If released, they’ll be some of the most highly anticipated collaborations in history – new songs performed by the late Michael Jackson and former Queen frontman Freddie Mercury.

According to Queen guitarist Brian May, the legendary singers became friends in the 1980s, and spent time together in the studio laying down tracks. Mercury and Jackson were “close enough to record a couple of tracks together at Michael’s house, tracks which have never seen the light of day,” May has blogged.

The musician also reckons the “Thriller” star was responsible for one of Queen’s biggest hits. “It was Michael who heard ‘Another One Bites The Dust’ when he came to see us on tour and told us we were mad if we didn’t release it as a single,” May says of the 1980 song. “I think the world is a more colourful place thanks to Michael’s work ... he was a truly wonderful performer at his peak. I think he qualifies as a great artist; he devoted his whole body and soul to his art.”