Queen Demos Of Released Tracks (K-P)
This page includes full details of all Queen
demos and early versions of tracks that have subsequently been
released on Queen or Solo projects. It includes genuine demos and
early versions (as far as can be determined), other tracks which
are often claimed to be demos, and also a guide to 'faked demos'
which are known to exist. Details of other demo tracks can be
found on page 1 and page 3, while a separate page contains
details of all BBC Sessions.
The links at the top of this page are grouped according to the
type of recording, whilst the actual details are listed
alphabetically. A brief guide to the various types of recording
is given below.
These pages were generated by collating a number of other
sources, and from my own collection of recordings. Not much
information is known about many of the tracks, so if you can
provide further information or believe there to be any errors or
omissions, please email me.
Amazon MP3 Previews for this page will be displayed when you have chosen your region, if they are available.
Keep Passing The Open
Windows
Keep Yourself Alive
Khashoggi's Ship
Killer Queen
Las Palabras
De Amor (The Words Of Love)
Lazing On A Sunday
Afternoon
Let Me Entertain You
Let Me In (Your Heart
Again)
Let Me Live
Liar
Life Is Real (Song For
Lennon)
Long Away
Lost Opportunity
Love Kills
Love Makin' Love
Machines (or Back To
Humans)
Magic Is Loose
Man Made Paradise
Man On Fire
Mother Love
My Baby Loves Me
My Boy
My Fairy King
My Melancholy Blues
Nevermore
New Dark Ages
Ogre Battle
One Vision
One Year Of Love
Pain Is So Close To
Pleasure
Party
Play The Game
Polar Bear
Procession
Put Out The Fire
Killer Queen
Keep Yourself Alive
Killer Queen
Lazing On A Sunday
Afternoon
Misfire
Mother Love
Mustapha
My Baby Loves Me
My Fairy King
Pain Is So Close To
Pleasure
Put Out The Fire
Keep Yourself Alive
Killer Queen
Las Palabras
De Amor (The Words Of Love)
New York, New York
Keep
Passing The Open Windows
Details of the released version can be found on the 'The Works'
album page.
This demo features Freddie playing the track on the piano, and
improvising/ad-libbing all the vocals. It features the basic
piano melody, and has the same structure as the album version,
but clearly no lyrics (not even the title) have been developed
yet. Some sources suggest it was recorded in 1983. Length 2:46.
This is a great demo recorded in the studio, featuring piano,
bass and drums. The track has a similar structure to the album
version, but the music has a different feel, is more improvised,
and has great bass throughout. Some of Freddie's vocals appear to
be over-dubbed in places, and whilst his verse vocals are
ad-libbed, the chorus lyrics are present. This is one of the best
demos available. Length 4:47.
This is the only life for me
Surround myself in all my own fantasy
Got to be strong and believe in yourself
Forget all the sadness 'cos love is all you need
Just believe
Just keep passing the open windows
Just believe
Just keep passing the open windows
(An ad-libbed verse)
Just keep passing the open windows
Just believe
Just keep passing the open windows
(An ad-libbed verse)
Just believe
Just keep passing the open windows
Just believe, babe
Just keep passing the open windows
This is the only life for me, yeah
Surround myself around my own fantasy (fantasy)
You got to be strong and believe in yourself
Forget all the sadness 'cos love is all you need
All you need
Freddie: Middle eight
Keep Yourself
Alive
Details of the released version can be found on the 'Queen' album page. The
various versions can be identified by the following noises before
and during the drum solo:
Album Version : 'Shake it' before the solo, and 'Ow' during the
solo
Demo Version : Freddie sings something like 'did I' then there
are two screams from Roger
Long Lost Retake : 'Shake it' during the solo
BBC
Session 1 : During the solo, Roger screams 'wow', then
Freddie says 'watch out' and then Roger screams 'ah'
BBC
Session 2 : 'Shake It' before the solo, and during the solo
Freddie sings 'uh' and 'wow'.
This demo begins with an acoustic guitar intro, then a very raw
guitar solo kicks in. Roger's drum solo is also more frantic, and
the whole track has a different feel. In places the guitars are
very different too. It is available on the 'Queen' 2011 double
disc reissue. Length 3:47.
This track was recorded in January 1975 for a potential US
single, which never materialised, and is described by Brian May
as "a complete remake of 'Keep Yourself Alive'. This version
never surfaced anywhere. It contains many new ideas and quirks,
as well as reproductions of some of the old ones". It is a
reworked version, with a new intro, and some different
percussion, vocals and guitar. It has officially been released on
the US remaster of the 'Queen' album, and on the 'A Night At The
Opera' 2011 double disc reissue. An edited version lasting 3:29
also appears on an acetate. Full details are available on the 'Queen'
album page. Length 4:02.
