Freddie Mercury Miscellaneous Songs

Freddie Mercury 'Solo'

This page includes details of the various Freddie Mercury demo recordings which were released in the 2000 'Solo' 10CD/2DVD boxed set, and several other tracks which do not appear on his solo albums. Unless specified below, all tracks were written by Freddie.

Details of some of Freddie's tracks recorded and performed with Ibex and Wreckage can be found on the Pre-Queen Songs page.

1984 Demo Tracks:
Gazelle
God Is Heavy
Love Makin' Love
Money Can't Buy Happiness
New York


1987 Demo Tracks:
Holding On
Horns Of Doom
I Can't Dance
It's So You
Keep Smilin'
Yellow Breezes


Other Tracks:
Going Back (1973 Larry Lurex track, on the Pre-Queen Songs page)
Hold On (with Jo Dare)
Have A Nice Day (1987 fan club song)
I Can Hear Music (1973 Larry Lurex track, on the Pre-Queen Songs page)
In My Defence (1986 track from the 'Time' soundtrack album)
Little Freddie Goes To School (2015 track featuring Freddie's vocals)
Love Kills (1984 single from the 'Metropolis' soundtrack album)
The Great Pretender (1987 single)
Time (1986 single from the 'Time' soundtrack album)
Too Late God (a track written with Bob Geldof, on The Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert page)
When This Tired Old Body Wants To Sing (1987 jam)


Unreleased Songs:
(details on the Unreleased Songs & Demos page)
Garden Lodge Improvisations (1987)
Africa By Night (1987/8)
The Music Of The Night AKA Creatures Of The Night (1985/6)
The Phantom Of The Opera (1985/6)
You Are The Only One (1985/6)


Gazelle


Available in the 'Solo' 10CD/2DVD boxed set only, as track 19 on the 'Rarities 1 - The Mr Bad Guy Sessions' CD. Length 1:19.
Recorded at Musicland Studios, Munich, 19 April 1984.

Lyrics:
(Eh dop, eh dop)
(Eh dop, eh dop)
Gazelle (eh dop, eh dop)
You got me running fast (eh dop)
You got me feeling low (eh dop)
You got me running fast
You got me feeling low
Gazelle
Gazelle

God Is Heavy


Available in the 'Solo' 10CD/2DVD boxed set only, as track 22 on the 'Rarities 1 - The Mr Bad Guy Sessions' CD. Length 1:21.
Recorded at Musicland Studios, Munich, January 1984.
Co-produced by Freddie Mercury and Mack.

Lyrics:
God is heavy
God is heavy
God is heavy, God is heavy

(Ad-libbed lyrics)
(Ad-libbed lyrics)
(Ad-libbed lyrics)
(Ad-libbed lyrics)
(Ad-libbed lyrics)
(Ad-libbed lyrics)


God is heavy
God is heavy
God is heavy

(Ad-libbed lyrics)
(Ad-libbed lyrics)
(Ad-libbed lyrics)
(Ad-libbed lyrics)
(Ad-libbed lyrics)
(Ad-libbed lyrics)

Have A Nice Day


Available in the 'Solo' 10CD/2DVD boxed set only, as track 16 on the 'Rarities 3 - Other Sessions' CD. Length 0:42.
Written by Freddie Mercury and Mike Moran.
Engineered and mixed by David Richards.
Recorded at Townhouse Studios, London, 18 April 1987.
This track was recorded by Freddie and Mike Moran as a special message for that year's Queen Fan Club Convention. It features Mike Moran on piano.

Lyrics:
Is everybody happy
Is everybody really feelin' good
I'm sorry I couldn't be there
I'm recording in a studio all night long

So take it easy everyone
And have a nice day
Bye, bye
Yeah

Mike Moran on the piano

Holding On


Available in the 'Solo' 10CD/2DVD boxed set only, as track 11 on the 'Rarities 3 - Other Sessions' CD. Length 4:11.
Produced by Freddie Mercury, Mike Moran and David Richards.
Engineered and Mixed by David Richards.
Recorded at Townhouse Studios, London, 9 March 1987.

