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A Kind Of Magic
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Released 2 June 1986, reached no 1, on chart for 63 weeks, achieved 2x Platinum status.
Album length 40:42, 2011 bonus EP length 30:25.

Tracklisting:
1. One Vision
2. A Kind Of Magic
3. One Year Of Love
4. Pain Is So Close To Pleasure
5. Friends Will Be Friends
6. Who Wants To Live Forever
7. Gimme The Prize (Kurgan's Theme)
8. Don't Lose Your Head
9. Princes Of The Universe

Original UK CD Bonus Tracks:
10. A Kind Of 'A Kind Of Magic'
11. Friends Will Be Friends Will Be Friends
12. Forever

Original US CD Bonus Tracks:
10. Forever
11. One Vision (extended version)

2011 Deluxe Edition Bonus EP:
1. A Kind Of Magic (Highlander version)
2. One Vision (single version)
3. Pain Is So Close To Pleasure (single version)
4. Forever
5. A Kind Of Vision (demo, August 1985)
6. One Vision (live version from Wembley Stadium, London, 11 July 1986)
7. Friends Will Be Friends Will Be Friends (CD bonus track)

2011 iTunes LP Bonus Videos:
8. One Vision (extended version promo video)
9. Princes Of The Universe (promo video)
10. A Kind Of Magic (live version from Wembley Stadium, London, 11 July 1986)

Non-Album and Other Tracks:
Blurred Vision
A Dozen Red Roses For My Darling
New York New York
Piano Solo AKA Butterfly
Highlander Trailer Medley

Unreleased Demos:
Friends In Pain
Heaven For Everyone
Love Makin' Love
You Are The Only One

 

Tracks 1, 3, 4, 5 and 9 produced by Queen and Mack, engineered by Mack.
Tracks 2, 6, 7, 8 produced by Queen and David Richards, engineered by David Richards.
Assistant engineering by Croydon
Recorded at Musicland Studios, Munich, Mountain Studios, Montreux and Townhouse Studios, London
November 1985 - April 1986
Mastered at the Townhouse Studios by Kevin Metcalfe

Queen are:
Freddie Mercury - vocals, keyboards
John Deacon - bass guitar, keyboards, occasional guitar
Roger Taylor - drums, occasional vocals, keyboards
Brian May - guitar, occasional vocals, keyboards

Extra Keyboards - Spike Edney
Computer keyboards - UMI & BBC B
Management consultant - Jim Beach
Studio equipment by Chris Taylor and Brian Zellis

Sleeve design by Richard Gray
Front cover illustration by Roger Chiasson
Other original illustration by Roger Chiasson, Mike Smith and Chuck Gamage
Colour by Jenny Robinson
Photography by Peter Hince


2011 Reissue Notes:
This 2011 version has been meticulously re-created using the finest modern analogue and digital technology from the original first-generation master mixes.

Executive producers - Brian May and Roger Taylor
Mastered by Bob Ludwig at Gateway Mastering Studios, Portland, ME
Audio supervised by Justin Shirley-Smith and Kris Fredriksson.
Additional audio restoration by Kris Fredriksson
Special thanks to Greg Brooks and Gary Taylor
Sleeve notes by Greg Brooks and Gary Taylor, with a little help from the band
Bonus material mastered by Adam Ayan, except track 2 by Bob Ludwig, at Gateway Mastering Studios, Portland, Maine, audio restoration by Kris Fredriksson.
Special thanks to Greg Brooks, Gary Taylor, Declan O'Regan, and all at FX Copyroom


See also the 'Highlander' Promo CD, which is a related, but totally different, promotional release

 

Singles:

