Sheer Heart Attack
Released 8 November 1974, reached number 2, on chart for 42 weeks, achieved Gold status
Album Length 38:58
Brighton Rock | Killer Queen | Tenement Funster | Flick Of The Wrist | Lily Of The Valley | Now I'm Here | In The Lap Of The Gods | Stone Cold Crazy | Dear Friends | Misfire | Bring Back That Leroy Brown | She Makes Me | In The Lap Of The Gods..... Revisited
The Hollywood Records 1991 remaster also adds Stone Cold Crazy (1991 Remix).
Unreleased Tracks
'Sheer
Heart Attack' was
planned as the title track
Produced by Queen and
Roy Thomas Baker
Engineered by Mike Stone
Recorded at Trident, Wessex, Rockfield and Air, July-September
1974
Invaluable engineering by Mike Stone
Special thanks to Geoff Workman
Composed arranged and performed exclusively by Queen
Photography by Mick Rock
Sleeve concept by Queen
No synthesisers
Equipment and crew supervision by John Harris
Roger Taylor - drums, vocals, percussion, screams
Freddie Mercury - vocals, piano, jangle piano, vocal
extravaganzas
John Deacon - bass guitar, double bass, acoustic guitar, almost
all guitars on 'Misfire'
Brian May - guitars, vocals, piano, genuine George Formby
ukulele-banjo, guitar orchestrations
Singles: (both singles are on 'Greatest Hits')
Brighton Rock
Track 1. Written by Brian May.
Album version 5:09.
The entries below include only the occasions when the actual
track (or parts of it) were performed.
See also the Guitar
Solo entry for similar live tracks.
Alternate Versions:
1. Live Version 1 (2:21)
(on 'Live Killers', recorded in Europe in 1979)
(click here for lyrics)
2. Live Version 1 Reprise (1:01) (on 'Live Killers', recorded in
Europe in 1979) (click
here for lyrics)
3. Live Version 2 (1:02) (on the 'Live In Rio' video, recorded in
Rio De Janiero, 1985) (the 'reprise' after the guitar solo only;
the rest was edited out) (click here for lyrics)
4. Studio Edit (1:34) (on the 'Live At Wembley' video only) (an
instrumental edit of the album version, fading in between 1:45
and 1:46 and out from 3:16 to 3:18)
5. 'The Eye' Edit (0:10) (on 'The Eye', disc 4) (an edit of the
'circus noises' at the start, from 0:02 to 0:12 approx)
Lyrics:
Happy little day, Jimmy went away
Met his little Jenny on a public holiday
A happy pair they made, so decorously laid
'Neath the gay illuminations all along the promenade
It's so good to know there's still a little magic in the air
I'll weave my spell
Jenny will you stay - tarry with me pray
Nothing 'ere need come between us tell me love, what do you say
Oh no I must away to my mum in disarray
If my mother should discover how I spend my holiday
It would be of small avail to talk of magic in the air
I'll say farewell
Oh, rock of ages, do not crumble, love is breathing still
Oh, lady moon, shine down a little people magic if you will
Jenny pines away, writes a letter everyday
We must never be together, nothing can my love erase
Oh no, I'm compromised, I must apologise
If my lady should discover how I spent my holidays
Killer Queen
Track 2. Written by Freddie Mercury. Album version 2:59
Alternate Versions: (The Surround Sound Mix details can be found here)
1. Live Version 1 (1:25)
(on the 'Live At The Rainbow' video, recorded in London 1974)
(click here
for lyrics)
2. Live Version 2 (2:05) (on the 'Rare Live' video, recorded in London
1977) (click here for lyrics)
3. Live Version 3 (1:59) (on 'Live Killers', recorded in Europe
in 1979) (click
here for lyrics)
4. Live Version 4 (1:58) (on the 'We Will Rock You' video and the
'Queen Rock Montreal' album/DVD, from Montreal 1981) (click here for lyrics)
5. Live Version 5 (2:09) (on the 'Final Concert Live In Japan',
recorded in Tokyo, 1985) (click here for lyrics)
6. Live
Cast Recording 1 (2:27) (on the 'We Will Rock You' cast album)
(click here for lyrics)
7. Live
Cast Recording 2 (2:46) (on the 'We Will Rock You' Spanish cast
album)
Lyrics:
She keeps a Moet Et Chandon
In her pretty cabinet
'Let them eat cake' she says
Just like Marie Antoinette
A built-in remedy
For Kruschev and Kennedy
At anytime an invitation you can't decline (oooh, ooh, oooh, ooh,
ohh)
Caviar and cigarettes
Well versed in etiquette
Extraordinarily nice
She's a killer queen
Gunpowder, gelatine
Dynamite with a laser beam
Guaranteed to blow your mind (ah, ah, ah, ah)
Anytime
Recommended at the price
Insatiable an appetite
Wanna try?
