Brian May -
Collaborations
1989 - 1994
This page features details of Brian May's collaborations with other artists, recorded between 1989 and 1994. If you can provide further details, please email me.
Collaborations Featuring
Multiple Band Members
Ian & Belinda - Who Wants
To Live Forever?
Rock Aid Armenia - Smoke On The Water
Hale & Pace - The Stonk
Cozy Powell - Somewhere In Time
Other Collaborations
Anita Dobson - In
One Of My Weaker Moments
Artists United For Nature - Yes
We Can
Black Sabbath - When Death Calls
Fuzzbox - Self
Holly Johnson - Love Train
Living In A Box - Blow The House
Down
Rock Against Repatriation - Sailing
D-Rock - Get
Out Of My Way and Red Planet Blues
Gareth Marks - unknown
Def Leppard - Now
I'm Here
Extreme - Love
Of My Life
Tony Martin - If
There's A Heaven
Hank Marvin - We
Are The Champions
Cozy Powell - Ride
To Win
Judie Tzuke - I
Can Read Books
Gordon Giltrap - Heartsong
Paul Rodgers - I'm
Ready
Os Paralamas Do Sucesso - El Vampiro Bajo El Sol
Soundgarden - New
Damage
Brian also appears on two tracks from the Pavarotti & Friends concert in Modena, Italy. These are 'Too Much Love Will Kill You' (a solo performance, not a collaboration), and 'La Donna E Mobile', which features Aldo Sisilli, Luciano Pavarotti, Lucio Dalla, Orchestra da Camera Arcangelo Corelli, Sting & Zucchero. On this second track, Brian plays triangle, and so his contribution is so minor it is not mentioned here. Both tracks are on the CD album 'Pavarotti and Friends' and are also available on iTunes.
There are rumours that Brian appears on the album 'Shampoo Horn', released by Ahmet and Dweezil Zappa (aka Sons Of Frank Zappa). However, Brian does not appear on these tracks; another guitarist is playing, using a Brian May guild guitar.
In One Of My
Weaker Moments
Anita Dobson, 1989. Brian plays Guitar.
Please click here for full details of the
track
Yes We Can
Artists United For Nature,
1989. Brian plays Guitar.
Released as a single, which did not chart.
Other artists include Ian Anderson, Joe Cocker, Chaka Khan,
Jennifer Rush, Chris Thompson and Stefan Zauner
Available
Versions:
1. Single Version (3:59) (on all singles)
2. Extended Version (5:29) (on 12" and CD single only)
3. Instrumental version (3:59) (on all singles) (contains no
lyrics at all)
(There's also a version called 'Nature Sounds', which does not
feature Brian)
Lyrics:
(the extended version has additional lyrics in red)
Where we went wrong
Is not important now
And where we're going
Nobody knows
But one certainty
Of our time will be
Paint it up
And reaping what we've sown
When the rivers are rowing
Is there hope for anyone
'Cos nothing is for sure
No, nothing anymore
Down the road of tears
There's a new resolution
People searching for a break
Only time will tell
If we've learned our lessons well
To put aside our differences
To put aside it all
Yes we can
Save the world around us
Hand in hand
Fighting for our lives
United we stand
We're looking to the future
'Cos there's no escape
And we can't fly away
Yes we can
Save the world around us
Hand in hand
Fighting for our lives
United we stand
For the future generations
'Cos there's no escape
And we can't fly away
Let the spirit last
For a new generation
Walk away from the walls
That hold us in
Though they save so hard
When you're reaching for the sky
We owe it to the future
We owe it all
Yes we can
Save the world around us
Hand in hand
Fighting for our lives
United we stand
For the future generations
'Cos there's no escape
And we can't fly away
'Cos there's no escape
And we can't fly away
When Death Calls
Black Sabbath, 1989, from the
album 'Headless Cross'. Brian plays Guitar. Album version 6:55
Lyrics:
Peace all over the world
The end will glow in the glory of the son
His skin crept cold
Long in the bliss of the hours of dying
Misguided mortals
You'll burn with me
Spirit of men cannot be free
When death calls
This is the answer dying
When death calls
The spirit of men can be free
When death calls
Oh, oh, oh, there's no tomorrow
When death calls
Oh, just to hear people share it all
Oh, ohh
Tell me not
Fear of the flames
Means that heaven is closer
But I believe Satan lives
In the souls of the dying
Misguided mortals
You'll burn with me
Spirit of men cannot be free
When death calls
Oh, heaven is closer
When death calls
Can you hear the flames from the souls of the dying
When death calls
Here it comes, here it comes, here it comes
When death calls
You're gonna burn
Don't look - in those sunken eyes
Don't look - and you'll stay alive
Don't laugh - in the face of death
Or your tongue will blister
Can't die - and to save yourselves
You'll die - and Satan takes your soul
In the face of death
Are you coming master?