One Vision
Track 1. Written by Queen, with original ideas from Roger. Length 5:09.
This track was also released as a remixed instrumental track, retitled as 'Blurred Vision'.
The 'Queen Rocks' album features the full album version.
Excerpts from the recording of the track appear on the 'Magic Years - Volume I' video and 'Greatest Video Hits II' DVD, click here for full details.
A mimed performance of the single version (from Montreux, 1986) appears on 'Greatest Video Hits II'.
Click here for details of two early versions, or here for details of the surround sound mix. See also 'A Kind Of Vision', an early demo which features elements from both this track and 'A Kind Of Magic'.
Alternate Versions:
1. Single Version (4:01) (on all singles, the 'A Kind Of Magic' 3" CD single, the 2011 double-disc reissue, 'Greatest Hits II' and 'Absolute Greatest'; features sections 0:11 to 0:19, 0:43 to 1:15 and 1:31 to 4:54, fading out. It also has some remixing, including the removal of the drums over the intro keyboards)
2. Extended Version (6:28) (on the 12" single, the US CD, the 'Queen Rocks' video, 'Greatest Video Hits II', and as a bonus video on the 2011 iTunes LP) (click here for lyrics)
3. 'Just For Fun Version' 1 (0:43) (on the 'Magic Years' volume 1 video; similar music, but completely different lyrics) (click here for lyrics)
4. 'Just For Fun Version' 2 (0:56) (on 'Greatest Video Hits II' only; slightly longer than the above version, with additional lyrics towards the end) (click here for lyrics)
5. Instrumental Version (4:07) (on the 'Greatest Karaoke Hits' CD, DVD and video; an instrumental version of the single version, but with a longer fade out, retaining some backing vocals) (click here for lyrics)
6. Classic Queen Version (4:36) (on the album only; the same as the album version, but loses some of the early intro, starting at 0:11. It continues as the album version but fades out, the same as the single version, by 4:54)
7. Promo Edit (3:46) (only on a US 7" promo single; similar to the single version, but trims more of the intro) (unknown lyrics)
8. Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert Insert (0:58) (an edit of the single version from 1:49 to 2:18, then 3:31 onwards) (click here for lyrics)
9. The Eye Edit (0:31) (similar to the album intro) (click here for lyrics)
10. The Eye Instrumental Edit (2:24) (instrumental version of the single version from approx 1:30 to 3:52, with more prominent bass)
11. 'A Sample Of Magic' Promo Excerpt (0:59) (available on the promo CD only, this is a straight excerpt of the track from approximately 0:32 to 1:31) (click here for lyrics)
12. 'Eight Good Reasons To Buy 'Greatest Hits II'' Promo Edit (0:40) (on the promo cassette only, seguing from 'I Want It All' and into 'The Show Must Go On', containing the sections from approximately 0:40 to 1:03 and then 1:35 to 1:51) (click here for lyrics)
Queen Live Versions:
1. Live At Wembley, First Night (5:45) (recorded at Wembley Stadium, London, on 11 July 1986; available on the 2011 DVD) (click here for lyrics)
2. Live At Wembley, First Night Edit (5:10) (available on the 'A Kind Of Magic' 2011 double-disc reissue; an edit of the above version, fading out from around 4:57 to 5:10) (click here for lyrics)
3. Live At Wembley, Second Night (5:47) (recorded at Wembley Stadium, London, on 12 July 1986) (click here for lyrics)
4. Live At Wembley, Second Night Excerpt 1 (0:25) (on the 'Live At Wembley Stadium' 2003 DVD song selection screen; an edit of the above version from 1:17 to 1:42) (click here for lyrics)
5. Live At Wembley, Second Night Excerpt 2 (1:00) (on the 'Live At Wembley Stadium' 2003 DVD 'Queen Cam' Brian screen; an edit of the above live version from 1:15 to 2:15) (click here for lyrics)
6. Live At Wembley, Second Night Edit 1 (5:11) (available on the 'Queen Rocks Volume 4' US Promo CD only; an edit of the above version, fading out just after the 'fried chicken' lyric) (click here for lyrics)
7. Live At Wembley, Second Night Edit 2 (4:10) (available as a streaming video as part of the 'Absolute Greatest' release; an edit of the above version from around 0:48 to 4:58, fading in later and ending suddenly after 'fried chicken') (click here for lyrics)
8. Live In Budapest (5:15) (recorded in Budapest, Hungary, on 27 July 1986) (click here for lyrics)
9. Live Magic (5:08) (recorded at Knebworth Park, England, on 9 August 1986) (click here for lyrics)
Queen + Paul Rodgers Live Versions:
1. Live In Ukraine (3:03) (recorded in Kharkov, Ukraine, on 12 September 2008) (click here for lyrics)
2. Official Download, Riga 2008 (3:04) (recorded in Riga, Latvia, on 19 September 2008) (click here for lyrics)
'We Will Rock You' Musical Tracks:
1. London Cast Recording (3:53) (click here for lyrics)
2. Spanish Cast Recording (3:47)
Lyrics: (the lyrics in red are missing from the single version. The 'Classic Queen' version omits the first two lines, and also the lyrics in red at the end. Click here for the lyrics to the Just For Fun versions)
(Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah) yeah it's a
(undecipherable distorted lyrics)
(God works in mysterious ways) yeah it's a
(Mysterious ways) yeah it's a
(undecipherable distorted lyrics) yeah it's a
(undecipherable distorted lyrics)
(undecipherable distorted lyrics) yeah it's a
(undecipherable distorted lyrics)
I
(undecipherable distorted lyrics)

Hey
One man, one goal
Hah, one mission
One heart, one soul
Just one solution
One flash of light
Yeah one God one vision
One flesh, one bone, one true religion
One voice, one hope, one real decision
Woh-woh-woh-woh-woh-woh, gimme one vision, yeah

No wrong and no right
I'm gonna tell you there's no black and no white
No blood and no stain
All we need is one world wide vision
One flesh, one bone, one true religion
One race, one hope, one real decision
Woh-woh-woh-woh-woh-woh, yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah

I had a dream when I was young
A dream of sweet illusion
A glimpse of hope and unity
And visions of one sweet union
But a cold wind blows
And a dark rain falls
And in my heart it shows
Look what they've done to my dream
Yeah
One vision

So give me your hands
Give me your hearts
I'm ready
There's only one direction
One world and one nation
Yeah, one vision

No hate, no fight, just excitation
All through the night it's a celebration
Woh-woh-woh-woh-woh-woh, yeah

One, one, one, one, one, one, one

One vision, hey
Hey, one vision
(God works in mysterious ways)
One vision
One vision, hey, gimme
One vision

One flesh, one bone, one true religion
One voice, one hope, one real decision
Gimme one night, yeah
Gimme one hope, hey
Just gimme
One man, one man
One bar, one day
One day, hey, hey
Just gimme, gimme, gimme, gimme
Fried chicken
Vision, vision, vision, vision, vision

Yeah it's a
(God works in mysterious ways)
(Mysterious ways)
Yeah it's a

Lyrics For 'Just For Fun' versions: (the 'Magic Years' version loses the lyrics in red)
One man, one goal, one true religion
One dump, one turd to fit John Deacon
Yeah, yeah-yeah-yeah-yeah-yeah
Chicken feed baby

One heart, one soul, one sex position
One flash, one light
One God, that one religion
One shrimp, one prawn, one clam, one chicken
Brian: Sorry, censored
Yeah, yeah-yeah-yeah-yeah-yeah-yeah-yeah-yeah-yeah, yeah
One man, one goal, one v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-vision