Apparently, in addition to above, there are at least eight
alternate versions of the track, and a completed backing track,
originating from 1972. It is not known how different these are
compared to the eventual album version.
The bootleg 'Golden Demos' claims to have a demo (which is called
'Keep Your Yourselves Alive' on the sleeve) but this has the same
lyrics as the album version. It does have a slightly different
sound but it is only minor. This is most noticeable at the start
when Brian's solo guitar kicks in; the album is a much more
balanced sound whereas here it is much more dominating, probably
the result of tampering with the stereo balance. It also runs
slower (compared to the 3:47 album version). Length 3:53.
I was told a million times of all the people in my way
And how I have to keep on trying just get better every day
But if I crossed a million rivers, and I rode a million miles
Then I'd still be where I started, bread and butter for a smile
Well, I sold a million mirrors in a shop in alley way
But I never saw my face in any window any day
Now they say your folks are telling you to be a superstar
But I tell you just be satisfied and stay right where you are
Keep yourself alive, yeah, keep yourself alive
All you people keep yourself alive
Well I loved a million women in a belladonic haze
And I ate a million dinners brought to me on silver trays
Give me everything I need to feed my body and my soul
And I'll grow a little bigger, then that can be my goal
I was told a million times of all the troubles in my way
How I had to keep on trying and get better every day
But if I crossed a million rivers, and I rode a million miles
Then I'd still be where I started, same as when I'd started
Keep yourself alive, yeah, keep yourself alive
Take you all your time and money
Honey you'll survive
(unknown lyrics)
Roger: Wooh-hoo
(Roger screams)
Oh
Keep yourself alive, keep yourself alive, oh
Take you all your time and money
To keep me satisfied
Do you think you're better every day
No, I just think I'm two steps nearer to my grave, yeah
Keep yourself alive, come on, keep yourself alive
All you people keep yourself alive
Keep yourself alive, yes you've gotta keep yourself alive
All you pretty people keep yourself alive
Keep yourself alive, ooh, keep yourself alive
All you people keep yourself alive
Keep yourself alive, yes, yes, yes
Keep yourself alive
All you people keep yourself alive
Khashoggi's Ship
Details of the released version can be found on the 'The Miracle' album
page.
This is a standalone demo of the track (rather than segueing from
'Party'). Musically it is very similar to the final album
version. However the lyrics are fairly under-developed (although
in places they are the same), and many are multi-tracked or
ad-libbed and so difficult to make out. This demo was recorded in
the same week in November 1988 as the demos for 'Rain Must Fall'
and 'Face It Alone'. Length 3:21.
Who said that my party was all over, huh, huh
I'm in pretty good shape
The best years of my life (unknown lyrics)
Huh, huh, I'm in pretty good shape
I said now
Everybody drank my wine (unknown lyrics)
Then we took a holiday on Khashoggi's ship
(Rest of the verse is undecipherable)
(Entire verse of undecipherable lyrics)
No-one loves my party
No-one loves my party
No-one loves my party
No-one, no-one, no-one loves my party
(Rest of verse is undecipherable)
(Two verses of 'bop, bop, ba, ba, bop' vocals)
Oh yeah
(Undecipherable lyrics)
Party to the left
Party to the right
Play my little game I
Do it all night, all night
Party to the left
Party to the right
Play my little game I
Do it all night, all night
Oh, left, right
Doing it from the middle
Do it all night
Yeah, hey, hey, huh
Left
Right
Left
Right
Right
Left - right
Left - right
Left - right
Ahhhhh
(Unknown lyric) is alright
It's a super glow
I do it on my own
I want a Martini
To left, to the right, to the left, to the right, to the left and
the right
I want to party all over, ah, ah
I want to party all over, huh, huh, huh
Killer Queen
Details of the released version can be found on the 'Sheer Heart Attack'
album page.
This track features one of Freddie's vocal takes, lasting around
40 seconds, eight seconds of the piano intro, then a full take of
the backing track, lasting 2:59, which features Freddie, Roger
and John. The excerpts are very close to the album version, but
are missing some of Freddie's vocals, all the backing vocals, and
all of Brian's guitar, which gives the track a much more basic
feel. The track also has a proper ending rather than a fade out,
followed by a small amount of studio dialogue. Length 4:10,
though it includes a fair bit of silence.
Available on a 7" acetate, this track is identical to the
normal album version but adds around 9 seconds of extra
fingerclicks at the start. As alternate versions or demos go, it
could hardly be less interesting.
