Queen Collaborations

This page features details of all collaborations which feature at least two members of Queen.

Eddie Howell - The Man From Manhattan
Trax - Unknown
Ian Hunter - You Nearly Did Me In
Billy Squier - Emotions In Motion
Elton John - Too Young and Angeline
Bad News - Bohemian Rhapsody (possibly, on separate page)
Anita Dobson - I Dream Of Christmas and Silly Christmas
Ian & Belinda - Who Wants To Live Forever
Rock Aid Armenia - Smoke On The Water
Hale & Pace - The Stonk
Cozy Powell - Somewhere In Time
The SAS Band - That's The Way God Planned It
Paul McCartney & Various Artists - All You Need Is Love (live) and Hey Jude (live)
Pavarotti - Too Much Love Will Kill You (live)
Zucchero - Everybody's Got To Learn Sometime (live)
Foo Fighters - We Will Rock You / Tie Your Mother Down (live) (on separate page)
Taylor Hawkins - Holy Man


In addition, the 2014 compilation album 'Forever' features 'There Must Be More To Life Than This' by Queen + Michael Jackson. In reality, this was a mix containing elements from two demos, the first by Queen and the second by Freddie and Michael Jackson, rather than a true Queen collaboration.

In 2001, it was announced that Paul McCartney had approached Brian and Roger to record his 1997 track 'Souvenir' for inclusion on a Linda McCartney tribute album, but it is unknown if anything was actually recorded, and if so, it remains unreleased.

Brian and Roger also performed on a track with Yoshiki and Sarah Brightman, called 'Endless Rain', which was shown on the Japanese TV show 'Kohaku Uta Gassen' on 31 December 2020. The track was pre-recorded, remotely due to Covid restrictions, and is officially unreleased.


The Man From Manhattan


Eddie Howell

, 1975. Freddie produced the track, plays piano, and sings backing vocals, while Brian plays guitar and sings backing vocals.
Recorded at Sarm East Studios, London, August 1975.
Released as a single on 5 March 1976, and reissued several times in the 1990's, none of which charted.
There are three different remixes of the track, but all are derived from the original version, and feature no new material.
It is rumoured that Phil Collins plays drums on the track, but this is unconfirmed.
Musicians:
Freddie Mercury (piano & backing vocals)
Brian May (guitar and backing vocals)
Eddie Howell (vocals and acoustic guitar)
Barry De Sousa or possibly Phil Collins (drums)
Jerome Rimson (bass)

Available Versions:
1. Original Version (3:19) (available in the 'Freddie Mercury: Solo' boxed set, on the 'Man From Manhattan' and 'Ghost Of A Smile' albums, and all singles)
2. Radio Version (3:27) (on the 3 track CD single; has a slightly different intro, with a choral 'ah's mixed in; also, at 3:05, the section from 2:57 to 3:05 is repeated)
3. ...Revisited (4:24) (on the 4 track CD single; has the guitar solo and a verse repeated; contains the sections 0:00 to 0:54, then the first second is played twice, louder each time, then the first two seconds, then 0:56 to 2:33. It then plays the first second twice then the first two seconds again, then 1:45 to 2:02, 1:59 to 3:05 and finally 2:57 onwards)
4. ...Back Again (4:55) (on 'Ghost Of A Smile'; verses are moved around and repeated, with different intro and outro; contains the sections 2:23 to 2:29, this is then 'phased' into 2:23 to 2:35, 1:30 to 1:52, 2:00 to 2:04, 2:39 to 2:47 and 3:09 to 3:15. This then mixes into the normal introduction, and the whole song is left untouched until 3:15, when the song is mixed in and 2:13 to 2:29 is played, then 2:23 to 2:29 is repeated a few times, phased together whilst fading out)

Original and Back Again Lyrics: (the 'Back Again' version has the additional lyrics in red; click here for the lyrics to the other two mixes)
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
But don't be afraid
It's only a dream (I'm only dreaming)
An imaginary hero
A vision I have seen
Oooh, ah, ah, ah, cuckoo

Man from Manhattan, ole
The man with a price on his head, yeah
The lining is laden with lead (oooh, oooh, lead)


Hey, little lady do you love me
As much as you tell me you do
Oh, I'm not the man you think I am
The game I've been playing is through

Hey, little girl do you trust me
Oh, I'm gonna tell you no lies
I'm gonna come clean don't make a scene
I've been hiding behind a disguise

Oh, I'm the man from Manhattan, ole
The man with a price on his head (lots of money)
The man from Manhattan
The surface is satin
But the lining is laden with lead

Oh, I've been a fugitive too long
Running away from my fame
My enemies flee at the sight of me
They shake at the sound of my name

'Cos I'm the man from Manhattan, ole
The man with a price on his head (go and get the deputy)
The man from Manhattan
The surface is satin
But the lining is laden with lead

But don't be afraid
It's only a dream (I'm only dreaming)
An imaginary hero
A vision I have seen
Oooh, ah, ah, ah, cuckoo

I know my true destination
The day will eventually come
I tell you my friend I know my end will be
When I'm standing alone in the sights of a gun
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh

