The Phantom Muse: How Freddie Mercury’s ‘Spooky’ Words Saved a Katy Perry Chorus, According to Adam Lambert

More than three decades after his passing, Freddie Mercury’s voice still finds ways to echo through the creative world — and, according to Adam Lambert, that echo once helped shape a hit from one of pop music’s biggest stars.

Lambert, who has fronted Queen since 2011 alongside original members Brian May and Roger Taylor, recently shared a story that blurs the line between inspiration and the supernatural. The tale centers on a moment of creative frustration experienced by Katy Perry — and how five “spooky” words, attributed to Mercury’s irrepressible spirit, unlocked the final lines of her song.

“His Voice Rang Out”

In a candid conversation about the creative process, Lambert recalled that Perry had confided in him about a songwriting block. She had nearly completed a track — the melody and energy were in place — but she couldn’t resolve the final four lines of the chorus.

As Lambert told it, he began recounting one of his favorite Freddie Mercury stories — one that captured the Queen frontman’s trademark wit and spontaneity. While speaking, he said it was as though “Freddie’s voice rang out in the room.” Then came the five words that seemed to bridge the decades between them:

“But wait, there’s more!”

Those words, Mercury’s signature mix of humor and theatricality, instantly struck a chord with Perry. To her, it was a creative spark — a reminder that art doesn’t always need restraint, that drama and surprise can be the key to a great pop moment. Within minutes, she found her missing lyrics.

“It was like Freddie himself gave her permission to push it a little further,” Lambert reportedly said. “That phrase—those five words—embodied everything about his spirit: playful, bold, and larger than life.”

Freddie’s Spirit Lives On

The story, while lighthearted, underlines Mercury’s lasting influence across generations and genres. His creative philosophy — to embrace extravagance and never fear excess — has inspired countless artists, from stadium rockers to modern pop icons.

Lambert’s connection to that legacy is both personal and professional. Since joining Queen in 2011 as lead vocalist, he has spent over a decade bringing Mercury’s songs to life for new audiences. His dynamic performances with the band, from “Somebody to Love” to “Bohemian Rhapsody,” have been widely praised for honoring Mercury’s genius while infusing them with his own voice and flair.

As of 2025, the Queen + Adam Lambert collaboration remains one of the most successful touring acts in the world, selling out arenas from London to Tokyo. Their ongoing tours not only celebrate Mercury’s music but also demonstrate how timeless Queen’s catalogue remains.

A Legacy Beyond Time

Freddie Mercury’s influence isn’t confined to record sales or awards — though the numbers remain staggering. Queen’s Greatest Hits (1981) is still the best-selling album of all time in the UK, with over 6 million certified copies sold. But more enduring than the data is the creative philosophy he left behind: that art should thrill, surprise, and move fearlessly between grandeur and sincerity.

Lambert’s anecdote about Perry is a poetic example of how that spirit continues to ripple outward. A single, offhanded Mercury-ism — “But wait, there’s more!” — became a bridge between rock’s golden age and modern pop, showing how even in memory, Freddie Mercury still has a way of finishing a song.

As Lambert summed up, “Freddie’s energy never really left. You can still feel it — in every performance, in every artist who dares to take a risk.”

And for Katy Perry, that “spooky” echo of Freddie Mercury’s voice may have been just the nudge she needed to make pop history.