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John Lennon was assassinated on December 8, 1980, outside his home, The Dakota, in New York City.
He was shot in the back by a crazed fan, Mark David Chapman, who tracked The Beatles star’s whereabouts that day.
The star’s death was a devastating blow to not only the music industry but also the world.
As a result, Queen frontman Freddie Mercury set about writing a touching tribute to the musical icon he had never met.
Queen and Mercury penned the heartfelt track Life Is Real (Song For Lennon) for their tenth album, Hot Space.
READ MORE: George Harrison almost gave up songwriting until one pivotal Beatles track
Life Is Real (Song For Lennon) was never released as a single by Queen, but its impact was felt throughout music culture.
Mercury reportedly wrote the track in direct response to Lennon’s death, as a way of commemorating the band’s admiration for him and his music. (Via Far Out)
The song’s title, Life Is Real, is a reference to Lennon’s track “Love” which included the lyrics: “Love is real.”
Further lyrics in Life Is Real (Song For Lennon) can be attributed to the loss of Lennon as a great musician.
One powerful line reads: “Music will be my mistress / Loving like a whore / Lennon is a genius / Living in ev’ry pore.”
When Queen played live, they also paid tribute to Lennon by covering his epic song of togetherness, Imagine.
Once Mercury died on November, 24, 1991, from bronchial pneumonia at his home in Kensington.
After that, Life Is Real (Song For Lennon) took on a new life for Queen. The band has used the track as not only a tribute to Lennon but also to Mercury.
Kerry Ellis and Brian May have performed the track live multiple times while on tour over the years.
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