Additional Assistance:
Mike Moran (keyboards)
David Richards (drum programming)
Erdal Kizilkay (bass)

Lyrics:
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Ha
Keep doing it
Ha
Yeah, yeah

When I was a little boy and growing up
I, I didn't know myself what's left and right
I'm all pent up
Said holding on
They said, keep, keep holding
Holding, holding on

My mama told me this
She said don't grow up too quickly
She said grow up boy, grow up boy
She said hold on, keep on
Holding on, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Mama told me
That's what she said
Keep holding babe
Holding, holding

Holding on
He stopped holding on
She said to me, she said to me
Keep holding on
I honey, I said I would keep holding
Oooh, oh, oh, ooh, oh

(Ad-libbed lyrics)
Yeah, yeah
Yeah
Ha
Holding
I said keep holding, holding

My big brother told me
He said, I don't need you as a brother, babe
I wanna, I wanna keep holding on
That's what he said
I just keep holding, holding

(Ad-libbed lyrics)
(Ad-libbed lyrics)

Ha
You do that

One more time
I keep holding on, yeah
I just keep holding, holding on
Holding on, key change

Yeah
Holding on, holding on
I just keep holding on, holding on
My mama told me that
I gotta keep holding on, yeah, yeah, ha, ha, ha, yeah
Wooh, oooh, ooh, oh, oh, oh
Ha, ha

Now it's your turn babe
Go, go

(Ad-libbed lyrics)
(Ad-libbed lyrics)
(Ad-libbed lyrics)
(Ad-libbed lyrics)

Yeah, ha

Hang on, what

On

Hold On


Recorded by Freddie Mercury and Jo Dare, 1986. Length 3:37.
Lyrics written by Freddie Mercury, and music written by Mack.
Produced by Freddie Mercury and Mack.
Recorded at Musicland Studios, Munich.
This track was originally featured in the film 'Zabou' and it's soundtrack. It is also available in the 'Solo' 10CD/2DVD boxed set, and on a German 7" single.

Lyrics: (the lyrics in white are joint vocals, those in red are sung by Freddie and those in blue are sung by Jo)
Hold on
Shake hands
Don't let's fight,
yeah
Let's be friends

(Hold on)
we were having fun together
(Shake hands) instead well I find that you are gone
(Don't let's fight) I just wanted to have a free hand
(Let's be friends)

(Hold on)
you know I tried to be a good girl
(Shake hands) then I went and let you down
(Don't let's fight) I can search, should have been the one to play around
(I'm so bad) so bad (so bad) so bad (so bad)

Baby you're really something
You're really something to me
You've got a flame in my heart
We ain't never gonna part
Hey baby, you're something to me

Baby you're really something
You're really something to me

You've got a flame in my heart
We ain't never gonna part
Hey baby,
hey baby, you're something to me

Baby you're really something
You're really something to me
You've got a flame in my heart
We ain't never gonna part
Hey baby, you're something to me


Baby you're really something, oh yeah
You're really something to me

You've got a flame in my heart
We ain't never gonna part
Hey baby, baby, hey baby, baby

Baby you're really something, wow
You're really something to me
You've got a flame in my heart
We ain't never gonna part

Wo baby, wo baby, yeah

Oooh, yeah, you're really something to me,
yeah
You've got a flame in my heart
We ain't never gonna part
Hey baby, you're something to me

Baby you're really, really something
Oh yeah,
yeah, oh yeah
Oooooh

Horns Of Doom


Available in the 'Solo' 10CD/2DVD boxed set only, as track 14 on the 'Rarities 3 - Other Sessions' CD. Length 4:14.
Conceived, engineered and mixed by David Richards.
Recorded at Townhouse Studios, London, 11 February 1987.
This is an instrumental track, and is very different to any other Queen or Freddie recordings.

I Can't Dance


Available in the 'Solo' 10CD/2DVD boxed set only, as track 13 on the 'Rarities 3 - Other Sessions' CD. Length 2:04.
Written by Freddie Mercury and Mike Moran.
Engineered by David Richards.
Mixed by David Richards at Mountain Studios, Montreux, assisted by Kris Fredriksson.
Recorded at Townhouse Studios, London, 17 February 1987.
This track segues into 'Keep Smilin', and features Mike Moran on piano.

