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Barcelona
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Released 10 October 1988, reached number 25, on chart for 4 weeks.
Re-released in the UK in 1992, reached number 15, on chart for 4 weeks.
Also later included as part of the 3CD and 10CD/2DVD 'Solo' boxed sets in November 2000.
Album length 39:58.

Tracklisting:
1. Barcelona
2. La Japonaise
3. The Fallen Priest
4. Ensueno
5. The Golden Boy
6. Guide Me Home
7. How Can I Go On
8. Overture Piccante

Non-Album Tracks:
Exercises In Free Love

Early Versions:
Rachmaninov's Revenge
The Duet (The Fallen Priest)
Ideas (Barcelona)

Unreleased Demos:
Africa By Night

 

Produced by Freddie Mercury, Mike Moran and David Richards
Engineered by David Richards
Songs arranged by Freddie Mercury and Mike Moran
All keyboards by Mike Moran
Recorded at The Townhouse Studios, London and Mountain Studios, Montreux
All Early and Alternative Versions, from the 'Solo' boxed set, were recorded at Townhouse Studios, London

Special thanks to Jim Beach and Carlos Caballe
Design by Richard Gray
Cover photography by Peter Hince and Terry O'Neill


The term 'boxed set' below generally refers to the 10CD/2DVD 'Solo' boxed set, unless noted otherwise.

 

Singles:

Reissue Singles:

Barcelona
Track 1. Written by Freddie Mercury and Mike Moran. Length 5:37.
The full album version (and not the single) appear on 'The Freddie Mercury Album' and 'Lover Of Life, Singer Of Songs'.
A 'live' version appears on the 'Barcelona EP'. 'The Freddie Mercury Video Collection' and 'Lover Of Life, Singer Of Songs', but this is mimed.
Early recordings of Freddie and Montserrat rehearsing the song have also been released, called 'Ideas (Barcelona)'
Click here for details of an alternate mix of the later version, here for the single version surround sound mix, or here for the 'live' version surround sound mix.
Additional Assistance & Notes:
Homi Kanga and Laurie Lewis (violins)
Deborah Ann Johnston (cello)
Barry Castle (horn)
Frank Ricoffi (percussion)
Early Version recorded 28 April 1987, mixed by Joshua J Macrae, Justin-Shirley Smith and Neil Amor, assisted by Dean Crathern.
Vocal Slave Version recorded 28 April 1987.
Later Version recorded 3 May 1987.
Alternate Versions:
1. Early Version (4:19) (in the boxed set; this features Freddie only, singing has own vocals and improvising guide vocals for Montserrat) (click here for lyrics)
2. Vocal Slave Version (4:26) (in the boxed set; this features Freddie only, with many of his vocal tracks overdubbed) (click here for lyrics)
3. Later Version (4:25) (in the boxed set; this features Freddie only, with his main lead vocal and instrumentation only, with no guide vocals) (click here for lyrics)
4. Single Version (4:24) (available most easily on the single and Queen 'Greatest Hits III', but not on 'The Freddie Mercury Album' or 'Lover Of Life, Singer Of Songs'; as the album version, from 1:13 onwards, however, the bells at the start are clean, with no other music or backing vocals)
5. Extended Version (7:04) (on the CD and 12" singles, and in the boxed set) (click here for lyrics)
6. TV Edit (1:15) (available on the reissue CD single only; contains a drum roll for 2 seconds, then 0:55 to 1:13, 4:22 to 5:09 and 5:24 to 5:32, fading out, with some other changes aswell)
7. Video Version (4:25) (on 'Greatest Flix III' only; the album version which fades in from 1:12 to 1:13, so this is essentially the single version but with a slightly different start)
8. Instrumental Version (4:24) (in the boxed set; retains a few backing vocals only) (click here for lyrics)
9. DVD Menu Edit 1 (0:28) (on 'The Freddie Mercury Video Collection' DVD only, on the main menu; an edit of the 'live' version, equivalent to a straight edit of the start of the album version, fading out over 2 seconds. This includes the first two lines of vocals)
10. DVD Menu Edit 2 (0:29) (on 'The Freddie Mercury Video Collection' DVD only, on the first song selection screen; an edit of the album version, from approx 0:48 to 1:17, fading in over a second and out over 3 seconds; this includes the 4th and 5th lines of lyrics (ahh's only))
Lyrics: (the single version is the same as the album version, but starts with 'I had this perfect dream'; the TV Edit only includes the lyrics in red)
Barcelona, Barcelona, oooh, ooh
Barcelona, Barcelona, oooh, ooh