Oh, I'm the man from Manhattan, ole
The man with a price on his head, yeah
The man from Manhattan
The surface is satin
But the lining is laden with lead

'Cos I'm the man from Manhattan, ole (everybody listen)
The man with a price on his head (lots of money)
The man from Manhattan
The surface is satin
But the lining is laden with lead (oooh, oooh, lead)


I know my end will be
When I'm standing alone in the sights of a gun
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh


Radio and Revisited Version Lyrics: (the lyrics in blue are only present in the Radio version whilst the lyrics in red are only present in the Revisited version)
Ah, ah
Hey, little lady do you love me
As much as you tell me you do
Oh, I'm not the man you think I am
The game I've been playing is through

Hey, little girl do you trust me
Oh, I'm gonna tell you no lies
I'm gonna come clean don't make a scene
I've been hiding behind a disguise

Oh, I'm the man from Manhattan, ole
The man with a price on his head (lots of money)
The man from Manhattan
The surface is satin
But the lining is laden with lead

Oh, I've been a fugitive too long
Running away from my fame
My enemies flee at the sight of me
They shake at the sound of my name

'Cos I'm the man from Manhattan, ole
The man with a price on his head (go and get the deputy)
The man from Manhattan
The surface is satin
But the lining is laden with lead

But don't be afraid
It's only a dream (I'm only dreaming)
An imaginary hero
A vision I have seen
Oooh, ah, ah, ah, cuckoo

I know my true destination
The day will eventually come
I tell you my friend I know my end will be
When I'm standing alone in the sights of a gun
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh


Ah, cuckoo

I know my true destination
The day will eventually come
I tell you my friend I know my end will be
When I'm standing alone in the sights of a gun
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh


Oh, I'm the man from Manhattan, ole
The man with a price on his head, yeah
The man from Manhattan
The surface is satin
But the lining is laden with lead

'Cos I'm the man from Manhattan, ole (everybody listen)
The man with a price on his head (lots of money)
The man from Manhattan, ole (everybody listen)
The man with a price on his head (lots of money)
The man from Manhattan
The surface is satin
But the lining is laden with lead (oooh, oooh, lead)

Unknown Tracks


Trax

, 1975. All four members of Queen are believed to have contributed to various tracks.
The tracks have never been released, and it is believed they were destroyed when Queen split from Trident.

You Nearly Did Me In


Ian Hunter

, 1976. Roger, Freddie and Brian all sing backing vocals.
The track was produced by Roy Thomas Baker, and Queen's vocals were recorded on 9 February 1976 at Electric Ladyland Studios, New York, USA.
Available on the album 'All American Alien Boy', and also released as a single, but it failed to chart.
The track also appears on the compilation albums 'Shades Of Ian Hunter', 'Once Bitten Twice Shy', 'The Journey: A Retrospective of Mott The Hoople & Ian Hunter' and 'The Singles Collection 1975-83'.
A demo version of the track titled 'Weary Anger' appears on the 30th anniversary 'All American Alien Boy' CD, but this does not feature Queen.
Alternate Versions:
1. Album Version (5:44) (available on the 'All American Alien Boy' and 'The Journey' albums; similar to the single, but with an instrumental intro, and with an additional verse and chorus)
2. Single Version (3:30) (available on the 'Once Bitten Twice Shy' and 'The Singles Collection 1975-83' compilations, and presumably also on 'Shades Of Ian Hunter')

Lyrics: (the single version loses the fourth, fifth and sixth verses)
Seen only shadows, silver needles
Abandoned in the evening walk
Lost children of the night
Come catch the candles bright
I hear a hollow sound
Falling to the ground
Oh, she's lost before she's found

Sad broken angels takin' rainbows
Out on the street for all to see
If we are the chosen few
Whatever happened to
All those things we knew
If this is being free
Oh, I'd rather search for me

You nearly did, you nearly did
You nearly did, you nearly did me in
You nearly did, you nearly did
You nearly did, you nearly did me in
You nearly did, you nearly did
You nearly did, you nearly did me in

I need some place to lay
My weary anger down

Out on some misty distant highway
Feel like I thought a million miles
Is my search nearly done - I think I see someone
I get the urge to run on blindly through the rain
And I fool myself again

You nearly did, you nearly did
You nearly did, you nearly did me in
You nearly did, you nearly did
You nearly did, you nearly did me in
You nearly did, you nearly did
You nearly did, you nearly did me in

Oh I need some place to lay
My weary anger down

Whatever happened to dignity
Whatever happened to integrity
Whatever happened to honesty
Well I tell you something baby (baby)
I feel the pain just like the sea, yeah

You nearly did, you nearly did
You nearly did, you nearly did me in
You nearly did, you nearly did
You nearly did, you nearly did me in
You nearly did, you nearly did
You nearly did, you nearly did me in