Lyrics:
Yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Ooh, ha, ha, ha

You can dance, you can dance
Yeah, we all know you can dance
(No, he can't dance)
(No, he can't dance)
Oooooh, oh, oooh-ooh-oooh

We all know we can't dance
Know we can't dance, we can't dance, yeah, we can't dance
We all know we can't dance (no we can't, we can't dance)
No, no, we can't dance, yeah

No I can't dance, woo hoo, ha, we can't dance
No I can't dance, we can't dance, yeah, yeah, yeah
No I can't dance, no I can't dance, yeah

No, no, no, I can't dance, dance
No I can't dance

No I can't dance
No I can't dance


Freddie: Yeah, I know but I, I, somehow think that er, but it's not, it's, no, but I want them, want them to be

In My Defence


Available in the 'Solo' boxed sets, and in remixed form on 'The Freddie Mercury Album', 'The Great Pretender', 'Lover Of Life, Singer Of Songs' and the 'Messenger Of The Gods' album and boxed set. Written by Dave Clark, David Soames and Jeff Daniels.
This track originally appeared in the musical 'Time', released in April 1986, and was later released as a single on 30 November 1992, reaching no 8.
Apparently, this song features the first vocal take of the track.
Details are also available of the 'Freddie Mercury Video Collection' and 'Lover Of Life, Singer Of Songs' surround sound mix.

Recording and Additional Notes:
Produced by Dave Clark 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 remixed by Ron Nevison
2000 Remix remixed by Dave Clark 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:
1. Original Album Version (3:55) (on the 'Time' album only; this is the original track, which has more prominent bass and orchestral parts than the remixes; it segues from atmospheric music, and includes the narrator saying 'for your destiny calls you' at the very beginning)
2. Original Single Version (3:49) (on 'In My Defence' CD1 only; this is as above, but loses the atmospheric music, dialogue and orchestral intro, beginning with the piano)
3. Solo Collection Version (3:58) (in the 'Solo' 10CD/2DVD boxed set only; this is the same as the above 'Original Single Version', but it includes the full orchestral intro)
4. 1992 Remix (3:52) (on 'The Freddie Mercury Album' and 'The Great Pretender' albums, all singles, and in the 'Solo' 10CD/2DVD boxed set; similar to the original, but with different percussion, more guitar, and loses some of the orchestral instruments)
5. 2000 Remix (3:52) (on the 3CD 'Solo' boxed set, 'Lover Of Life, Singer Of Songs', and the 'Messenger Of The Gods' album and boxed set; similar to the original, but heavier percussion, and loses some of the orchestral parts)
6. Instrumental Version (3:55) (in the 'Solo' 10CD/2DVD boxed set; an instrumental version of the original; has a couple of lead/backing vocals only)
7. 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: (the quotes in red are added to the video version)
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

It's So You


Available in the 'Solo' 10CD/2DVD boxed set only, as track 12 on the 'Rarities 3 - Other Sessions' CD. Length 2:38.
Co-produced and engineered by David Richards.
Mixed by David Richards at Mountain Studios, Montreux, assisted by Kris Fredriksson.
Recorded at Townhouse Studios, London, 3 February 1987.

Lyrics:
It's so you
You're the one that's burning me upside down and up
It's so you
You're the one running hot and cold
Then not showing up
It's so you, it's so you, it's so you, yeah

It's all part of growing up, yeah
Being misinformed and
(unknown lyric)
I fancy something new
It's so you
Confused
So you

You're the one that's been letting me down
All this time baby
It's so you
I won't forget those days, that's right
You let me down
I know it's so you, yeah

Well, now the birds are breaking down
A hundred bells are ringing out
Yes, it's time for me to move (I'd better move out babe)
I'm confused (tell me about it) and that's you, yeah
Yeah, yeah
That's the way you are, that's you, ooh

You know it's true, yeah, hey
It's a part of growing up
Being misinformed and playing cynical
That's time for, it's time for me to move
Yeah
That's so you
That's only you, yeah
Just you, yeah
There's nothin' I can do
Only you, yeah

Keep Smilin'


Available in the 'Solo' 10CD/2DVD boxed set only, as track 13 on the 'Rarities 3 - Other Sessions' CD. Length 1:38.
Written by Freddie Mercury and Mike Moran.
Engineered by David Richards.
Mixed by David Richards at Mountain Studios, Montreux, assisted by Kris Fredriksson.
Recorded at Townhouse Studios, London, 17 February 1987.
This track segues from 'I Can't Dance', and features Mike Moran on piano.

