Queen BBC Sessions

This page includes details of the six sessions which Queen recorded for the BBC between 1973 and 1977. They recorded a total of 25 tracks in two different studios, with 'Keep Yourself Alive', 'Liar', 'Modern Times Rock And Roll', and 'Son And Daughter' all recorded twice. Many of the tracks recorded are very interesting, some featuring extensive changes compared to the normal album versions.

Two complete sessions (1 and 3) were released on the 1989 'Queen At The Beeb' album, while two tracks from sessions five and six, and one each from sessions two and four were released as bonus tracks on the 2011 double disc remasters, and a single track from the sixth session was released on a 2002 promo CD. A double-album containing every session was planned for the mid-1990's, but unfortunately, this never materialised.

A final track not included here is 'Good Old Fashioned Loverboy', which was recorded on the BBC programme 'Top Of The Pops', but not part of a regular BBC session.

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Session One
Recorded at Langham One Studio, London, on 5 February 1973.
Produced by Bernie Andrews, and engineered by John Etchells.

Broadcast on BBC Radio 1 on 15 February 1973, as part of John Peel's 'Sounds Of The Seventies' programme.
The full session appears on the 'Queen At The Beeb' album, and all but 'Keep Yourself Alive' were released on 'Let Me Live' CD2.

My Fairy King
Keep Yourself Alive
Doing Alright
Liar

Session Two
Recorded at Langham One Studio, London, on 25 July 1973.
Produced by Jeff Griffin, and engineered by Chris Lycett and John Etchells.

Broadcast on BBC Radio 1 on 24 September 1973, as part of Bob Harris's 'Sounds Of The Seventies' programme.
'See What A Fool I've Been' was released as a bonus track on the 'Queen II' 2011 double disc reissue, slightly remixed, but the remaining tracks are unreleased.

See What A Fool I've Been
Liar
Son And Daughter
Keep Yourself Alive

Session Three
Recorded at Langham One Studio, London, on 3 December 1973.
Produced by Bernie Andrews and Mike Franks, and engineered by Nick Griffiths.

Broadcast on BBC Radio 1 on 6 December 1973, as part of John Peel's 'Sounds Of The Seventies' programme.
The full session appears on the 'Queen At The Beeb' album, apart from the guitar intro to 'Ogre Battle'.

Ogre Battle
Great King Rat
Modern Times Rock 'n' Roll
Son And Daughter

Session Four
Recorded at Langham One Studio, London, on 3 April 1974.
Produced by Pete Ritzema, and engineered by John Sparrow.

Broadcast on BBC Radio 1 on 15 April 1974, as part of Bob Harris's 'Sounds Of The Seventies' programme.
'Nevermore' was released as a bonus track on the 'Queen II' 2011 double disc reissue, but the remaining tracks are unreleased.
Recordings from the broadcast include the full album version of 'The March Of The Black Queen', so either Queen simply ran out of time and couldn't finish the track, or they were unhappy with the result and used the album version instead.

Modern Times Rock 'n' Roll
The March Of The Black Queen
Nevermore
White Queen

Session Five
Recorded at Maida Vale Studio, London, on 16 October 1974.
Produced by Jeff Griffin, and engineered by Chris Lycett.

Broadcast on BBC Radio 1 on 4 November 1974, as part of Bob Harris's 'Sounds Of The Seventies' programme.
'Flick Of The Wrist' and 'Tenement Funster' were released as bonus tracks on the 'Sheer Heart Attack' 2011 double disc reissue, but the remaining tracks are unreleased.

Now I'm Here
Stone Cold Crazy
Flick Of The Wrist
Tenement Funster

Session Six
Recorded at Maida Vale Studio, London, on 28 October 1977.
Produced by Jeff Griffin, and engineered by Mike Robinson.

Broadcast on BBC Radio 1 on 14 November 1977.
The fast part of 'We Will Rock You' was released on the free 2002 'The Sun' Promo CD, while My Melancholy Blues and Spread Your Wings were released on the 'News Of The World' 2011 double disc reissue. The 'Rhapsody In Red' bootleg, released as part of the 'Top 100 Bootlegs' project, includes the full session, with dubbed-on audience noise.