Oh, I need some place to lay
My weary anger down

Emotions In Motion


Billy Squier

, 1982. Roger and Freddie both sing backing vocals, and Freddie sings a couple of lead vocals in the outro. Length 4:58.
The track was recorded at Musicland Studios, Munich, in January 1982, during Queen's recording sessions for 'Hot Space'.
The track is available on the album of the same name, which was reissued on 2008 as a double CD with 'Signs Of Life' (which features a track with Brian). It also appears on the compilations 'Sixteen Strokes - The Best Of Billy Squier', 'Absolute Hits', 'The Best Of Billy Squier' and 'Reach For The Sky - The Anthology'.
Alternate Versions:
1. Single Version (3:47) (available on the 7" single and the 'Reach For The Sky' compilation; this omits the drum intro and count-in, starting at 0:03, then loses an instrumental section from 2:25 to 2:37, and fades out from 3:43 to 4:03)
Lyrics: (the single version loses the lyrics in red)
One, two, three, four, hey

Bend your back by the light o' the sun
You come to the business, you're the number one, ooh yeah
When twilight comes you're a runner in the night
It turns you on like a hot tail light, um

Get down - you really get down - you never let down
Come down - you never come down - you never come down
Emotions in motion  
Emotions in motion, yeah
Emotions in motion  
Emotions in motion, yeah

Back street boy gonna sell you some sin
He'll wind you up, he gonna suck you in
The blood say yes, the mind say no
The voice in your ear say you go, go, go, yes

Run down - you really run down - you really run down
Cool down - you never cool down - you better cool down
Emotions in motion
Emotions in motion, yeah
Emotions in motion
Emotions in motion (in motion)
(Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha-ha)

Give yourself to a life of extremes
You're into the action, it's a part of your dream
Now there're some things you never can tell
But when the door lies open throw your coins in the well

Get down - you really get down - you really get down
Right now - you want it right now - hold tight now
Emotions in motion
Emotions in motion
Emotions in motion
Emotions in motion (in motion)

Emotions in motion
Emotions in motion (in motion)
Emotions in motion (in motion)
Emotions in motion


Take it
Oh yeah
Yeah

Emotions in motion
Ha, ha, ha
Haah

Too Young


Elton John

, 1985. Roger plays drums and John plays bass. Length 5:13.
Available on the album 'Ice On Fire'.
Lyrics:
Your mother's eyes look straight through me
Whenever we meet
Your father swears it'll never be
As long as he breathes

And how many times have they told you
That you're too young
How, how I've ached to hold you
But you're too young

If we don't buy what's right or wrong
Then we are sinners
We were never two to tag along
But we were always winners

And how many people have told you
That you're too young
And how many jealous hands would love to hold you
But you're too young

Well you're too young to love me
And I'm too old for you
At least that's what they tell us
It's in their book of rules
That you're too young, too young
Baby, you're too young

We could try for a while
But they'd get us in the long run
They say that you're too young
Baby, you're too young

Baby

Your mother's eyes look straight through me
Whenever we meet, ooh, whenever we meet
Your father swears it'll never be, never be
As long as he breathes

And how many times, oh, have they told me
That you're too young
How, how I've ached to hold you
But you're too young

'Cos you're too young to love me
And I'm too old for you
At least that's what they tell us
You know, it's in their book of rules
That you're too young, too young
Baby, you're too young

Oh, we could try for a while
But they'd get us in the end
They say that you're too young
Baby, you're too young

Ooh, they would get us in the end
They say that you're too young
Baby, you're too young
Baby, baby, oh you're too young
They say that you're too young
Baby, you're too young
Baby, baby, oh you're too young
They say that you're too young
Baby, you're too young
Baby, baby, oh too young
They say that you're too young
Baby, you're too young

Angeline


Elton John

, 1986. Roger plays drums and John plays bass. Length 3:54.
Available on the album 'Leather Jackets'.
Lyrics:
Well I'm work shy, I'm wild-eyed
So shut that door when the baby cries
And keep me well fed, give me warm bread
Lay my body on a feather bed
And spoil me, Angeline
Get to work when the whistle screams, Angeline

Maybe someday, some way
Somewhere in the future there's more pay
Give me more cash, bring me sour mash
Peel me a grape and fetch my stash
And bite me, Angeline
Let me use you like a sex machine, Angeline

You've got to swing that hammer, punch that card
Angeline I love you when you work so hard
Swing that hammer and sew my jeans
Angeline just loves it when I treat her mean
Angeline

Well I talk tough, I act rough
Lay still honey I can't get enough
And keep your nose clean, let me be
On your knees when you speak to me
And trust me, Angeline
And talk real dirty and I'll make you scream, Angeline

You've got to swing that hammer, punch that card
Angeline I love you when you work so hard
Swing that hammer and sew my jeans
Angeline just loves it when I treat her mean

You've got to swing that hammer, punch that card
Angeline I love you when you work so hard
Swing that hammer and sew my jeans
Angeline just loves it when I treat her mean

Angeline just loves it when I treat her mean
Angeline
Angeline
Treat her mean
Angeline
Treat her mean
Angeline
Treat her mean
Angeline

I Dream Of Christmas


Anita Dobson

, 1988. Brian wrote the track, produced it, played guitar and sang backing vocals, while John played bass.
Available as track 4 on the album 'Talking Of Love', and also released as a single, with 'Silly Christmas'.
Brian originally wrote this track for Queen (but Queen apparently never recorded it), but instead collaborated with Roger on 'Thank God It's Christmas'.
Available Versions:
1. Album Version (5:13) (available on the album and the 12" single)
2. Single Version (3:58) (only available on the 7" single; loses the instrumental intro (upto 0:33) and also 2:57 to 3:27. It also fades out between 4:45 and 4:59)