Viva
Ahhhhhhhh
Ah, ah, ah, ahhh

I had this perfect dream
Un sueño me envolvió
This dream was me and you
Tal vez estás aquí
I want all the world to see
Un instinto me guiaba
A miracle sensation
My guide and inspiration
Now my dream is slowly coming true

The wind is a gentle breeze (oooh)
El me habló de ti (ah, ah, ah, ahh)
The bells are ringing out
El canto vuela
They're calling us together
Guiding us forever
Wish my dream would never go away

Barcelona
It was the first time that we met
Barcelona
How can I forget
The moment that you stepped into the room
You took my breath away

Barcelona
La música vibró
Barcelona
Y ella nos unió
And if God willing
We will meet again
Someday

Let the songs begin
Déjalo nacer
Let the music play
Ahhhhhhhh
Make the voices sing
Nace un gran amor
Start the celebration
Ven a mi
And cry
Grita
Come alive
Viva
And shake the foundations from the skies
Ah, ahh, shaking all our lives

Barcelona
Such a beautiful horizon
Barcelona
Like a jewel in the sun
Por ti seré gaviota de tu bella mar
Barcelona
Suenan las campanas
Barcelona
Abre tus puertas al mundo

If God is willing
If God is willing
If God is willing
Friends until the end
Viva

Ahhhhhhh
Barcelona

Ah, ah, ahh, ahhh

La Japonaise
Track 2. Written by Freddie Mercury and Mike Moran. Length 4:49.
Additional Assistance & Notes:
Early Version recorded on 1 September 1987.
A-Capella version recorded on 9 November 1987, mixed by Joshua J Macrae, Justin-Shirley Smith and Neil Amor, assisted by Dean Crathern.
Alternate Versions:
1. Instrumental Version (4:45) (in the boxed set; a complete instrumental version, with no lyrics at all)
2. A-Capella Version (4:15) (in the boxed set only)
3. Early Version (4:39) (in the boxed set only; has undecipherable improvised lyrics; the music is very similar to the album version)
Lyrics:
Subalashii asaga akelu
Yoakega yobikakelu
Kokorono izumiga wakidelu
Yumeno yo

I feel the power of a stranger inside me
A force of magic surrounds me
This fountain within me is overflowing

Peaceful and inviting
Beautiful and enticing
Yoake kisetsu yume kibo
Umito hikariga yondeilu

Rising sun you bless my morning with a smile
A magic pearl from the seas
Born in a willow breeze
Loyal friend my guardian angel in the sky
You've served me well all these years
Greeting with both hands
Trusting with no fears
Till the end

Toikuino anatani miselalete
Amalinimo utsukushii yumenoyo
Itsumademo ii

Aino hikali kiboto yume
When everything is golden and everything is oh
Fuji no yuki, Kyoto no ame, Tokyo no yolu
And everything is ah

Fire and beauty
My only living treasure on this earth

Kibo hikali yume (oohh yume oooh)

Asaga hohoemikakelu
Itsumo kimi dakewa kokolonotomo
Toikimino omokage shinonde
Amalinimo utsukushii yumenoyo

When everything is golden
And everything and everyone is ahh

Yoake, kisetsu, yume, kibo

Ahh, ahh, ahh, ahhh, ahhhhh
Yoake, kisetsu, yume, kibo
Yoake, kisetsu, yume, kibo (oohhhhh)
Yoake, kisetsu, yume, kibo

The Fallen Priest
Track 3. Written by Freddie Mercury, Mike Moran and Tim Rice. Length 5:44.
Early versions of this track were released in the 'Solo' boxed set, titled 'Rachmaninov's Revenge'.
Alternate Versions:
1. Single Version (2:54) (on 'The Golden Boy' original 7" single only; loses the middle of the song, from 1:20 to 4:09)
2. Instrumental Version (5:48) (in the boxed set; retains most of the backing vocals) (click here for lyrics)
Lyrics: (the single version loses the lyrics from the first 'we are mortal' to 'the force of our lives and it's reason')
Free me, free yourself

