Brian May Miscellaneous Live Song Lyrics

This page includes full lyrics to all solo live songs, from concerts where only a few tracks are available, and a couple of tracks which were only ever performed live. All song lengths refer to the length of the song itself, ignoring audience noise and dialogue.

Miscellaneous tracks performed with Kerry Ellis have their own page here.

At least five tracks recorded at the 'Expo '92' concert in Seville, October 1991, were released on the 'Guitar Gods - Volume 1' album in the USA in 2011, but I cannot find an exact tracklisting.

Back To The Light (The Tonight Show, Los Angeles, 1993)
C'mon Baby (1998 live track)
God (The Dream Is Over) (1993 live track)
Hammer To Fall (Paris, 1998)
On My Way Up (Paris, 1998)
Tie Your Mother Down (The Tonight Show, Los Angeles, 1993)
Too Much Love Will Kill You (Pavarotti & Friends concert, Modena, 1992)
Too Much Love Will Kill You (Los Angeles, 1993)


Back To The Light


Performed on 'The Tonight Show' in Los Angeles, USA, on 5 April 1993. Length 3:57.
The CD track includes 50 seconds of TV voiceover build up; this is not included in the above time.
Available on the 'Resurrection' second CD single only. Unlike the other two live tracks included on the 'Resurrection' singles, this was not included on the 2021 deluxe double CD reissue album or boxed set.
Details of the original version can be found on the 'Back To The Light' album page.

Lyrics:
One, two, three, four

Far, far from the light
Hear the night creatures call
With a cold breath they howl
All the hollow hours they're calling you
I'll be there
No matter where you're going to
In the dark I care
I'm holding on, I'm hoping on
It's still the same old me inside

Back to the light
Back to the streets
That are paved with gold
Back to the light
Back to the land
Where the sunshine heals my soul, yeah, yeah

Deep, deep in the night
When the world fills with tears
And the wind blows, colder and colder it grows
And the fire dims with the same old fears
I'll be there
Though maybe you don't hear me baby
I still care
No matter when, I'll still be there
When you make it to the other side
Oooh, and I'm going back

Back to the light
Back to the streets
That are paved with gold, yeah, yeah
Back to the light
Back to the land
Where the sunshine heals my soul, yeah, yeah

On and on
Searching for a clearer view
Winning and losing an inner war
Wonder what we do it for
Though the road seems never ending
Hold on to the hope I'm sending through, yeah

No matter where you're going to
In the dark I care
I'm holding on, believe it
We'll be walking in the light
'Cos they'll be no place left to hide

Back to the light, back to the light
Back to the streets
That are paved with gold, yeah, yeah, yeah
(Back to the light), back to me, yeah, yeah
Back to the land
Sunshine heals my soul
Let me hear you babes
Oooh, oooh, oooh
Alright

C'mon Baby


Performed by Brian in the guise of T.E. Conway on his 'Another World' European, Japanese and Australian tours in 1998.
The track is based on the guitar riff from 'Slow Down', and is a short track which is mostly instrumental.
There seem to be two versions performed, the first at 1:07 is virtually all instrumental with only the single lyric 'C'mon baby' once in the middle of the track, with piano/keyboards replacing the vocals.
The other version at 1:15 has vocals throughout, and is much more guitar oriented. The lyrics below are for this version, as performed on the Japanese tour.

Lyrics:
C'mon baby

(Early on a Monday)
C'mon baby
(Early on a Tuesday)
C'mon baby
(Early on a Wednesday)
(Very early on a Thursday)
(Early on a Friday)
C'mon baby
(Early on a Saturday)
(Never on a Sunday)
C'mon baby

God

(The Dream Is Over)


Performed throughout the 1993 'Back To The Light' tours, this track was dropped from the 'Live At The 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 1970 John Lennon album track about the break up of The Beatles. Brian has changed the lyrics, which probably explains the copyright issues.
It is a simple song, with fairly basic music, and is mostly acoustic, but has a heavier section in the middle (the 'I don't believe' lyrics). The lyrics below are for a version of the track from an unknown date. 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 big time, 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

Hammer To Fall


Performed at Le Reservoir, Paris, France, on 9 June 1998. Length 8:32.
Available on the Japanese only 'Red Special' album.
This track contains both slow and fast versions of the track.
Details of the original version can be found on the 'The Works' album page.