This is the full album version, running noticeably faster than
normal, and Brian's additional guitar only really begins on the
'to avoid complications' verse. The track doesn't include any
dialogue at all, and most of the additional guitar is in keeping
with the existing guitar, apart from the outro. Length 2:46.
This track runs slightly slower than normal (the album version
lasts 2:59), and the only noticeable differences are that backing
vocals are lost around the lines 'guaranteed to blow your mind'
and 'absolutely drive you wild'. Length 3:06.
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
Caviar and cigarettes
Well versed in etiquette
Extraordinarily nice
Guaranteed to blow your mind
Ooh, recommended at the price
Insatiable an appetite
Freddie: One, two, three, four, one, two, three
Freddie: One, two, three, four, one, two, three
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
Caviar and cigarettes
Well versed in etiquette
Extraordinarily nice
Guaranteed to blow your mind
Ooh, recommended at the price
Insatiable an appetite
To avoid complications
She never kept the same address
In conversation
She spoke just like a baroness
Met a man from China
Went down to Geisha Minah
Then again incidentally
If you're that way inclined
Perfume came naturally from Paris
For cars she couldn't care less
Fastidious and precise
Guaranteed to blow your mind
Drop of a hat she's as willing as
Playful as a pussy cat
Then momentarily out of action
Temporarily out of gas
To absolutely drive
She's out to get you
Guaranteed to blow your mind
Oooh, recommended at the price
Insatiable an appetite
You wanna try
Roger: Not bad
Freddie: What?
Roger: What's it like Roy?
Las Palabras
De Amor
(The Words Of Love)
Details of the released version can be found on the 'Hot
Space' album page.
This demo is quite similar to normal, but seems a more basic mix.
It also loses the 10 second build-up to the song, replacing it
with a short drum intro, and contains several lyric changes.
Length 4:20.
A different version or mix of the track was apparently pressed
onto a 10" acetate, though how this differs from the album
version or above alternate mix is unknown.
Roger: Three, four
Ah
Oooooh-oooh-ooh, ah, ah, ah, ah
Don't touch me now
Don't hold me now
Don't break the spell darling
I'm begging you
This is the hour
We're waiting for
We'll make one day last a
Lifetime or two
Las palabras de amor
Let me hear the words of love
Despacito mi amor
Love me slow
One foolish world, so many souls
Senselessly hurled through the never ending cold
And all for fear, and all for greed
Speak any tongue but for God's sakes we need
Las palabras de amor
Let me hear the words of love
Despacito mi amor
Let me know, this night and evermore
Ah
Ahh
Brian: Oohh, evermore
Freddie: Ahh, las palabras... de amor
This room is bare
This night is cold
We're far apart and I'm
Growing old
But while we live
We'll meet again
So then my love
We may whisper once more
Now I adore you
Las palabras de amor (las palabras de amor)
Let me hear the words of love
Despacito mi amor
Touch me now, ahhhh
Las palabras de amor
Let us share the words of love
Ooh, evermore
Ooh, evermore
Ooh, evermore
Lazing
On A Sunday Afternoon
Details of the released version can be found on the 'A
Night At The Opera' album page.
This is an earlier mix of the album track, which was either
intended to appear on a US promo cassette, or actually appeared
but was later withdrawn. It is identical to the album version but
one line of backing vocals ('there he goes again') is missing.
Length 1:07.
This track runs slightly slower than normal, and the noticeable
changes are that Freddie's verse vocals are more prominent than
normal, and the 'there he goes again' backing vocals are lost.
These changes are achieved by simply removing the left stereo
channel. Length 1:09.
Let Me
Entertain You
Details of the released version can be found on the 'Jazz' album page.
This version is almost identical to the album version, the only
changes are that it has a 'live' drum track, and an alternative
ending. Where the normal version ends, this track continues with
more undecipherable dialogue, then a singalong chorus of 'we are
the champions, we are the champions, no time for losers 'cos we
are the champions', which extends the track by approximately 19
seconds. Length 3:20.
Let
Me In Your Heart Again
Details of Anita Dobson's released version can be found on the Brian
May Collaborations pages.
This track was written by Brian and originally intended for 'The
Works', and apparently a nearly complete version exists with
Freddie on lead vocals. An early promo cassette of 'The Works'
lists it on the sleeve, as 'Your Heart Again', but the track
later turned up on Anita Dobson's album 'Talking Of Love', which
was produced by Brian and features him on guitar and backing
vocals. Anita's version features some great guitar solos from
Brian, so the Queen version should be a treat.
Let Me Live
Details of the released version can be found on the 'Made In Heaven' album
page.
