'39
| "'39" | |
|---|---|
The back sleeve of the Italian single sleeve for "You're My Best Friend" | |
| Song by Queen | |
| from the album A Night at the Opera | |
| A-side | "You're My Best Friend" |
| Published | Queen Music Ltd. |
| Released | 18 June 1976 |
| Recorded | August–November 1975 |
| Genre | |
| Length | 3:30 |
| Label | |
| Songwriter(s) | Brian May |
| Producer(s) |
|
"'39" is a song by British rock band Queen. Composed by lead guitarist Brian May, it is the fifth track on their fourth studio album A Night at the Opera. The song was also the B-side to "You're My Best Friend".
Inspired by May's studies in astrophysics, the song relates the tale of a group of astronauts who embark on what is, from their perspective, a year-long voyage. Upon their return however, they realise that a hundred years have passed on Earth due to the effects of time dilation from traveling at relativistic speeds, and the loved ones they left behind are now all dead or aged.