Unreleased Solo Tracks

This page includes full details (where known) of all unreleased solo tracks, listed in alphabetical order. It only lists unreleased songs (as opposed to unreleased versions of songs), and where possible full lyrics are given. However, because they are unreleased (and in some cases unfinished), the known details are very few and may be inaccurate.

 

Roger Taylor Tracks
Celebration | I Can Take You Higher | I Can't Get You Out Of My Head | I Wanna Take You Higher | Keep On Running | Olympic Theme | Out Of My Life

Brian May Tracks
God (The Dream Is Over) | Macbeth | (Marie's The Name) His Latest Flame | Olympic Theme | Sleepy Blues | The Green Parade
[Please note that some of Brian's tracks which are unreleased but have been aired on TV programmes are on the Brian May Miscellaneous Songs page]

Freddie Mercury Tracks
Africa By Night | Garden Lodge Improvisations | You Are The Only One | Other Tracks
[Please note that some of Freddie's demos have been released in the 'Solo' boxed set, and details are on the Freddie Mercury Miscellaneous Songs page]

Africa By Night
This track was recorded by Freddie (possibly with Montserrat) for the 'Barcelona' album. The track later evolved into 'All God's People', and it is believed that the two sound very similar (which possibly explains why it isn't in the boxed set).

Celebration
This track sounds like The Cross, and would probably fit well on 'Mad Bad And Dangerous To Know' alongside 'Old Men'. However, it was recorded by Roger for 'Strange Frontier'. It is very good and quite 'funky', dominated by drums and synthesisers, but would sound out of place on the album. Length 5:12.
Lyrics:
Do you close your mind?
Do you hide your eyes?
Do you turn away 'cos it must be lies?
It ain't luck it's only in the hands of fate
We're happy in the world so celebrate

Celebration
Easy on me
For the chosen ones
Celebration

Look around you
See what happens
When the people get no satisfaction
Too many others got more than their need

You can have it
If you want it
Take a share and we can build an army
Hand it to your brother sold and see

Celebration
Easy on me
For the chosen ones
Celebration

Make excuses
Explanations
A million reasons for the situation
Can you stand to watch the hunger and the greed

Celebration
Easy on me
For the chosen ones
Celebration
It's a new day
Feel it calling
Now the time has come
Celebration

You start to live when you start to believe
That your heart has no colour or creed
Don't let it lie
Don't let it die
Let it bleed

Listen and you believe when it's on TV
The crime and the dying and the misery
But you should work, you should sleep
And live in your life so pure and sweet

It's no good saying 'what can I do'
There's too many people in the world like you
You gotta do it now 'cos it's getting late
Don't you want the world to celebrate

Celebration
Easy on me
For the chosen ones
Celebration
It's a new day
Feel the calling
Now your time has come
Celebration

Don't you want the world to celebrate?
Don't you want the world to celebrate?
Don't you want the world to celebrate?
Don't you want the world to celebrate?
Don't you want the world to celebrate?
Don't you want the world to celebrate?
Don't you want the world to celebrate?
Don't you want the world to celebrate?

Garden Lodge Improvisations
These are three recordings, presumably made on the same night, of improvised singalongs, featuring Freddie, Mike Moran and Peter Straker, with only piano accompaniment. Sources suggest they were recorded at Christmas, 1987, although I do not know how accurate this is. The tracks are 'Rock A Bye Dixie' (1:29), Girl From Ipanema (3:36) and Fuck Off And Die You Fag (3:11), although they may also be known by other names.

God (The Dream Is Over)
This track isn't a demo as such, but it is an unreleased live track. It was dropped from the 'Live At Brixton Academy' album due to copyright reasons. It was originally the penultimate track, between 'We Will Rock You' and 'Hammer To Fall', and is a cover version of a John Lennon track about the break up of The Beatles. Brian has changed the lyrics, which probably explains the copyright objections. This is a simple song, with fairly basic music, and is mostly an acoustic track, but has a heavier section in the middle (the 'I don't believe' lyrics). The lyrics below are for a version of the track, which may or may not be from the Brixton concert. As well as the full version, there is also a 1:39 excerpt available (which contains only the first verse). Length 5:07.
Lyrics:
The dream is over, what can I say
The dream is over, yesterday
We were the fab ones, but now it is gone
I was the gentle one, but now I must be strong
And so dear friends we'll just have to carry on
The dream is over