According to an interview with Freddie, published in the book 'A
Life... In His Own Words', this track originates from 1983 and
features Rod Stewart on vocals. It is believed to have been
recorded in Los Angeles, in September 1983, and also features
Jeff Beck on guitar. It is highly likely that not much was
recorded and/or useable, as only a verse and chorus from Freddie
were used for the 'Made In Heaven' version. An eight second
excerpt appears in the 'The Great Pretender' documentary, with
one line by Freddie and one by Rod. Although it's only a short
excerpt, it shows the song was obviously a duet (rather than
Freddie singing a verse, then Rod the next) and Freddie and Rod's
vocals complement each other well.
This version is quite similar to normal but in places features
additional backing vocals of 'take another little piece of my
heart now baby' etc. This version is available on a US promo
cassette, but the track was changed after a legal action by the
estate of Janis Joplin, because the song was judged to be very
similar to her 1969 song 'Piece Of My Heart'. Some sources state
that the additional vocals are only at the start of the track,
but there are also plenty towards the end. Length 4:46.
Freddie: All I do is give
Rod Stewart: All you do is take
Three, four
Ooooh (take another little piece of my heart now baby) take a
piece of my heart
Ooooh (take another little piece of my soul now baby) take a
piece of my soul
(Take another little piece of my life now baby)
Ooooh, let me live, oh yeah, ooooh
Why don't you take another little piece of my heart
Why don't you take it and break it
And tear it all apart
All I do is give
And all you do is take
Baby why don't you give me
A brand new start
So let me live (so let me live)
Let me live (leave me alone)
Let me live, ooooh, oh baby
And make a brand new start
Why don't you take another little piece of my soul
Why don't you shape it and shake it
'Til your really in control
All you do is take
And all I do is give
All that I'm asking
Is a chance to live
(So let me live) - so let me live
(Leave me alone) - let me live, let me live, yeah
(Why don't you let me make a brand new start)
Yeah, and it's a
Long hard struggle (yeah, yeah)
But you can always depend on me
And if you're ever in trouble - hey
You know where I will be
Why don't you take another little piece of my life
Why don't you twist it and turn it
And cut it like a knife
All you do is live
All I do is die
Why can't we just be friends
Stop livin' a lie
So let me live (so let me live)
Let me live (leave me alone)
Please let me live
(Why don't you live a little), oh yeah baby
(Why don't you give a little love), go for it baby
Let me live
Please let me live
Oh yeah baby, let me live
And make a brand new start
Take another little piece of my heart now baby
Ooooh, let me live (let me live)
Take another little piece of my heart now baby
Ooooh, ooh yeah (let me live)
Take another little piece of my soul now baby
Ooooh, come on (let me live)
Take another little piece of my life now baby
Ooooh, in your heart, oh baby
Take another piece, take another piece, take another piece, take
another piece
Please let me live
Take another piece, take another piece, take another piece, take
another piece
Why don't you take another piece, take another little piece of
my, piece of my heart
Oh yeah baby
Take another little piece of my heart now baby
Make a brand new start, oh baby, baby, baby, baby, baby, baby,
baby please
All you do is take
Let me live
Take another little piece of my heart now baby
Ooooh, let me live
Oh yeah now, yeah now
Let me live
Liar
Details of the released version can be found on the 'Queen' album page. The various versions
can be identified by the following lyrics:
Album version: 'We have lift off'
BBC Session 1 :
'We have lift off, oh yes'
BBC Session 2 :
'Oh, yes, ooh, take it'
Demo Version : 'Pray, keep on, I'm gonna pray, yeah'
This track originates from 1972 and is an instrumental out-take,
which presumably features the band trying to record the backing
track over several takes. As such it is unlikely to feature
Freddie and just comprise guitar, drums, and bass.
This performance is noticeably longer than normal, partly due to
a longer instrumental intro and a longer guitar solo. It has some
different lyrics, Freddie's vocals are rawer, the drums sound
different, and there is additional guitar at various places
throughout the song. It is available on the 'Queen' 2011 double
disc reissue. Length 7:52.
