Brian May penned four distinct songs on Jazz, and this piece is quintessential melancholic May, with its clearly sung sincere lyricism, interesting musical twist (see quote below), and guitar wizardry (even on acoustic guitar arrangements). The album was recorded in Switzerland and France, in July to September 1978, a hectic double-studio duty deal. His wife, Chrissie Mullen, had just given birth to his firstborn, James, on June 15th, 1978. Recording hit LP’s followed by bigger and bigger worldwide tours had made May a giant rock star, which he did not take for granted. He loved it, and still does, as of the 3rd decade in the 21st century.

And yet to be homesick, and/or harboring a sense of not living up to one’s family duties, is a cliché rock star dilemma. May’s songs such as “Good Company” and “Long Away” attest to this sentiment as uniquely his, given other songs like “Now I’m Here” and “Dead on Time” display his wild fame-embracing taste for serious frivolity.

Interestingly or weirdly, and quite musically, the track’s interlude/break at 1:52 features the protagonist’s wife begging him not to go. May explained the effect,

The lady’s part? It’s me. We slowed down the tape to record it so it comes out speeded up.

Youtube’s “Queenclips” channel, with shorts of the best songs from each Queen album, places this song as third best on “Jazz”; then again, the channel’s choices are meant to surprise, if not downright provoke.