Brian May - Miscellaneous Songs

This page includes song details of miscellaneous Brian May recordings which cannot be included on other album pages.

 

The Amazing Spider Man (1995)
Il Colosso | What Are We Made Of? (1996)
(Marie's The Name) His Latest Flame (1997/8) (on the 'Unreleased Solo Tracks' page)
My Boy (1998)
Otro Lugar (on the 'Another World' songs page)
I Don't Want Nobody Teasing Around With Me (2001)
Sideburns (2001)
The Stretch (2001)
Fun At The Funeral Parlour (2002)
The Fire Within (2002)
God Save The Queen (2002) (on the 'A Night At The Opera' page)
The Alps Guitar Solos (2007)

Unreleased Tracks
(details on the Unreleased Solo Tracks page)
Olympic Theme (1988)
Macbeth (1990)

 

Singles

The Amazing Spider Man
Non-Album Track. Written by Brian May
Parts of this track were used as the theme tune and music for the BBC Radio 1 series.
The Mastermix contains a sample of 'We Will Rock You (Rick Rubin Ruined Remix)'
Please note that I haven't heard the two 'Solution' mixes to confirm times, description or lyrics.
Available Versions:
1. The Amazing Spider Man Mastermix (4:12) (on all singles) (this was released as the single)
2. The Amazing Spider Man White Trouser Mix (8:11) (on all singles) (this is an extended dance version) (click here for lyrics)
3. The Amazing Spider Man Sad Bit (1:47) (on all singles) (this is a short guitar instrumental)
4. The Amazing Spider Person Brown Trouser Mix (0:07) (only on the CD single) (this is a short burst of guitar)
5. The Amazing DJ Perk - MC Spy-d's Favourite Stings (0:51) (only on the CD single) (a collection of sound effects)
6. The Amazing Spider Man Solution Mix (only available on a black vinyl promo 12") (a dance remix)
7. The Amazing Spider Man Solution Chilled Mix (only available on a black vinyl promo 12") (a dance remix)
Amazing DJ Perk Dialogue:
The amazing spider man
Before I was just a nobody - now I'm a freak
Lyrics:
There's a new street fighter on your window sill
The weapon is beast the word is chill, yeah

Look up there - that's not possible
I've seen that guy somewhere - on TV
Spy-d, spy-d
Spy-d

Our hero is 'live and as thin as a rake
He's as sharp as a scythe with the muscles of a snake
He can run, he can crawl, he can graft in the air
Watch him wrap it all up without turning a hair
The amazing spiderman

Wow - a spider - ow, it, it bit me
Oh, too bad I stepped on it - yow
It's Peter - he's on the ceiling

Now the city's sleeping
Spy-d do his creeping
Creeping he is creeping
We'll be weeping, weeping, weeping, oh
To the wall he's clinging
A spider's web he's spinning
A better life he's bringing
For all the stranded pretty, pretty women

Ah, Mr Fantastic, I, I need help
I think, I think I'm turning into a spider
And I'm not even 18 yet

Is he man, is he insect, all we now is he's great
Watch him weaving his magic into a web of fate
The incredible

Help, help - my God
See the girl hanging from the 53rd storey window
Nobody could climb up there except
Spy-d?
You were expecting Tom Cruise?

See the guy running off with the cash and the choker and sponge
He's getting away
None can stop him except
Spy-d
Spy-d

I will not be ignored, I shall rule you all, I shall - what?
Package for Dr Octopus
Spiderman
Spy-d
It's clobbering time
Spy-d

Every scuzz-bag and creep better hide yourself well
He'll be hot on your heels, he's the spider from hell
He laughs at the dangers, just as he brings
The web-wielding avenger for whom the world sings
The amazing, the amazing
Spiderman

I'm not sure I hope for this long underwear character
Gangway
I'm a pumpkin bomb, a pumpkin bomb
You won't last long with a pumpkin bomb
Here I go - 5, 4
Ooops, ooheee

Il Colosso (Brian May & Sissel)
Music by Brian May and Lee Holdridge, lyrics by Brian May. Album Version 7:35
Only available in the film 'Pinocchio' or on the soundtrack
This track has a very operatic feel, and includes two shorts parts of 'What Are We Made Of?'.
The vocals sung by 'Pinocchio', and officially credited to 'Just William', are actually sung by Brian but slightly speeded up.
Recording Notes:
Produced by Brian May and Spencer Proffer
Recorded at Allerton Hill, Windlesham, Surrey
Engineered by Justin Shirley Smith, assisted by Pete Malandrone
Orchestral Arrangements by Lee Holdridge, Ira Hearshen and Larry Kenton
Arranged by Lee Holdridge and Brian May
Includes vocals by Just William, Sissel, Jerry Hadley, Gary Martin, Brian May, Sissel, Pete & Justin, Jim Beach, Julie Glover, Peter Locke, Robert Lee and Suzanne DuBarry.
Alternate Versions:
1. Film Version (7:06) (only in the film) (this is similar to the 'album' version, with some parts edited out. However, there are changes and also additional film dialogue)
Lyrics: (the film version is missing the lyrics in red)
No to tiranny
He shall not have his pleasure
The goodness shall prevail

No to fillany
He'll save our greatest treasure
In this we can not
In this we can not fail

My dearest daughter
Will no-one save her
Ah, my kingdom
He offers half his kingdom
And no-one dare to save me from the hassles

I will

Now all the world is waiting (all)
The maiden I must save (the world is)
Don't wait, no hesitating (waiting)
If only I were brave (and now is the hour)

This time I must be the hero
It's my call, that's my fate
It's everything or nothing
Look out he's coming through

I'll save you princess
Puny peasants
No

Behold the giant
He stands out proud, defiant
The princess shall be mine
She will be mine
Who next?