Don't look - in those sunken eyes
Don't look - and you'll stay alive
Don't laugh - in the face of death
Or your tongue will blister
Can't die - to save yourselves
You'll die - the devil takes your soul
When all is well
You'll cross the river
When death calls
This is the answer dying
When death calls
The spirit of men can be free
When death calls
Oh, oh, oh, there's no tomorrow
When death calls
Just to hear people, people share it all
When death calls
Can you hear the flames from the souls of the dying
When death calls
You're gonna die, die, die, oh, oh
When death calls
Heaven is closer
When death calls
I can feel it, it's gonna take it's time
When death calls
Can you hear it dying
When death calls
Tell me, tell me
Ow, ow, what you saying?
When death calls
You're gonna take it slow
Self
Fuzzbox, 1989. Brian plays
Guitar.
Written by Fuzzbox, produced by Andy Richards.
Released as a single, and reached no. 24
Also appears on the album 'Big Bang'
Some releases also feature a cover of Bohemian Rhapsody - this
does not feature Brian.
Available Versions:
1. Single Version (3:35) (on the album
and 7" single only)
2. 'The Selfish Mix' (unknown length) (possibly an extended
version; on German 3"CD and 12" only)
Lyrics:
You didn't write, you didn't telephone
You didn't call, you left me on my own
You don't think about anyone but yourself
Do think the problems fade if you get stoned
Self, self, self, self
Always you, never me
What the hell do you expect me to be
Self, self, self, self
You don't see things like I do
You've left me empty, you've left me numb inside
Just cos I love you doesn't mean you can take me for a ride
I'm sick of you giving me all the cues
I've tried to forget you but I can't
Although I've tried
Tried and tried
Self, self, self, self
Always you, never me
What the hell do you expect me to be
Self, self, self, self
I can't forget you though I try
You didn't write, you didn't telephone
You didn't call, you left me on my own
You've left me empty, you've left me numb inside
Just cos I love you doesn't mean you can take me for a ride
I'm sick of you giving me all the cues
I've tried to forget you but I can't
Although I've tried
Tried and tried
Self, self, self, self
Always you, never me
What the hell do you expect me to be
Self, self, self, self
You don't see things like I do
Self, self, self, self
Always you, never me
What the hell do you expect me to be
Self, self, self, self
Self, self, self, self, self, self, self, self, self
Love Train
Holly Johnson, 1989. Brian
plays Guitar.
Released as a single, and reached no. 4.
