Queen II

Queen II

Released 8 March 1974, reached no 5, on chart for 29 weeks, achieved Gold status

Album Length 40:53

The Hollywood Records 1991 remaster also adds See What A Fool I've Been, Ogre Battle (1991 Remix) and Seven Seas Of Rhye (1991 Remix).

Non-Album Tracks
See What A Fool I've Been

Produced by Queen and Roy Thomas Baker, except
'Nevermore' and 'Funny How Love Is' produced by Queen and Robin G. Cable, and
'The March Of The Black Queen' produced by Queen, Roy Thomas Baker and Robin G. Cable
Engineered by Mike Stone
Recorded at Trident, August 1973

Freddie Mercury - vocals, piano and harpsichord
Brian May - guitars, vocals, bells
John Deacon - bass guitar, acoustic guitar
Roger Meddows Taylor - percussion, vocals

Singles: (Seven Seas Of Rhye was included on 'Greatest Hits')

Seven Seas Of Rhye / See What A Fool I've Been (no 10, 23 February 1974)
Japanese single had 'The Loser In The End' as a B-Side. Japan/US releases in June 1974 Did Not Chart

Procession
Track 1. Written by Brian May. Album Version 1:13
This track is an instrumental 'opener', featuring drums and guitar only, and segues into 'Father To Son'
Alternate Versions:
1. Live Version (1:16) (on the 'Live At The Rainbow' video, recorded in London 1974) (this is the album version played as a backing track)

Father To Son
Track 2. Written by Brian May. Album Version 6:14.
This track segues from 'Procession' and into 'White Queen'
Alternate Versions:
1. Live Version (2:59) (on the 'Live At The Rainbow' video, recorded in London 1974) (click here for lyrics)
Lyrics:
A word in your ear, from father to son
Hear the word that I say
I fought with you, fought on your side
Long before you were born
Joyful the sound, the word goes around
From father to son, to son

And the voice is so clear
Time after time it keeps on calling you, calling you on
Don't destroy what you see, your country to be
Just keep building on the ground that's been won
Kings will be crowned, and the word goes around
From father to son, to son

Won't you hear us sing
Do, do, do, do, do, do
Do, do, do, do, do
Do, do, do, do, do
Our family song

Do, do, do, do, do, do (baa, baa)
Do, do, do, do, do (baa)
Do, do, do, do, do (baa), ooh, yeah

Do, do, do, do, do, do (baa, baa)
Do, do, do, do, do (baa)
Do, do, do, do, do (baa)

Now we hand it on
Ooooh, ooooh, ooooh
But I've heard it all before

Take this letter that I give you
Take it sonny hold it high
You won't understand a word that's in it
But you'll write it out again before you die
Yeah, yeah, yeah

A word in your ear
From father to son
Funny you don't hear a single word I say
But my letter to you will stay by your side
Through the years till the loneliness is gone

Sing if you will
But the air you breathe I live to give you
Father to son
Father to, father to, father to son

Joyful the sound, word goes around
Father to son, to son
Kings will be crowned, word goes around
Father to son, to son

Joyful the sound, word goes around
Father to son, to son
Kings will be crowned, word goes around
Father to son, to son

Joyful the sound, word goes around
Father to son, to son
Kings will be crowned, word goes around
Father to son, to son

White Queen (As It Began)
Track 3. Written by Brian May. Album Version 4:33
This track segues from 'Father To Son'
This track is believed to have been originally recorded by Smile.
Alternate Versions:
1. Single Version (4:33) (on the 'First EP' single and in the Queen Singles Collection 1 boxed set) (same as the album version, but has a slight fade at the start of the track)
2. Live Version (5:05) (on the 'Live At The Rainbow' video, recorded in London 1974) (click here for lyrics)
Lyrics:
So sad her eyes
Smiling dark eyes
So sad her eyes
As it began

On such a breathless night as this
Upon my brow the lightest kiss
I walked alone
And all around the air did say
My lady soon will stir this way
In sorrow known
The white queen walks and the night grows pale
Stars of lovingness in her hair