A Kind Of Magic
Track 2. Written by Roger Taylor. Length 4:24.
The extended version was later edited and retitled as 'A Kind Of 'A Kind Of Magic'' and appears on the UK CD album.
A mimed performance (from Montreux, 1986) appears on 'Greatest Video Hits II'.
Click here for details of the surround sound mix. See also 'A Kind Of Vision', an early demo which features elements from both this track and 'One Vision'.
Alternate Versions:
1. Highlander Version (4:18) (on the 2011 double-disc reissue only; this is the full version of the track with 'magic noises' at the start, and a lengthy instrumental outro; it is a much heavier version of the track, before Freddie turned it into a 'pop' song) (click here for lyrics)
2. Highlander Version Edit 1 (3:08) (only in the film 'Highlander', over the end credits, this is a shorter edit of the full version) (click here for lyrics)
3. Highlander Version Edit 2 (4:08) (on the 'Live At Wembley Stadium' 2003 DVD, on the picture gallery; an edit of the full version, fading out around 11 seconds earlier at the end) (click here for lyrics)
4. Extended Version (6:23) (on the 12" single and the '12" Collection' boxed-set only album) (click here for lyrics)
5. Extended Version Edit (3:36) (on the UK CD album only, retitled as 'A Kind Of A Kind Of Magic'; this is the same as the above version but starts at 2:48) (click here for lyrics)
6. Album Version Edit (4:10) (on the 'Greatest Karaoke Hits' DVD only; this is an edit which fades out earlier)
7. Instrumental Version (4:13) (on the 'Greatest Karaoke Hits' CD, DVD and video; this adds four fingerclicks at the start, but fades out earlier, retaining some backing vocals) (click here for lyrics)
8. Greatest Hits II Edit (4:21) (a slight edit, which fades out from around 4:09 onwards)
9. The Eye Instrumental (4:23) (an instrumental version with fewer lyrics than the above version, and heavier feel) (click here for lyrics)
10. Menu Edit (1:38) (on the 'Highlander - The Immortal Edition' DVD; the same as the Highlander Version, fading from 1:28 onwards; used on the 'extras' menu within the DVD)
11. The Eye Vocal Sample (0:03) (a sample of Freddie saying 'Ha, ha, ha, ha, it's magic')
12. The Eye Excerpt (0:22) (only available within the game; a short edit of the album version from 0:09 to 0:32) (click here for lyrics)
13. The Eye Excerpt (0:10) (only available within the game; a short edit of the album version from 0:23 to 0:33) (click here for lyrics)
14. 'Greatest Video Hits II' Menu Edit 1 (0:56) (on the main menu of both discs; a selection of 'magic' sound effects from the original track; includes only the lyrics 'magic, magic, magic, gimme kind, magic)
15. 'Greatest Video Hits II' Menu Edit 2 (1:00) (on the first song selection screen; seems to be the above menu edit, but features very short excerpts and sound effects from the first nine tracks on the set; additional lyrics are 'radio' and 'I want, I want, I want, I want to break free')
16. 'Greatest Video Hits II' Menu Edit 3 (1:00) (on the second song selection screen; seems to be the above menu edit, but features very short excerpts and sound effects from the rest of the tracks on the set; additional lyrics are 'you don't waste no time at all', and 'one, one, one, one, one, one, one')
17. 'A Sample Of Magic' Promo Excerpt (1:04) (available on the promo CD only, this is a straight excerpt of the track from the start to approximately 1:05) (click here for lyrics)
18. 'Eight Good Reasons To Buy 'Greatest Hits II'' Promo Edit (0:58) (on the promo cassette only, seguing into 'Radio Ga Ga', containing the sections from the start to 0:40 and then 1:17 to 1:37) (click here for lyrics)
Queen Live Versions:
1. Magic Tour Rehearsal (1:52) (recorded at rehearsals in May/June 1986; on the 'Live At Wembley Stadium' 2003 and 2011 DVD, this is only the end of the song) (click here for lyrics)
2. Live At Wembley, First Night (6:46) (recorded at Wembley Stadium, London, on 11 July 1986; available on the 2003 and 2011 DVD's, the 2003 US CD reissue, and as a bonus video on the 2011 iTunes LP) (click here for lyrics)
3. Live At Wembley, Second Night (6:21) (recorded at Wembley Stadium, London, on 12 July 1986) (click here for lyrics)
4. Live At Wembley, Second Night Edit (5:32) (on the video only, this version fades in after 0:49) (click here for lyrics)
5. Live At Wembley, Second Night Excerpt 1 (0:25) (on the 'Live At Wembley Stadium' 2003 DVD song selection screen; an edit of the above version from 1:35 to 2:00) (click here for lyrics)
6. Live At Wembley, Second Night Excerpt 2 (1:03) (on the 'Live At Wembley Stadium' 2003 DVD main menus; an edit of the above version from 0:41 to 1:44) (click here for lyrics)
7. Live At Wembley, Second Night Excerpt 3 (0:12) (on the 'Live At Wembley Stadium' 2011 DVD when the DVD's first load; an instrumental edit of the above version from 0:28 to 0:40)
8. Live At Wembley, Second Night Excerpt 4 (0:32) (on the 'Live At Wembley Stadium' 2011 DVD when you first enter the main menus; an edit of the above version from 0:51 to 1:23) (click here for lyrics)
9. Live At Wembley, Second Night Excerpt 5 (0:29) (on the 'Live At Wembley Stadium' 2011 DVD when the main menus repeat; an edit of the above version from 1:21 to 1:50) (click here for lyrics)
10. Live At Wembley, Second Night Excerpt 6 (0:02) (on the 'Live At Wembley Stadium' 2011 DVD main menus when you press play; an edit of the above version from 4:30 to 4:32) (click here for lyrics)
11. Live At Wembley, Second Night Excerpt 7 (0:02) (on the 'Live At Wembley Stadium' 2011 DVD main menus when you press song select; an edit of the above version from 3:04 to 3:06) (click here for lyrics)
12. Live At Wembley, Second Night Excerpt 8 (0:03) (on the 'Live At Wembley Stadium' 2011 DVD main menus when you press audio and subtitles; an instrumental edit of the above version from 6:17 to 6:20)
13. Live At Wembley, Second Night Excerpt 9 (0:28) (on the 'Live At Wembley Stadium' 2011 DVD on the first song selection screens; an edit of the above version from 1:06 to 1:35) (click here for lyrics)
14. Live At Wembley, Second Night Excerpt 10 (0:29) (on the 'Live At Wembley Stadium' 2011 DVD on the second song selection screens; an edit of the above version from 1:36 to 2:06) (click here for lyrics)
15. Live At Wembley, Second Night Excerpt 11 (0:30) (on the 'Live At Wembley Stadium' 2011 DVD on the third song selection screens; an edit of the above version from 2:04 to 2:34) (click here for lyrics)
16. Live At Wembley, Second Night Excerpt 12 (0:30) (on the 'Live At Wembley Stadium' 2011 DVD on the fourth song selection screens; an edit of the above version from 2:29 to 2:59) (click here for lyrics)
17. Live At Wembley, Second Night Excerpt 13 (0:29) (on the 'Live At Wembley Stadium' 2011 DVD subtitle menu on disc 1 and audio menu on disc 2; an edit of the above version from 4:39 to 5:08) (click here for lyrics)
18. Live At Wembley, Second Night Excerpt 14 (0:32) (on the 'Live At Wembley Stadium' 2011 DVD extra menu on disc 2; an edit of the above version from 4:03 to 4:35) (click here for lyrics)
19. Live In Budapest (6:06) (recorded in Budapest, Hungary, on 27 July 1986) (click here for lyrics)
20. Live Magic (5:24) (contains elements from the Budapest show on 27 July, and Knebworth on 9 August, available on the 'Live Magic' CD only) (click here for lyrics)
21. Live Magic Edit (4:41) (on the 'Live Magic' UK LP, UK Cassette, Japanese original CD and Japanese 1994 CD only; this is as above, but loses the section from 3:50 to 4:33) (click here for lyrics)
Queen + Paul Rodgers Live Versions:
1. Official Download, Antwerp 2005 (5:45) (recorded in Antwerp, Belgium, on 20 April 2005) (click here for lyrics)
2. Official Download, Birmingham 2005 (5:40) (recorded in Birmingham, England, on 6 May 2005) (click here for lyrics)
3. Return Of The Champions (6:00) (recorded in Sheffield, England, on 9 May 2005) (click here for lyrics)
4. Super Live In Japan (6:26) (recorded in Tokyo, Japan, on 27 October 2005; not released on the Highlights CD/DVD) (click here for lyrics)
5. Live In Ukraine (5:31) (recorded in Kharkov, Ukraine, on 12 September 2008; only available as part of the Amazon download) (click here for lyrics)
6. Official Download, Moscow 2008 (5:44) (recorded in Moscow, Russia, on 16 September 2008) (click here for lyrics)
7. Official Download, Hamburg 2008 (4:36) (recorded in Hamburg, Germany, on 5 October 2008; lead vocals by Roger Taylor) (click here for lyrics)
8. Official Download, Murcia 2008 (4:58) (recorded in Murcia, Spain, on 24 October 2008; lead vocals by Roger Taylor) (click here for lyrics)
9. Official Download, Vienna 2008 (4:59) (recorded in Vienna, Austria, on 1 November 2008; lead vocals by Roger Taylor) (click here for lyrics)
Roger Taylor Versions:
1. Mick Ronson Memorial Concert (unknown length) (recorded at the Hammersmith Odeon, London, on 29 April 1994)
'We Will Rock You' Musical Tracks:
1. London Cast Recording (3:27) (click here for lyrics)
2. Spanish Cast Recording (3:23)
Lyrics: (click here for the lyrics to the Highlander versions)
It's a kind of magic
It's a kind of magic
A kind of magic (reversed lyric: 'Of what should be')