Lyrics:
Yeah
Keep smilin'
Keep smilin'
Keep smilin', yeah
Keep smilin'

All we need is (oooh) a smile on your face
Just a little smile for the big human race
Keep smilin'
Keep smilin'
Take it baby

Woo hoo
Yeah, yeah, yeah, keep smilin'

All we need is a smile on your face
Just a little smile for the big human race
Keep smilin' baby
That's what you gotta do
Hey, smile

Keep smilin'
Keep smilin', come on
Keep smilin', yeah
Keep smilin'
Keep smilin', uh ha
Keep smilin', uh ha
Keep smilin'

Little Freddie Goes To School


Released as a download only single on 7 September 2015 in aid of the Mercury Phoenix Trust. Length 5:22.
The song was composed by Stuart Leathem and features vocals by Esther Trousdale and Freddie. It is credited to 'Freddie Mercury & Stuart Leathem' on iTunes, and 'Stuart Leathem feat. Freddie Mercury and Esther Trousdale' on Amazon.
'Let's go', 'go baby' and 'when this tired old body wants to sing' are all taken from the 1987 late night jam 'When This Tired Old Body Wants To Sing'.
'I love you' is taken from the studio track 'The Golden Boy', recorded in 1987.
'Take it' and 'one, two, three' are taken from the studio track 'Let's Turn It On', recorded in 1984.
The download includes both the single version and the radio edit.

Available Versions:
1. Single Version (5:22)
2. Radio Edit (4:37) (this is identical to the single version, but it makes a number of edits during the instrumental start of the track, reducing the introduction from 1:21 to 0:37; the rest of the track is unchanged)

Lyrics: (the lyrics in white are sung by Esther Trousdale, while the lyrics in red are sung by Freddie)
Oooh, yeah
Oooh

Little guy slipping on your shoes
Brush your teeth, no more time to lose
Comb your hair, keep it in control
Your mother shouts "it's time to rock 'n' roll"

Concealing your nervous energy
Think of all that opportunity
Say goodbye to everything you know
Wave goodbye to everything

When your old tired body wants to sing
I'll soon forget about everything
Oooh, yeah

Now the world can start to see
Your magic capability within your body
Your tired old body


Let's go
When this
When this old tired body
When this old tired body wants to sing
When this
When this old tired body
When this old tired body wants to sing
I love you

Take it


Little Freddie, just a boy at school
Played piano, tear up all the rules
Furious, hammer every key
Sing another crazy song for me

Stand on your feet, make it on your own
Find a crowd, establish your control
Little shapes, like patterns in your mind
Melodies so beautiful entwined

When your old tired body wants to sing
I'll soon forget about everything
Yeah

So sing
Yeah


One, two, three
When this
When this old tired body
When this old tired body wants to sing
Go baby


When this (when this)
When this old tired body (when this old tired body)
When this old tired body wants to sing (when this old tired body wants to sing)

Love Kills


Available in the 'Solo' boxed sets, on 'The Freddie Mercury Album', 'Lover Of Life, Singer Of Songs', and the 'Messenger Of The Gods' album and boxed set. Written by Freddie Mercury and Georgio Moroder.
This track originally appeared in the film 'Metropolis', released in 1984, and was also planned for Queen's 'The Works' album. As such, Freddie's version features Brian, Roger and John. It was later reworked as a ballad and released on the 2014 Queen compilation 'Forever'.
The track was released as a single on 10 September 1984, reaching no 10, and was later extensively remixed, full details can be found on the 'Love Kills' Remixes page.

Recording and Additional Notes:
Produced by Freddie Mercury, Georgio Moroder and Mack
Recorded at Musicland Studios, Munich, Germany
Instrumental version mixed by David Richards at Mountain Studios, assisted by Kris Fredriksson

Available Versions:
1. Film Version (1:50) (in the film only, not on the soundtrack LP; a short segment with a few lyric changes, and slightly different instruments)
2. Single Version (4:28) (on all singles, in the 'Solo' boxed sets, 'The Freddie Mercury Album', 'Lover Of Life, Singer Of Songs', and the 'Messenger Of The Gods' album and boxed set)
3. Argentinian Promo Edit (3:24) (available on an Argentinian 7" promo single only; this is a straight edit, which fades out from 3:08 to 3:24)
4. Extended Version (5:21) (on the 12" single, the 'I Was Born To Love You' double-pack single, in the 'Solo' 10CD/2DVD boxed set, and the 'Now That's What I Call 12" 80s: Remixed' various artists compilation)
5. Instrumental Version (4:24) (in the 'Solo' 10CD/2DVD boxed set; a hybrid of instrumental elements of the album and extended versions, although it is difficult to tell which parts come from where)
6. Menu Edit (1:01) (on the 'The Great Pretender' DVD only, on the 'Bonus Material' menu; a straight edit of the single version, fading out from 0:59 to 1:01)

