Who wrote the song "I Want It All"?

Brian May wrote Queen’s song “I Want It All.” Although the official credit on The Miracle was assigned collectively to Queen, the song is widely identified as a Brian May composition.

May had most of the song developed before Queen entered the studio for The Miracle. Its forceful guitar riff, hard-rock arrangement and determined lyrics reflect his songwriting and musical direction. The song’s themes concern ambition and pursuing one’s goals, rather than literally demanding possessions, and its message helped it take on wider political and social meanings.

The track was recorded in 1988 and released on 2 May 1989 as the first single from The Miracle. It reached number three in the UK and became one of Queen’s most prominent late-period rock songs. Freddie Mercury sings most of the lead vocal, while May contributes backing vocals and a vocal section alongside Mercury.

The collective credit can create a quiz trap. Beginning with The Miracle, Queen generally credited songs to the whole band regardless of which member had originated them. That is why some catalogues list “I Want It All” as written by Queen, while biographical and songwriting accounts name May as its principal writer. For a question asking who wrote it, Brian May is the canonical answer.