One dream, one soul, one prize, one goal
One golden glance of what should be
It's a kind of magic
One shaft of light that shows the way
No mortal man can win this day
It's a kind of magic
The bell that rings inside your mind
Is challenging the doors of time
It's a kind of magic
The waiting seems eternity
The day will dawn (ahhh) of sanity
(Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooooh)
Is this a kind of magic
It's a kind of magic
There can be only one
This rage that lasts a thousand years
Will soon be done

This flame that burns inside of me
I'm hearing secret harmonies
It's a kind of magic
The bell that rings inside your mind
Is challenging the doors of time

It's a kind of magic
It's a kind of magic

This rage that lasts a thousand years
Will soon be, will soon be, will soon be done

This is a kind of magic
There can be only one (one, one, one)
This rage that lasts a thousand years
Will soon be done
Done

Magic
It's a kind of magic
It's a kind of magic
Magic, magic, magic, magic
Magic
Ha, ha, ha, ha, it's magic

Ha, ha
Yeah, yeah
Wow

It's a kind of magic

Highlander Version Lyrics (the 'Menu Edit' features only the first two verses)
One dream, one soul, one prize, one goal
One golden glance of what should be
(It's no good)
One shaft of light that shows the way
No mortal man can win this day

The waiting seems eternity
The day will dawn of sanity
Is this a kind of magic
There can be only one
This rage that lasts a thousand years
Will soon be done

This flame that burns inside of me
I'm hearing secret harmonies
The bell that rings inside your mind
Is challenging the doors of time

The waiting seems eternity
The day will dawn (ahhh) of sanity
(Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooooh)
This is (this is) a kind (a kind) of magic
There can be only one
This rage that lasts a thousand years
Will soon be, will soon be, will soon be done
This is a kind of magic
A kind of magic

One Year Of Love
Track 3. Written by John Deacon. Length 4:27.
Additional Assistance:
Lynton Naiff (strings arrangement)
Steve Gregory (saxophone)
Alternate Versions:
1. Highlander Version (1:44) (only in the film 'Highlander'; an edit, retaining some lyrics. This is similar to the album version but the saxophone is different, as is some orchestral music)
2. Extended Version (6:37) (only on the 'Highlander Immortal Edition' companion CD in the USA only; extended with many more instrumental and orchestral sections, and the verses are rearranged) (click here for lyrics)
3. Promo Edit (3:46) (on a US 1992 promo CD only; this is identical to the album version but loses a large part of the instrumental outro, from around 3:39 to 4:17)
Lyrics: (the Highlander version only has the lyrics in red)
Just one year of love
Is better than a lifetime alone
One sentimental moment in your arms
Is like a shooting star right through my heart
It's always a rainy day without you
I'm a prisoner of love inside you
I'm falling apart all around you, yeah

My heart cries out to your heart
I'm lonely but you can save me
My hand reaches out for your hand
I'm cold but you light the fire in me
My lips search for your lips
I'm hungry for your touch
There's so much left unspoken
And all I can do is surrender
To the moment, just surrender

And no-one ever told me that love would hurt so much (oooh, yes it hurts)
And pain is so close to pleasure
And all I can do (oooh, oooh, oooh-oooh) is surrender
To your love (oooh, oooh, oooh-oooh) just surrender to your love