To avoid complications
She never kept the same address
In conversation
She spoke just like a baroness
Met a man from China (oooh, ooh, oooh)
Went down to Geisha Minah (killer, killer)
Then again incidentally
If you're that way inclined (she's a killer queen)
Perfume came naturally from Paris (naturally)
For cars she couldn't care less
Fastidious and precise
She's a killer queen
Gunpowder, gelatine
Dynamite with a laser beam
Guaranteed to blow your mind (ah, ah, ah, ah)
Anytime
Drop of a hat she's as willing as
Playful as a pussy cat
Then momentarily out of action (oooh, ooh, oooh)
Temporarily out of gas (oooh, ooh, da, da)
To absolutely drive you wild, wild
She's out to get you
She's a killer queen
Gunpowder, gelatine
Dynamite with a laser beam
Guaranteed to blow your mind (ah, ah, ah, ah-ah)
Anytime
Oooh, recommended at the price
Insatiable an appetite
Wanna try?
You wanna try
Tenement Funster
Track 3. Written by Roger Taylor. Album version 2:47
This track segues into 'Flick Of The Wrist'. Roger Taylor sings
lead vocals
Alternate Versions:
1. Single Version (2:53)
(on 'The First EP' 7", 3" CD, and in the 'Queen Singles
Collection 1' boxed set) (same as album version, but fades out
over the first four seconds of 'Flick Of The Wrist', with the
piano intro present.)
2. Japanese 3" CD Version (2:52) (on the Japanese 'The First
EP' 3" CD only) (as above but the piano intro to 'Flick Of
The Wrist' is re-mixed out)
Lyrics:
My new purple shoes
Been amazing the people next door
And my rock 'n' roll 45's
Been enraging the folks on the lower floor
I got a way with the girls on my block
Try my best be a real individual
And when we go down to Smokies and rock
They line up like it's some kinda ritual
Ooh, give me a good guitar
And you can say that my hair's a disgrace (ooooh)
Or, just find me an open car
I'll make the speed of light outta this place
Um, I like the good things in life
But most of the best things ain't free (ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh)
So the same situation
Just cuts like a knife
When you're young, and you're poor, and you're crazy
(Young and you're crazy, young and you're crazy, young and you're
crazy)
Young and you're crazy
Ooh, give me a good guitar
And you can say that my hair's a disgrace (ooooh)
Or, just find me an open car
I'll make the speed of light outta this place
Flick Of The
Wrist
Track 4. Written by Freddie Mercury. Album version 3:19
This track segues from 'Tenement Funster' and into 'Lily Of The
Valley'
Alternate Versions:
1. Single Version (3:17)
(on the 'Killer Queen' 7", the Japanese 3" CD, and in
the 'Queen Singles Collection 1' boxed set) (as album version,
omits the first 6 seconds and ends with the guitar burst 3
seconds into 'Lily Of The Valley'. However, the piano at the
start of 'Lily' is removed.)