Needing - unheard
Pleading - one word
So sad my eyes
She cannot see

How did thee fare, what have thee seen
The mother of the willow green
I call her name
And 'neath the window have I stayed
I loved the foot steps that she made
And when she came
White queen how my heart did ache
And dry my lips no word would make
So still I wait

My Goddess hear my darkest fear
I speak too late
It's for evermore that I wait

Dear friend, goodbye
No tears in my eyes
So sad it ends
As it began

Some Day One Day
Track 4. Written by Brian May. Album Version 4:23
Brian May sings lead vocals
Lyrics:
You never heard my song before
The music was too loud
But now I think you hear me well
For now we both know how
No star can light our way
In this cloud of dark and fear
But some day, one day

Funny how the pages turn
And hold us in between
A misty castle waits for you
And you shall be a queen (you shall be a queen)
Today the cloud hangs over us
And all is grey
But some day, one day

When I was young and you were me
And we were very young
Together took us nearly there
The rest may not be sung
So still the cloud it hangs over us
And we're alone
But some day, one day
We'll come home

The Loser In The End
Track 5. Written by Roger Taylor. Album Version 4:03
Roger Taylor sings lead vocals
Lyrics:
Mama's got a problem
She don't know what to say
Her little baby boy has just left home today
She's got to be the loser in the end
She's got to be the loser in the end
Misuse her and you'll lose her as a friend
She's Ma on whom you can always depend
Oooh, hoo

She washed and fed, and clothed and cared
For nearly twenty years
All she gets is 'goodbye Ma'
And the night time for her tears
She's got to be the loser in the end
She's got to be the loser in the end
Misuse her and you'll lose her as a friend
She's Ma on whom you can always depend
Oooh, hoo
Oooh, oooh, ooh
We hear you talking now

So listen mothers everywhere
To just one mother's son
You'll get forgotten on the way
If you don't let them have their fun
Forget regrets, and just remember
It's not so long since you were young

You're bound to be the loser in the end
You're bound to be the loser in the end
They'll choose their new shoes
That's not far to bend
You're Ma on whom they can always depend
Oooh, hoo
Oooh, oooh, ooh

Ogre Battle
Track 6. Written by Freddie Mercury. Album Version 4:08.
This track segues into 'The Fairy Feller's Masterstroke'
Additional Assistance:
Nicholas Sansano (Hollywood Records Remix)
Alternate Versions:
1. Hollywood Records Remix (3:26) (on the US remaster only) (has new percussion, guitar, and other effects) (click here for lyrics)
2. BBC Version (3:57) (on 'Queen At The Beeb', recorded at the BBC, 1974) (click here for lyrics)
3. Live Version (5:03) (on the 'Live At The Rainbow' video, recorded in London 1974) (click here for lyrics)
4. Live Cast Recording 1 (0:30) (on the 'We Will Rock You' cast album) (click here for lyrics)
5. Live Cast Recording 2 (0:30) (on the 'We Will Rock You' Spanish cast album)
Lyrics:
Aaahhh
Ah, ah, ah, ah

Ha, ha, ha, ha, haa
Now once upon a time
An old man told me a fable
When the piper is gone
And the soup is cold on your table
And if the black crow flies
To find a new destination
That is the sign
Come tonight
Come to the ogre sight
Come to ogre battle fight

He gives a great big cry
And he can swallow up the ocean
With a mighty tongue he catches flies
In the palm of a hand incredible size
One great big eye
Has a focus in your direction
Now the battle is won
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Come tonight
Come to the ogre sight
Come to ogre battle fight

Ha, ha, ha, ha, haa
Cool
The ogre men are still inside
The two-way mirror mountain
You gotta keep down right out of sight
You can't see in but they can see out
'Oooh, keep a look out'
The ogre men are coming out
From the two-way mirror mountain
They're running up behind
And they're coming all about
Can't go east 'cos you gotta go south

Ogre men are going home
The great big fight is over
Bugle blow let trumpet cry
Ogre battle lives for evermore
Wow, oh, oh
You can come along
You can come along
Come to ogre battle

Ha, ha, ha, ha, haa

The Fairy Feller's Masterstroke
Track 7. Written by Freddie Mercury. Album Version 2:41
This track segues from 'Ogre Battle' and into 'Nevermore'
This song was inspired by Richard Dadd's painting of the same name
Lyrics:
He's a fairy feller

