Queen Share Previously Unreleased Christmas Song ‘Not For Sale (Polar Bear)’: Listen

Queen guitarist Brian May slipped a surprise present under fans’ trees on Monday (Dec.22) when he revealed a lost Christmas song recorded by the group way back in 1974. The gentle acoustic ballad “Not For Sale (Polar Bear),” was originally recorded during the sessions for the band’s 1974 sophomore album, Queen II, but then left off the final track list.

May debuted the song on his Planet Rock Christmas Special in the U.K. on Monday night, informing listeners that the particular version he played had never been heard before and that it is slated to be part of an upcoming 2026 Queen II re-release. “People might possibly have heard a bootleg version of ‘Not for Sale (Polar Bear)’ by Smile, it’s a song that goes back a very long way, but to my knowledge no one has ever heard this version,” said May.

He called the track — written for his pre-Queen band, Smile — a “work in progress,” and said he decided to “sneak” it into his holiday special because he’s “fascinated to know what people think about it.”

The song doesn’t have an overtly Christmas-y vibe, but late singer Freddie Mercury’s yearning, wistful vocals give it the feeling of sad-eyed holiday nostalgia so familiar from other blue Christmas yuletide classics. “In the bright shop window sits the polar bear/ Makes the children’s eyes light up to see him there/ Amongst the tinsel he gives everyone a smile,” Mercury croons over acoustic guitars and brushed drums. “He’s not for, not for, not for sale,” he adds on the angelic chorus.

At press time the song was not available on major streaming services but can be heard here.