2. UK 3" CD Version (3:18) (on the 'Killer Queen' UK 3"
CD only) (identical to the album version, but fades from 3:16 to
3:17, omitting 'baby you've been had')
Lyrics:
Dislocate your spine if you don't sign he says
I'll have you seeing double
Mesmerise you when he's tongue tied
Simply with those eyes (oooh, ooh, oooh)
Synchronise your minds and see
The beast within him rise
Don't look back
Don't look back
It's a rip off
Flick of the wrist and you're dead baby
Blow him a kiss and you're mad (oooh, oooh, oooh, oooh)
Flick of the wrist - he'll eat your heart out
A dig in the ribs and then a kick in the head
He's taken an arm and taken a leg
All this time honey
Baby you've been had
Intoxicate your brain with what I'm saying
If not you'll lie in knee deep trouble
Prostitute yourself he says
Castrate your human pride (oooh, ooh, oooh)
Sacrifice your leisure days
Let me squeeze you till you've dried
Don't look back
Don't look back
It's a rip off
Aahhh, ooh
Aahhh
Aahhh
Work my fingers to my bones
I scream with pain
I still make no impression
Seduce you with his money make machine
Cross collateralise (big time money, money)
Reduce you to a muzak fake machine
Then the last goodbye (aah-ahh, aah-ahh, aah-ahh, aah-ahh)
It's a rip off
Flick of the wrist and you're dead baby
Blow him a kiss and you're mad (oooh, oooh, oooh, oooh)
Flick of the wrist - he'll eat your heart out
A dig in the ribs and then a kick in the head
He's taken an arm and taken a leg
All this time honey
Baby you've been had
Lily Of The
Valley
Track 5. Written by Freddie Mercury. Album version 1:43
This track segues from 'Flick Of The Wrist'
On the Digital Remaster Sampler promo-CD, the track includes the
end of the explosion from 'In The Lap Of The Gods (Revisited)',
but is otherwise the same as the album version, starting with
'been had' from 'Flick Of The Wrist'.
Alternate Versions:
1. Single Version (1:40)
(on the 'Now I'm Here' single and in the 'Queen Singles
Collection 1' boxed set) (starts three seconds into the track,
omitting the guitar burst)
Lyrics:
I am forever searching high and
low
But why does everybody tell me no
Neptune of the seas
An answer for me please
The lily of the valley doesn't know
I lie in wait with open eyes (ooohh)
I carry on through stormy skies (oooh, oooh, ooh, ooh)
I follow every course
My kingdom for a horse
But each time I grow old
Serpent of the Nile
Relieve me for a while
And cast me from your spell and (oooh, oooh, oooh)
Let me go
Messenger from seven seas has flown
To tell the king of rhye he's lost his throne
Wars will never cease
Is there time enough for peace (oooh, oooh, oooh)
But the lily of the valley doesn't grow
Now I'm Here
Track 6. Written by Brian May. Album version 4:13
Alternate Versions:
1. Video Edit (3:59) (on the
'Queen Rocks' video only) (a straight edit, fading out between
3:51 and 3:58)
2. Live Version 1 (4:27) (on the 'Live At The Rainbow' video,
'Box Of Flix' and 'Greatest Video Hits I', recorded in London
1974) (click here
for lyrics)
3. Live Version 2 (8:10) (on 'Live Killers', recorded in Europe
in 1979) (click here
for lyrics)
4. Live Version 3 (6:48) (on the 'Concerts For The People Of
Kampuchea' album, recorded in London, 1979) (click here for lyrics)
5. Live Version 4 (2:25) (on 'Rare Live', from Buenos Aries,
1981) (the singalong section only) (click here for lyrics)
6. Live Version 5 (5:32) (on the 'Queen Rock Montreal' album/DVD,
from Montreal 1981) (click here for lyrics)
7. Live Version 5 Edit (5:01) (on the 'We Will Rock You'
video/DVDs only) (click
here for lyrics)
8. Live Version 5 Reprise (1:38) (on the 'We Will Rock You' video
and the 'Queen Rock Montreal' album/DVD, from Montreal 1981)
(click here
for lyrics)
9. Live Version 6 (7:00) (on 'Queen On Fire: Live At The Bowl',
recorded at Milton Keynes 1982) (click here for lyrics)