Lyrics:
Brian: OK. I need my dictionary for this, because I want to say something particular. In English it goes 'I would like to dedicate this song to absent friends', that's what we say in England, we say 'to absent friends'. And it's les amis qui ne sont plus avec nous

Here we stand or here we fall
History won't care at all
Make the bed, light the light
Lady Mercy won't be home tonight

You don't waste no time at all, no you don't
Don't hear the bell but you answer the call
Comes to you as to us all
We're just waiting for the hammer to fall, yeah

Oh every night, and every day
A little piece of you is falling away
But lift your face the western way
Ooh, build your muscles as your body decays

Toe your line and play their game
Let the anaesthetic cover it all
Till one day they call your name
We're all gonna know the hammer has to fall

Rich or poor or famous for
Your truth it's all the same (oh no) oh yeah (oh no)
Lock your door but rain is pouring
Through your window pane (oh no) oh no
Baby now your struggle's all in vain, yeah

For he who grew up tall and proud
Ooh, in the shadow of the mushroom cloud
Convinced our voices can't be heard
We just want to scream it louder and louder

(What the hell we fighting for) what we fighting for, fighting for
Just surrender and it won't hurt at all
Just got time to say your prayers
While you're waiting for the hammer to fall

Let me dig it, let me dig it

Ooh, you know the hammer babe
Know we're waiting for the hammer to fall
You know it, you know it, you know it
This time it will fall

Waiting for the hammer to, hammer to, hammer to fall
Ooh, yeah, ooh yeah

Thank you

Thank you very much, bonsoir, merci

Give it to me one more time


Brian: Merci beaucoup, thank you

On My Way Up


Performed at Le Reservoir, Paris, France, on 9 June 1998. Length 7:39.
Available on the Japanese only 'Red Special' album.
Details of the original version can be found on the 'Another World' album page.

Lyrics:
(Introduction by Brian in French)
Brian: ....which is called 'Another World'. We're gonna do a little ambling around

Brian: Yeah

Brian: Yeah, now we feel good. We're gonna sing a song now - soon.


Oooh, ooh
On my way up (oooh)
Can't put me down (oooh)
Business is tough (oooh)
I ain't gonna get pushed around
I'm on my way (oooh)
Gonna take this town (ooh, ooh)
It's gonna be mine all mine
It's my time (ooh, ooh)

I'm on my way (on my way up)
Straight to the top (I'm telling myself)
I'm telling myself (I'm totally sussed)
I'm gonna make it this time around
On my way up, yeah baby
(On my way up) gonna get that rhythm
Positivism to give 'em

I'm on my way through (oooh)
Where I'm going to (oooh)
You wouldn't believe (oooh)
But I'll make it I'm telling you
I'm on a roll (oooh)
Gonna have it all (ooh, ooh)
It's gonna be fine so fine
Baby all of the time (ooh, ooh)

I'm in control (I'm mighty bold)
I'm mighty bold (we're in control)
I'm looking good (I'm totally sussed)
I'm quitting the neighbourhood
On my way up, yeah
(On my way up), yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
All of my life left for livin'

Nobody gonna tell me no
Nobody gonna stop me so
Everybody gonna see me grow
Nobody gonna hold me down
Gotta get to a better place
Gotta wake up, and see your face
Gotta hold on, move on
Go through that wall

It's my life or it's nothing
Our life or it's nothing at all (oooh)
I'm on my way up
Yeah
Oooh, yeah

Oooh-oooh, oooh-oooh
(On my way up) yeah I'm on my way
(I'm telling myself) I'm telling myself
(I'm totally sussed) I'm gonna make it this time around
On my way up, yeah, yes I am
(On my way up) I gotta get that rhythm
(On my way up) gotta make my living, baby
(On my way up, up, up) yeah, yeah, yeah
Got all of my sights set on heaven

Hey, Jamie
Yeah, we like this kinda shit

(On my way up) yeah
(On my way up) yes
(On my way up) oooh, on my way
(On my way up) that's a nice place to be
(On my way up) yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
(On my way up) yeah, yeah, oh yeah
(On my way up) oh baby, oh baby
(On my way up) oh baby, oh baby
Wooh, yes babe, yes babe
Wooh, yes babe

Yeah, I guess we better do a little stopping now
Better do a little stopping now
OK

On my way up, yeah

Tie Your Mother Down


Performed on 'The Tonight Show' in Los Angeles, USA, on 5 April 1993. Length 3:09.
This performance features a guest appearance by Slash.
Available on the 'Resurrection' second CD single and on the 2021 'Back To The Light' deluxe double CD reissue and boxed set.
The 2021 version starts slightly differently, with an audience fade-in, whereas the original started instantly as it segued from 'Back To The Light', although the actual song is the same.
Details of the original version can be found on the 'A Day At The Races' album page.

