The Freddie Mercury
Album
(also called 'The
Great Pretender')
Released 16 November 1992, reached number 4, on chart for 14 weeks, achieved Gold Status
Album Length 44:16
The
Great Pretender |
Foolin' Around | Time |
Your Kind Of Lover | Exercises In
Free Love | In My Defence | Mr Bad
Guy | Let's
Turn It On | Living On My
Own | Love Kills | Barcelona
(Songs in italics link to other pages)
Design by Richard Gray
Photography by Peter Hince, George Hurrell and Jeremy Enness
Digitally mastered by Eddy Schreyer at Future Disc Systems,
Hollywood
The US release was
retitled as 'The Great Pretender' and had a number of changes:
The Great
Pretender (Malouf Mix)
| Foolin'
Around | Time | Your Kind
Of Lover | Exercises In
Free Love | In My Defence | Mr Bad
Guy (Different ending)
| Let's Turn It On | Living On My
Own | My Love Is
Dangerous (Jeff Lord Alge Mix)
| Love
Kills (Original Wolf Mix)
Some copies also add the Techno Version of 'Living On My Own'
Original Singles
Reissued Singles
The
Great Pretender
Track 1. Written by Buck Ram.
Originally recorded by The Platters, reached no 5 in September
1956
Roger Taylor and Peter Straker may provide backing vocals (as
they appear in the video)
Recording Notes:
Produced by Freddie Mercury, Mike Moran and David Richards
Recorded at Townhouse Studios, London, November 1986
Malouf Mix: Additional Production by Julian Raymond, mixed by
Brian Malouf
Demo recorded at an unknown venue, London, 8 November 1986
Demo mixed by Joshua J Macrae, assisted by Dean Crathern
Available
Versions: (The
Surround Sound Mix details can be found here and the Extended version
Surround Sound mix can be found here)
1. Single Version (3:25) (on all singles, the album, the boxed
sets, 'Queen - Greatest Hits III' and 'Lover Of Life, Singer Of
Songs')
2. Extended Version (5:51) (on the 12" and in the boxed set)
(click here
for lyrics)
3. Malouf Mix (3:39) (on the reissue CD single, 'The Great
Pretender' album, 'Freddie Mercury Remixes', in the boxed set and
'Lover Of Life, Singer Of Songs') (features some additional
guitar, piano, percussion, and other mixing changes)
4. 'Freddie Mercury
Tribute Concert' Insert (1:51) (a short edit; fades in at 0:33,
edits out 1:16 to 1:51 and 2:42 to 2:47 and ends at 3:03) (click here for lyrics)
5. Instrumental Version (3:25) (in the boxed set) (click here for lyrics)
6. Original Demo (3:03)
(in the boxed set) (click here for lyrics)
7. Extended Video Version
(5:51) (on 'The Great Pretender Video EP', the 'Freddie Mercury
Video Collection' and 'Lover Of Life, Singer Of Songs') (includes
some backstage quotes from Freddie, Roger and Peter Straker, many
of which are undecipherable) (click here for lyrics)
Lyrics: (The
Malouf Mix has additional lyrics in red, but not those in blue)
Oh yes, I'm the great
pretender (oooh-ooh-oooh-ooh)
Pretending I'm doing well (oooh-ooh-oooh-ooh)
My need is such
I pretend too much
I'm lonely but no-one can tell
Oh yes, I'm the great pretender (oooh-ooh-oooh-ooh)
Adrift in a world of my own (oooh-ooh-oooh-ooh)
I play the game
But to my real shame
You've left me to dream all alone
Too real is this feeling of make believe (oooooh, make believe)
Too real when I feel what my heart can't conceal (oooh, ooh,
oooh, ooh, oooh)
Oh, oh yes, I'm the great pretender (oooh-ooh-oooh-ooh)
Just laughing and gay like a clown (oooh-ooh-oooh-ooh)
I seem to be what I'm not you see (oooh, oooh, oh, you see)
I'm wearing my heart like a crown
Pretending that you're still around
Yeah, yeah
(ooooh-oh-ooh-oh-oooh)
Woo-hoo
Too real when I feel what
my heart can't conceal (real, feel, what my heart)
Oh yes, I'm the great pretender
Just laughing and gay like a clown (oooh-ooh-oooh-ooh)
I seem to be what I'm not you see
I'm wearing my heart like a crown
Pretending that you're
Pretending that you're still around
Yeah, yeah
Oh yes
Time
Track 3. Written by Dave Clarke and John Christie.
Originally appeared in the musical 'Time', released April 1986
Recording Notes:
Produced by Dave Clarke and Freddie Mercury.
