The song was recorded during the sessions for 1974's 'Queen II' and has now been played for the first time. It will feature on the 2026 reissue of the band’s second album.
Just in time for Christmas...
Queen have released a never-before-heard Christmas song, titled ‘Not For Sale (Polar Bear)’.
It was recorded in 1974 during the sessions for the band’s second album, ‘Queen II’.
The song, featuring Queen guitarist Brian May and the late Freddy Mercury on lead vocals, never made the final cut and remained unreleased for five decades. Until now.
May played the song for the first time during a special broadcast on Planet Rock radio station earlier this week, and shared that it goes back a very long way, but to my knowledge, no one has ever heard this version.”
Check it out below:
May said: "People might possibly have heard a bootleg version of Not for Sale (Polar Bear) by Smile (his previous band), it’s a song that goes back a very long way, but to my knowledge no one has ever heard this version. 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. I hope people have a wonderful Christmas and a great New Year!"
‘Not For Sale (Polar Bear)’ will feature in the upcoming 2026 reissue of 'Queen II'.
Earlier this year, music licensing company Phonographic Performance Limited (PPL) announced that Queen was the most-played rock act on UK radio and TV in the 21st century.