Just one year of love
Is better than a lifetime alone
One sentimental moment in your arms
Is like a shooting star right through my heart
It's always a rainy day without you
I'm a prisoner of love inside you
I'm falling apart all around you
And all I can do is surrender

Pain Is So Close To Pleasure
Track 4. Written by Freddie Mercury and John Deacon. Length 4:21.
Alternate Versions:
1. Single Remix (3:58) (on the 2011 double-disc reissue, in the 'Queen Singles Collection 3' boxed set, and presumably on all singles; it has a different intro, and loses some instrumental sections (including 1:32 to 1:49); it is also slightly faster, and has a much punchier feel)
2. Extended Version (5:57) (on the 12" single and the '12' Collection' boxed-set only album) (click here for lyrics)
Lyrics: (the single remix has the additional lyrics in red but not those in blue)
Pain - pleasure
Pain - pleasure
Pain - pleasure
Pain - pleasure

Ooh, ooh, pain is so close to pleasure, oh yeah
Sunshine and rainy weather go hand in hand together all your life
Ooh, ooh, pain is so close to pleasure, everybody knows
One day we love each other then we're fighting one another all the time (oooh, ooh-ooh-oooh, ooh-ooh-oooh)

When I was young and just getting started
And people talked to me they sounded broken hearted
Then I grew up and got my imagination
And all I wanted was to start a new relation
So in love but love had a bad reaction (ooooh, oooh-ooh-ooh)
I was looking for some good old satisfaction
But pain is all I got when all I needed was some love and affection

Ooh, ooh, pain is so close to pleasure, yeah, yeah
Sunshine and rainy weather go hand in hand together all your life
Pain and pleasure
Oooh, ooh-ooh-oooh, ooh-ooh-oooh
Pain and pleasure

When your plans go wrong and you turn out the light
But inside of your mind you put out all fire
Where are the answers that we're all searching for
There's nothing in this world to be sure of any more
Some days you're feeling good, some days you're feeling bad
But if you're feeling happy someone else is always sad
Let the sweetness of love wipe the tears from your face (oooooh)
For better for worse, so let's make the best of the rest of our years

Ooh, ooh, pain is so close to pleasure, I told you so
Sunshine and rainy weather go hand in hand together all your life
Pain and pleasure

Ooh, ooh, pain is so close to pleasure, yeah, yeah
Sunshine and rainy weather go hand in hand together all your life
All your life

Ooh-ooh-oooh
Pain - pleasure
Pain - pleasure
Pain - pleasure
Pain - pleasure

Friends Will Be Friends
Track 5. Written by Freddie Mercury and John Deacon. Length 4:07.
The extended version was later edited and retitled as 'Friends Will Be Friends Will Be Friends' and appears on the UK CD album and 2011 double-disc reissue.
The drums at the very end of the video on 'Greatest Video Hits II' are slightly different to that on 'Greatest Flix II'.
A mimed performance (from Montreux, 1986) appears on 'Greatest Video Hits II'.
Click here for details of the surround sound mix.
Alternate Versions:
1. Extended Version (6:13) (on the 12" single only) (click here for lyrics)
2. Extended Version Edit (5:57) (on the UK CD album and the 2011 double-disc reissue, retitled as 'Friends Will Be Friends Will Be Friends'; this is the same as above, but with the section from 3:53 to 4:15 edited out) (click here for lyrics)
3. Video Version (4:15) (on 'Greatest Flix II' and 'Greatest Video Hits II'; same as the album version, but features the audience singing, and an additional chorus sung by the audience; the 'Greatest Video Hits II' version contains slightly more audience noise, adding a couple of seconds to the length)
4. Instrumental Version (4:15) (on the 'Greatest Karaoke Hits' CD, DVD and video, and also 'Greatest Video Hits II' disc 2, on the 'A Kind Of Magic' menu; an instrumental version of the video version, retaining some backing vocals) (click here for lyrics)
5. Album Version Instrumental (4:07) (on the Korean 'Greatest Karaoke Hits' CD only; apparently this is an instrumental version of the album version, retaining some backing vocals) (click here for lyrics)
6. 'A Sample Of Magic' Promo Excerpt (0:55) (available on the promo CD only, this is a straight excerpt of the track from the start to approximately 0:55) (click here for lyrics)
Live Versions:
1. Live At Wembley, First Night (2:02) (recorded at Wembley Stadium, London, on 11 July 1986; available on the 2011 DVD only) (click here for lyrics)
2. Live At Wembley, Second Night (2:02) (recorded at Wembley Stadium, London, on 12 July 1986) (click here for lyrics)
3. Live At Wembley, Second Night Excerpt 1 (0:25) (on the 'Live At Wembley Stadium' 2003 DVD song selection screen; an edit of the above version from 0:58 to 1:23) (click here for lyrics)
4. Live At Wembley, Second Night Excerpt 2 (1:00) (on the 'Live At Wembley Stadium' 2003 DVD 'Queen Cam' menu; an edit of the above version from 0:01 to 1:01) (click here for lyrics)
5. Live In Budapest (1:55) (recorded in Budapest, Hungary, on 27 July 1986) (click here for lyrics)
6. Live Magic (1:07) (recorded at Knebworth Park, England, on 9 August 1986) (click here for lyrics)
Lyrics:
Another red letter day
So the pound has dropped and the children are creating
The other half ran away
Taking all the cash and leaving you with the lumber
Got a pain in the chest
Doctors on strike what you need is a rest

It's not easy love, but you've got friends you can trust
Friends will be friends
When you're in need of love they give you care and attention
Friends will be friends
When you're through with life and all hope is lost
Hold out your hand 'cos friends will be friends
Right till the end

Now it's a beautiful day
The postman delivered a letter from your lover
Only a phone call away
You tried to track him down but somebody stole his number
As a matter of fact
You're getting used to life without him in your way

It's so easy now, 'cos you got friends you can trust
Friends will be friends
When you're in need of love they give you care and attention
Friends will be friends
When you're through with life and all hope is lost
Hold out your hand 'cos friends will be friends
Right till the end