A life of sacrifice controlled me
But those promises I made no longer hold me
Mercurial more wayward by the hour
The shackles fall away and I'm in your power

Free me (I'm a man of God) and free yourself
Come to me (I should not be) and let me lead you
I beg you, I beseech you to let go (oooh, oh, oh, oh, oooh)
My heaven is yours and heaven is all I know (oh, oh, oh, oh, ooh)

We are mortal
In the hands of Gods who roll the dice
Searching for an earthly paradise
So hard to find

We are mortal
We are victims of our weaknesses and passion
We are reaching for the heights (I am falling, I am falling, falling from the heights)

But I promised I would serve
I should be a rock against depravity and sin
Oooh, no sin, no sin
Free yourself, let your life begin
Oooooh

To yourself be true
I am a man of God (be true)
I should not be here with you
Ahh-ahh-ahh-ahh

Free me, we are mortal, ahhhh

Come a little closer to the fire
To love and live that one desire
Denial of that love is treason
The love that we make
The force of our lives and it's reason

We are mortal
In the hands of Gods who roll the dice
Searching for an earthly paradise
So hard to find, yeah

We are mortal
Victims of our weaknesses and passion
I am falling, I am falling
We, we are mortal


Why do I believe in you
You're destroying my world, hold nothing back ((Backwards) I am a man, I am a man, a man of God be true)
Give me all there is
I want it all

We are (yeah) mortal (yeah)
Lost in each other's love
This is where we stand
This is where we fall
Prisoners of each other's love
Yes, we want it all

Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ahhhhh

Ensueno
Track 4. Written by Freddie Mercury, Montserrat Caballe and Mike Moran. Length 4:20.
Two other versions, featuring the same music, but either Freddie or Montserrat alone, were released as 'Exercises In Free Love'.
The title 'Ensueno' means 'Dream' or 'Reverie'. Many thanks to Mauricio Fernandez for translating the lyrics.
Additional Assistance & Notes:
Live Takes recorded 14 March 1988.
Instrumental version mixed by David Richards and Kris Fredriksson.
Alternate Versions:
1. Instrumental Version (3:59) (in the boxed set; a complete instrumental version, with no lyrics at all)
2. Live Takes (5:33) (in the boxed set; Montserrat in the studio, recording her vocals) (click here for lyrics)
Lyrics: (the lyrics in brackets are a translation)
En mi sueño te ví (in my dream I saw you)
Tu luz llegaba de tan lejos (your light was coming of so far away)

Tu voz penetra en mí (your voice penetrates in me)
Vibra en ti (it vibrates in you)
Vibra en mí (it vibrates in me)

Suavemente me llevaba a ti (softly it was taking me to you)
Oí el sonido (I heard the sound)

De tu voz dulcemente me decía (of your voice that she sweetly was saying to me)
Ven (come)
Ven junto a mí (come close to me)

Volver a vivir (to live again)
Saber que mi sueño no está solo (to know that mi dream is not alone)
Alienta en ti (it breathes in you)
Tú y yo cantando los dos (you and I singing the two)

Yo soñaba en ser tu mismo mar (I was dreaming in being your same sea)
Tu mar es puente de unión (your sea is a bridge of union)
De nuestras almas (of our souls)

Vuelan, nos llaman (they fly, they call us)
Al son de la eternidad (to the sound of the eternity)

Ahhhh
Volar (to fly)

