Queen star Brian Mayhas opened up about the unexpected impact of one of the band’s greatest hits, Bohemian Rhapsody. This year marks the track’s 50th anniversary, following its chart success for an impressive nine weeks back in 1975.

Released at a time of economic downturn and high inflation, the band only had hopes of it being a “nice track” for their album A Night At The Opera. However, it led to a complete U-turn for the band and to this day is still recognised as one of their biggest hits.

The iconic hit is particularly different from the rest due to its operatic sections, rock ballad style, and guitar solo, created by their late lead singer Freddie Mercury. Reflecting on the making of the hit, Brian said: “We thought, ‘This is going to be a nice track for our new album, which hopefully is going to save us, because we’re seriously in debt and in a very bad situation as regards management’.”

Speaking to The Big Issue, his bandmate Roger Taylor added: “We certainly weren’t thinking in terms of number ones, we just felt it was the best song on the album. It was the most arresting, unusual thing.”

Brian, 78, believes the track may have resonated with people because it offered an uplifting message during a period when the UK was dubbed “the sick man of Europe” in the 1970s. The label was used by the press and commentators to describe the country’s economic struggles and industrial unrest at the time.

“When times are tough, music really can save you, raise your spirits,” the guitarist added.

“I’ve had so many letters over the years that have said that one of our songs has lifted people out of depression and given them a new feeling of purpose.

“So maybe the time was right for Bohemian Rhapsody, it’s a mystery though because nobody really knows where Bohemian Rhapsody came from.”

He added: “Nobody could have predicted that it would fall upon the general public’s ears at that moment and have such an incredible effect.”

As well as chart success, Brian recalls finally feeling accepted “from the general public” and not just their fanbase.

The hit was written by the band’s lead vocalist and pianist Freddie, who died aged 45 in 1991.

Some time after his death, Brian and Roger continued to perform and record, sometimes collaborating with other artists.

The pair worked with Paul Rodgers from 2004 to 2009 under the name Queen + Paul Rodgers, and released the album The Cosmos Rocks.

Since 2011, they have performed as Queen + Adam Lambert, with the American Idol star on lead vocals.

As for their former bass guitarist John Deacon, he retired from music in 1997 and has kept a low profile since.