Lyrics: (the single version loses the sixth verse)
I sit alone by the fireside
And watch the old year passing by
Down the street they're singing party songs
You know Christmas always makes me cry

I dream of Christmas
I dream of Christmas
Maybe my dreams will come true
I dream of Christmas
A merry Christmas
I dream of Christmas and you

And so tonight my thoughts are reaching out
Though you're a million miles away
My dream is strong enough to see me through
Our love's forever and a day

I dream of Christmas
I dream of Christmas
Maybe my dreams will come true
I dream of Christmas
A merry Christmas
I dream of Christmas and you

And once again the world is filled with joy
I want to share it far and wide
Your spirit fills the air and comforts me
I know you're always by my side

I dream of Christmas
I dream of Christmas
Maybe my dreams will come true
I dream of Christmas
A merry Christmas
I dream of Christmas and you

I dream of Christmas
I dream of Christmas
Maybe my dreams will come true
I dream of Christmas
A merry Christmas
I dream of Christmas and you
I dream of Christmas and you

I dream of Christmas
I dream of Christmas
I dream of Christmas
I dream of Christmas
I dream of Christmas

Silly Christmas


Anita Dobson

, 1988. Brian produced the track, played guitar and sang backing vocals, while John played bass. Length 5:52.
Written by Brian and Anita Dobson.
Available only as the B-side to the 'I Dream Of Christmas' single. It is similar to 'I Dream Of Christmas', but with Anita singing the song as a child, with new lyrics. There are party noises throughout the song, and many of the chorus lyrics are sung by the party group.
Lyrics:
Ha, ha

I sit alone by the fireside, it's hot, ha
And watch the old year passing by, it's gone now
Down the street they're singing party songs, and they never invite me, they stink
Christmas always makes me cry

I dream of Christmas
I dream of Christmas
Maybe my dreams will come true
I dream of Christmas
A merry Christmas
I dream of Christmas and you

And so tonight my thoughts are reaching out
Though you're a million miles away, and you never come to visit me
My dream is strong enough to see me through, I'm in the choir at school
Our love's forever and a day and a million miles

I dream of Christmas, I dream of Christmas
I dream of Christmas, do you like Christmas
Maybe my dreams will come true, they might come true, if I'm good
I dream of Christmas
A merry Christmas
I dream of Christmas and Santa Claus and you and mummy and daddy and my friends and everybody in the whole wide world

My brother he's written a letter to Santa Claus
And he says that if he don't get his bike this year
He's never speaking to him again
And he's gonna go round the estate
And he's gonna let down everybody's tyres on all their bikes
So that no-one can ride at all, he's mean ain't he?
But I like him - he's twelve and a half

Because I dream of Christmas
I dream of Christmas
Maybe my dream will come true
I dream of Christmas
I dream of Christmas
Maybe my dreams will come true

Sing with me now
I dream of Christmas, and Easter as well
I dream of Christmas, 'cos I like chocolate, do you?
Maybe my dreams will come true, it makes me sick as a dog
But I like Christmas better, because you get more presents at Christmas (I dream of Christmas)
Don't you, than you do at Easter (a merry Christmas)
More big ones, then you can swap them with the girl next door (I dream of Christmas and you), it's a good game isn't it

I dream of Christmas and you

I like swapping things with my girl friend
I asked her if she wanted to swap her dress once, and she said no, 'cos she never had any knickers on
I'm getting fed up now, I think I wanna go to the toilet
Oh, by the way, do you know Santa Claus's address?
'Cos when my brother sent a letter, my dad found it on the mat the next morning saying it never even got there
Honestly - the postmen round here, they're really, really terrible
So post it yourself, ay, or better still, why don't you take it, then give it to him
My mum says that to my dad, why don't you give it to him?
I think she's being dirty

Bye then, I 'spose I better go
Come round my house again
I think you're ever so nice
What's your name, go on, tell me
I better go, my mum's looking for me and I ain't done my homework yet

I got an apple in my bag, do you want it?
It's got a maggot in it, but I'm trying to grow maggots
'Cos this bloke at school, he says that if you get a lot of maggots and put them together they breed
And they make a lot of other maggots
And then it gets all gunky and sticky
And they all, if you give it to your mum and stick 'em in her hands, she screams
I like doing things like that, I'd 'spect it's 'cos of my brother, really
'Cos he's horrible, he's got spots 'un all
He picks 'em - it's nasty, isn't it, they go all over his face
He had chicken pox last time, and they all went into scabs
I saw him eating one once
It made me ever so sick, and my mum hit him
She's always hitting him
She says he's a right old so and so, he is and all
He really, really is terrible
Do you know what he did the other day? Shall I tell you?
We've got this hamster see
And he took it out of the cage in his hands