We Will Rock You (slow and fast versions)
It's Late
My Melancholy Blues
Spread Your Wings

My Fairy King
Session 1, Track 1. Recorded at Langham One Studio, London, on 5 February 1973. Length 4:07.
This track is almost identical to the album version, but in places the guitar is heavier. The lyrics are almost identical to normal, but unlike the album version, the backing vocal of 'Mercury' after 'mother Mercury' is not present.
This version is officially available on the 'Queen At The Beeb' album and on the second 'Let Me Live' CD single.
Click here for the original song details.
Lyrics:
(Ahhhhh)
(Ahhhhh)

In the land where horses born with eagle wings
And honey bees have lost their stings
They're singing forever, ooh yeah
Lions den with fallow dear
And rivers made from wines so clear
Flow on and on forever
Dragons fly like sparrows through the air
And baby lambs where Samson dares
To go on, on, on, on

My fairy king (he rules the air)
And can see the things that are not there for you and me to see (he rules the air and turns the tides, oooh yeah)
My fairy king (he guides the winds)
He can only do right and nothing wrong

Ahhhhh
Then came man to savage in the night
To run like thieves and to kill like knives
To take away the power from the magic hand
To bring about the ruin to the promised land

Ahhh, ah, ahh-ahhhh
Ahh-ahhhh

They turn milk into sour
Like the blue in the blood of my veins
(Why can't you see it)
Fire burning in hell
With the cry of a screaming pain
(Son of heaven set me free and let me go)
Sea turns dry no salt from sand
Seasons fly no helping hand
Teeth don't shine like pearls for poor man's eyes
No more

Someone, someone
Just drained the colour from my wings
Broken my fairy circle ring
And shamed the king in all his pride
Changed the winds and wronged the tides
Mother Mercury, look what they've done to me, yeah
I cannot run
I cannot hide

Keep Yourself Alive
Session 1, Track 2. Recorded at Langham One Studio, London, on 5 February 1973. Length 3:48.
This track is very similar to the album version, but has some lyric changes.
This version is officially available on the 'Queen At The Beeb' album and on the second 'Let Me Live' CD single.
Click here for the original song details.
Lyrics:
I was told a million times of all the troubles in my way
Might he grow a little wiser, little 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 be a superstar
But I tell you just be satisfied and stay right where you are

Keep yourself alive, come on, keep yourself alive
Ooh, take you all your time and a money
To keep you satisfied

Listen

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
When I grow a little bigger, maybe that can be my goal
I was told a million times of all the people in my way
How I'd have 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 started

Keep yourself alive, come on keep yourself alive
Take you all your time and a money
To keep yourself alive

Wow
Watch out
Ah

Keep yourself alive, ooh, keep yourself alive, oh
Take you all your time and a money
And honey you'll survive

Do you think you're better every day
No, I just think I'm two steps nearer to my grave

Come on, keep yourself alive, yeah, keep yourself alive
Um, all you people keep yourself alive

Keep yourself alive, come on keep yourself alive, um
All you people keep yourself alive
Keep yourself alive, come on, come on, keep yourself alive
Take you all your time and a money
And honey you'll survive

Keep yourself alive, come on, keep yourself alive
Ooh, all you people keep yourself alive

Take you all your time and money honey
Uh
Keep yourself alive
Oohh, keep yourself alive
Keep yourself alive
Um, keep yourself alive

Doing Alright
Session 1, Track 3. Recorded at Langham One Studio, London, on 5 February 1973. Length 4:10.
This track is similar to the album version, but the drums sound more prominent, and the last verse is sung by Roger.
This version is officially available on the 'Queen At The Beeb' album and on the second 'Let Me Live' CD single.
Click here for details of the version on 'Queen'.
Lyrics:
Yesterday my life was in ruin
Now today I know what I'm doing
Gotta feeling, I should be doing alright
Doing alright

Where will I be this time tomorrow
Jumped for joy and sinking in sorrow
Anyway, I should be doing alright
Doing alright

Should be waiting for the sun
Looking round to find the words to say
Should be waiting for the skies to clear
If there were time in all the world

Should be waiting for the sun
And anyway I've got to hide away
Ooh, hide away

Ahhhh, ahhhh, ahhhh, ahhhh
Oooohhh

Yesterday my life was in ruin
Now today I know what I'm doing
Gotta feeling, I should be doing alright
Doing alright

