Composition
The song was composed by John Deacon, with a meter of 4/4 (12/8), with one bar in 6/4 during the chorus, and a key of C-major (a-minor).
The album A Night at the Opera features songs of numerous styles including this three-minute ballad pop song. Very unusually for the genre there is no section appearing more than twice. On the other hand, in terms of phrases and measures, we find numerous repetitions or variants. The form is cyclic and very similar to that of "Spread Your Wings" (1977). Another similarity between the two songs is the lack of (real) modulation. The arrangement features 3- and 4-part vocal and guitar harmonies (no rhythm guitar), bass (melodic approach), drums, and electric piano. This is Deacon's second recorded song and the first one released on single (some six months after the album-release). Mercury's lead vocal features lot of "special effects" (voice, rubato-ized rhythms, ornaments, slided notes).
Read more about this topic: You're My Best Friend (Queen Song)
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—Derek Gjertsen, British scientist, author. Science and Philosophy: Past and Present, ch. 3, Penguin (1989)
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