A pulsating, synth-driven track from Queen's 1986 album A Kind of Magic, "Don't Lose Your Head" is Roger Taylor's sly contribution to the Highlander soundtrack, weaving a cautionary tale with a playful yet urgent edge. With Freddie Mercury's commanding vocals layered over a hypnotic bassline and shimmering electronic textures, the song delivers a double-edged warning: stay sharp to avoid the literal beheadings of Highlander's immortal battles and maintain emotional clarity amidst life's chaos. Written with a nod to the film's narrative—possibly reflecting Brenda Wyatt's perspective as she navigates Connor MacLeod's dangerous world—the lyrics blend practical advice ("Don't drink and drive my car") with existential pleas to preserve heart and purpose, culminating in the uplifting mantra that "love conquers all." A lesser-known gem from the album, its repetitive, chant-like structure and cinematic energy make it a compelling call to hold fast to love and resilience, lest you lose your head in the immortal game.
A Kind Of Magic -
Don't Lose Your Head
#
Lyric line
Interpretation & Notes
Intro/Chorus — Caution and resilience 0:00–0:30
1
Don't lose your head
Warns against losing composure, with a nod to Highlander
's literal beheadings.
2
Don't lose your head
Repeats for emphasis, blending literal and metaphorical urgency.
3
Don't lose your head (Don't lose your head)
Intensifies the warning, using repetition for rhythmic effect.
4
No don't lose your head (Don't lose your head)
Reinforces the plea to stay focused and safe.
5
Hear what I say
Urges attention to the advice being given.
6
Don't lose your way - yeah
Advises staying true to one's path, avoiding reckless choices.
7
Remember, love's stronger, remember love walks tall
Emphasizes love as a powerful, guiding force over adversity.
Chorus — Heart and focus 0:30–1:00
8
(Don't lose your head, Don't lose your head)
Continues the refrain, maintaining urgency.
9
Don't lose your heart (Don't lose your heart)
Warns against losing emotional strength or compassion.
10
No don't lose your heart (Don't lose your heart)
Reinforces the need to preserve emotional resilience.
11
(Hear what I say) Hear what I say - yeah
Reiterates the call to listen to wise counsel.
12
(Don't lose your way) Don't lose your way - yeah
Repeats the advice to stay on course.
13
Remember, love's stronger, remember love walks through walls
Elevates love as a force that overcomes obstacles.
Verse — Practical warnings 1:00–1:30
14
Don't drink and drive my car
Advises against reckless behavior, possibly referencing Brenda's role in Highlander.
15
Don't get breathalised
Warns against legal troubles from intoxication, grounding the song in reality.
16
Don't lose your head
Ties practical advice to the broader theme of staying alert.
17
If you make it to the top and you wanna stay alive
Suggests success comes with dangers, requiring vigilance.
18
Don't lose your head
Repeats the core warning, linking to survival in Highlander
's battles.
Chorus — Reaffirmation 1:30–2:00
19
Oooh (Don't lose your head)
Vocal flourish adds emotional intensity to the refrain.
20
Don't lose your head (Don't lose your head)
Continues the urgent plea for composure.
21
No don't lose your head (Don't lose your head)
Reinforces the warning with insistence.
22
(Hear what I say) Hear what I say - yeah
Repeats the call to heed the advice.
23
(Don't lose your way - hey) Don't lose your way - yeah
Urges staying true to one's path with added vocal emphasis.
24
Remember, love's stronger, remember love conquers all
Elevates love as the ultimate force, surpassing all challenges.
Outro — Final plea 2:00–3:21
25
(Don't lose your head, Don't lose your head)
Repeats the refrain, building to a climactic close.
26
(Don't lose your head, Don't lose your head)
Continues the hypnotic repetition.
27
Don't lose your head
Simplifies the warning for impact.
28
(Don't lose your head)
Echoes in the background, sustaining urgency.
29
Don't lose your head - yeah yeah
Adds vocal flourish for emotional closure.
30
(Don't lose your head)
Continues the fading refrain.
31
Don't lose your head
Final standalone warning.
32
(Don't lose your head, Don't lose your head)
Repeats for rhythmic closure.
33
Don't lose your head
Penultimate call to stay vigilant.
34
(Don't lose your, don't lose your, don't lose your, don't lose your
Fragmented repetition, building intensity.
35
Don't lose your, don't lose your, don't lose your, don't lose your head)
Fades out with a final, urgent plea, emphasizing survival.
Reading guide: A pulsating, cautionary anthem from Queen's 1986 album A Kind of Magic , Don't Lose Your Head blends pop-rock energy with Highlander 's immortal stakes. Written by Roger Taylor, the song warns against recklessness—both literal (beheadings) and metaphorical (losing focus)—while championing love as a conquering force. With its repetitive, hypnotic refrain and synth-driven groove, it explores themes of survival vs. peril , love vs. chaos , and clarity vs. recklessness , urging listeners to stay grounded and let love prevail.
Don’t Lose Your Head — Tech Specs
Album
A Kind of Magic (1986)
Released
June 1986 (album track, not a single)
Recorded
1985–1986, Musicland Studios (Munich)
Genre
Synth rock / Electronic rock
Length
4:38
Producer(s)
Queen & Reinhold Mack
Composer
Roger Taylor (credited to Queen)
Band Line-up
Freddie Mercury – lead & backing vocals
Brian May – guitars (minimal, textural)
Roger Taylor – electronic drums, synths, backing vocals
John Deacon – bass guitar, synth bass
Brian May – guitars (minimal, textural)
Roger Taylor – electronic drums, synths, backing vocals
John Deacon – bass guitar, synth bass
Guest Musicians
Joan Armatrading – guest vocals (subtle lines in the background)
Technical Personnel
Reinhold Mack – producer, engineer
David Richards – programming & engineering support
David Richards – programming & engineering support
Notable Features
Written for the film Highlander
, accompanying a battle scene.
Heavy use of synthesizers and electronic drums gives it a futuristic 80s feel.
Features guest vocals by singer-songwriter Joan Armatrading (rare for Queen).
One of the more experimental tracks on the album — more soundtrack-oriented than radio-oriented.
Title phrase “Don’t lose your head” fits both the movie’s beheadings theme and metaphorical tension.
Heavy use of synthesizers and electronic drums gives it a futuristic 80s feel.
Features guest vocals by singer-songwriter Joan Armatrading (rare for Queen).
One of the more experimental tracks on the album — more soundtrack-oriented than radio-oriented.
Title phrase “Don’t lose your head” fits both the movie’s beheadings theme and metaphorical tension.