Doing alright

Liar
Session 1, Track 4. Recorded at Langham One Studio, London, on 5 February 1973. Length 6:28.
This track is very similar to the album version, but has some lyric changes.
This version is officially available on the 'Queen At The Beeb' album and on the second 'Let Me Live' CD single.
Click here for the original song details.
Lyrics:
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, oh, 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 everybody deceives me
Liar, yeah, 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

Father, please forgive me
You know you'll never leave me
Please will you direct me
In the right way

Liar, liar, liar, liar
Liar, look what they've done to me
Liar, every day every night
Liar, all the time
Liar, oh, oh, oh, ooh
Let me go

Listen
Ooh, you gonna listen
Um, mama I'm gonna be your slave (all day long)
Mama I'm gonna try behave (all day long)
Mama I'm gonna be your slave (all day long)
I'm gonna love you till your dying day (all day long)
I'm gonna serve you till your dying day (all day long)
I'm gonna love you (all day long) till your lying day (all day long)
I'm gonna kneel down (all day long) by your side and pray (all day long)
All day long, (all day long)
All day long, (all day long)
Ow, all day long, (all day long)
All day long, (all day long)
All day long, (all day long)
You hear, (all day long)
Ow, (all day long)
Um, (all day long)
Come to me mama, (all day long)
Shake, come on, (all day long)
Ah, yes (all day long)
Wow, yes, ah, we have lift off
Oh yes

All day long, all day long, all day long

Liar, liar, they never ever let you win
Liar, liar, everything you do is sin
Liar, nobody believes you
Liar, they bring you down before you begin
Oooh, let me tell you this
Ah yes, 'fore they let you

See What A Fool I've Been
Session 2, Track 1. Recorded at Langham One Studio, London, on 25 July 1973. Length 4:21.
This track, and most other live performances, has lyrics about a train and a highway, whereas the studio version has lyrics about a dog. Apart from the lyrics, the only other noticeable difference is that this version has slightly heavier guitar.
This track is available on the 'Queen II' 2011 double disc reissue, in a slightly remixed form, which gives it a heavier sound.
Click here for the original song details.
Lyrics:
Well she's gone
Gone this morning
See what a fool I've been
Oh Lord, I said
What a fool I've been
Wow

I caught a train
A train to Georgia
Sixteen coaches long
Oh Lord, I said
Sixteen coaches long, yeah
Wow

I walked out
Onto the highway
Oooh, ow, ow, ow, ow
Oh Lord, I said
Greyhound bus had gone
Wow, surprise to me
Now hit

Woooh
I walked out
Onto the highway
Greyhound bus had gone
Oh Lord, I said
Greyhound bus had gone
It went a long time ago, sure did
Wow

Oh, well she's gone
Gone this morning
See what a fool I've been
So long I said what a
Fo-oo-oo-oo-oo-oo-oool
I've been, oooh

Ah

Liar
Session 2, Track 2. Recorded at Langham One Studio, London, on 25 July 1973. Length 6:31.
This track is fairly similar to normal, but occasionally a 'liar' backing vocal is lost.
This version is currently unreleased.
Click here for the original song details.
Lyrics:
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
Ow, 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, ooh everybody deceives me
Liar, ooh, why don't you leave me alone
Take it

Brian

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, you're lying to me
Father, 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, every day and every night
Liar, oh all the time
Liar
Oh yeah, woh-woh-woh-woh, let me go

Listen
Mama I'm gonna be your slave (all day long)
Mama I'm gonna try behave (all day long)
Mama I'm gonna be your slave (all day long)
I'm gonna love you till your dying day (all day long)
I'm gonna kneel down by your side and pray (all day long)
I'm gonna love you till your dying day (all day long)
And pray (all day long) and pray (all day long)
All day long (all day long)
All day long (all day long)
Ow (all day long)
Wow (all day long)
All day long (all day long)
All day long
All day long
Oh yes (Roger: Ahhhh) ooh, take it

All day long, all day long, all day long

Liar, liar, they never ever let you win
Liar, liar, everything you do is sin
Liar, no, they never leave you
Liar, they let you down before you begin
Oooh, now let me tell you this
Now you know you could be dead before they let you
Oooh