Ooh, the dream is over, no matter what they say
The dream is over, it has to be this way
We played in springtime, but now I play in fall
We hit the bigtime, but now we are small
And our dear friend let's hope he has it all, still
The dream is over

I don't believe in magic
I don't believe in games
I don't believe in heroes
I don't believe in fame
I don't believe the newsprint
I don't believe we're free
I don't believe in nations
I don't believe in pride
I don't believe in pressure
I don't believe we're right
I don't believe in torture
I don't believe in fight
I don't believe in colour
I don't believe in white
I don't believe in history
I don't believe in being Queen any more
I just believe in me
Just you guys and me
And that's reality

Yes, the dream is over
Dream on

I Can Take You Higher
Unfortunately, this is the last 40 seconds of the 'Strange Frontier' track, which is a fast paced song, which sounds as if it would have fitted well on the album. Obviously it's only a very short 'taster' of the track, but it sounds very good all the same. Length 0:40.
Lyrics:
What you got to lose
'Cos loves a score of nothing
And we ain't never coming down

Baby I can take you higher
Lift your two feet off the ground
What you got to lose
'Cos loves a score of nothing
And we ain't never coming down

I Can't Get You Out Of My Head
This track, recorded during the 'Strange Frontier' sessions, has a country mood, and would have sounded rather odd on the album. However, like 'Two Sharp Pencils', it would have been a good B-side track. It seems as though this track may also be known as 'Out Of My Life'. Length 3:37.
Lyrics:
I can't get you out of my head
No I can't get you out of my head
Sometimes it don't seem right
Can't seem to sleep at night
No I can't get you out of my heart
No I can't get you out of my heart

Maybe I'm out of touch
Sometimes I feel too much

Where are we going?
What are we going to?
Times are changing
But I don't want to

I can't get you out of my life
No I can't get you out of my life

Sometimes it don't seem fair
Feels like I'm going nowhere
I can't get you out of my life

We had a feeling
You know we were going strong
I thought it would last forever
Turns out I'm wrong

Where are we going?
What are we going to?
Times are changing
But I don't want to

I'm out of my head
I'm out of my head
I'm out of my head

Where are we going?
What are we going to?
Times are changing
But I don't want to

We had a feeling
She knew we were going strong
I thought it would last forever
Turns out I'm wrong

I'm out of my head
I can't get you out of my head
'Cos I can't get you out of my head
I can't get you out of my head

I Wanna Take Your Higher
This is a fairly fast paced 'Strange Frontier' out-take, which has some distorted vocals and would have fitted well on the album alongside the likes of 'I Cry For You'. Length 3:19.
Lyrics:
Got my baby in overdrive
My foot's on the floor and I feel alive
Put her in second and leaving cold
Eat my dust never live to be slow

Sitting alone in your favourite chair
Counting the reasons you should not be there
This is the truth

I wanna take you higher
I wanna take you higher
Wanna take you higher than before
Wanna take you higher, said
I wanna take you higher than before

She screams like a kid when I'm making the turns
She holds in the skids when the rubber burns
Watch for the cops and watch for the signs
Life in the fast line you look into the lines

Feeling alone on some everyday street
These are the moments you really don't need
This is no truth

Wanna take you higher, I said
I wanna take you higher
Wanna take you higher than before
You know I wanna take you higher
I wanna take you higher than before

So if you feel like a buzz, I feel I can fly
Just hold your breath, and step inside
Keep hold of your hat, enjoy the show
Eat my dust, never live to be slow

Who really knows what's in store in the end?
Who really knows what's around the very next bend?
Why should we care?

