Queen Unearths Rare 'Work in Progress' Track from Queen II Sessions

On December 22, 2025, Queen guitarist Brian May offered the public a rare glimpse into the band's creative archives. During a broadcast on Planet Rock, May premiered a remastered 'work in progress' version of an unreleased Queen studio recording titled 'Not For Sale (Polar Bear)'. This track originated during the intensive recording sessions for the seminal album Queen II, which dates back to 1974.

The significance of this particular rendition lies in its status as something virtually unheard in an official capacity. May himself characterizes the recording as a 'work in progress,' presenting it as an intimate fragment taken directly from the band's workshop before the song evolved into its final, historical form. It offers listeners an authentic look behind the curtain at the group's creative process during that formative period.

The song boasts a substantial history, predating the official Queen lineup. It initially took shape during the era of the band Smile, which featured May alongside Tim Staffell and Roger Taylor. When the material transitioned to Queen, it underwent significant reinterpretation. According to details reported by Louder, this specific version is noteworthy because it features May handling the verses, with Freddie Mercury joining in for the chorus—a rare dual-vocal signature from that specific era of the band's development.

Fans can anticipate the official inclusion of this track in 2026. The recording is slated to serve as a bonus feature on the extensively 're-assembled' deluxe reissue of the Queen II album, which is scheduled for release that year. This forthcoming package promises to offer deep dives into the band's early catalog.

In parallel news highlighting the band's enduring appeal, data from PPL confirms that Queen has secured the title of the most frequently played rock artist across UK radio and television throughout the 21st century. Their music has accumulated over 400 million seconds of airtime since the year 2000. To put that into perspective, this equates to approximately 12.5 years of continuous broadcasting.

PPL has also compiled a list detailing Queen's most heavily rotated songs in the UK across the current century. The top five tracks are:

• A Kind Of Magic
• I Want To Break Free
• Don’t Stop Me Now
• Radio Ga Ga
• Somebody To Love

When looking at the overall rock category tracked by PPL, Queen sits at the apex, followed sequentially by David Bowie and U2. Further down the list are Oasis and Fleetwood Mac, rounding out the top acts in terms of consistent airplay.

Ultimately, this unveiling underscores a powerful truth about music: it preserves time not merely as a static date, but as a living condition. When one tunes in, the past immediately becomes the present because the sound itself is always occurring right here, right now, bridging decades with a single note.