Hey you up there, with the b-b-beard

Oh, I was made of freedom
Nobody pulls my strings
A knight can equal any man
In all the grown up things

Oh, I was made of mischief
They tell me I must learn
But nothing is coincidence
Whichever way I turn

And I will do or die
For I know one thing after all
The bigger any giant comes
The harder he may fall

My hero
He saved me
My hero, my hero, my hero, my hero, my hero, my hero

Hail the hero
At last we have a hero
So I'm told he is only a p - p - p - peasant

Only a peasant
He's nothing but a peasant
He's so daring and handsome and charming
But a peasant - how very alarming

He's so clever and brave and heroic
But those peasants, they're all protozoic

Altogether we dance and play
We're bright and gay, aloud, hooray
Altogether we greet the day
Colossus is no more
Altogether we celebrate the very hills reverberate
To the heavens we elevate
The hero we adore

All of a sudden the world is light
The sun is up and shining bright
All of a sudden the birds do sing
And spring is at the door

All together in harmony
In chorus song and symphony
All together the angels sing
The giant is no more

What are we made of
Can we know what we will be
What are the chances
I can find a better path
A better life
A better me

What are we made of
Is it written in the sand
Where are we sailing
To a strange and distant land
Take my hand and sail with me

What are we made of
If you think you know the answer
Turn around, think again

No! A monster
A fire breathing monster
At last we are undone

Hail the general
He'll make his work indelible
And now the chosen fun
Has begun

Stand for justice
Stand for honour
Stand with courage (we will)
Stand with valour (we will)

Ahh-ahhh, ahh-ahhh
Ahh-ahh-ahh
Ahh-ahhh, ahh-ahhh
Ahh-ahh-ahh

Hail the general
Here comes the mighty general
He will tend to
He must tend to
He must tend to

Oh, I was made of
So I was made of
I am made of

What are we made of
Just for this moment take your life into your hands
You will decide
What you are made of
What it is that I can be
Think again, my friend
Turn around, think again

What Are We Made Of? (Brian May & Sissel)
Written by Brian May. Original Version 3:42
Vocals sung by Brian May and Norwegian singer Sissel.
The full version is only available on the soundtrack to the film 'Pinocchio'.
Recording Notes:
Produced by Brian May and Spencer Proffer
Recorded at Allerton Hill, Windlesham, Surrey
Engineered by Justin Shirley Smith, assisted by Pete Malandrone
Orchestral Arrangements by Lee Holdridge
Backing vocals by Brian May and Cathy Porter
Alternate Versions:
1. Album Excerpt 1 (1:10) (in the album version of 'Il Colosso', from 1:09 to 4:59) (features normal intro, vocals by Sissel and 'Pinocchio', and segues into other parts of 'Il Colosso') (click here for lyrics)
2. Film Excerpt 1 (0:41) (in the film only, as part of 'Il Colosso', from 3:09 to 3:51) (very similar to the first album excerpt but it loses a verse) (click here for lyrics)
3. Album Excerpt 2 (0:54) (in the album version of 'Il Colosso', from 6:42 onwards) (features a different (piano) intro, vocals by Sissel, and ends similar to the original) (click here for lyrics)
4. Film Excerpt 2 (0:41) (in the film only, as part of 'Il Colosso', from 6:29 onwards) (again very similar to above but also loses a line of lyrics) (click here for lyrics)
Lyrics: (Lyrics in Black are sung by Brian; Lyrics in Red are sung by Sissel; Lyrics in Blue are sung by Brian and Sissel)
What are we made of
Can we know what we will be
What are we made of
Think again

There's a wind of changes blowing
There's a fire deep inside
There's a place we could be going
If we could only get it right

And the river keeps on flowing
And the morning lights the sky
When they said it would be easy
I guess they must have lied

What are we made of
Can we know what we will be
What are the chances
I can find a better path
A better life
A better me

What are we made of
If think you know the answer
Turn around
Think again

Whatever were you thinking
Did you turn your life around
When you know your world is sinking
Can you find a solid ground

Is there really a road to heaven (we'll find a way)
And a road leads down below (someway somehow)
Does anything really matter
If only we could know

What are we made of
Is it written in the sand
Where are we sailing
To a strange and distant land
Take my hand and sail with me

What are we made of
'Cos I have to understand
Yeah
Yeah, yeah

What are we made of
Can we know what we will be
What are the chances
There's a place for you and me