Lyrics: (the film version contains the first two verses, verse 3 without the 'hey', then verse 2 again with lines 5 and 6 changed to 'Stay with you life time / Just won't let go'; the Argentinian single verison omits the five 'ooh, ooh, oooh' lines at the end; the menu edit includes the first eight lines only)
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

Love Makin' Love


Available in the 'Solo' 10CD/2DVD boxed set as track 21 on the 'Rarities 1 - The Mr Bad Guy Sessions' CD, and also released on CD2 of 'Lover Of Life, Singer Of Songs'. Length 3:35.
Recorded at Musicland Studios, Munich, 9 December 1984.
This track was later worked on by Queen for the 'A Kind Of Magic' album in 1986, but was ultimately not used.

Lyrics:
Yeah
You just say you want out
Take no more of this kind of love

No talk of romance
Takin' chances you can't afford
No more goodbyes
No tellin' lies
Leave all the tension
Leave all the troubles behind

I just love makin' love makin' love
Making love with you, yeah
Love makin' love makin' love
With you
Love makin' love, love makin' love with you
Yes I do

It's love makin' love makin' love
That's all I wanna do, yeah
With you

Don't get into no bad ways
'Cos life goes on
No wedding plans you can't take
The fight goes on
Oh secret love affair
Waiting unawares

(Ad-libbed lyrics)
(Ad-libbed lyrics)


I just love makin' love makin' love
Makin' love with you, girl
I'm tellin' ya
Love makin' love makin' love
Love to you
Yes I do, I do, I do

When the feeling's just right
I can reach you from the stars above, yeah
You know I love makin' love makin' love
That's all I want to do, yeah, wooh ooh

And they say love is blind
It's so hard to find
When you find it you end up just fighting
There's a weight on your shoulder
Rain in your hair
It's someone else who's stealing love
Give me love, don't leave me life, it's a whole
Yes it's time, there's no life, there's no lying

Money Can't Buy Happiness


Available in the 'Solo' 10CD/2DVD boxed set only, as track 20 on the 'Rarities 1 - The Mr Bad Guy Sessions' CD. Length 2:35.
Recorded at Musicland Studios, Munich, 10 February 1984.

Lyrics:
Hey, there seem to be a lot of things going round
Feeling all that bad to be
You can take it any time you wanted to baby
You only want it for me
You can only let my lover see you around
Hey, hey, left me

Hey, you get it all in life
You can belong to me
You see I want love but

Money can't buy happiness
No, no, money, hey, can't buy happiness
I tell ya

You seem to be the only girl left in town
What you doin' tonight?
But when you see that I'm alone in the hall
You own, you own, you tellin' me
But when they tell me you want me now
I don't, I don't, I don't believe it
Ha, you coming on to money
You came to steal my money

Mmmm, money, hey, can't buy happiness
No, no, money can't buy happiness
No, money can't buy happiness
No, money can't buy happiness

Keep a little more money
Can't buy happiness
Yeah, money don't buy
Money don't buy
Money don't give no happiness, no
Money don't buy

New York


Available in the 'Solo' 10CD/2DVD boxed set only, as track 23 on the 'Rarities 1 - The Mr Bad Guy Sessions' CD. Length 2:13.
Recorded at Musicland Studios, Munich, on 6 July 1984.
Details are also available of an unreleased home demo.

Lyrics:
One, two, three, four, one

I didn't get no sleep last night
Had a drink and I got uptight
I fell over

When the sun comes in inside
When the tide comes in I'm alive
I'm all over
So move over

Here I come New York
New York, you're gaining on me
New York, you're just that one step far away
But I'm here to stay

New York, you're (stop) gaining on me
New York, you're just that one step far away
But I'm here to stay
You can't catch me New York

The Great Pretender


Available in the 'Solo' boxed sets, on 'The Freddie Mercury Album', 'Lover Of Life, Singer Of Songs', the 'Messenger Of The Gods' album and boxed sets, and the Queen 'Greatest Hits III' album. Written by Buck Ram.
This track was originally recorded by The Platters, and reached no 5 in September 1956.
It was recorded and released as a one-off single on 23 February 1987, and reached no 4.
Roger Taylor and Peter Straker may provide backing vocals (as they appear in the video).
Details are also available of the 'Freddie Mercury Video Collection' and 'Lover Of Life, Singer Of Songs' single version surround sound mix and extended version surround sound mix.