Merry Christmas everybody
Merry Christmas

Who Wants To Live Forever


Ian & Belinda

, 1989. Brian produced the track and played guitar and keyboards, whilst Roger played drums and John played bass.
Sung by Ian Meeson and Belinda Gillett, with string arrangements by Michael Kamen. Recorded 2-3 June 1989 at Abbey Road Studios, London.
The track was released as a single for the British Bone Marrow Donor Appeal, but did not chart.
This song was previously recorded by Queen and later by Jennifer Rush with Brian May.
Available Versions:
1. Single Version (3:45) (on the 7" and possibly CD single, and on 'Queen Greatest Video Hits II' as a hidden track on disc 2, title 13)
2. Extended Version (4:08) (on the 12" and possibly CD single; features an additional orchestral intro)
3. Instrumental Version (3:42) (on all singles; this has no lyrics at all)
4. Original Demo (3:40) (on the 12" and possibly CD single; sung by Brian's daughter, Emily, this features basic keyboard and drum accompaniment only)

Lyrics:
There's no time for us
There's no place for us
What is this thing that builds our dreams, yet slips away from us
Who wants to live forever
Who wants to live forever
Oooh, oh, oh, ooh

There's no chance for us
It's all decided for us
This world has only one sweet moment set aside for us
Who wants to live forever
Who wants to live forever
Oooh, oh, oh, ooh

Who wants to live forever
Who dares to love forever
Oooh, oh, oh, ooh
When love must die

But touch my tears with your lips
Touch my world with your fingertips
And we can have forever
And we can love forever
Forever is our today

Who wants to live forever
Who wants to live forever
Forever is ours
We only need a chance
To live

Smoke On The Water


Rock Aid Armenia

, 1989. Brian played guitar and Roger played drums.
This track has been released as a single three times, in 1989 (reaching no 39), 1990 and 2010, and also appears on 'The Earthquake Album' compilation.
The 2010 release includes a DVD which includes the original promo video and 'The Making Of Smoke On The Water' documentary, which features interviews with Brian and Roger and excerpts from the recording sessions, including a guitar version of Apache by Brian and Tony Iommi.
The track was originally recorded by Deep Purple in 1971 and released as a single in 1973, reaching no 21.
A live version of this track, with vocals by Bruce Dickinson and Brian on guitar, has also been released, click here for details.
Recording Notes:
Altogether, the track features members of Queen, Pink Floyd, Deep Purple, Free, Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Rush, Yes and ELP. It was recorded across 5 sessions between 8 July 1989 and 24 September 1989, with Roger's drums recorded at the 1st session on 8th July, and Brian's guitar at session 2 on 5 August alongside Dave Gilmour, and session 4 on 10 September alongside Tony Iommi.

Guitars - Brian May, Ritchie Blackmore, Dave Gilmour, Tony Iommi, Alex Lifeson
Vocals - Ian Gillan (verses 1 & 2), Bruce Dickinson (verses 3 & 4), Paul Rodgers (verses 5 & 6)
Backing Vocals - Bryan Adams
Bass - Chris Squire
Keyboards - Keith Emerson, Geoff Downes
Drums - Roger Taylor
Rhythm Guitar - Geoff Beauchamp

Alternate Versions:
1. 1989 Radio Mix (5:09) (available on the original 7", white 12", CD and cassette singles, and the 1990 7" single)
2. 1989 Extended Version (5:51) (available on the original white 12", CD and cassette singles, the 1990 12" single, and the 2010 reissue; the same as the radio version but features an additional section at 3:56 of length 27 seconds, and at 4:18 of length 23 seconds)
3. 1989 Mega Rock Remix (6:00) (available on the original blue 12" single only; similar to the extended version, but adds a 21 second instrumental intro, then loses the section 0:07 to 0:16. It has also been remixed to have a heavier sound, and has some other changes particularly at the start)
4. 1990 Radio Mix (4:05) (available on the 1990 7" single, 'The Earthquake Album', and the 2010 reissue; this is similar to the Mega Rock remix, but loses the last two verses and some other sections)
5. 1990 Mayhem Mix (unknown) (available on the 1990 12" single only; I have not heard this, but is presumably the full version of the 1990 radio mix, with all verses intact)
6. 2010 Wermut & Dee Remix (4:17) (available on the 2010 reissue only; this is a remixed version, which has more polished drums, more prominent keyboards, some alternate guitar parts, and loses some vocals)
7. Ian Gillan Vocal Take (4:30) (available on the 2010 reissue only; this version is sung entirely by Ian Gillan and features stripped down music, with no keyboards, as some of the elements had not yet been recorded)

Wermut & Dee Remix Additional Introductory Dialogue/Lyrics: (click here for the 1990 Radio Mix and 1989 Mega Rock Remix lyrics, or here for the Ian Gillan Vocal Take lyrics)
Roger: Let's, let's just try one there
Unknown: One, two


Ohhhh
Original Versions / Wermut & Dee Remix Lyrics (the Extended version includes all lyrics; the Radio version loses the lyrics in red; the Wermut & Dee Remix loses the lyrics in both red and blue)
We all came out to Montreux
On the Lake Geneva shoreline
To make records with a mobile
We didn't have much time, now