The Golden Boy
Track 5. Written by Freddie Mercury, Mike Moran and Tim Rice. Length 6:04.
A 'live' version appears on the 'Barcelona EP'. 'The Freddie Mercury Video Collection' and 'Lover Of Life, Singer Of Songs' DVD, but this is mimed.
Click here for details of the 'live' surround sound mix.
Additional Assistance & Notes:
Madeline Bell, Debbie Bishop, Lance Ellington, Miriam Stockley, Peter Straker, Mark Williamson and Carol Woods (backing vocals)
Early Version 1 - recorded 2 May 1987.
Early Version 2 - recorded 9 November 1987, mixed by Joshua J Macrae, Justin-Shirley Smith and Neil Amor, assisted by Dean Crathern.
'A-Capella' version - recorded 1 December 1987, mixed by Joshua J Macrae, Justin-Shirley Smith and Neil Amor, assisted by Dean Crathern.
Alternate Versions:
1. Early Version 1 (3:52) (in the boxed set; features Freddie only) (click here for lyrics)
2. Early Version 2 (2:54) (in the boxed set; features Freddie only) (click here for lyrics)
3. Single Version (5:14) (on the 7" single and the 'Best Of Tim Rice' album; edits out the section from 0:44 to 1:34)
4. Radio Edit (3:31) (on a promo 7" only; a straight edit, this is the middle part of the song, from approx 1:34 to 5:05)
5. Instrumental Version (6:04) (on the 12" and CD singles, and in the boxed set; retains most of the backing vocals) (click here for lyrics)
6. A-Capella Version (5:10) (in the boxed set; has same lyrics as album version, but a few vocals are sung by different singers; this is shorter as it omits the first 45 seconds which is instrumental)
Lyrics: (the single version begins with 'And then he sang to her' and continues as the album version. The Radio Edit loses the first two verses, and the last)
The boy had a way with words, he sang
He moved with grace, he entertained
So naturally, no gesture out of place
His road in life was clearly drawn, he didn't hesitate
He played, they saw, he conquered as the master of
As the master of his fate

The girl had an iron soul, no-one could recognise
Material ambition that her gentleness disguised
She gave herself to him certain of his fame
Wanted him for luxury, for limelight and his name

And then he sang to her

I love you for your silence
I love you for your peace
The still and calm releases
That sweep into my soul
That slowly take control

I love you for your passion
I love you for your fire
The violent desire
That burns me in it's flame
A love I dare not name

His rise was irresistible, yeah, he grew into the part
His explanation (oooh, oooh) simply that he suffered for his art
No base considerations (oooh, oooh) of some glittering reward
The prize was knowing that (oooh, oooh) his work was noticed and adored

Hey, I love you (yes, I love you) for your silence (for your silence)
I love you for your peace
The still and calm releases (oooooh)
That sweep into my soul
That slowly (oooh, ooh) slowly takes control

Yes, he told the truth, oh lord
Yes, he told the truth (and he told the truth)

Accepting every honour with a masterly display
Of well rehearsed reluctance to be singled out this way
He started to believe that he was all they said and more (oooh, ooh, ooh, ooooh, and more)
While she forgot, she forgot the reasons (reasons) she had wanted him before

Yeah
(I love you) I love you for your passion (for your passion)
I love you for your fire (ahhhhh)
The violent desire (ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-oooh)
That burns me in it's flame
(Ooooh) A love I dare, I dare not name

The still and calm releases (releases)
That sweep into my soul (sweep into my soul)
That slowly (slowly), slowly (slowly)
Slowly (slowly), slowly (slowly), slowly (slowly)
Slowly (slowly), slowly
Take control

And when at last they fell apart
She wished that she could be the hardened heart
Of yesterday, as cynical as he
By changing for the better
She had changed things for the worse
The words that made them happy once now echoed
Echoed as a curse

Guide Me Home
Track 6. Written by Freddie Mercury and Mike Moran. Length 2:40.
This track segues into 'How Can I Go On'; the full segue is included on 'Lover Of Life, Singer Of Songs'.
Additional Assistance & Notes:
Alternative version recorded 2 March 1988, mixed by Joshua J Macrae, Justin-Shirley Smith and Neil Amor, assisted by Dean Crathern.
Alternate Versions:
1. Alternative Version (2:40) (in the boxed set, and the Holland/Italy CD Single; features Freddie only) (click here for lyrics)
2. Instrumental Version (2:38) (in the boxed set; retains a few backing vocals only) (click here for lyrics)
3. Single Version (2:44) (on the Holland/Italy CD single only; same as the album version, but during the last vocal, it is mixed into a four second piano outro, to make a standalone version)
Lyrics:
Now the wind has lost my sail
Now the scent has left my trail
Who will find me
Take care and side with me
Guide me back
Safely to my home
Where I belong
Once more