Oh
I have sinned dear father
Father I have sinned
Try and help me father
Won't you let me in
Liar, oh nobody believes me
Liar, why don't you leave me alone
Sire, I have stolen
Stolen many times
Raised my voice in anger
When I know I never should
Liar, oh, why don't you believe me
Liar, why don't you leave me alone
Liar, I have sailed the seas
Liar, from Mars to Mercury
Liar, I have drunk the wine
Liar, time after time
Liar, you're lying to me
Liar, yes, you're lying to me
Darling, please forgive me
You know you'll never leave me
Please will you direct me
In the right way
Liar, liar, liar, liar
Liar, that's what they keep calling me
Liar, oh, every day every night
Liar, all the time, yes
Liar, ooohh, that's what they keep calling me, oooh
Listen
Oh, you gonna listen, yeah
Master I'm gonna be your slave (all day long), yeah
Mama I'm gonna try behave (all day long)
Mama I'm gonna be your slave (all day long)
I'm gonna serve you till your dying day (all day long)
I'm gonna keep you till your dying day (all day long)
I'm gonna serve you till your dying day (all day long)
I'm gonna kneel down by your side and pray (all day long)
All day long (all day long)
All day long (all day long)
All day long, that's what I'm gonna (all day long)
(All day long), all day long
(All day long), all day long
(All day long) by your side and pray
(All day long) by your side and pray
(All day long) ooh, pray
(All day long) ow, pray, keep on
I'm gonna pray, yeah, (unknown lyrics)
Oh, I'm gonna pray
I'm gonna kneel down by your side and pray, oh yes
All day long, all day long, all day long
Liar, liar, why don't they let me in
Liar, liar, why don't they let me in
Liar, now they don't believe me
Liar, no they never believe me, hear
Oh, yes, why don't you, why don't you take me home
Life
Is Real
(Song For Lennon)
Details of the released version can be found on the 'Hot Space'
album page.
This version begins with a cymbal intro and count-in, and is very
similar to normal but the piano seems slightly more prominent.
Lyrically, it is almost identical to the album version, but it
loses the two 'life is real' backing vocals at about 1:35. The
only other change is just before the 'success' verse, where
Freddie sings 'life is real, so real' rather than 'life is real,
oh yeah' which he sings on the album. Length 3:30.
Roger: One, two, three, four
Guilt stains on my pillow
Blood on my terraces
Torsos in my closet
Shadows from my past
Life is real
Life is real
Life is real, so real
Sleeping is my leisure
Waking up in a minefield
Dream is just a pleasure dome
Love is a roulette wheel
Life is real
Life is real
Life is real, so real
Success is my breathing space
I brought it on myself
I will price it
I will cash it
I can take it or leave it
Loneliness is my hiding place
Breastfeeding myself
What more can I say
I have swallowed the bitter pill
I can taste it, I can taste it
Life is real
Life is real
Life is real
Music will be my mistress
Loving like a whore
Lennon is a genius
Living in every pore
Life is real
Life is real
Life is real, so real
Life is cruel
Life is a bitch
Life is real - so real
Life is real
Life is real, yeah
Life is real
Long Away
Details of the released version can be found on the 'A Day At The Races'
album page.
This track was played at one of the fan club conventions, and is
an instrumental take which it is very similar to the album
version. The played version had an early fade out, reducing the
time to 2:48, but presumably a full version without the fade
exists in the vaults.
Lost Opportunity
Details of the released version can be found on the 'Innuendo' album page.
This track is believed to originate during sessions for the 1980
'The Game' album. As with many of the tracks on these pages this
may just be a rumour as nothing has been officially confirmed.
Love Kills
Details of the released version can be found on the Freddie
Mercury Miscellaneous Songs page.
As with 'Man Made Paradise' and 'There Must Be More To Life Than
This', this solo track was originally recorded by Queen, also
presumably intended for 'The Works'. It's possible that Brian's
guitar, Roger's programmed drums, and John's bass all made it
onto Freddie's version.
Love Makin' Love
Details of the released version can be found on the Freddie
Mercury Miscellaneous Songs page.
This track was originally recorded in 1984 as a demo for
Freddie's 'Mr Bad Guy' album, but was ultimately not released
until the 'Solo' boxed set in 2000. The track was later attempted
by Queen during the 'A Kind Of Magic' sessions in 1986, so it is
very likely that one or more demo versions may exist in the
vaults.
Machines
(or Back To Humans)
Details of the released version can be found on the 'The Works'
album page.
This demo is more like an alternative instrumental intro, and
contains various elements which were later present in the song,
but it is quite hard to describe. The track cuts off abruptly at
the end, just as it sounds like it would get more interesting, so
it is possibly an excerpt of a full length demo. Length 1:23.
Magic Is Loose
Details of the released version can be found on the 'Fun
In Space' album page.
This track is rumoured to have been recorded by Queen for 'The
Game' in 1980, but eventually turned up on Roger's 'Fun In Space'
solo album a year later. In an interview Roger stated that he
would have liked to hear Freddie sing the song, which implies
that if it was indeed recorded that Roger was the only vocalist.
Man Made
Paradise
Details of the released version can be found on the 'Mr
Bad Guy' album page, while a possible Freddie demo can be
found on the Freddie
Mercury Unreleased Songs & Demos page.