Frank Zappa and the Mothers
Were at the best place around
Some stupid with a flare gun
Burned the place to the ground

Smoke on the water
A fire in the sky
Smoke on the water

I'll watch you burning down, burning down

They burned down the gambling house
It died with an awful sound
Funky Claude was running in and out
He was pulling kids out the ground

When it all was over
Had to find another place
Swiss time was running out
It seemed we would lose the race

Smoke on the water
A fire in the sky
Smoke on the water


Alright
Come on, play
Ohhhh

Smoke on the water
A fire in the sky
Smoke on the water

Alright
Watch you burning down

Oh, ohhhh
Ohhhh

We ended up at the grand hotel, it was empty, cold aswell
But with the Rolling truck Stones thing just outside
Making our music there

With a few red lights, a few old beds
We made a place to sweat
No matter what we get out of this
I know we'll never forget


Smoke on the water
Fire in the sky
Smoke on the water


Smoke on the water
A fire in the sky
Smoke on the water


Smoke on the water
A fire in the sky

1990 Remix / Mega Rock Remix Lyrics: (the Mega Rock Remix includes all lyrics, while the 1990 Remix only includes the lyrics in white)
Ohhhh, yeah

We all came out to Montreux
On the Lake Geneva shoreline
To make records with a mobile
We didn't have much time, now

Frank Zappa and the Mothers
Were at the best place around
Some stupid with a flare gun
Burned the place to the ground

Smoke on the water
A fire in the sky
Smoke on the water


I'll watch you burning down, burning down

They burned down the gambling house
It died with an awful sound
Funky Claude was running in and out
He was pulling kids out the ground

When it all was over
Had to find another place
Swiss time was running out
It seemed we would lose the race

Smoke on the water
A fire in the sky
Smoke on the water

Come on, play
Ohhhh

Smoke on the water
A fire in the sky
Smoke on the water


Alright
Watch you burning down

Oh, ohhhh
Ohhhh


We ended up at the grand hotel, it was empty, cold aswell
But with the Rolling truck Stones thing just outside
Making our music there

With a few red lights, a few old beds
We made a place to sweat
No matter what we get out of this
I know we'll never forget

Smoke on the water
Fire in the sky
Smoke on the water


Smoke on the water
A fire in the sky
Smoke on the water


Smoke on the water
A fire in the sky


Ohhhh

Ian Gillan Vocal Take Lyrics:
Roger: Let's, let's just try one there
Unknown: One, two, a one, two, three, four


We all came out to Montreux
On the Lake Geneva shoreline
To make records with a mobile
We didn't have much time, now

Frank Zappa and the Mothers
Were at the best place around
Some stupid with a flare gun
Burned the place to the ground

Smoke on the water
A fire in the sky
Smoke on the water

I'll watch you burning down, burning down

They burned down the gambling house
It died with an awful sound
Funky Claude was running in and out
He was pulling kids out the ground, now

When it all was over
Had to find another place
Swiss time was running out
It seemed that we would lose the race now

Smoke on the water
A fire in the sky
Smoke on the water

Alright
Watch you burning down
Oh, ohhhh
Ohhhh

We ended up at the grand hotel, it was empty, cold and bare
But with the Rolling truck Stones thing just outside
Making our music there now

A few red lights, a few old beds
We made a place to sweat
No matter what we get out of this
I know, I know we'll never forget

Smoke on the water
A fire in the sky
Smoke on the water

The Stonk


Hale & Pace and The Stonkers

, 1991. Brian produced the track and played guitar and keyboards, whilst Roger played drums.
Written by Joe Griffiths and Hale & Pace.
Released as a single in aid of Comic Relief, which reached no 1 in March 1991.
Additional Assistance and Notes:
Hale & Pace (vocals)
Brian May, Toni Iommi and Dave Gilmour (guitars)
Roger Taylor, Cozy Powell and Rowan Atkinson (as Mr. Bean) (drums)
Neil Murray (bass)
Brian May, Mike Moran and Joe Griffiths (keyboards)
Chris Thompson, Judie Tzuke, Mike Moran, Maggie Ryder, Miriam Stockley and Suzie O'List (backing vocals)
Produced by Brian May
Engineered by Greg Jackma and John Brough
Assistant Engineer - Heidi Cannavo
Special Guest Engineer - David Richards
Recorded at Metropolis Studios, London
, 1991
Cutting engineer Kevin Metcalfe at Townhouse Studios

Available Versions:
1. Single Version (3:45) (available on all singles)
2. Extended Version (5:18) (available on the 12" and CD singles only; features a lengthy piano introduction, and some additional instrumental sections, but loses some of the lyrics)

Lyrics: (the extended version loses the first line, the first three and last three verses)
Good evening. Here is the six 'o' clock.... stonk

All over the nation there's a brand new craze
You see it going on wherever music plays
It's funky and it's spunky and it's impolite
You can do it by day but it's better at night

S.T.O.N.K
Let's stonk
To the rhythm of the honky tonk
Stick a red nose on your conk
And let's stonk

Well you can play a fiddle with a lump of cheese
Or make the Taj Mahal out of mushy peas
Or microwave a pussy cat for your tea
But it's better little baby if you stonk with me