I said I wanna take you higher
Wanna take you higher, you know I
Wanna take you higher than before
Wanna take you higher
Wanna take you higher than before
I wanna take you higher
I wanna take you higher than before
Woo

Hey
You got your problems, take my advice
Do what you can get a kick out of life, oh, yeah
Wanna take you higher, woh, yeah
Wanna take you higher
Alright
Alright

Keep On Running
This 'Strange Frontier' track, originally by the Spencer Davis Group, is a great cover version, and is good enough to have been on the album or used as a B-Side. It was probably omitted because there are already two covers on the album, or because of legal complications. Length 2:57.
Lyrics:
Keep on running
Keep on hiding
One fine day I’m gonna be the one
To make you understand, oh yeah
I’m gonna be your man

Keep on running
Running from my arms
One fine day I’m gonna be the one
To make you understand, oh yeah
I’m gonna be your man

Hey, hey, hey
Everyone is talking about me
Make me feel so bad
Hey, hey, hey
Everyone is laughing at me
Make me feel so sad
So keep on running
Baby
Alright

Hey
Keep on running
Keep on hiding
One fine day I’m gonna be the one
To make you understand, oh yeah
I’m gonna be your man

Keep on running
Running from my arms
One fine day I’m gonna be the one
To make you understand, oh yeah
I’m gonna be your man
Hey

Hey, hey, hey
Everyone is talking about me
Make me feel so sad
Hey, hey, hey
Everyone is laughing at me
Make me feel so bad
So keep on running
Hey, hey
Running from my arms

I wanna be your man
Make me feel so good
Make me feel so good (I wanna be your man), alright
I wanna be your man, wooh-ooh
I wanna be your man
I wanna be your man

Macbeth
Brian recorded the soundtrack for a theatre production of 'Macbeth' on a computer in 1990. Parts of the track had already been written by someone else, but Brian added sections to complete it. The music was copied onto a cassette to play in the theatre, and so three versions are available - from the floppy disc, the cassette, or recordings from the theatre itself (which also features dialogue and audience noise). All versions are very rare and sought after. There is at least one MP3 download available which claims to be Macbeth, but is actually known as 'Moody Keyboards' and comes from the 'Back To The Light' era. This track is 5:37 in length and features atmospheric keyboards, keyboard panpipes and keyboard bells.

(Marie's The Name) His Latest Flame
This track was recorded by Brian (most likely 1997/8) for an abandoned covers album titled "Heroes". The album later became "Another World", and it (and it's singles) feature 7 other cover versions.
The track features Brian and Cozy Powell, and it is quite basic, so it is possible that it only features Brian and Cozy.
The original was recorded by Elvis Presley and reached no. 1 in 1961. I have taken the title (and subtitle) as it appears in the "Guiness Book Of British Hit Singles".
Length 2:58.
Lyrics:
(An unknown word at the very start from Brian)
(Ahh-uh)
(Ahh-uh)
A very old friend came by today
'Cos he was tellin' everyone in town
All the love that he'd just found
And Marie's the name of his latest flame

He talked and talked and I heard him say
(Oooh, ooh) That she had the longest, blackest hair
(Oooh, ooh) Prettiest green eyes anywhere
And Marie's the name of his latest flame

(Ahh-uh)

(Ooh-oh, ooh-oh) Even though I smiled, the tears inside were burning
(Ooh-oh, oooh) I wished him luck and then he said goodbye
(Ooh-oh, ooh-oh) Oh, he was gone but still his words kept returning
(Ooh-oh, oooh) What else was there for me to do but cry

Would you believe that yesterday
This girl was in my eyes she swore to me
She'd be mine eternally
And Marie's the name of his latest flame

Oh, even though I smiled, the tears inside were burning
I wished him luck and then he said goodbye
Oh, he was gone, but then his words kept returning
What else was there for me to do but cry

Ooh-ooh-ooh-oh-oh-oh-oo-oo-oo, ma, maa

Would you believe that yesterday
(Oooh, ooh) He was tellin' everyone in town
(Oooh, ooh) All the love that he'd just found
And Marie's the name (oooh) of his latest flame
Yeah, Marie's the name of his latest flame
Oh, Marie's the name of his latest flame
His latest flame

(Oooh, oooh)
(Oooh, oooh)
(Oooh, oooh) his latest flame
(Oooh, oooh) um
(Oooh, oooh) his latest flame
(Oooh, oooh) his latest flame
(Oooh, oooooh)

