Photo Credit: Koh Hasebe for Elektra Records (1975)
Queen guitarist Brian May announces a previously unreleased Queen track, played for the first time for an audience during May’s performance on Monday.
Sir Brian May, legendary Queen guitarist, played a never-before-heard and previously unreleased Queen track, “Not For Sale (Polar Bear),” which was originally recorded during the sessions for the band’s 1974 album Queen II.
The 78-year-old May played the song for the first time during a special broadcast on Planet Rock on Monday, December 22. “It’s a song that goes back a very long way, but to my knowledge, no one has ever heard this version.”
A “bootleg” version of the song circulated previously, recorded by May’s pre-Queen band Smile. However, May said that no one had heard the new version, which will feature in the upcoming 2026 re-release of Queen’s seminal Queen II.
“It’s a work in progress and will appear on the forthcoming rebuild of the Queen II album—coming next year—but I’m sneaking this into my Planet Rock special because I’m fascinated to know what people think about it,” said May. “I hope people have a wonderful Christmas and a great New Year!”
Brian May’s Planet Rock Christmas Special debuted on Monday at 6 PM, but will be repeated on Christmas Day at 1 PM. The radio special includes a hand-picked selection of May’s favorite Christmas and seasonal tracks. He also reflects on the music, stories, and memories that have shaped his holidays over the years.
Queen was formed in the early 1970s, consisting of guitarist Brian May, drummer Roger Taylor, late bassist John Deacon, and late frontman Freddie Mercury. Their biggest hits include “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “We Are the Champions,” “Crazy Little Thing Called Love,” and “Killer Queen.”
Earlier this year, Queen was named the most-played rock act on UK radio and TV in the 21st century, according to music licensing company Phonographic Performance Limited (PPL). The organization reported a blockbuster £54.3 million ($73.2 million) payout this quarter to performers and rightsholders, bringing its total payments in 2025 to £277.7 million ($374.6 million).