It's so easy now, 'cos you got friends you can trust
Friends will be friends
When you're in need of love they give you care and attention
Friends will be friends
When you're through with life and all hope is lost
Hold out your hand, friends will be friends
Right till the end

Friends will be friends
When you're in need of love they give you care and attention
Friends will be friends
When you're through with life and all hope is lost
Hold out your hand 'cos right till the end
Friends will be friends, yeah, yeah

Additional Lyrics at end of the video version:
Friends will be friends
Friends will be friends
When you're through with life and all hope is lost
Hold out your hand 'cos friends will be friends
Right till the end

Who Wants To Live Forever
Track 6. Written by Brian May. Length 5:14.
Brian May sings the first verse and some other lead vocals.
It also features the National Philharmonic Orchestra, arranged by Michael Kamen and Brian May, and recorded by Eric Thomlinson at Abbey Road Studios.
This track is also available as a piano version called 'Forever', which appears on the 'Highlander' promo CD, labelled as a demo.
The 'Classic Queen' album contains the full album version, while 'Greatest Hits II' and 'Absolute Greatest' contain an edit.
This track was later recorded by Ian & Belinda featuring Brian, Roger and John, and as a duet by Jennifer Rush and Brian May.
Click here for details of various demos, or here for details of the surround sound mix.
Standard Alternate Versions:
1. Single Version (4:01) (on all singles, the 'Queen Singles Collection 3' boxed set, 'Greatest Flix II' and 'Greatest Video Hits II'; this is the album version until 3:35, it then repeats the chorus from 3:11 to 3:35 and fades out from 3:26 onwards)
2. Greatest Hits II Edit (4:55) (on the album, and on 'Absolute Greatest'; this loses part of the instrumental outro from 3:55 to 4:15)
3. Single Version Edit (3:58) (on the 'Greatest Karaoke Hits' DVD only; this is a slight edit of the single version, which fades out earlier)
4. Instrumental Version (3:58) (on the 'Greatest Karaoke Hits' CD, DVD and video; an instrumental version of the above edit, retaining some backing vocals) (click here for lyrics)
5. 'Eight Good Reasons To Buy 'Greatest Hits II'' Promo Edit (0:26) (on the promo cassette only, seguing from 'Under Pressure' and into 'I Want It All', containing the section from approximately 3:13 to 3:39) (click here for lyrics)
Film Versions:
1. Highlander Version 1 (4:31) (only in the film 'Highlander'; similar to the album version, with Freddie singing the first two verses. The rest is instrumental (with film dialogue), with more orchestral parts than the album version)
2. Highlander Version 2 (1:19) (only in the film 'Highlander'; a short orchestral version of the track, with no vocals but includes film dialogue)
3. Highlander Orchestral Version 1 (4:37) (only available on the 'Highlander'; promo CD; a full length orchestral version, without any lyrics or dialogue)
4. Highlander Orchestral Version 2 (1:44) (only available on the 'Highlander'; promo CD; very similar to Highlander Version 2, but with a full outro and loses the film dialogue)
5. Highlander Orchestral Version 3 (0:31) (only available on the 'Highlander'; promo CD; a short edit which forms parts of other tracks; again this is fully orchestral without lyrics or dialogue)
6. The Alps New Version (2:30) (only available in the film; a new instrumental version created by Brian, featuring acoustic and electric guitar, piano, and orchestral music)
7. The Alps Album Version Reworked Edit (1:49) (only available in the film; contains the album version from 0:21 to 0:57 (retaining one line of vocals only), then 4:15 to 4:35, then a new section which is the instrumental version from 1:25 to 2:05 but with a new solo from Brian) (click here for lyrics)
Queen Live Versions:
1. Live At Wembley, First Night (3:58) (recorded at Wembley Stadium, London, on 11 July 1986; available on the 2011 DVD only) (click here for lyrics)
2. Live At Wembley, Second Night (3:58) (recorded at Wembley Stadium, London, on 12 July 1986) (click here for lyrics)
3. Live At Wembley, Second Night Excerpt 1 (0:25) (on the 'Live At Wembley Stadium' 2003 DVD song selection screen; an edit of the above version from 1:43 to 2:08) (click here for lyrics)
4. Live At Wembley, Second Night Excerpt 2 (1:00) (on the 'Live At Wembley Stadium' 2003 DVD 'Road To Wembley' menu; an edit of the above version from 1:19 to 2:19) (click here for lyrics)
5. Live In Budapest (3:48) (recorded in Budapest, Hungary, on 27 July 1986) (click here for lyrics)
Queen Live Versions Without Freddie:
1. Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert (4:00) (recorded at Wembley Stadium, London, on 20 April 1992, with lead vocals by Seal) (click here for lyrics)
'We Will Rock You' Musical Tracks:
1. London Cast Recording (4:17) (click here for lyrics)
2. Spanish Cast Recording (4:17)
Lyrics: (Highlander version 1 has the lyrics upto and including 'when love must die'. The single version has the additional lyrics in red but not lyrics in blue)
There's no time for us
There's no place for us
What is this thing that builds our dreams yet slips away from us

Who wants to live forever
Who wants to live forever, oooh, oooh

There's no chance for us
It's all decided for us
This world has only one sweet moment set aside for us

Who wants to live forever
Who wants to live forever (oooh-ooh-ooh-oooh)

Who dares to love forever
Oh, ooh-ooh, when love must die

But touch my tears with your lips
Touch my world with your fingertips
And we can have forever
And we can love forever
Forever is our today

Who wants to live forever
Who wants to live forever
Forever is our today

Who wants to live forever
Who wants to live forever
Forever is our today

Who waits forever anyway?