The fairy folk have gathered round
The new moon shine
To see the feller crack a nut
At night's noon-time
To swing his axe he swears
As it climbs he dares
To deliver
The master stroke

Ploughman, 'Waggoner Will' and types
Politician with senatorial pipe
He's a dilly-dally-o
Pedagogue squinting wears a frown
And a satyr peers under a lady's gown
Dirty fellow
What a dirty laddio

Tatterdemalion and then a junketer
There's a thief and a dragonfly trumpeter
He's my hero (aaaah)
Fairy dandy tickling the fancy
Of his lady friend
The nymph in yellow
'Can we see the master stroke'
What a quaere fellow

Ahhhh, ahhhh, ahhhh, ahhh, ahh
Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah
Ahh, ahh, ahh, la, la, la, la
Ahh, ahh, ahh, la, la, la, la
Ahh, ahh, ahh, la, la, la, la
Ahhh, ahhh, ahhh, ahhh, ahhh, aaaah

Soldier, sailor, tinker, tailor, ploughboy
Waiting to hear the sound
And the arch-magician presides
He is the leader
Oberon and Titania watched by a harridan
Mab is the queen
And there's a good apothecary man
Come to say hello
Fairy dandy tickling the fancy
Of his lady friend
The nymph in yellow
What a quaere fellow

The ostler stares with hands on his knees
Come on Mr Feller
Crack it open if you please
Ahhhh, ahh
Ahhh

Nevermore
Track 8. Written by Freddie Mercury. Album Version 1:18
This track segues from 'The Fairy Feller's Masterstroke'
This track was performed by Midge Ure on a 2005 tour and he hinted that it may be recorded for inclusion on an album of covers.
Lyrics:
There's no living in my life anymore
The seas have gone dry
And the rain stopped falling
Please don't you cry anymore
Can't you see (aahhh)
Listen to the breeze
Whisper to me please
Don't send me to the path of nevermore, oh, ooh

Even the valleys below
Where the rays of the sun
Were so warm and tender
Now haven't anything to grow
Can't you see (aahhh)
Why did you have to leave me (nevermore, nevermore)
Why did you deceive me (nevermore, nevermore)
You send me to the path of nevermore
When you say you didn't love me anymore (aahhh, aahhh)
Ahhh, nevermore
Nevermore

The March Of The Black Queen
Track 9. Written by Freddie Mercury. Album Version 6:34
This track segues into 'Funny How Love Is'
Alternate Versions:
1. Live Version (1:36) (on the 'Live At The Rainbow' video, recorded in London 1974) (click here for lyrics)
Lyrics:
Do you mean it (ahhhhhhh)
Do you mean it
Do you mean it
Why don't you mean it?
Why do I follow you and where do you go? (ooooh, oooh, ooooh, ooh)

Ahhhh, ahhh, ahhh, ah, ah
Ahhhh, ahhhhh
Ahhh
Ah, a-ah, a-ah, a-ah, a-ah, a-ah
Wah-ah

You've never seen nothing like it no never in your life
Like going up to heaven and then coming back alive
Let me tell you all about it
And the world will so allow it
Oooh, give a little time to choose
Water babies singing in a lily-pool delight
Blue powder monkeys praying in the dead of night

Here comes the black queen, poking in the pile
Fie-fo the black queen marching single file
Take this, take that, bring them down to size (march to the black queen)

Put them in the cellar with the naughty boys
A little nigger sugar and then a rub-a-dub-a baby oil
(Ahhhhh) black on
(Ahhhhh) black on
Every finger nail and toe, we've only begun, begun
Make this, make that, keep making all that noise (march to the black queen)

Now I've got a belly full
You can be my sugar-baby, you can be my honey chile, yes

La, la, la, la, la, la
La, la, la, la, la, la
La, la, la, la, la
La, la
La, la
La, la
La, la
La, la
La, la