Engineered by John Kelley and Ashley Lowe, assisted by Paul
Mortimer
Recorded at Abbey Road Studios, London, January 1986
Arranged by Freddie Mercury and Mike Moran
1992 Remix remixed by Nile Rodgers.
2000 Remix remixed by Dave Clarke at Abbey Road Studios, May-June
2000
Additional
Musicians:
Mike Moran (Keyboards), Ray Russell (Guitars), Brett Morgan
(Drums), Alan Jones (Bass)
John Christie and Peter Straker (Backing Vocals)
Available Versions: (The Surround Sound Mix details can be found here)
1. Original Album Version (2:57) (on the 'Time' LP only, as part
of the soundtrack) (identical to the single version, but
interrupted by a sudden noise as the 'rock star' is kidnapped; it
also has some dubbed audience noise)
2. Album 'Reprise' Version (0:53) (on the 'Time' LP only, as part
of the soundtrack) (identical to the single version, but begins
with the 'sudden noise' again; it also has some dubbed audience
noise)
3. Single Version (3:55) (on the singles, in the boxed set and on
'Lover Of Life, Singer Of Songs')
4. Extended Version (4:35) (on the 12" and in the boxed set)
(click here
for lyrics)
5. Instrumental Version (3:20) (on the singles and in the boxed
set) (some backing vocals do remain; this is an instrumental
version of the single version, omitting the section from 0:28 to
1:02) (click here
for lyrics)
6. 1992 Remix (3:48) (on the album and in the boxed set) (similar
to the original, but adds extra instruments including jangly
guitar and organ effects)
7. Radio Edit (3:49) (on a promo CD single) (a slight edit of the
1992 Remix, which trims part of the intro)
8. 2000 Remix (3:59) (only in the 3CD Boxed Set) (very similar to
the original version, but loses the percussion from some parts)
Lyrics:
(The 'Reprise' has only the lyrics in Red. The 'Original Album
Version' has the lyrics in black and the first four 'time's in
red)
Time waits for nobody (ooooh, oooh)
Time waits for nobody (ooooh, ooh, oooh)
We all must plan our hopes together
Or we'll have no more future at all
Time waits for nobody
We might as well be deaf and dumb and blind
I know that sounds unkind
But it seems to me we've not listened to
Or spoken about it all
The fact that time is running out
For us all
Time
Waits for nobody
Time waits for no-one
We've got to build this world together
Or we'll have no more future at all
Because time
It waits for nobody
You don't need me tell you what's gone wrong (gone wrong, gone
wrong)
You know what's going on
But it seems to me we've not cared enough (ooooh, oooh)
Or confided in each other at all
It seems like we've all got our backs against the wall
(Time) Time waits for nobody
(Time) Ooh, waits for no-one
We've got to trust in one another (ooooh, oooh)
Or there'll be no more future at all
(Time)
Yeah, time waits for nobody, no, no
Time don't wait for no-one
Let's learn to be friends with one another (ooooh, oooh)
Or there'll be no more future at all
Time, time, time, time
Waits for nobody
Waits for nobody
Time,
time, time, time
Waits for nobody at all
Time waits for nobody, yeah
Time don't wait (don't wait), waits for no-one
Let us free this world forever (ooooh, oooh)
And build a brand new future for us all
Ahh, ah, ahh, ah
Time
Waits
For nobody, nobody, nobody
For no-one
In
My Defence
Track 5. Written by Dave Clarke, David Soames and Jeff Daniels.
Originally appeared in the musical 'Time', released April 1986
Both remixes begin with the piano; other versions feature a short
orchestral intro.
Recording Notes:
Produced by Dave Clarke and Freddie Mercury
Music recorded at Abbey Road Studios, London, October 1985
Guitars, Synths and some Backing Vocals recorded at Musicland
Studios, Munich, Germany
Arranged by Freddie Mercury and Mike Moran
1992 Remix (Album Version) remixed by Ron Nevison
2000 Remix remixed by Dave Clarke at Abbey Road Studios, May-June
2000
Additional
Musicians:
Mike Moran (Keyboards), Paul Vincent (Guitars), Graham Jarvis
(Drums), Andy Pask (Bass)
Peter Banks (Synths), John Christie (Backing Vocals)
Available Versions: (The Surround Sound Mix details can be found here)
1. Original Version (3:55) (on the 'Time' LP, 'In My Defence' CD1
and in the boxed set; this has more prominent bass and orchestral
parts than the remixes)
2. 1992 Remix (3:52) (on the album, singles, and in the boxed
set) (similar to the original, but with different percussion,
more guitar, and loses some of the orchestral instruments)
3. 2000 Remix (3:52) (in the 3CD Boxed Set and on 'Lover Of Life,
Singer Of Songs') (similar to the original, but heavier
percussion, and loses some of the orchestral parts)
4. Instrumental Version (3:55) (in the boxed set only) (an
instrumental version of the original; has a couple of
lead/backing vocals only) (click here for lyrics)
5. Video Version (3:51) (on 'The Freddie Mercury Video
Collection' and 'Lover Of Life, Singer Of Songs') (this is the
2000 Remix with some quotes from Freddie)
Lyrics: (All remixes share the
original's lyrics. Quotes in red are in the Video version only)
C'est la vie
In my defence, what is there to say?
