’’, "Innuendo”, “The Show Must Go On’’ and so many more. His collaboration with Freddie Mercury on the operatic album "Barcelona" with Montserrat Caballé highlighted his versatility and innovative approach to recording and production.

Beyond his work with Queen and Bowie, David Richards recorded and produced an array of artists including Iggy Pop, Chris Rea, Duran Duran, the Rolling Stones, Miles Davis, Emerson Lake and Palmer, Chaka Khan, Christine McVie to name a few. From 1975 to 2013, he recorded the Montreux Jazz Festival contributing to the audio archive collection which has since been classified UNESCO World Heritage underscoring the global impact of his work.

With significant contributions to some of the most iconic recordings in music history, David Richards helped shape the soundscapes of generations.

In 2013 Brian May said , "Our recorded music will carry a testament to your great work forever".

Special Notice: No right to reproduce or commercially exploit the copyright or other intellectual property rights is included with the sale of the lot. Queen Productions Limited, Queen Music Limited and other rights holders reserve all their rights.