S.T.O.N.K
Let's stonk
To the rhythm of the honky tonk
Stick a red nose on your conk
And let's stonk

And now here are some great stonkers of our time
Nice to see you, to see you stonk
Read my lips, I'm a stonker
Ich bin ein Stonker
It's one small step for man, one giant stonk for mankind

Let's stonk
If you're skinny or if you're fat
Let's stonk
Then you're on your way to wearing a hat
Upside down if you think you're a bat, let's stonk

They're stonking in the offices and in the shops
The robbers are even stonking with the cops
Grandma is stonking as she stokes the fire
The boy-o's are all stonking in the male voice choir

S.T.O.N.K
Let's stonk
To the rhythm of the honky tonk
Stick a red nose on your conk
And let's stonk

Let's stonk - stonky, stonky - yeah, yeah, yeah
Let's stonk - stonky, stonky - nose on your conky
Let's stonk - stonky, stonky - hubba, hubba, hubba
Let's stonk - stonky, stonky - stick a red nose on your conk
And let's stonk
And let's stonk
Don't be a plonker when you can be a stonker
Let's stonk

Hey, are you stonking - are you asking?
I'm asking - I'm stonking

Let's stonk
To the rhythm of the honky-tonk
And let's stonk - oh, go on please, just stonk with me once more

Let's stonk, let's stonk - I think we ought to
Let's stonk, let's stonk - are you stonking at home?
Shall I compare thee to a summer's stonk
I'd rather you didn't
You don't know what you're missing
Oh yes I do

Officer, I'll come quietly
Well that would make a change
And one final word, from Jacques Coustonk
Blubbbl, blubbl

Somewhere In Time


Cozy Powell

, 1992. Brian plays guitar and John plays bass. Length 3:50.
Written by Cozy Powell, Geoff Nicholls and Steve Makin.
Produced by Cozy Powell, engineered by Justin Shirley-Smith and Brian Zellis.
This track was later released by Brian in a different form (losing most of the guitar and adding lyrics), on the 1992 'Back To The Light' album, retitled as 'Nothin' But Blue'. The original version is available on the album 'The Drums Are Back' and as the guitar version of 'Nothin' But Blue' on the 'Back To The Light' single.

That's The Way God Planned It


SAS Band

, 1997. Roger played drums and sings some lead and backing vocals, whilst John played bass. Length 4:10.
This track is a cover version, and was written and originally recorded by Billy Preston, appearing on his 1969 album of the same name.
Available on the album 'The SAS Band'.
Lyrics: (Roger sings lead vocals on the third verse)
Why can't we be normal
Why can't we be normal
Like the good Lord said
He promised to exhalt us
The law is the way

How can men be so greedy
When there's so much there
All the things that God's given
And they all have been blessed

That's the way God planned it
That's the way God wants it to be, yeah
That's the way God planned it
That's the way God wants it to be, yeah

Don't let your heart be troubled
Let the moment inside us loose
There to help one another
And live in perfect peace

If we just be humble
Like the good Lord says, yeah
He promised to exhalt us
And love is the way

That's the way God planned it
That's the way God wants it to be, be, ooh, yeah
That's the way God planned it
That's the way God wants it to be, be
Yeah

I hope you'll get this message
Where you won't others will
You don't understand it
But I

That's the way God planned it
That's the way God wants it to be, be, yeah
That's the way God planned it
That's the way God wants it to be, be, yeah, yeah

That's the way God planned it
That's the way God wants it to be, be, oh
That's the way God planned it
That's the way God wants it to be, be, oh, oh, oh, wow

That's the way God planned it
That's the way God wants it to be, be
Oh, yeah, yeah, oh, wow, wow
That's the way God planned it
That's the way

All You Need Is Love

(live)


Paul McCartney and Various Artists

, 2002. Brian plays guitar and Roger plays drums, alongside many other musicians. Length 3:29.
Written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney, and originally recorded by The Beatles, reaching no 1 in 1967.
Performed live at Buckingham Palace, London, on 3 June 2002, and available on the 'Party At The Palace' releases.
Lead vocals are sung by Rod Stewart, Joe Cocker and Paul McCartney.
This track was later recorded by Bandaged, featuring Brian, in aid of the 2009 'Children In Need' appeal.
Lyrics:
(Love, love, love)
(Love, love, love)
(Love, love, love)

(Love, love, love) There's nothing that you can do that can't be done
(Love, love, love) Nothing you can sing that can't be sung
(Love, love, love) Nothing that you can say but you can learn how to play the game
It's easy, yeah

(Love, love, love) Nothing that you can make that can't be made
(Love, love, love) Nothing that you can say that can't be said
(Love, love, love) Nothing that you can do that you can't learn how to feel in time
It's easy

All you need is love
All you need is love
All you need is love, love
Love is all you need
(Eric Clapton)

All you need is love
All you need is love
All you need is love, love
Love is all you need

(Love, love, love) There's nothing that you can know that isn't known
(Love, love, love) There's nothing that you can see that isn't shown
(Love, love, love) There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you want to be
It's easy, oh yeah, it's easy