Where is my star in heaven's bough
Where is my strength, I need it now
Who can save me
Lead me to my destiny (ooooh)
Guide me back
Safely to my home
Where I belong
Once more

Who will find me
Take care and side with me
Guide me back
Safely to my home
Where I belong
Once more

How Can I Go On
Track 7. Written by Freddie Mercury and Mike Moran. Length 4:00.
This track features John Deacon on bass.
It segues from 'Guide Me Home', and the full segue is included on 'Lover Of Life, Singer Of Songs'.
A 'live' version appears on the 'Barcelona EP'. 'The Freddie Mercury Video Collection' and 'Lover Of Life, Singer Of Songs', but this is mimed.
Click here for details of the 'live' surround sound mix.
Additional Assistance & Notes:
Alternative Piano version recorded 9 April 1987.
Out-take extract recorded 24 June 1987 (cuts in part way through as Freddie starts singing before David Richards was recording).
Alternative version recorded 2 March 1988, mixed by Joshua J Macrae, Justin-Shirley Smith and Neil Amor, assisted by Dean Crathern.
Instrumental version mixed by David Richards and Kris Fredriksson.
Alternate Versions:
1. Alternative Version (4:12) (in the boxed set, or the Holland/Italy 'Guide Me Home' CD Single; features Freddie only) (click here for lyrics)
2. Out-Take (1:32) (in the 'Solo' boxed set; features Freddie only) (click here for lyrics)
3. Alternative Piano Version (3:44) (in the boxed set; an alternative 'instrumental' version; this is quite different to the album version, featuring a slow piano intro/outro, and a much 'heavier' middle section)
4. Single Version (3:59) (on some singles (not all) and in the boxed set; begins with the piano at the end of 'Guide Me Home', but the very first vocals are lost)
5. Instrumental Version (3:58) (in the boxed set; a complete instrumental version, with no lyrics at all)
Lyrics: (the first two lines are missing from the single version)
How can I go on
How can I go on this way

When all the salt is taken from the sea
I stand dethroned, I'm naked and I bleed
But when your finger points so savagely
Is anybody there to believe in me
To hear my plea and take care of me

How can I go on
From day to day
Who can make me strong in every way
Where can I be safe
Where can I belong
In this great big world of sadness
How can I forget
Those beautiful dreams that we shared
They're lost and they're nowhere to be found
How can I go on

Sometimes I start to tremble in the dark
I cannot see when people frighten me
I try to hide myself so far from the crowd
Is anybody there to comfort me (on and on and on and on precious Lord we might be, yeah)
Lord take care of me

How can I go on (how can I go on)
From day to day (from day to day)
Who can make me strong (who can make me strong)
In every way (in every way)
Where can I be safe (where can I be safe)
Where can I belong (where can I belong)
In this great big world of sadness (in this great big world of sadness)
How can I forget (how can I forget)
Those beautiful dreams that we shared (those beautiful dreams that we shared)
They're lost and they're nowhere to be found
How can I go on

Dee, dee, dee, dee, de, de, dee
Ooh, oh, oh, oh-oh-oh-oh-ooh, oooh, oooh
Dee, dee, dee, dee, de, de, dee
Ooh, oh, oh, oh-oh-oh-oh-ooh, oooh, oooh (how can I go on)
Dee, dee, dee, dee, de, de, dee
Ooh, oh, oh, oh-oh-oh-oh-ooh, oooh, oooh (how can I go on)
Dee, dee, dee, dee, de, de, dee (go on, go on, go on, yeah, yeah)
Ooh, oh, oh, oh-oh-oh-oh-ooh, oooh, oooh (yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)