Also appears on the album 'Blast'
Available
Versions:
1. Single Version (3:52) (available on
the album and the 7" single)
2. Extended Version ('Ride The A-Train') (6:46) (available on the
CD and 12" single) (click here for lyrics)
3. 'Stoke It Up' Mix (unknown length) (available on the CD and
12" single)
4. 'Americanos' Mix (unknown length) (only on the 'The People
Want To Dance' 12" single)
Lyrics:
You're a work of art
You're the Travi fountain
You're a golden heart
You're the highest mountain
You bring me flowers every day of my life
You save me from the worry and the strife
Take me in your arms
Baby, baby, I'm on a winning streak
When I met you I reached my peak, oh
Your perfect view makes me feel brand new day
Well, you're just trying to keep me up all night, up all night
Working all the time
To make it mine, all mine, yeah
Riding the love train, ooh-hoo
Stoke it up
Riding the love train
Loving all the time
To keep you feeling mine, yeah
Riding the love train, ooh-hoo
Stoke it up, ooh-hoo
Riding the love train
You make time stand still
You're children's laughter
Love's overspill
I'll come running after
You bring me spring right through my door
You're everything that's worth living for
Tell me when it comes
Baby, baby, my knees are weak, uh
I need you now, don't play hide and seek, uh
No time is long enough
Leaving you is tough
But you're just tryin' to keep me up all night, up all night
Working all the time
To make you mine, all mine, yeah
Riding the love train, ooh-hoo
Stoke it up
Riding the love train
Loving all the time
To keep you feeling mine, yeah
Riding the love train, ooh-hoo
Stoke it up, ooh-hoo
Riding the love train, yeah
Yeah, yeah
Oh, yeah
Keep your brain burning
Let your spirit fly
Stay on the right track baby
Till the day I die
Keep on come coming
Baby, baby, I'm on a winning streak
When I met you I reached my peak, uh
Your perfect view makes me feel brand new day
You're just right to keep me up all night, up all night
Ooh, ooh, hoo
Yeah, yeah
Yeah
Riding the love train, ooh-hoo
Stoke it up
Riding the love train
Loving all the time
To keep you feeling mine, yeah, yeah
Stoke it up, stoke it up, ooh-hoo
Riding the love train
Working all the time
To make you mine, all mine, yeah
Riding the love train, ooh-hoo
Stoke it up
Riding the love train
Working all the time
To keep you feeling mine, yeah
Riding the love train, ooh-hoo
Stoke it up, ooh-hoo
Riding the love train
Working all the time
To make you mine, all mine (yeah, yeah, yeah)
Riding the love train, ooh-hoo
Stoke it up, ooh-hoo
Riding the love train
Working all the time
To keep you feeling mine, yeah
Riding the love train, ooh-hoo
Stoke it up, ooh-hoo
Extended Version Lyrics:
Working all the time
To make it mine, all mine, yeah
Stoke it up
Loving all the time
To keep you feeling fine, yeah
Stoke it up
Stoke it up
Riding the love train, yeah, yeah
You're a work of art
You're the Travi fountain
You're a golden heart
You're the highest mountain
You bring me flowers every day of my life
You save me from the worry and the strife
Take me in your arms
Baby, baby, I'm on a winning streak
When I met you I reached my peak, oh
Your perfect view makes me feel brand new day
Well, you're just trying to keep me up all night, up all night
Working all the time
To make it mine, all mine, yeah
Riding the love train, ooh-hoo
Stoke it up
Riding the love train
Loving all the time
To keep you feeling mine, yeah
Riding the love train, ooh-hoo
Stoke it up, ooh-hoo
Riding the love train
You make time stand still
You're children's laughter
Love's overspill
I'll come running after
You bring me spring right through my door
You're everything that's worth living for
Tell me when it comes
Baby, baby, my knees are weak, uh
I need you now, don't play hide and seek, uh
No time is long enough
Leaving you is tough
But you're just tryin' to keep me up all night, up all night
Working all the time
To make you mine, all mine, yeah
Riding the love train, ooh-hoo
Stoke it up
Riding the love train
Loving all the time
To keep you feeling mine, yeah
Riding the love train, ooh-hoo
Stoke it up, ooh-hoo
Riding the love train, yeah
Yeah, yeah
Oh, yeah
Keep your brain burning
Let your spirit fly
Stay on the right track baby
Till the day I die
Keep on come coming
Baby, baby, I'm on a winning streak
When I met you I reached my peak, uh
Your perfect view makes me feel brand new day
You're just right to keep me up all night, up all night
Ooh, ooh, hoo
Yeah, yeah
Yeah
Riding the love train, ooh-hoo
Stoke it up
Riding the love train
Loving all the time
To keep you feeling mine, yeah, yeah
Stoke it up, stoke it up, ooh-hoo
Riding the love train
Yeah
Riding the love train, ooh-hoo
Stoke it up
Riding the love train
Loving all the time
To keep you feeling mine, yeah
Stoke it up, ooh-hoo
Riding the love train
Working all the time
To make you mine, all mine, yeah, yeah
Riding the love train, ooh-hoo
Stoke it up, ooh-hoo
Riding the love train
Loving all the time
To keep you feeling mine, yeah
Riding the love train, ooh-hoo
Stoke it up
Riding the love train
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Riding the love train, ooh-hoo
Stoke it up
Loving all the time
To keep you feeling mine, yeah
Riding the love train, ooh-hoo
Stoke it up, ooh-hoo
Riding the love train
Yeah
Blow The House
Down
Living In A Box, 1989. Brian
plays Guitar.