All you need is love
All you need is love
All you need is love, love
Love is all you need

All you need is love
All you need is love
All you need is love, love
Love is all you need

All you need is love, everybody
All you need is love
All you need is love, love
Love is all you need

She loves you, yeah, yeah, yeah
She loves you, yeah, yeah, yeah
She loves you, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Love is all you need, oh yeah

Hey Jude

(live)


Paul McCartney and Various Artists

, 2002. Brian plays guitar and Roger plays drums, alongside many other musicians. Length 6:28.
Written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney, and originally recorded by The Beatles, reaching no 1 in 1968.
Performed live at Buckingham Palace, London, on 3 June 2002, and available on the 'Party At The Palace' releases.
Lead vocals by Paul McCartney.
Lyrics:
Hey Jude, don't make it bad
Take a sad song and make it better
Remember to let her into your heart
Then you can start to make it better

Hey Jude, don't be afraid
You were made to go out and get her
The minute you let her under your skin
Then you'll begin to make it better

So any time you feel the pain
Hey Jude, refrain
Don't carry the world upon your shoulder
When you know that it's a fool
Who plays it cool
By making his work a little bolder

Na, na, na, na
Na, na, na, na

Hey Jude, don't let me down
You have found her, now go and get her
(Let it out and let it in)
Remember (hey Jude) to let her into your heart
Then you can start to make it better

So let it out and let it in
Hey Jude, begin
You're waiting for someone to go home with

And don't you know that it's just you
Hey Jude, you'll do
The love that you need is on your shoulder

Na, na, na, na
Na, na, na, na

Hey Jude, don't make it bad
Take a sad song and make it better
Remember to let her under your skin
Then you'll begin to make it better
Better, better, better, better, better
Wah

Na, na, na, na, na, na, na
Na, na, na, na
Hey Jude

Oh, c'mon everybody
Na, na, na, na, na, na, na, hey
Na, na, na, na
Hey Jude

Let me hear you all sing it now, come on, na, na, na
Na, na, na, na, na, na
Na, na, na, na
Hey Jude
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

Na, na, na, na, na, na, na, ow
Na, na, na, na
Hey Jude
Wait a minute

Na, na, na, na, na, na, na
Na, na, na, na
Hey Jude

Again, you sound so sweet
Na, na, na, na, na, na, na, oh yeah
Na, na, na, na
Hey Jude

Oh, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, come on
Na, na, na, na, na, na, na, everybody in Britain, everybody all over the world
Na, na, na, na, yeah
Hey Jude

OK, this time, just the men, just the boys, no women, just the men, come on
Na, na, na, na, na, na, na
Na, na, na, na
Hey Jude

OK, this time, just the women, only the girls, come on, girls
Na, na, na, na, na, na, na
Na, na, na, na
Hey Jude

Now everybody all together now, na, na, na
Na, na, na, na, na, na, na
Na, na, na, na
Hey Jude

Oooh, yeah now come on everybody
Na, na, na, na, na, na, na
Na, na, na, na
Everybody in the house of Windsor
Hey Jude

Na, na, na, na, na, na, na
Na, na, na, na
Hey Jude
Hey Jude, hey Jude, hey Jude, yeah, come on

Na, na, na, na, na, na, na
Na, na, na, na
Hey Jude
I can't stop this thing, it keeps on growing, keeps on growing
Na, na, na, na, na, na, na
Na, na, na, na
Hey Jude

Just one more time, one more time
Na, na, na, na, na, na, na
Na, na, na, na
Hey Jude
Hey Jude, hey Jude, ey
Oh yeah
You were great, you were great, you were great, you were great, you were great
You were great, you were great, and you were great, you were great, you were great
You were great, you were great, you were great, you were great
You were all great
Hey Jude

Too Much Love Will Kill You

(live)


Pavarotti

, 2003. Brian plays guitar and Roger plays drums. Length 4:25.
Recorded at the Pavarotti & Friends Concert at Parco Novi Sad, Modena, Italy on 27 May 2003. Length 4:25.
Available on the Pavarotti 'The Greatest Hits' album only.
Full details of this track are available on the Miscellaneous Live Songs page.

Everybody's Got To Learn Sometime

(live)


Zucchero

, 2003. Brian plays guitar and Roger plays drums. Length 4:49.
Recorded at the 46664 Concert at Green Point Stadium, Cape Town, South Africa, on 29 November 2003.
Available on the 46664 DVD (not the CD), as a hidden easter egg on the 'Zucchero & Co Live At The Royal Albert Hall' DVD, and also included on an Italian CD single of the same name, which contains both audio and video versions.
Full details of this track are available on the 46664 Songs page.

Holy Man


Taylor Hawkins

, 2008.
This track began as a track by Taylor Hawkins, for the 2008 Dennis Wilson album re-release 'Pacific Ocean Blue'. After playing the track to Brian, Brian reworked sections of it, added a new guitar solo, added percussion from Roger, and both sang backing vocals. Unfortunately the album release went ahead with the Taylor Hawkins version on it, so the Queen version is unreleased. The Queen version (called 'The London Mix') was to be released as a download (according to Brian's site), but this has so far not happened.