Overture Piccante
Track 8. Written by Freddie Mercury and Mike Moran. Length 6:40.
This track contains short excerpts from many of the album tracks and one non-album track, in order, 'Barcelona', 'Guide Me Home', 'The Fallen Priest', 'La Japonaise', 'The Golden Boy', 'When This Tired Old Body Wants To Sing' and 'The Fallen Priest' again. It features some material from the instrumental versions, some from the album versions, and also the extended version of 'Barcelona'. It does not feature excerpts from 'Ensueno' or 'How Can I Go On', whilst the inclusion of part of 'When This Tired Old Body Wants To Sing' was something of a mystery until it's proper release in the 2000 'Solo' boxed set, 12 years later.
Alternate Versions:
1. DVD Menu Edit 3 (0:29) (on the main menus of both discs on the 'Lover Of Life, Singer Of Songs' DVD; the first 29 seconds of the track (which is instrumental), fading out over about 7 seconds)
Lyrics:
Ah, ahh, ah, ahh, shaking all our lives

Ooooh
Ooooh
Guide me back
Once more

To yourself be true

(Backwards) I am a man, I am a man, a man of God be true

Yoake kisetsu yume kibo
Umito hikariga yondeilu

Yes, he told the truth (and he told the truth)
I love you for your silence
I love you for your peace
Oooooh
That sweep into my soul
Oooh, ooh, slowly, slowly take control

Oh, ha, ha

Sing it, sing it, sing it, sing it, sing it, sing it, sing it, sing it
Yeah

We are mortal
In the hands of Gods who roll the dice
We are mortal
Victims of our weaknesses

Yes we want it all

Exercises In Free Love
Non-Album Track. Written by Freddie Mercury and Mike Moran.
This track features piano and improvised vocals only, from either Freddie or Montserrat.
It later became 'Ensueno', with the same music but with the vocals shared.
Available Versions:
1. Freddie Mercury Vocal (3:56) (available on 'The Freddie Mercury Album', 'The Great Pretender' singles and in the boxed set)
2. Montserrat Caballe Vocal (4:02) (available on all 'Barcelona' singles)

Rachmaninov's Revenge
Written by Freddie Mercury, Mike Moran and Tim Rice.
This was the working title of 'The Fallen Priest'. Two early versions are available in the 'Solo' boxed set only, both featuring Freddie only, and not Montserrat.
Additional Assistance & Notes:
Early Version recorded 26 January 1987, mixed by Joshua J Macrae, Justin-Shirley Smith and Neil Amor, assisted by Dean Crathern.
Later Version recorded 19 February 1987.
Alternate Versions:
1. Early Version (4:44) (in the boxed set) (click here for lyrics)
2. Later Version (5:48) (in the boxed set) (click here for lyrics)

The Duet (The Fallen Priest)
This track is an excerpt from a tape recording, made by Peter Freestone. It was recorded at Garden Lodge, London on 29 March 1987, and features Freddie, Montserrat and Mike Moran, improvising a very early version of 'The Fallen Priest' (working title 'Rachmaninov's Revenge'). The lyrics are mostly ad-libbed and undecipherable.
The track is only available in the 'Solo' boxed set. Length 3:04.
Dialogue:
Freddie: Simple songs are the ones
Mike: It's good fun ey, making songs up
Montserrat: Something incredible (I think I'm going totally nuts???). I'm going crazy. (unknown dialogue)
Freddie: Are you sure you're not too tired, you're not tired. You're not tired now, you must rest a little
Montserrat: You want me to, oh, I'm going?
Freddie: No, no, I don't want you to go. I just, I think
Montserrat: I sound so terrible
Freddie: I can sing to six o'clock in the morning. OK, try, try the erm, the Duet

Freddie: Play chords after - play chords when it comes here

Freddie: Gosh, it goes on forever
Mike: Yeah, it's a nightmare, it's not a song
Montserrat: What do you mean?
Freddie: It's so complicated
Freddie (singing): And when you talk about love

Ideas (Barcelona)
These tracks are excerpts from the same recording as 'The Duet', and are only available in the boxed set.
In these tracks, they are improvising a very early version of 'Barcelona', and again the lyrics are undecipherable. Lengths 1:13 (excerpt 1) and 1:04 (excerpt 2).
Excerpt 1 Dialogue:
Montserrat: Are we beginning again?
Freddie: Yeah, we, start, start from the top, OK
Excerpt 2 Dialogue:
Freddie: OK, I know it

Montserrat: Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha
Freddie: She's an exhausted woman
Montserrat: Ha, ha, I'm sorry

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