All the mistakes we made must be faced today
It's not easy now, knowing where to start
While the world we love tears itself apart
I'm just a singer with a song
How can I try to right the wrong?
For just a singer with a melody
I'm caught in between, with a fading dream
I'm a very
loving person
How about that, ha, ha, ha, ha
In my defence, what is there to say?
We destroy the love, it's our way
We never listen enough, never face the truth
Then like a passing song
Love is here and then it's gone
I'm just a singer with a song
How can I try to right the wrong?
For just a singer with a melody
I'm caught in between, with a fading dream
Just a singer with a song
How can I try to right the wrong?
I'm just a singer with a melody
I'm caught in between, with a fading dream
Caught in between, with a fading dream
Caught in between, with a fading dream
Oh what on earth (ooohh)
Oh what on earth (ooh, ooh, ooohh)
How do I try?
Do we live or die?
Oh help me God (if
I had to do it all again, yes, why not, I'd do it slightly
differently)
Please help me
I still
love you
Love
Kills
Track 10. Written by Freddie Mercury and Georgio Moroder.
This track originally appeared in the film 'Metropolis', released
1984, and was originally planned for Queen's 'The Works' album.
As such, it may feature Roger's programmed drums and Brian's
guitar, and possibly John Deacon's bass.
This track has been extensively remixed, click here
for full details of all mixes.
Recording Notes:
Produced by Freddie Mercury, Georgio Moroder and Mack
Recorded at Musicland Studios, Munich, Germany
Instrumental: mixed by David Richards at Mountain Studios,
assisted by Kris Fredriksson
Available Versions:
1. Film Version (1:40) (in the film only, not on the soundtrack
LP) (a short segment with a few lyric changes, and slightly
different instruments) (click here
for lyrics)
2. Single Version (4:28) (on the album, singles, in the boxed
sets and on 'Lover Of Life, Singer Of Songs')
3. Extended Version (5:21) (on the 12", the 'I Was Born To
Love You' double-pack and in the boxed set) (click here for lyrics)
4. Instrumental Version (4:24) (in the boxed set) (a
hybrid of instrumental elements of the album and extended
versions, although it is difficult to tell which parts come from
where) (click here
for lyrics)
Lyrics:
Ooh, ooh, oooh
Love don't give no
compensation
Love don't pay no bills
Love don't give no indication
Love just won't stand still
Love kills, drills you through your heart
Love kills, scars you from the start
It's just a living pastime
Ruling your heart line
Stay for a lifetime
Won't let you go
Cause love (love) love (love) love won't leave you alone
Love don't take no
reservation
Love is no square deal
Hey, love don't give no justification
It strikes like cold steel
Love kills, drills you through your heart
Love kills, scars you from the start
It's just a living pastime
Burning your life line
Gives you a hard time
Won't let you go
Cause love (love) love (love) love won't leave you alone
Hey, love can play with your emotions
Open invitation to your heart
Hey, love kills
Play with your emotions
Open invitation to your heart, to your heart
Love kills, love kills, hey
Love kills, love kills
Love kills, kills, kills, kills
Love can play with your emotions
Open invitation
Love kills, hey, drills you through your heart
Love kills, scars you from the start
It's just a living pastime
Ruling your heartline
Won't let you go
Love kills, hey, drills you through your heart
Love kills, tears you right apart
It won't let go
It won't let go
Love kills
Yeah, yeah
Ooh, ooh, oooh
Ooh, ooh, oooh
Ooh, ooh, oooh
Ooh, ooh, oooh
Ooh, ooh, oooh
Film
Version Lyrics
Love don't give no
compensation
Love don't pay no bills
Love don't give no indication
Love just won't stand still
Love kills, drills you through your heart
Love kills, scars you from the start
It's just a living pastime
Ruling your heart line
Stay for a lifetime
Won't let you go
Cause love (love) love (love) love won't leave you alone
Love don't take no
reservation
Love is no square deal
Love don't give no justification
It strikes like cold steel
Love kills, drills you
through your heart
Love kills, scars you from the start
It's just a living pastime
Ruling your heart line
Stay with you life time
Just won't let go
Cause love (love) love (love) love won't leave you alone