This solo track from Freddie was originally recorded by Queen in
1982 or 1983 for either 'Hot Space' or 'The Works'. Under a
minute of the track was played at one of the fan club
conventions, but it has yet to be circulated so it is unknown how
close it is to Freddie's solo version, or whether a complete
version exists. A demo or early version of the track appears in
the 'Freddie Mercury - The Untold Story' documentary, but this is
probably a Freddie demo, rather than a Queen one.
Man On Fire
Details of the released version can be found on the 'Strange
Frontier' album page.
This track is believed to have been recorded by Queen during 'The
Works' sessions in 1984, before it was released on Roger's solo
album 'Strange Frontier' the same year. An early promo cassette
for 'The Works' features a very different track listing, which
includes this track. Nothing else is known about the track, or
whether a complete version exists.
Misfire
Details of the released version can be found on the 'Sheer Heart Attack'
album page.
Running slightly slower than normal, this version uses loses the
right stereo channel to make some of Freddie's vocals very faint.
However, it does retain all the choruses, but with a bit more
trickery they could have made a nearly completely instrumental
version, as the verse vocals come through the left channel and
the chorus vocals come through the right. Length 1:54.
Don't you misfire
Fill me up
With the desire
To carry on
Ooh, 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
Come on take a shot
Fire me higher
Don't you miss this time
Please don't misfire
Mother Love
Details of the released version can be found on the 'Made In Heaven' album
page.
This track was originally recorded in 1991, before being
completed and released on 'Made In Heaven'. It has been confirmed
that demos exist featuring Brian and even Roger singing lead
vocals.
This is a bizarre track, obviously derived from the album
version. It has been edited to produce a short instrumental
version, and then adds additional vocals from Freddie, from a
number of different sources, and is probably the worst faked demo
I've ever heard. Length 1:42.
This version is very similar to the normal album version and has
identical vocals to normal from both Freddie and Brian. There are
some additional elements in places, but they have been added in
from other sources, rather than being anything new. Towards the
end of the track, some of Brian's guitar from the 'Eye' version
is included, and as the track fades out there is a new
synthesiser type outro with some badly placed vocals. Altogether
nothing new, quite clumsy in places, and definitely not a genuine
demo. Length 5:52.
Mustapha
Details of the released version can be found on the 'Jazz' album page.
Apparently this 'demo' is lacking the vocal intro and the
majority of Brian's guitar parts. This will almost certainly be a
fake, as this effect can be obtained by removing the right stereo
channel; as a result most of the vocals (apart from 'mustapha')
will be lost during the louder parts of the track.
My Baby Loves Me
Details of the released version can be found on the 'The Miracle' album
page.
This is the original demo and title for 'My Baby Does Me'. This
track is musically almost identical to normal, but has an
additional verse, does not include Brian's guitar solo, and at
the end it originally segued into 'I Guess We're Falling Out'.
The lyrics to the track are very similar to the album version,
just jumbled up rather than different. The track ends suddenly
with 'alright'. Length 3:24.
This version is identical to the above demo, but part of the
final verse is repeated, extending the length to 3:35.
Uh, ooh
My baby, my baby loves
My baby loves, me good
My baby loves
My baby loves
My baby loves me good
Uh-oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
My baby loves me
My baby loves me
My baby loves me
My baby tells me that she cares
My baby tells me she really loves me
She really loves me
My lady
Understands
She understands me right
She understands
She understands
She understands me right
Yeah, yeah, yeah
My baby cares
She really cares
So good, she really knows what's good
She understands me
She understands what's right
She knows what I'm doing day and night, yeah
Really cares
Take it
Uh-oh, ah
My baby loves me
My baby loves me
My baby loves me
My baby tells me that she cares
My baby tells me she really loves me
My baby loves me
My baby loves me
My baby loves me
My baby tells me that she cares
My baby tells me she really loves me
She really loves me
Alright
My Boy
Details of the released version can be found on the Brian
May Miscellaneous Songs page.
This track, which was later released on a multiple artist
compilation album called 'Lullabies With A Difference', is
believed to have been recorded by Brian during the 'Hot Space'
sessions in 1982. Some sources suggest that the released version
is identical to the 1982 version, without any changes, but as the
original version hasn't been circulated it's all guesswork
really.
My Fairy King
Details of the released version can be found on the 'Queen' album page.
It is rumoured that a demo version of the track may exist which
features Freddie alone on piano and vocals. Nothing else about it
is known.
As with most faked demos, this 'demo' runs slower than the normal
4:07, and uses stereo effects to lose certain vocals. The most
noticeable differences are that most of the proper vocals for the
'someone, someone' verse are lost or quieter, and the backing
vocal for 'mother Mercury' is more prominent than normal. Length
4:16.