Olympic Theme
Both Brian and Roger were approached (individually) by Thames Television to produce the theme music for their coverage of the 1988 Olympic Games. However, neither of the pieces were used, as music by Eric Clapton was chosen instead.
Roger's Theme
This track is dominated by drums as you would expect, and sounds like elements from the extended intro to 'Strange Frontier'. It's a very strong track and features John on bass. This track is officially unreleased, however a 2:06 excerpt is available on YouTube and highly recommended. Full length 4:30.
Brian's Theme
This track begins with keyboards, before drums and guitar kick in. It is a very good, fast paced track, and seems as though it would have fitten well as an Olympic theme. The keyboards and drums dominate the track, and most of the guitar work is not very prominent (which could be due to the bad quality). As well as the full version there is a 1:37 excerpt which fades out abruptly. Length 3:30.

Out Of My Life
This track was apparently recorded by Roger for 'Strange Frontier', although reading other sources it seems that it may just be an alternative title for 'I Can't Get You Out Of My Head'

Sleepy Blues
This track is basically Brian singing an idea for a song, intended for 'Back To The Light'. It doesn't feature any instruments at all - Brian sings all parts, including the music, and the few lyrics present are improvised (those given below are only an approximation). The track is a blues song, which sounds quite good but it wouldn't have fitted on the album at all, and whether the track progressed beyond this stage is unknown. The track is also known as 'Drunken Blues'. Length 5:23.
Lyrics & Dialogue:
Right. Now this is a song, some blues, for the session upcoming, dated the 5th of March or something, yeah. Due for some sessions soon for my solo album (unknown dialogue). This is a blues song.

Loving you (ad-libbed lyrics)
Loving you (ad-libbed lyrics)
If you find me anymore
(Ad-libbed lyrics)

(An ad-libbed verse)

You makin' me (ad-libbed lyrics)
I've got the lovin' blues
Yeah, I've been sitting here all night long
You know you can't let go
(Ad-libbed lyrics)

It needs a prize there (???). And then - harmonica solo

Yeah, and I've been rolling all night long
I've been dreaming low
And I've been weeping all night long
Since you've been gone pretty baby
Got you too long
(Ad-libbed lyrics)

Guitar solo

Been dreamin'
I've been weeping all night long
(Rest of lyrics are ad-libbed)

The Green Parade
In 2006, on his website, Brian revealed that he had written a track called 'The Green Parade' which is basically a protest song, set in the future when people have respect for the planet and animals. He wrote it around the time he was producing 'Who Wants To Live Forever' with Ian & Belinda for the BBMDA, and this track was intended as the B-side. Although they recorded a few takes of it, they ran out of time to finish the track, so it remains unreleased. He also quoted part of the lyrics, as listed below.
Lyricss (an excerpt only):
Ooh - does your heart beat faster
Ooh - taste the air we breathe
Ooh - in the tears and the laughter
Marching in the Green,
Marching in the Green
Parade

You Are The Only One
This is a very simple track, recorded in 1985 or 1986, which features just Freddie at a piano, singing a very rough outline for a song. The piano seems to be complete, but Freddie's vocals are mostly ad-libbed apart from a few lyrics. It is a very basic song, and could be intended either as a Freddie solo or Queen track. Length 1:59.
Lyrics:
Um, da, da, da
Da, da, da, da, da, da, da

I'm so sorry
Got my head in the clouds
Do, do, do, do, da, da, da, da
Da, de, da, da, da

You are the only one
You are the only one
Do, do, do, do
Honey our love can be
La, la, la, la, la, la, la
Dee, dah

You are the only one
Do, do, do, do
Do, do, do, do, do, do
Do, do, do, do, do, do, do, do, do

I'm so sorry
I'm so sorry
Do, do, do, do, do, do
Do, do, do, do, do, do, do, do, do
Na, na, na, na, na

You are the only one
Da, da, dee, dah
Do, do, do, do
Honey our love can be
Do, do, do, do, do, do, do
(Freddie coughs)

Other Tracks
These tracks are either only rumoured to exist (and no-one has ever heard them) or the full details of them are available on another page.