A voice from behind me reminds me
Spread out your wings you are an angel
Remember to deliver with the speed of light
A little bit of love and joy
Everything you do bears a will and a why and a wherefore
A little bit of love and joy
In each and every soul lies a man
Very soon he'll deceive and discover
But even till the end of his life, he'll bring a little love

Ahhhh, ahhh, ahhh
Ahh, la, la, la, la
Ahhhh, ahhh, ahhh
Ahh, la, la, la, la
Ahh, ahh

I reign with my left hand (ahh, ahh, ahh, ahh, ahh)
I rule with my right (ahh, ahh, ahh, ahh, ahh, ahh)
(Ahh, ahh, ahh, ahh, ahh, ahh)
I'm lord of all darkness, I'm queen of the night
I've got the power - now do the march of the black queen
My life is in your hands, I'll fo and I'll fie
I'll be what you make me, I'll do what you like
I'll be a bad boy, I'll be your bad boy
I'll do the march of the black queen

Ahhh, ahhh-ahh
Ahhh, ahhh-ahh

Walking true to style
She's vulgar 'buse and vile
Fie-fo the black queen tattoos all her pies
She boils and she bakes
And she never dots her I's

Look what we've done
La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la
Da, da, da, da, da, dah

Forget your singalongs (ahh, ahh) and your lullabies (ahh, ahh)
Surrender to the city of the fireflies (la, la, la, la, la, la)
Dance with the devil beat with the band (ahhhhh)
To hell with all of you hand in hand (ahhhhh)
Now it's time to be gone (la, la, la, la)
Forever, forever

Ahh, la, la, la, ahhh
Ahhhh, ahhhh

Funny How Love Is
Track 10. Written by Freddie Mercury. Album Version 2:48
This track segues from 'The March Of The Black Queen'
Alternate Versions:
1. UK 3" CD Version (3:13) (on the UK 3" CD 'Seven Seas Of Rhye' only) (starts with the end of 'March Of The Black Queen', with the piano before 'Forget your singalongs', at 6:33)
2. Japanese 3" CD Version (2:48) (on the Japanese 3" CD 'Seven Seas Of Rhye' only) (as the album version, but the 'Ahhh's in the first four seconds are remixed out)
3. Digital Remaster Version (2:49) (only on the promo-only Digital Remaster Sampler) (fades in on the last 'Ahhh' of 'March Of The Black Queen', at 6:32)
Lyrics:
Ahhhhh

Funny how love is everywhere just look and see
Funny how love is anywhere you're bound to be
Funny how love is every song in every key
Funny how love is coming home in time for tea
Funny (ahhh), funny (ahhh), funny (ahhh), ooh

Funny how love is the end of lies when the truth begins
Tomorrow comes, tomorrow brings
Tomorrow brings love in the shape of things
That's what love is (ahhh, ahhh)
That's what love is (ahh, ahh, ahh, ah)

Funny how love can break your heart so suddenly
Funny how love came tumbling down with Adam and Eve
Funny how love is running wild and feeling free
Funny how love is coming home in time for tea
Funny (ahhh), funny (ahhh), funny (ahhh)

From the earth below to the heavens above
That's how far and funny is love
At any time, any time, anywhere, anywhere
If you gotta make love do it everywhere
That's what love is (ahhh, ahhh)
That's what love is (ahh, ahh, ahh, ah)

Funny how love is everywhere just look and see
Funny how love is anywhere you're bound to be
Funny how love is every song in every key
Funny how love is when you gotta
Hurry home 'cos you're late for tea
Funny (ahhh), funny (ahhh), funny (ahhh), ooh

Tomorrow comes, tomorrow brings
Tomorrow brings love in the shape of things
At any time, any time, anywhere, anywhere
If you gotta make love do it everywhere
That's what love is (ahhh, ahhh)
That's what love is (ahh, ahh, ahh, ah)