Written by A. Hammond and Marcus Vere, produced by Tom Lord Alge
and Dan Hartman.
Released as a single, and reached no. 10
Also appears on the album 'Gatecrashing'
Available
Versions:
1. Original Version (4:14) (available on
the album and 7", first 12" and CD singles)
2. Remix Version (unknown length) (available on the first
12" and CD single only)
3. Dub Mix (unknown length) (available on both 12" singles
and CD single only)
4. Conversion Mix (unknown length) (available on the second
12" single only)
There may also be a 'Keith Cohen' mix.
Lyrics:
All alone in the crowd
Trying not to think out loud
Whispers shout
Whispers scream
Together we can make it a dream
Mountains high
Mountains low
Without a bridge
You mind how you go
And what you need
Is what I want
So don't be afraid, let it show
Don't be afraid, just let it explode
We have got the power
To build the highest tower
Standing with our feet on the ground
We've got what it takes
Together we can make it
Together we can blow the house down
Blow the house down, oh, oh, oh
Blow the house down, yeah
Blow the house down, oh, oh, oh
Blow the house
Blow the house down
Silent words
In your eyes
Hiding in a lover's disguise
And as my heart steals your mind
Together we'll be partners in crime
Deserts dry
Don't you know
Without the water
No river flows
And what you need
Is what I want
So don't be afraid, let it show
Don't be afraid, just let it explode
We have got the power
To build the highest tower
Standing with our feet on the ground
We've got what it takes
Together we can make it
Together we can blow the house down
Blow the house down, oh, oh, oh
Blow the house down, yeah
Blow the house down, oh, oh, oh
Blow the house
Blow the house
Down
Mountains high
Mountains low
Without a bridge
You mind how you go
And what you want
Is what I need
So don't be afraid, let it show
Don't be afraid, just let it explode, wow
We have got the power
To build the highest tower
Standing with our feet on the ground
We've got what it takes
Together we can make it
Together we can blow the house down
(Blow the house down) we have got the power
To build the highest tower
Standing with our feet on the ground
We've got what it takes
Together we can make it
Together we can blow the house down
Blow the house down, oh, oh, oh
Blow the house down, yeah
Blow the house down, oh, oh, oh
Blow the house
Blow the house down
Sailing
Rock Against Repatriation,
1990. Brian plays Guitar.
Released as a single, b/w Instrumental version, but did not chart
Other musicians include Bonnie Tyler, Paul Carrack, Fish and
Steve Hackett
Available Versions:
1. Single Version (4:11) (available on
all singles)
2. Instrumental Version (4:11) (available on all singles) (a
complete instrumental, with no lyrics at all)
Lyrics:
I am sailing
I am sailing
Far away
Cross the sea
I am sailing
Stormy waters
To be near you
To be free
I am flying
I am flying
Like a bird
Cross the sky
I am flying
Passing high clouds
To be near you
To be free
Can you hear me
Can you hear me
Through the dark night
Far away
I am flying
Forever crying
To be with you
Who can say
We are sailing
We are sailing
Far away
Cross the sea
We are sailing
Stormy water
To be near you
To be free
To be near you
To be free
To be near you
To be free
To be near you
To be free
I am flying
I am flying
Like a bird
Cross the sky
I am flying
Passing high clouds
To be near you
To be free
Can you hear me
Can you hear me
Through the darkness
Far away
I am flying
Forever crying
To be with you
Who can say
To be with you
Who can say
Get
Out Of My Way
Red Planet Blues
D-Rock, 1991, from the album
'Oblivion'. Brian plays Guitar.
'Get Out Of My Way' was released as a single, which did not chart
'Get Out Of My
Way' Available Versions:
1. Album Version (unknown length) (only
available on the album) (I think)
2. D-Mix (unknown length) (available on
the 12" and CD single)
3. Remix Version (unknown length) (available on the 12" and
CD single)
unknown
Gareth Marks, 1991, intended
for the album 'Lady Of Leisure'. Brian plays Guitar.