Lyrics:
Hey, party gown
Get your party gown
Get your heart beating, baby
I got my timing right
I've got my act all tight
It's gotta be tonight my little schoolbabe
Mamma says you don't
Daddy says you don't
I'm boiling up inside
No way I'm gonna lose out this time, oh no

Tie your mother down, yeah, yeah, yeah
Tie your mother down
Lock your daddy out of doors
I don't need him nosing around
Tie your mother down, yeah, yeah, yeah
Tie your mother down
Give me all your love tonight
Please welcome Mr. Slash

Your mummy and your daddy gonna
Plague me till I die
They can't understand it
I'm just a peace loving guy

Tie your mother down
Tie your mother down
Get that big, big, big, big, big, big daddy out of doors
Tie your mother down
Tie your mother down
All your love tonight

All your love tonight
All your love tonight
All your love tonight
All your love tonight

Tonight, yeah

Too Much Love Will Kill You


Performed at the Pavarotti & Friends concert in Modena, Italy, on 27th September 1992. Length 4:18.
The majority of the track seems identical to the album version; the vocals, piano, orchestral parts and strings are identical to normal; it also includes the 'oooh' vocals at the start which were never performed live. There is also a half-verse in Italian, but the vocals seem to fit in too well to the album version, suggesting they were also pre-recorded. However, the end of the track contains new vocals on the last verse, and extra guitar.
This track is available on an album of the show, and is more widely available as a download through iTunes.
Details of the original version can be found on the 'Back To The Light' album page.

Lyrics:
Brian: How you doing? (Brian speaks in Italian) and for all you folks back home too

Oooh, oooh, oooh, oooh

I'm just the pieces of the man I used to be
Too many bitter tears are raining down on me
I'm far away from home
And I've been facing this alone for much too long

I feel like no-one ever told the truth to me
About growing up and what a struggle it would be
In my tangled state of mind
I've been looking back to find where I went wrong

Brian: Hey, it's raining

Too much love will kill you
If you can't make up your mind
Torn between the lover
And the love you leave behind
You're headed for disaster
'Cos you never read the signs
Too much love will kill you - every time

Brian: Pretty

I'm just the shadow of the man I used to be
And it seems like there's no way out of this for me
I used to bring you sunshine
Now all I ever do is bring you down

How would it be if you were standing in my shoes
Can't you see it's impossible to choose
No there's no making sense of it
Every way I go I have to lose


(Two lines of the song in Italian)
It'll drain the power that's in you
Make you plead and scream and crawl
And the pain will make you crazy
You're the victim of your crime
Too much love will kill you - every time

Too much love will kill you
It'll make your life a lie
Yes, too much love will kill you
And you won't understand why
You'd give your life
You'd sell your soul
But here it comes again

Too much love will kill you
In the end
In the end

Too Much Love Will Kill You


Performed at The Palace Theater, Los Angeles, USA, on 6 April 1993. Length 4:30.
Available on the 'Resurrection' 12" and first CD single, and on the 2021 'Back To The Light' deluxe double CD reissue and boxed set.
Two US Promo CD's also include this track, but omit Brian's dialogue from the start.
Details of the original version can be found on the 'Back To The Light' album page.

Lyrics:
Brian: Before we get into this, I'd just like to introduce you to a very old friend and a fantastic keyboard player, Mr Spike Edney

I'm just the pieces of the man I used to be
Too many bitter tears are raining down on me
I'm far away from home
And I've been facing this alone for much too long

I feel like no-one ever told the truth to me
About growing up and what a struggle it would be
In my tangled state of mind
I've been looking back to find where I went wrong

Too much love will kill you
If you can't make up your mind
Torn between the lover
And the love you leave behind
You're headed for disaster
'Cos you never read the signs
Too much love will kill you - every time

I'm just the shadow of the man I used to be
And it seems like there's no way out of this for me
I used to bring you sunshine
Now all I ever do is bring you down

How would it be if you were standing in my shoes
Can't you see it's impossible to choose
No there's no making sense of it
Every way I go I have to lose

Oooh, too much love will kill you
Just as sure as none at all
It'll drain the power that's in you
Make you plead and scream and crawl
And the pain will make you crazy
You're the victim of your crime
Too much love will kill you - every time

Too much love will kill you
It'll make your life a lie
Yes, too much love will kill you
And you won't understand why
You'd give your life
You'd sell your soul
But here it comes again

Too much love will kill you
In the end
In the end


Brian: Thank you, folks