Seven Seas Of Rhye
Track 11. Written by Freddie Mercury. Album Version 2:48.
Additional Assistance:
Freddy Bastone (Hollywood Records Remix)
Alternate Versions:
1. Instrumental (1:08) (on the 'Queen' album) (an instrumental 'taster')
2. Hollywood Records Remix (6:35) (on the US remaster only) (a dance remix, retains the vocals and samples other Queen tracks) (click here for lyrics)
3. Greatest Video Hits Edit (2:38) (on the DVD only, as the 'Photo Gallery') (album version, loses the piano intro, so starts at 0:04, and fades earlier)
4. Live Version 1 (1:09) (on the 'Live In Rio' video, recorded in Rio De Janiero, 1985) (click here for lyrics)
5. Live Version 2 (1:16) (on the 'Final Concert Live In Japan', recorded in Tokyo, 1985) (click here for lyrics)
6. Live Version 3 (1:21) (on the 'Live At Wembley Stadium' DVD, recorded at 'Magic Tour' rehearsals in May/June 1986) (click here for lyrics)
7. Live Version 4 (1:15) (on 'Live Magic', recorded at Knebworth Park, UK, 1986) (click here for lyrics)
8. Live Version 5 (1:16) (on the 'Live In Budapest' video, recorded in Budapest, 1986) (click here for lyrics)
9. Live Version 6 (1:18) (on 'Live At Wembley', recorded in London, 1986) (click here for lyrics)
10. Live Version 6 Excerpt (0:25) (on the 'Live At Wembley Stadium' DVD song selection screen; an edit of the above version from 0:03 to 0:28) (click here for lyrics)
11. Live Cast Recording 1 (2:27) (on the 'We Will Rock You' cast album) (click here for lyrics)
12. Live Cast Recording 2 (2:28) (on the 'We Will Rock You' Spanish cast album)
Lyrics:
Fear me you Lords and Lady preachers
I descend upon your earth from the skies
I command your very souls you unbelievers
Bring before me what is mine
The seven seas of rhye

Can you hear me you peers and privy councillors
I stand before you naked to the eyes
I will destroy any man who dares abuse my trust
I swear that you'll be mine
The seven seas of rhye

Sister - I live and lie for you
Mister - do and I'll die
You are mine I possess you
Make love to you forever, ever, ever

Storm the master marathon I'll fly through
By flash and thunder fire and I'll survive (I'll survive, I'll survive)
Then I'll defy the laws of nature (I'll survive, I'll survive)
And come out alive (I'll survive, I'll survive)
Then I'll get you

Be gone with you, you shod and shady senators
Give out the good, leave out the bad evil cries
I challenge the mighty Titan and his troubadours
And with a smile
I'll take you to the seven seas of rhye

Oh, I do like to be beside the seaside, yeah
Oh, I do like to be beside the sea
Where the brass band plays
Tiddly om pom pom

Oh, I do like to be beside the seaside, yeah
Oh, I do like to be beside the sea
Sailing out beside the sea
Out beside the sunken dream
Beside the seaside

See What A Fool I've Been
Track 12. Written by Brian May.
The studio version has completely different lyrics to all known live performances of the track. Click here for the lyrics to an unreleased BBC performance, which contains an alternative set of lyrics.
Available on 'Seven Seas Of Rhye' (both 7" and later 3" CD), the Boxed-Set only 'Complete Vision' LP, on the US Remaster CD, and in the Queen Singles Collection 1 boxed set.

The version on the 3" CD runs slightly slower than that in the 'Queen Singles Collection1' boxed set; the 3" CD lasts approx 4:31, the Singles Collection version lasts 4:28.
Lyrics:
Well she's gone dear
Gone this morning, um yes
Ow, see what a fool I've been
Oh Lord, cutchie cool
What a fool I've been
Yes, I dig it
Too much

Didn't leave me no letter
Didn't leave no warning
You naughty thing you, ooh
Well I guess I am to blame, oh lord
I guess I'm all to blame
See you later singer boy
Chow, right now you, take it

Hope my little dog ain't too hungry, no, no, no
He just kept on barking, the vicious thing
Just don't seem the same, oh no, no
It just, oh tell us, it don't feel the same, ooh
See you later now
Now hit it - like that
Coming on strong

Oh

Oh, well I got so lonely
Went and told my neighbour
She said
Oooh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh lord
What a fool I've been
And then she told me what to do
She said go home

Well she's gone
Gone this morning
See what a fool I've been, oh lord
What a
Fo-oo-oo-oo-oo-oo-oool
I've been

Thank you