10. Live Version 6 Reprise (0:50) (on 'Queen On Fire: Live At The
Bowl', recorded at Milton Keynes 1982) (click here for lyrics)
11. Live Version 7 (5:54) (on the 'Live In Japan' video, and also
on the 'Queen On Fire: Live At The Bowl' DVD, from Tokyo, 1982)
(click here
for lyrics)
12. Live Version 7 Reprise (0:57) (on the 'Live In Japan' video,
and also on the 'Queen On Fire: Live At The Bowl' DVD, from
Tokyo, 1982) (click here for lyrics)
13. Live Version 8 (5:21) (on the 'Live In Rio' video, recorded
in Rio De Janiero, 1985) (click here for lyrics)
14. Live Version 9 (5:42) (on the 'Final Concert Live In Japan',
recorded in Tokyo, 1985) (click here for lyrics)
15. Live Version 10 (1:53) (on 'Live At Wembley Stadium' DVD,
recorded at 'Magic Tour' rehearsals in May/June 1986; this is a
severely edited version) (click here
for lyrics)
16. Live Version 11 (5:28) (on the 'Live In Budapest' video,
recorded in Budapest, 1986) (click here for lyrics)
17. Live Version 12 (6:07)
(on 'Live At Wembley', recorded in London, 1986) (click here for lyrics)
18. Live Version 12 Excerpt (0:25) (on the 'Live At Wembley
Stadium' DVD song selection screen; an edit of the above version
from 0:11 to 0:36) (click here
for lyrics)
19. Live Version 13 (4:56) (on
'The Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert' original video, and as the
B-Side to Def Leppard's 'Tonight' single, performed by Def
Leppard and Brian May) (click here for lyrics)
20. Live Version 14 (4:57) (on 'Live At Brixton Academy',
performed by The Brian May Band in London 1993) (click here for lyrics)
Lyrics: (Lyrics in red are echoed)
Here I stand
Look around, around, around, around, around
But you won't see me
Now I'm here
Now I'm there
I'm just a
Just a new man
Yes, you made me live again, ow
A baby I was when you took my hand
And the light of the night burned bright
The people all stared didn't understand
But you knew my name on sight
Ooh, whatever came of you and me
America's new bride to be, oh
Don't worry babe I'm safe and sound
Down in the dungeon just Peaches 'n' me
Don't I love her so
Ooh, cos you made me live again
Yeah
Yeah
Ooh, a thin moon me in a smoke screen sky
Where the beams of your lovelight chase
Don't move, don't speak, don't feel no pain
With the rain running down my face
Your matches still light up the sky
And many a tear lives on in my eye
Down in the city just Hoople 'n' me
Don't I love him so
Oh, don't I love him so
So long
Whatever comes of you and me
I love to leave my memory with you
Now I'm
here
Think I'll stay around, around, around
Down in the city justa you 'n' me
Don't I love you so
Go, go, go little Queenie
In The Lap Of
The Gods
Track 7. Written by Freddie Mercury. Album version 3:22
This track segues into 'Stone Cold Crazy'
Alternate Versions:
1. Hollywood Records CD Version (3:19) (the same as normal but
loses one burst of vocals at the start, from approx 0:22 to 0:24)
2. Live Version (3:15) (on the
'Live At The Rainbow' video, recorded in London 1974) (click here for lyrics)
Lyrics: (the vocals in Red at the start
are lost from the Hollywood Records version)
Ahhhhhh
Ahhhhhh
Ah, ah
Ooh, ooh
Ah, ah
Living in the lap
Of the Gods
I live my life for you
Think all my thoughts with you and only you
Anything you ask I do for you
I touch your lips with mine
But in the end
I leave it to the lords
Leave it in the lap of the Gods
What more can I do
Leave it in the lap of the Gods
I leave it to you
Leave it in the lap of the Gods
Leave it in the lap of the Gods
I want you to (ahhhhh)
Leave it in the lap of the Gods
Leave it in the lap of the Gods (ahhh, ah, ahhh)
Leave it in the lap of the Gods (ah, ah, ah, ahhh, ahhh)
Lap of the Gods
Lap of the Gods (ah, ah, ah, ahh)
Lap of the Gods (ah, ah, ah, ahhh)
Lap of the Gods
Lap of the Gods
Lap of the Gods
Lap of the Gods
Stone Cold Crazy
Track 8. Written by Queen. Album version 2:14