Gimme The Prize (Kurgan's Theme)
Track 7. Written by Brian May. Length 4:32.
All lyrics in italics are taken from the film 'Highlander'. The opening dialogue comes from a news report, while the other dialogue is spoken by Kurgan (Clancy Brown).
The four versions for 'The Eye' are identical, apart from the vocals which are included.
Alternate Versions:
1. Highlander Version (0:43) (only in the film 'Highlander'; a very short version, similar to the album version from 0:23 to 1:05)
2. The Eye Version 1 (4:01) (a remix, retaining Freddie's vocals but not Kurgan's) (click here for lyrics)
3. The Eye Version 2 (4:01) (a full instrumental remix)
4. The Eye Version 3 (4:01) (a remix, retaining both Freddie and Kurgan's vocals) (click here for lyrics)
5. Instrumental Remix For 'The Eye' (4:01) (on the 'No-One But You' single, and in the 'Queen Singles Collection 4' boxed set; a remix, retaining Kurgan's vocals but not Freddie's) (click here for lyrics)
Lyrics: (the Highlander version only retains the 'Here I am' verse)
The garage and water from the sprinkler
It also left a man's decapitated body lying on the floor next to his own severed head
A head which has this time has no name
I know his name

Here I am
I'm the master of your destiny, ha, ha
I am the one, the only one
I am the God of kingdom come
Gimme the prize
Just gimme the prize

Give me your kings
Let me squeeze them in my hands, hey, hey, hey, hey
Your puny princes
Your so-called leaders of your land
I'll eat them whole before I'm done
The battle's fought and the game is won

I am the one, the only one
I am the God of kingdom come
Gimme the prize
Just gimme the prize
Gimme the prize

Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha
Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha
Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha
Now you die

Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha
I have something to say
It's better to burn out than to fade away
There can be only one

Move over
I said move over
Hey, hey, hey

Clear the way
There's no escape from my authority
Didn't I tell you
I am the one, the only one
I am the God of kingdom come
Gimme the prize (gimme the prize)
Just gimme the prize (gimme the prize)

I am the one, the only one
I am the God of kingdom come
Just gimme the prize
There can be only one

Don't Lose Your Head
Track 8. Written by Roger Taylor. Length 4:38.
Joan Armatrading provides incidental vocals for this track.
Parts of the second film version were also used in a trailer for the film.
'A Dozen Red Roses For My Darling' is a retitled instrumental version (with other changes) of the track
Alternate Versions:
1. Film Version 1 (0:20) (only in the film 'Highlander'; a short instrumental version, quite similar to the album version, but with more guitar)
2. Film Version 2 (2:13) (only in the film 'Highlander'; a long instrumental version, again similar to the album version, but with more synthesisers; it segues into 'New York, New York')
3. 'A Dozen Red Roses For My Darling' Single Version (4:43) (on the 'A Kind Of Magic' 7" and 3" CD singles, the US 'Princes Of The Universe' single, and in the 'Queen Singles Collection 3' boxed set; an instrumental remix, with new percussion and synthesisers)
4. 'A Dozen Red Roses For My Darling' Extended Version (4:58) (on the 'A Kind Of Magic' 12" single only; this is the single version but with an 16 second longer intro)
5. The Eye Instrumental Edit 1 (1:57) (an instrumental version; similar to the first 1:50 but with other changes and heavier bass)
6. The Eye Instrumental Edit 2 (0:26) (on 'The Art Of Queen The Eye' CD-Rom only; an edit of the start of edit 1)
Lyrics:
Don't lose your head
Don't lose your head

Don't lose your head (don't lose your head)
No, don't lose your head (don't lose your head)
Hear what I say
Don't lose your way, yeah
Remember, love's stronger
Remember love walks tall
Don't lose your head
Don't lose your head

Don't lose your heart (don't lose your heart)
No, don't lose your heart (don't lose your heart)
Hear what I say, hear what I say, yeah
Don't lose your way, don't lose your way, yeah
Remember, love's stronger
Remember love walks through walls

Don't drink and drive your car
Don't get breathalysed
Don't lose your head
If you make it to the top and you wanna stay alive
Don't lose your head
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooooh, ooh-ooh-oooh
Don't lose your head

Don't lose your head (don't lose your head)
No, don't lose your head (don't lose your head)
Hear what I say, hear what I say, yeah
Don't lose your way, hey, don't lose your way, yeah
Remember, love's stronger
Remember love conquers all

Don't lose your head, don't lose your head
Don't lose your head, don't lose your head, don't lose your head
Don't lose your head, don't lose your head
Yeah, yeah

Don't lose your head, don't lose your head

Don't lose your head, don't lose your head (hey, hey, hey, hey, yeah, yeah, yeah)
Don't lose your, don't lose your, don't lose your, don't lose your
Don't lose your, don't lose your, don't lose your, don't lose your head

Don't lose your head, don't lose your head
Don't lose your head

Princes Of The Universe
Track 9. Written by Freddie Mercury. Length 3:31.
Parts of the film version were also used in a trailer for the film.
Click here for details of the surround sound mix.
Alternate Versions:
1. Video Version (3:31) (available on the 'Greatest Flix III' video, 'Greatest Video Hits II' DVD and 'Highlander' Immortal edition DVD; this is the same as the above version but adds some dialogue from Christopher Lambert)
2. Highlander Version (2:55) (only in the film; similar to the album version, but features lengthy drum/guitar instrumental after 1:15)
3. The Eye Instrumental Edit (1:07) (an instrumental version of 0:25 to 1:27 with prominent bass and some extra percussion)
4. Menu Edit (0:56) (on the 'Highlander - The Immortal Edition' DVD; from 0:25 to 1:20 of the Film version, ending in a fade, used on the main menu)
Lyrics: (the Highlander version only has the first three verses, while the Menu Edit only has the second and third)
Here we are, born to be kings
We're the princes of the universe
Here we belong, fighting to survive
In a world with the darkest powers

Hey
And here we are, we're the princes of the universe
Here we belong, fighting for survival
We've come to be the rulers of your world

I am immortal, I have inside me blood of kings, yeah
I have no rival, no man can be my equal
Take me to the future of your world

Born to be kings, princes of the universe
Fighting and free, got your world in my hand
I'm here for your love and I'll make my stand
We were born to be princes of the universe
No man could understand, my power is in my own hand

Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, people talk about you
People say you've had your day
I'm a man that will go far
Fly the moon and reach for the stars
With my sword and head held high
Got to pass the test first time, yeah
I know that people talk about me, I hear it every day
But I can prove them wrong 'cos I'm right first time

Yeah, yeah
Alright, let's go, let's go
Ha, ha
Yeah, yeah, watch this man fly, wow
Bring on the girls
Come on, come on, come on

Here we are, here we are, born to be kings, we're the princes of the universe
Here we belong
Born to be kings, princes of the universe
Fighting and free, got your world in my hand
I'm here for your love and I'll make my stand
We were born to be princes of the universe

A Kind Of 'A Kind Of Magic'
Written by Roger Taylor. Length 3:36.
This track is simply the second half of the extended version of 'A Kind Of Magic'.The track is only available as track 10 on the original UK CD album, and was omitted from the US CD album and the 2011 double-disc reissue.