Currently unreleased.
Now I'm Here
Def Leppard, 1992. Brian plays
Guitar. Live Version 4:56.
Performed live at the Freddie Mercury
Tribute Concert; available on the
original video release and on the 'Tonight' single
This song was previously recorded by Queen
Love Of My Life
Extreme, 1992. Brian plays
Guitar. Single version 4:31.
Written by Freddie Mercury, released as the B-side to 'Song For
Love', which reached no 12.
The track was recorded at the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert,
but has the audience noise removed and a couple of other changes,
and it features additional electric guitar by Brian May.
This song was previously recorded by Queen
Lyrics:
Love of my life - you've hurt me
You've broken my heart and now you leave me
Love of my life can't you see
Bring it back, bring it back
Don't take it away from me, because you don't know
What it means to me
Love of my life - don't leave me
You've taken my love (all my love)
You now desert me
Love of my life can't you see
Please bring it back, bring it back
Don't take it away from me, because you don't know
What it means to me
You will remember
When this is blown over
And everything's all by the way
Oooh, when I get older
I will be there at your side to remind you
How I still love you
I still love you
I never had
A chance
To say
To say goodbye
Love of my, love of my, love of my life
Back - hurry back
Please bring it back home to me
Because you don't know what it means to me
Love of my life
Love of my life
Oooh, oooh, yeah, yeah, yeah
If There's A
Heaven
Tony Martin, 1992, from the
album 'Back Where I Belong'. Brian plays Guitar. Length 4:51
Also (possibly) released as a single; if so, it did not chart.
Lyrics:
If I stand in the rain
Feeling sorrow and pain
I know you'd stand here with me
And soothe it all away
When I look in your eyes
It's then I realise
That this world ain't here for long
So tell me did you ever wonder
If there's someone up above
There's something he should know
If there's a heaven
I'd wait there for you
And if there's a hell darling
Well then I'd just raise hell for you
And if there's nothing there at all
I don't know what I'd do
Without you
Without you
Tell me did you ever wonder
If there's someone up above
There's something he should know
If there's a heaven
I'd wait there for you
And if there's a hell darling
Then I'd just raise hell for you
And if there's nothing there at all
I don't know what I'd do
Without you
Without you
If there's a heaven
I'd wait there for you
And if there's a hell darling
Then I'd just raise hell for you
And if there's nothing there at all
I don't know what I'd do
Without you
Ooh, yeah
If there's a heaven
I'd wait there for you
And if there's a hell darling
Well then I'd just raise hell for you
And if there's nothing there at all
I don't know what I'd do
Without you, baby
If there's a heaven
Then I'd wait there for you
And if there's a hell darling
Then I'd just raise hell for you
And if there's nothing there at all
I don't know what I'd do
Without you baby
Oh yeah, yeah
If there's a heaven
I'd wait there for you baby
And if there's a hell darling
Well then I'd just raise hell for you
And if there's nothing there at all
I don't know what I'd do
Without you, oh yeah
I don't know what I'd do without you baby
If there's a heaven (if there's a heaven) I don't know what
We Are The
Champions
Hank Marvin, 1992, from the
album 'Into The Light'. Brian plays Guitar. Single version 4:57
Written by Freddie Mercury, released as a single, which reached
no. 66.
This is an instrumental version, with guitar replacing the usual
vocals.
This track was previously recorded by Queen
Ride To Win
Cozy Powell, 1992. Original Version 3:45
Written by Jamie Page. This is an instrumental track, only
available on 'The Drums Are Back' album
This later evolved into 'Resurrection' by Brian May.
Produced by Cozy Powell, Engineering by Justin Shirley Smith and
Brian Zellis
Musicians:
Cozy Powell (Drums)
Brian May (Guitars)
Don Airey (Keyboards, Bass and Sequencing)
I Can Read Books
Judie Tzuke, 1992, from the
album 'Wonderland'. Brian plays Guitar. Length 4:18
Written by Judy Tzuke and Bob Noble.
Lyrics:
What goes on behind the picture?
Is there something I don't see?
How can I be part of something I can't even touch or feel?