This track segues from 'In The Lap Of The Gods'
Additional
Assistance:
Michael Wagener (Hollywood Records Remix), Trent Reznor
(Production of his remix)
Alternate
Versions:
1. Live Version 1 (2:15) (on the
'Live At The Rainbow' video, the 'Rare Live' video, and 'The
Miracle' (all singles)) (recorded London 1974) (click here for lyrics)
2. Live Version 2 (2:41) (on 'The Freddie Mercury Tribute
Concert', lead vocal by James Hetfield) (click here for lyrics)
3. Hollywood Records Remix (2:14) (only on the US Remaster CD)
(original version with additional percussion) (click here for lyrics)
4. Re-produced by Trent Reznor (3:49) (on US promo CD's only) (a
very heavy reworked version with an instrumental section and a
reprise) (also known as the "Trash" mix)
Lyrics: (Trent
Reznor remix has additional lyrics in red, but not those in blue)
Right, take one
Right
Sleeping very soundly on a
Saturday morning I was dreaming I was Al Capone
There's a rumour going round, gotta clear outta town
Yeah, I'm smelling like a dry fish bone
Here come the law, gonna break down the door, gonna carry me away
once more
Never, I never, I never want it any more
Gotta get away from this stone cold floor
Crazy
Stone cold crazy, you know
Woo, hot
Rainy afternoon I gotta blow a typhoon and I'm playing on my
slide trombone
Anymore, anymore, cannot take it anymore
Gotta get away from this stone cold floor
Crazy
Stone cold crazy, you know
Ow, hit 'em ma
Walking down the street, shooting people that I meet
With my rubber tommy water gun
Here come the deputy, he's gonna come and getta me
I gotta get me get up and run
They got the sirens loose
I ran right outta juice
They're gonna put me in a cell, if I can't go to heaven
Will they let me go to hell
Crazy
Stone cold crazy, you know
Ow
Hey
Come on you can do it, do it
He's fast
Wow
Wow, ho, ho, ho, yeah
Oh, yeah
Hey
Wooh, ooh
Well, that should have been a good take
Dear Friends
Track 9. Written by Brian May. Album version 1:06
Lyrics:
So dear friends, your love is gone
Only tears to dwell upon
I dare not say as the wind must blow
So a love is lost, a love is won
Go to sleep and dream again (oooooh)
Soon your hopes will rise and then (oooooh)
From all this gloom life can start anew (oooooh)
And they'll be no crying soon
Misfire
Track 10. Written by John Deacon. Album version 1:50
John Deacon plays 'almost all guitars' on this track
Lyrics:
Don't you misfire
Fill me up
With the desire
To carry on
Don't you know honey, that love's a game
It's always hit or miss, so take your aim
Got to hold on tight, shoot me out of sight
Don't you misfire
Fill me up
With the desire
To carry on
Don't you misfire
Fill me up
With the desire
To carry on
Your gun is loaded, and pointing my way
There's only one bullet, so don't delay
Got to time it right, fire me through the night
Come on take a shot
Fire me higher
Don't you miss this time
Please don't misfire
Misfire
Bring Back That
Leroy Brown
Track 11. Written by Freddie Mercury. Album version 2:16
Brian May plays a genuine George Formby ukulele banjo
Alternate Versions:
1. Live Version (1:08) (on the
'Live At The Rainbow' video, recorded in London 1974) (click here for lyrics)
2. The Eye Version (0:24) (on 'The Eye' disc 3) (a straight edit,
upto time 0:23) (click here
for lyrics)
Lyrics:
Bring back, bring back
Bring back that Leroy Brown (yeah)
Bring back, bring back
Gotta bring that Leroy Brown (back)
Bet your bottom dollar bill you're a playboy (yeah, yeah)
Daddy cool with a ninety dollar smile (wow, wow, wow, wow, yeah)
Took my money out of gratitude
And he get right outta town (yeah)
I gotta getty up, steady up, shoot him down
Gotta hit that latitude (babe)
Bring back, bring back
Bring back that Leroy Brown (yeah)
Bring back, bring back
Gotta bring that Leroy Brown (back)
Big bad Leroy Brown he got no common sense (no, no)