Friends Will Be Friends Will Be Friends
Written by Freddie Mercury and John Deacon. Length 5:57.
This is an edit of the extended version of 'Friends Will Be Friends'.
The track is available as track 11 on the original UK CD album, and as a bonus track on the 2011 double-disc reissue.

Forever
Written by Brian May. Length 3:20.
This track is a piano version of 'Who Wants To Live Forever'.
The track is available as track 12 on the original UK CD album, track 10 on the US CD album, and as a bonus track on the 2011 double-disc reissue. It also appears on the 12" single, in the 'Queen Singles Collection 3' boxed set, within the 'Queen: The Eye' game, and on the 'Highlander' promo CD, incorrectly described as a demo.

Blurred Vision
Non Album Track. Written by Queen. Length 4:41.
This track is only available on the 'One Vision' singles, in the boxed-set only 'Complete Vision' LP, and in the 'Queen Singles Collection 3' boxed set.
The track is derived from 'One Vision'; it is very similar to the album version from 3:51 to 4:25. It has very prominent percussion, and retains only selected vocals from the original. It also retains some of the ending of the song (from about 4:25 onwards), but adds a new keyboard outro.
Lyrics:
One, one, one, one, one, one, one, one, one
Yeah it's a
Yeah it's a

One, one, one, one, one, one, one, one, one, one

One, one, one, one, one, one, one, one, one, one
One vision
One vision (God works in mysterious ways)
One vision

One, one, one, one, one, one, one, one, one, one

(God works in mysterious ways)
Yeah it's a, one vision
One, one, one, one, one
One vision
Yeah it's a, one vision
I had a dream
One vision
I had a dream

One, one, one, one, one, one, one, one, one, one
Yeah it's a
I had a dream
One vision
One vision
One vision

One, one, one, one, one, one, one, one, one, one

(God works in mysterious ways)

One vision
One, one, one, one, one, one, one
One vision
Hey, one vision, hey
Hey
Hey, hey

One flesh, one bone, one true religion
One voice, one hope, one real decision
Gimme one night, yeah
Gimme one hope, hey
Just gimme
One man, one man
One bar, one day
One day, hey, hey
Just gimme, gimme, gimme, gimme
Fried chicken
Vision, vision, vision, vision, vision

A Dozen Red Roses For My Darling
Non Album Track. Written by Roger Taylor.
This track is only available on the 'A Kind Of Magic' singles in the UK, or on the 'Princes Of The Universe' single in the USA.
It is an instrumental remix of 'Don't Lose Your Head'.

A Kind Of Vision
Available on the 2011 double-disc reissue only. Length 3:22.
This is a demo version, recorded in August 1985, which features elements of both 'A Kind Of Magic' and 'One Vision', which were later split into two seperate songs. It features Freddie on vocals, with a drum machine beat and synthesisers. The lyrics, while similar to those later included in both songs, are obviously incomplete, so the track features the same verses repeated, with a few lyric changes.
Lyrics:
One man, one soul
One vision, one goal
One golden glance
Of what should be

One flash of light
Oh, happy day
One man, one vision
That showed the way

The bell that rings
Inside your mind
It shouts, it sings
Of changing times

The waiting seems eternity
The day will dawn of sanity

One man, one soul, one vision
One race, one goal, one vision
One rage that lasts a thousand years
One man, one soul, one vision

One flash of light
Oh, happy day
One man, one vision
That showed the way

The bell that rings
Inside your mind
It shouts, it sings
Of changing times

The waiting seems eternity
The day will dawn of sanity, yeah

One man, one soul, one vision
One race, one goal, one vision
One rage that lasts a thousand years
One man, one soul, one vision

Yeah, one vision
One soul

New York New York
Non Album Track. Written by Fred Ebb. Length 0:36.
This track was originally recorded by Liza Minelli in 1977 and later by Frank Sinatra, which reached no. 4 when re-released in 1986.
This was the first non-live Queen track to be released which they did not write (one of only two to date).
The track is only available in the 'Highlander' film, and segues from the longer version of 'Don't Lose Your Head'.
Lyrics:
Yeah
Feel like I'd make it there
I'd make it anywhere
It's up to you
New York, New York
Yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah
Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha
Yum

Piano Solo AKA Butterfly
Non Album Track. Presumably written by Brian May.
This track features Brian May playing the piano, and does not appear as part of any other track.
It appears on the 'Magic Years - Volume I' video and on 'Greatest Video Hits II' within 'The Making Of One Vision', and is approximately 1:05 in length. The version on 'Greatest Video Hits II' begins over the top of an excerpt of 'One Vision', whilst the version on 'Magic Years' has interviews over the top, however the two versions are otherwise very similar.

Highlander Trailer Medley
Available on the standard UK 'Highlander' DVD and the US 'Immortal Edition' DVD as an extra feature. Length 0:53.
This is a medley comprising part of 'Don't Lose Your Head' and 'Princes Of The Universe'.
The versions seem slightly 'rougher' than the film versions, and feature different dialogue.
The medley features 0:11 to 0:40 of 'Don't Lose Your Head' (version 2) and 0:32 to 0:56 of 'Princes Of The Universe', and ends in a fade.
Lyrics:
And here we are, we're the princes of the universe
Here we belong, fighting for survival
We've come to be the rulers of your world

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