Oh no
We've got so much to discover
Open up and let me in
It's all that I can do to keep my hands from taking hold of you
Oh no
Why can't I just say I love you?
Why must we play these games?
Tell me what I've got to do
Tell me am I getting through
I can read books, but I can't read you
Oh no
Am I blind to your excuses?
Have I missed a vital part?
In all that you've been saying I don't believe you mean a single
word
Oh no
Too much talk of how she hurt you
That was long before I came
I don't want to pay for pain that I won't let you feel again
Why can't I just say I love you
Why must we play these games
Tell me what I've got to do
Tell me am I getting through
I can read books, but I can't read you
Well I'm knocking on the doors but they won't open
'Cos I know that I can fix whatever's broken
I can read books, but I can't read you
I can read books
I can read books
I can read books
Tell me what I've got to do
Tell me am I getting through
Tell me what I've got to do
Tell me am I getting through
I can read books (I can read books) but I can't read you
I can read books (I can read books) but I can't read you
I can read books but I can't read you
I can read books
I can read books
I can read books
Heartsong
Gordon Giltrap, 1993. Brian
plays Guitar. Album version 4:19
Appears on the album 'Music For The Small Screen' and/or 'By All
Accounts'
This is an instrumental track, with an Irish 'flavour', with
electric guitar by Brian, drums, acoustic guitar and piano
It seems as though this is a re-recording, as Gordon Giltrap had
a hit with the track in 1978.
I'm Ready
Paul Rodgers, 1993, from the
album 'Muddy Water Blues'. Brian plays Guitar. Song length 2:59
Written by W. Dixon.
Lyrics:
I am ready - ready as
anybody can be
I am ready - ready as anybody can be
I am ready for you
I hope you're ready for me
I got an excellent pistol
And a graveyard friend
I chose two stone books
Wearing balls and chains
I'm drinking T.N.T
I'm smoking dynamite
I hope some screwball
Starts a fight
Because I'm ready - ready as anybody can be
I am ready for you
I hope you're ready for me
Oh, you pretty little chick
Sweet with your curly hair
I know you feel
Like I ain't nowhere
But stop what you're doing
Baby come over here
I'll prove to you baby
That I ain't no square
Because I'm ready - ready as anybody can be
I am ready for you
I hope you're ready for me
I've been drinking gin
Like never before
I feel so good
I want you to know
One more drink
I wish you would
It takes a whole lot of loving
To make me feel good
Because I'm ready - ready as anybody can be
I am ready for you
I hope you're ready for me
Ooooh, give it me now
I've been drinking gin
Like never before
Feel so good
And I want you to know
One more drink
I wish you would
It takes a whole lot of loving
To make me feel good
Because I'm ready - ready as anybody can be
Oh, I'm ready for you
I hope you're ready for me
Yeah, yeah, yeah
I'm ready for you
I hope you're ready for me
Yeah
El Vampiro Bajo
El Sol
Os Paralamas Do Sucesso, 1994.
Released on the album 'Severino', under the name Os Paralamas Do
Sucesso, in Brazil.
Also released on the same album, titled 'Dos Margaritas', under
the name Paralamas, in Argentina.
Brian plays Guitar. The lyrics to this track are in Spanish or
Portuguese.
Length 4:13.
New Damage
Soundgarden, 1994, from the
album 'Greenpeace - Alternative NRG'. Brian plays Guitar. Album
version 5:19
Lyrics:
Yeah
Umm
The new damage comes
It's a faceless poison, yeah
A new world order
It's new damage done
The wreck is going down
Get out before you drown
The wreck is going down
Get out before you drown
Get out, mmm
The new damage comes
It's a new word for plague
A new world order
A new word for hate, yeah
The wreck is going down
Get out before you drown
The wreck is going down
Get out before you drown
The wreck is going down
Get out before you drown
Get out
Get out
Oooh
Oooh
The new damage comes, hey
It's a faceless, a faceless poison, yeah
A new world order
A new word for hate
The wreck is going down
Get out before you drown
The wreck is going down
Get out before you drown
Get out
Get out, get out
Get out, get out
Get out, get out before you drown
Get out before, before you drown
Before you drown
While it's safe, get out
Before you drown
Before you drown
Yeah