Guide: 5 financial lessons to learn from Queen lyrics

If you “open your eyes, look up to the skies and see…”, you can find financial planning lessons in the most unexpected places.

You’ve no doubt heard many of Queen’s greatest hits countless times. You might have danced to ‘Don’t Stop Me Now’ at weddings, sung along to ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ in the car, or stomped your feet to ‘We Will Rock You’.

What you probably didn’t realise is that you were absorbing some poignant lessons about how to approach your finances.

Freddie Mercury, rock music icon and the band’s lead singer, would have celebrated his 80th birthday on 5 September 2026. Mercury wrote the lyrics to many of Queen’s best-known songs. While it’s unlikely that Mercury wrote songs with financial planning in mind, his lyrics still deliver some important pearls of wisdom, including:

‘Don’t Stop Me Now’: When is the “right” time to retire?
‘We Are the Champions’: Preparing for life’s twists and turns
‘Under Pressure’: Be aware of your growing tax liabilities
‘Bohemian Rhapsody’: Plan how you’ll pass on your estate
‘You’re My Best Friend’:Work with someone you trust to build towards your goals

Download your copy here: 5 financial lessons to learn from Queen lyrics

If these Queen lyrics have inspired you to take a fresh look at your finances, our financial planners could help you create “a kind of magic” by helping you take control of your money.

Please note: This guide is for general information only and does not constitute advice. The information is aimed at individuals only.

All information is correct at the time of writing (August 2026) and is subject to change in the future.

4 ways financial planning can support your mental health

Poor mental health can affect every area of your life, including your financial wellbeing. It can impact your ability to work, make key financial decisions, and stay on top of your money. At the same time, financial worries can put more pressure on you when you are already struggling, which can create a negative cycle. […]

Are you and your partner financially prepared for life’s big events?

Life is full of twists and turns, and sharing that adventure with a partner can make the ride both more manageable and more complex. If you have a partner, you may decide to make financial plans for each new life event as they come, whether that’s having a child, getting married, or ending your relationship. […]

Concerned about the Budget? Here’s why you should be careful about reacting to rumours

With the new Prime Minister’s Budget just around the corner, there is intense speculation about what may or may not be on the table. While Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves made various fiscal promises and commitments not to raise certain taxes, Andy Burnham and John Healey could override their predecessors. Of course, whether they will […]

Guide: 5 financial lessons to learn from Queen lyrics

If you “open your eyes, look up to the skies and see…”, you can find financial planning lessons in the most unexpected places. You’ve no doubt heard many of Queen’s greatest hits countless times. You might have danced to ‘Don’t Stop Me Now’ at weddings, sung along to ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ in the car, or stomped […]