He got no brains but he sure got a lot of style
Can't stand no more in this here jail
I gotta rid myself of this sentence
Gotta get out of the heat, step into the shade
Gotta get me there dead or alive (babe)
Wooh, wooh, big bad Leroy, wooh, wooh
Wooh, wooh, big bad Leroy - Brown
(Well)
Bring back, bring back
Bring back that Leroy Brown
Bring back, bring back
Gotta bring that Leroy Brown (back)
Big Mama Lulu Belle she had a nervous breakdown (she had a
nervous breakdown)
Leroy's taken her honey chile away (way, ahhh)
But she met him down at the station (oooh, wooh, wooh)
Put a shot gun to his head
And unless I be mistaken (oooh, mistaken)
This is what she said (oooh, ooh)
'Big bad, big boy, big bad Leroy Brown
I'm gonna get that cutie pie'
Bring back, bring back
Bring back that Leroy Brown (yeah)
Big bid caused a mighty fine sensation (yeah, yeah)
Gone and got himself elected president
(We want Leroy for president)
Next time, you gotta hit a bitty baddy weather
This time, like a shimmy, shammy leather
He's a big boy, bad boy, Leroy
I don't care where you get him from
Cutie pie
Cutie pie
Cutie pie
Bring back that big bad Leroy Brown
I want him back
She Makes Me (Stormtrooper In Stilettos)
Track 12. Written by Brian May. Album version 4:09
Brian May sings lead vocals
Lyrics:
I love
She makes me
She is my heart
She is my love
She is my love
I know
I'm jealous of her
She makes me need
She is my love
She is my love
Who knows who she'll make me
As I lie in her cocoon
And the world will surely heal my ills
I'm warm and terrified
She makes me so
I know
The day I leave her
I'll love her still
She is my love
She is my love
Who knows where my dreams will end
I'll follow as they grow
But the world will know how long I'll take
And if I'm very slow she makes me so
She is my love
She is my love
In The Lap Of
The Gods...... Revisited
Track 13. Written by Freddie Mercury. Album version 3:44
On the Digital Remaster Sampler promo-CD, the explosion continues
as 'Lily Of The Valley' starts, making it a slight edit. I have
not included it here, though, as the track is otherwise
unchanged.
Alternate Versions:
1. The Eye Version (0:31) (on
'The Eye' disc 1) (an edit from 1:35 to 2:04, which ends
a-capella) (click here
for lyrics)
2. Live Version 1 (4:02)
(on the 'Live At The Rainbow' video, recorded in London 1974)
(click here
for lyrics)
3. Live Version 2 (2:11)
(on the 'Live In Budapest' video, recorded in Budapest, 1986)
(click here
for lyrics)
4. Live Version 3 (2:19) (on 'Live At Wembley', recorded in
London, 1986) (click here
for lyrics)
5. Live Version 3 Excerpt (0:25) (on the 'Live At Wembley
Stadium' DVD song selection screen; an edit of the above version from 0:42
to 1:07) (click here for
lyrics)
Lyrics:
It's so easy, but I can't do it
So risky, but I gotta chance it
So funny, there's nothing to laugh about
My money, that's all you wanna talk about
I can see what you want me to be
But I'm no fool
It's in the lap of the Gods
Wo, wo, la, la, la, wo
I can see what you want me to be
But I'm no fool
No beginning, there's no ending
There's no meaning in my pretending
Believe me, life goes on and on and on
Forgive me when I ask you where do I belong
You say I (you can do it)
Can't (you can do it)
Set you free (you can go and set me free) from me
But that's not true
It's in the lap of the Gods
Wo, wo, la, la, la, wo
I can see what you want me to be
But I'm no fool
It's in the lap of the Gods
Wo, wo, la, la, la, wo
Wo, wo, la, la, wah, wah, ooh
But that's not true
It's in the lap of the Gods
Wo, wo, la, la, la, wo
Wo, wo, la, la, wah, wah, ooh
But I'm no fool
It's in the lap of the Gods
Wo, wo, la, la, la, wo
Wo, wo, la, la, wah, wah, ooh
It's in the lap of the Gods
Wo, wo, la, la, la, wo
Wo, wo, la, la, wah, wah, ooh
But I'm no fool
It's in the lap of the Gods
Wo, wo, la, la, la, wo
Wo, wo, la, la, wah, wah, ooh