My Melancholy Blues
Details of the released version can be found on the 'News Of The
World' album page.
Apparently, a demo version of the track, which may feature just
Freddie, was pressed onto an acetate ahead of the album release.
How the track differs to the album version is unknown, since the
rest of the band's contribution to the album track was minimal.
Nevermore
Details of the released version can be found on the 'Queen II' album page.
This instrumental take features Freddie and John, and while it is
similar to the album version, it features an additional verse,
and a couple of slightly different elements from Freddie. It is a
standalone take, which doesn't segue into other tracks. Two
versions appear to be available, a full version, or a 1:14 edit
which starts abruptly into the track. The track contains 7
seconds of music, then 17 seconds of Greg Brooks, before the
track resumes for 1:17. Length 1:42.
New Dark Ages
Details of the released version can be found on the 'Blue
Rock' album page.
This track is believed to have been recorded during Queen
sessions for 'Inneundo' in 1990, before being recorded by The
Cross for their 1991 album 'Blue Rock'. How much truth there is
in this rumour is unknown, but a Queen version of the track could
be outstanding.
New York, New
York
Details of the film version can be found on the 'A Kind Of Magic'
album page.
A 36 second version of this track appears in the film
'Highlander', which prompted long lasting rumours of a complete
recording of the track. However, these rumours have been
officially denied, and it does seem unlikely that a full version
would exist, outside the context of the film.
Ogre Battle
Details of the released version can be found on the 'Queen II' album page.
It is rumoured that Queen recorded this track for their debut
album 'Queen' in 1973. While this is only a rumour, it does seem
plausible given that the track was performed extensively at early
Queen concerts, pre-dating the 'Queen II' version by two years.
One Vision
Details of the released version can be found on the 'A Kind Of Magic' album
page.
The lyrical similarities between this track and 'A Kind Of Magic'
are because the tracks started off as the same song, but were
split into two separate songs during the development process. One
of these early versions, titled 'A Kind Of Vision',
appears on the 'A Kind Of Magic' 2011 double-disc reissue.
This is quite an interesting version which shows how the track
developed. It starts with the slow keyboard section, which was
originally the start of the track, then the main guitar begins.
Musically this is fairly similar to normal, but with a lot more
guitar. Some of the lyrics are present, but some are missing, as
they were taken out of the track during mixing and used
elsewhere. Length 1:44.
This short excerpt features the percussion section from the
track, with very raw chants of 'One Vision' over the top. The
track starts and ends abruptly. Length 0:34.
One vision
One man, one goal, one true religion
One voice, one hope, one real decision
One worldwide vision
One man, one goal, one true religion
One race, one hope, one real decision
One vision
One vision
One vision, hey
One vision
One vision, haa
One vision
One vision, oh yeah
One man, one goal, one true-
One Year Of Love
Details of the released version can be found on the 'A Kind Of Magic'
album page.
Nothing is known about this demo, other than the fact that it was
recorded on 25 January 1986 and may be a piano version of the
track.
Pain
Is So Close To Pleasure
Details of the released version can be found on the 'A Kind Of
Magic' album page.
This track was played at one of the fan club conventions and
apparently features a different vocal take, with some lyric
changes, and extra keyboards in the backing track. However, it
does not appear to have been circulated yet.
This version has been claimed to be a demo, but it is simply the
single remix of the track, and is instantly recognisable because
of the extra percussion and remixing. However, this is not the
full single version as it starts to fade out but then stops,
losing the last six seconds or so of the track. Length 3:48.
Party
Details of the released version can be found on the 'The Miracle' album page.
This is a demo of the track, recorded in November 1988, which
does not segue into 'Khashoggi's Ship' like the album version. It
has been played at fan club conventions, but no copies have been
circulated yet.
Play The Game
Details of the released version can be found on the 'The Game' album page.
This track features Andy Gibb, brother of the Bee Gee's, singing
lead vocals, which is possibly limited to the first verse only.
It was reported in a Queen Fan Club magazine in 1980, and later
confirmed by Mack, but whether it still exists in the vaults is
unknown.
Polar Bear
Details of Smile's released version can be found on the Pre-Queen Songs
page.
This is a Queen recording of the Smile track, recorded at some
time between 1971 and 1973, almost certainly featuring John
Deacon on bass and not Barry Mitchell as some sources suggest.
Musically it is similar to the Smile version, but some parts are
slightly different. Freddie's vocals are more powerful than Tim
Staffell's, and more suited to the track. The lyrics seem more
ad-libbed by Freddie, and in places don't make much sense (such
as the start of the second verse), but still this performance is
much better than the Smile version.
