Smile

Taylor met Brian May and Tim Staffell in 1968 after seeing an advert on a noticeboard at Imperial College for a drummer. Smile included May as lead guitarist, Staffell as lead vocalist and bassist, and later Taylor on drums. The band only lasted for two years before Staffell departed to join Humpy Bong, leaving the band with only a catalogue of nine songs:

• "Earth" (Staffell)
• "Step On Me" (Staffell/May) originally from May and Staffell's band 1984.
• "Doin' Alright" (Staffell/May) (later remade for Queen's debut album)
• "Blag" (Taylor)
• "Polar Bear" (May)
• "Silver Salmon" (Staffell)
• "See What A Fool I've Been" (May, based on the song "That's How I Feel" by Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee)
• "If I Were a Carpenter" (Tim Hardin) a cover regularly featuring in their live set.
• "April Lady" (Lucas) a song presented to the band by Mercury Records during their second studio session.

Smile reunited for several songs on 22 December 1992. Taylor's band The Cross were headliners and he brought May and Staffell on to play "Earth" and "If I Were a Carpenter".