Recording Notes:
Produced by Freddie Mercury, Mike Moran and David Richards.
Recorded at Townhouse Studios, London, November 1986.
Demo version recorded at an unknown venue, London, 8 November 1986, mixed by Joshua J. Macrae, assisted by Dean Crathern.
Malouf Mix mixed by Brian Malouf, with additional production by Julian Raymond.

Available Versions:
1. Single Version (3:25) (on all singles, 'The Freddie Mercury Album', the 'Solo' boxed sets, 'Lover Of Life, Singer Of Songs', the 'Messenger Of The Gods' album and boxed set, and Queen's 'Greatest Hits III' album)
2. Extended Version (5:51) (on the 12" single and in the 'Solo' 10CD/2DVD boxed set)
3. 1992 Remix / Malouf Mix (3:39) (on the reissue CD single, 'The Great Pretender' album, 'Freddie Mercury Remixes', in the 'Solo' 10CD/2DVD boxed set and 'Lover Of Life, Singer Of Songs'; features some additional guitar, piano, percussion, and other mixing changes)
4. Film Version (3:20) (available in the 1992 film 'Night And The City', and on a US Promo CD; the track runs slightly faster than normal, adds some synthesiser music in places, and a couple of vocal overdubs, but is otherwise similar to the single verison)
5. Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert Insert (1:51) (a short edit; fading in at 0:33, losing 1:16 to 1:51 and 2:42 to 2:47 and ending at 3:03)
6. Instrumental Version (3:25) (in the 'Solo' 10CD/2DVD boxed set; retains a few backing vocals only)
7. Original Demo (3:03) (in the 'Solo' 10CD/2DVD boxed set)
8. 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)
9. Menu Edit 1 (1:02) (on 'The Great Pretender' DVD, when the main menu first loads up; a straight edit of the single version, fading out from 0:59 to 1:02)
10. Menu Edit 2 (1:00) (on 'The Great Pretender' DVD, when the main menu reloads; a straight edit of the single version, from 0:02 to 1:02, fading in until 0:06 and fading out from 0:59)

Lyrics: (the Malouf Mix has the additional words in red, but not those in blue; the menu edits include the first two verses)
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


Available in the 'Solo' boxed sets, on 'Lover Of Life, Singer Of Songs', and in remixed form on 'The Freddie Mercury Album', 'The Great Pretender' and the 'Messenger Of The Gods' album and boxed set. Written by Dave Clark and John Christie.
This track originally appeared in the musical 'Time', released in April 1986, and was also released as a single on 6 May 1986, reaching no 32.
Details are also available of the 'Freddie Mercury Video Collection' and 'Lover Of Life, Singer Of Songs' surround sound mix.

Recording and Additional Notes:
Produced by Dave Clark 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 Clark 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)

Remix Identifiers:
The original version begins with a-capella vocals, with the piano starting at 0:08, and drums at 0:36.
The 1992 remix has an organ at the very start, some guitar at around 0:06, and the drums start at 0:27.
The 2000 remix has piano at the very start, and does not contain any other instruments until the drums come in at around 1:06.

Available Versions:
1. Original Album Version (2:57) (on the 'Time' album only; this is 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. Original Album Version Reprise (0:57) (on the 'Time' album only; this is the rest of the single version, beginning with the sudden noise again; it also has some dubbed audience noise; the download on iTunes is 3:10 long but this includes atmospheric music and narration)
3. Single Version (3:55) (on the singles, in the 'Solo' 10CD/2DVD boxed set, and on 'Lover Of Life, Singer Of Songs')
4. Extended Version (4:35) (on the 12" single and in the 'Solo' 10CD/2DVD boxed set)
5. Instrumental Version (3:20) (on the singles, in the 'Solo' 10CD/2DVD boxed set, and the 'Messenger Of The Gods' album and boxed set; this is an instrumental version of the single version, retaining some lyrics, and omitting the section from 0:28 to 1:02)
6. 1992 Remix (3:48) (on 'The Freddie Mercury Album' and 'The Great Pretender' albums and in the 'Solo' 10CD/2DVD boxed set; similar to the original, but loses the piano, and 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 a couple of sections)
8. 2000 Remix (3:59) (on the 3CD 'Solo' set and the 'Messenger Of The Gods' album and boxed set; very similar to the original version, but loses the percussion from some parts)