There are at least two recordings of the song available; one is
3:46 in length with an immediate start and a single guitar chord
at the end before an abrupt fade out. The other is 4:29 in total
and has approximately 40 seconds of dialogue at the start, a
slightly longer outro and more guitar chords at the end. Some
sources suggest the short version is 'Take 1' and the longer
version is 'Take 2', but to me they sound identical. In addition
to this, a 1:15 excerpt of the start of the song is also
available. Length 3:46.
Roger: We can't slow down
Freddie: Ha, ha, right, take two
Brian: I'm trying to slow it down
Roger: Well it doesn't need slowing down, it's, God, it's
creeping at the moment
Freddie: Ha, ha, alright, try
(Unknown dialogue in the background, probably from Brian)
Roger: God, it was so slow, and it was getting even slower. You
always try to play this like I've never
Freddie: Take two
Unknown voice: You play the fucking twelve string
Freddie: Take two, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha
(Unknown dialogue in the background, probably from Brian)
Roger: Alright then, all follow you
(Some sort of 'hollering' noise in the background)
Freddie: Right, take two
In a bright shop window sits a polar bear
Makes his eyes light up but I don't see him there
Among the tinsel he gives everyone a smile
See him as you'd see a star
Love her from where you are
He's not for, not for, not for sale
(Unknown lyric) walks a pretty girl
Someone like you've seen or by it's hard to tell
Oooh, and when you see her light seem around the lie
And see her as you'd see a star
Love her from where you are
Not for, not for, not for sale
And when the lights light up
To warn the grasping hand
Minor contentment wears a smile
Ooohhh-wahh
Not for, not for, not for sale
Not for sale
Procession
Details of the released version can be found on the 'Queen II' album page.
This version has a similar structure to the album version, but
the guitars have a noticeably different sound, and the music
which links to 'Father To Son' is missing. There do not seem to
be any significantly different parts, although in places it does
seem to lose elements. If this is a fake, then it a much more
sophisticated one than many of the others. However, the track is
in almost perfect sound quality, which would be unlikely given it
is 31 years old and from an unofficial source. The other
possibility is of course that it isn't Brian playing, or that it
doesn't originate from the 'Queen II' sessions. Length 1:08.
Put Out The Fire
Details of the released version can be found on the 'Hot Space' album page.
This is a genuine mix which was played at one of the Queen Fan
Club conventions. While similar to the album version, it features
some additional percussion from Roger, including extra cymbals
and maracas. The track also appears to be mixed differently, with
Brian's guitar much louder, obscuring the vocals in places. Some
backing vocals also appear to be missing altogether. The track
cuts off abrubtly at the end. Length 2:55.
This 'demo' is a bad quality recording from the 'Live In Japan'
official video. Although it does sound like it could be an early
version, the giveaways are the guitar at the beginning of the
track (from the end of 'Now I'm Here'), and Freddie's ad-libs.
The performance does not feature any audience noise, but neither
does the video. Length 1:00.
They called him a hero
In the land of the free
But he wouldn't shake my hand boy
He disappointed me
So I got my handgun
And I blew him away
That critter was a bad guy
I had to make him pay
You might fear for my reason
I don't care what they say
Look out baby it's the season
For the mad masquerade
Put out the fire
Put out the fire
Put out the fire
Oh, you need a bullet like a whole in the head
Put out the fire
Put out the fire
Put out the fire
Don't believe what your grand-daddy said
She was my lover
It was a shame that she died
But the constitution is right on my side
'Cos I caught my lover in my neighbour's bed
I got retribution, filled 'em all full of lead
I've been told it's the fashion
To let me on the streets again
It's nothing but a crime of passion
And I'm not to blame
Put out the fire
Put out the fire
You need a weapon like a hole in the head
Put out the fire
Put out the fire
And let your sons and your daughters
Sleep sound in their beds
You know a gun never killed nobody
You can ask anyone
People get shot by people
People with guns
Put out the fire, oh yeah
Put out the fire, wow
Put out the fire, come on
You need a gun like a whole in the head
Put out the fire, wow
Put out the fire
Put out the fire
Just tell me that old fashioned gun law
Is -
(Ad-libbed vocals by Freddie)
Yeah
They called him a hero
In the land of the free
I wouldn't shake his hand boy
He disappointed me, yeah
So I got my handgun
And I blew him away
Critter was a bad guy
I had to make him pay
I don't care about reason
I don't care what they say
Look out baby it's the season
Mad masquerade
Put out the fire
Put out the fire
Put out the fire
You need a bullet like a whole in the head