What are we made of
Just for this moment take your life into your hands
You'll decide
What you are made of
What it is that you can be
Think again my friend
Turn around, think again

Excerpt 1 Lyrics: (Lyrics in Black are sung by Sissel; Lyrics in Red are sung by the voice of Pinocchio; Lyrics in Blue are sung by Sissel and Pinocchio. The album excerpt has all lyrics, the film excerpt loses the second verse)
What are we made of
Can we know what we will be
What are the chances
I can find a better path
A better life
A better me

What are we made of
Is it written in the sand
Where are we sailing
To a strange and distant land
Take my hand and sail with me

What are we made of
If you think you know the answer
Turn around, think again

Excerpt 2 Lyrics: (Lyrics in Black are sung by Sissel; Lyrics in Red are sung by the voice of Pinocchio; Lyrics in Blue are sung by Sissel and Pinocchio. The album excerpt has all lyrics but the film excerpt loses 'Think again, my friend')
What are we made of
Just for this moment take your life into your hands
You will decide
What you are made of
What it is that I can be
Think again, my friend
Turn around, think again

My Boy
Written by Brian May. Original Version 2:00
This track was included on a various-artist compilation called 'Lullabies With A Difference', released in 1998. The track is a slow ballad, featuring Brian singing and playing the piano, with very few other instruments.
Lyrics:
Strange how soon the party's over
I should know by now

My hand no longer guides your footsteps
Now you guide your own

And all that's left is the sound of your voice
And your face as you were on the screen

Hush, don't you cry
There'll be no pain
The bad wolf is gone
He'll have no part of our game

All too soon the dream world's fading
Says farewell

Since my boy became a man

Don't make it too soon
My small boy

I Don't Want Nobody Else Teasing Around With Me
Unknown writer. Standard Version 3:49
Due to appear on the Sun Records tribute album, 'Good Rockin' Tonight', but eventually not included.
This track is a slow track, with strong vocals and guitar, in a blues style
Lyrics:
I don't want nobody
Teasing around with me
No, nobody

I don't want nobody
Teasing around with me

I may be weak
I may be strong
I may be right
Lord knows, I may be wrong
But I don't want nobody
Teasing around with me

I've been in love lately
I'm not a fool you see
You left my heart aching
A lonely, lonely melody
So say you want me
You want me back
Darling, I'll give you loving
Baby you've never had
Oh, I don't want nobody
Teasing around with me
Hey

Yeah baby

Yeah
Yeah

Yeah, yeah
I may be deaf
I may be blind
Baby I can talk
And I'm sure gonna speak my mind
Oh I don't want nobody
Teasing around with me

Oh, I don't want nobody

Sideburns
Written by Brian May. Standard Version 1:06.
This track was released on the Guitarist Magazine CD, issue 216, in November 2001. It features Brian playing the new 'Burns' guitar, alongside a drum beat from Justin Shirley Smith. Also on the CD was a discussion by Brian, comparing his original and copy guitars and demonstrating the difference.

The Stretch
Presumably written by Brian May. Original version 1:04
This track was used for the theme tune to 'The Stretch', a 2001 TV series on Sky starring Anita Dobson and Leslie Grantham.
This track is a heavy, fast paced instrumental, dominated by guitar and drums. The start of the track features some sound effects, and an explosion ends the track.

Fun At The Funeral Parlour
Presumably written by Brian May.
This track was used for the theme tune to the second series of 'Fun At The Funeral Parlour', a 2002 comedy series which aired on BBC Choice. The series is available on DVD.
The track begins with a guitar version of the 'Funeral March', then it becomes a very fast instrumental, dominated by guitar.

Various edits of the main theme were used as both the opening and closing music for the majority of the 7 episodes, generally between 20 and 26 seconds long although some programmes feature edits of less than 5 seconds. The longest complete version is 35 seconds which appears on Disc 2 at the end of the 'Making Of' feature and also at the end of Episode 6.

In addition to the main theme there is a keyboard and drum version which appears for 11 seconds and 26 seconds in Episode 5, which may or may not feature Brian.

The Fire Within (Michael Kamen & Brian May)
Presumably written by Brian May and Michael Kamen. Original version 8:51
This track was conducted by Michael Kamen (who worked on 'Highlander').
It features mostly classical music, with Brian's guitar playing the part of 'The Fire Within'.
Performed at the opening of the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah, on 8 February 2002
The 'classical' music was performed live, but Brian's guitar solo was pre-recorded.

The Alps Guitar Solos
Brian contributed five different guitar solos to the film The Alps, along with some reworkings of other Queen tracks. Unfortunately these solos are very short, but are very typical of his normal style. The pieces were recorded by Justin Shirley Smith and Kris Fredriksson.

Four of the solos are very similar in style:

Piece 1 : two solos of length 13 and 23 seconds during 59 second piece
Piece 2 : a 14 second solo during a 34 second piece
Piece 4 : two solos of length 17 and 21 seconds during a 50 second piece
Piece 5 : an 18 second solo during a 58 second piece

Piece 3 : a much slower and more gentle solo, over a 50 second piece.