Lyrics: (the original album version retains all lyrics upto the two 'time waits for nobody' followed by the four 'time's; the reprise includes the lyrics from these four 'time's onwards)
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

When This Tired Old Body Wants To Sing


Available in the 'Solo' 10CD/2DVD boxed set only, as track 18 on the 'Rarities 2 - The Barcelona Sessions' CD. Length 2:29.
Recorded at Mountain Studios, Montreux, on 22 June 1987.
This was an improvised jam, and as such many of the words are ad-libbed and in-decipherable. It features Mike Moran on piano.
The vocals 'let's go', 'go baby' and 'when this tired old body wants to sing' were later used for the 2015 track 'Little Freddie Goes To School' by Stuart Leathem, featuring Esther Trousdale.

Lyrics:
Go on, again
Play, yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah

(Ad-libbed lyrics)

Where's my girl
(Ad-libbed lyrics)
Hey, yeah
(Ad-libbed lyrics)
(Ad-libbed lyrics)

Let's go, let's go
(Ad-libbed lyrics)
Come on do your bit baby
(Ad-libbed lyrics)

(Ad-libbed lyrics)
(Ad-libbed lyrics)
(Ad-libbed lyrics)

(Ad-libbed lyrics)

Go baby

Freddie: Oh, come and have a sing

When this old tired body wants to sing
And I can't get no luck
I wanna little piece of my
Yeah

I want to forget my way
Would it be my way

I want to go home
I want to go to bed
Take it one step at a time

Yeah, let's fuck off out of here

Yellow Breezes


Available in the 'Solo' 10CD/2DVD boxed set only, as track 15 on the 'Rarities 3 - Other Sessions' CD. Length 5:24.
Written by Freddie Mercury and Mike Moran.
Engineered by David Richards.
Mixed by David Richards at Mountain Studios, Montreux, assisted by Kris Fredriksson.
Recorded at Townhouse Studios, London, on 9 March 1987.

Additional Assistance:
Mike Moran (keyboards)
David Richards (drum programming)
Erdal Kizilkay (bass)

Lyrics:
Yellow breezes keep calling
Everywhere I go
Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha
Muchachos, muchachos
Yeah
Yeah, yeah
They call me, they call me
Everywhere I go

Yellow breeze, yellow breezes
Follow me, yeah
Everywhere I go

Yellow breezes
Come to me, yeah
Everywhere I go
Take it


(Ad-libbed lyrics)

Everywhere I go
Yellow breezes
Follow me, yeah
Everywhere I go
Ha, yeah, everywhere I go, they follow me

They follow me, they follow me, yeah, yeah

(Ad-libbed lyrics)
(Ad-libbed lyrics)
(Ad-libbed lyrics)

Ha, ha, ha
Ha, ha, ha
Ha, ha, ha
Ha, ha
They follow me everywhere, yeah, yeah
Yellow breezes

(Ad-libbed lyrics)
(Ad-libbed lyrics)


Ha
Yellow breezes, you know
They follow me everywhere
Everywhere I go

Yellow breezes
Ha, I know
Everywhere I go
Yellow breezes
They follow, they follow, follow me, hey, hey
Everywhere I go
Take it

Follow me
Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha
Oh, we're gonna take a trip round the world
Everybody gotta follow baby, yeah, you hear me
Yellow breezes
They take you everywhere
So follow, yeah

(Ad-libbed lyrics)
(Ad-libbed lyrics)
(Ad-libbed lyrics)
(Ad-libbed lyrics)


Follow me, follow me
Yellow breezes
Everywhere
Follow, follow
Ha
Everywhere I go

Oooh, hoo
Yeah, yeah, ha
Hey, hey
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, a-ha
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Everywhere I go
Yellow breezes

I can't turn them loose
They follow me everywhere, you know
I can't get them outta my mind
Yellow breezes, yellow breezes, yellow breezes, yeah

I want to come home with you, you know
They tell me, yellow breezes, yellow breezes
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha
Wooh hoo

This rhythm is driving me crazy

(Ad-libbed lyrics)
(Ad-libbed lyrics)
(Ad-libbed lyrics)

Everywhere I go

There's nothin' like it
Oooh, hoo
Okay, we gotta end now boys