Son And Daughter
Session 2, Track 3. Recorded at Langham One Studio, London, on 25 July 1973. Length 6:01.
Obviously this track is much longer than the 3:18 album version. After the vocals normally end, there is a new guitar and drum instrumental, a 'Brighton Rock' style guitar solo, a false stop, then an additional verse and an instrumental outro.
This version is currently unreleased.
Click here for the original song details.
Lyrics:
I want you
Watch out

Tried to be your son and daughter
Rolled into one
You said you'd equal any man
For having your fun
Didn't you feel surprised to find
The cap just didn't fit
The world expects a man
To buckle down and a shovel shhh-
What'll you do for loving
When it's a only just begun

I want you
To be a woman, yeah

Tried to be a preacher
And a fisher of men
An equal people preacher
Will you lead us all the same now
Ohh, well I travelled all round
The world and found
A brand new word for day
Watching the time
Mustn't linger behind
Pardon me I have to get away, wow
What'll you think of heaven
If it's a back from where you came

I want you
To be a woman
I want you to be a woman

Roger: Ahhhhhhh

Roger: Steal yourself, this is valid (????)
Hit it

Well didn't you feel surprised to find
The cap just didn't fit
The world expects a man
To buckle down and a shovel it
What'll you do for loving
When it's a only just begun

I want you
To be a woman
Oh, I want you to be a woman

Keep Yourself Alive
Session 2, Track 4. Recorded at Langham One Studio, London, on 25 July 1973. Length 3:43.
This track is virtually identical to normal apart from some lyric changes.
This version is currently unreleased.
Click here for the original song details.
Lyrics:
I was told a million times of all the troubles in my way
May you grow a little wiser, little 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 be a superstar
But I tell you just be satisfied and stay right where you are

Keep yourself alive, keep yourself alive
Take you all your time and a money
And honey you'll survive

Ow

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
When I grow a little bigger, maybe that can be my goal
I was told a million times of all the people in my way
How I'd have 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
Oooh, take you all your time and a money
And honey you'll survive, shake it

Uh, wow

Keep yourself alive, wow, keep yourself alive, oh
Take you all your time and a money
And honey you'll survive

Do you think you're better every day
No, I just think I'm two steps nearer to my grave

Keep yourself alive, come on, keep yourself alive
Ooh, you take my time and take more money
Keep yourself alive

Keep yourself alive, come on, keep yourself alive
All you people keep yourself alive
Keep yourself alive, come on, come on, keep yourself alive
All you people keep yourself alive

Keep yourself alive, oh yeah, keep yourself alive
Take you all your time and a money and honey you'll survive

Take you all your time and money honey
Oooh, you will survive

Ogre Battle
Session 3, Track 1. Recorded at Langham One Studio, London, on 3 December 1973. Length 4:57.
This track is similar to normal, but has different guitar in places, and adds a guitar outro.
This version was released on 'Queen At The Beeb', but in edited form, because the original BBC mastertapes were damaged. The edit loses the first minute of the track, reducing the time to 3:57, which included a range of guitar sounds as build up, similar to the intro for live performances. A number of bootlegs claim to have this minute by itself, often described as the 'Forgotten Intro', but in many cases they are from other live performances.
Click here for the original song details.
Lyrics:
Ha, ha, ha, ha, haa

Now once upon a time
An old man told me a fable
When the piper is gone
And the soup is cold on your table
And if the black crow flies
To find a new destination
That is the sign
Come tonight
Come to the ogre sight
Come to ogre battle fight

He gives a great big cry
Swallow up the ocean
With a mighty tongue he catches flies
In the palm of a hand incredible size
One great big eye
Has a focus in your direction
And the battle is won
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Come tonight
Come to the ogre sight
Come to ogre battle fight

Ha, ha, ha, ha, haa

The ogre men are still inside
The two-way mirror mountain
You gotta keep down right out of sight
You can't see in but they can see out
'Look out'
The ogre men are coming out
From the two-way mirror mountain
They're running up behind
And they're coming all about
Can't go east 'cos you gotta go south

Ogre men are going home
The great big fight is over
Bugle blow let trumpet cry
Ogre battle lives for evermore
Wow, oh, oh
But you can come along
You can come along
Come to ogre battle

Ha, ha, ha, ha, haa

Great King Rat
Session 3, Track 2. Recorded at Langham One Studio, London, on 3 December 1973. Length 5:56.
This track is similar to the normal version, but in places the guitar is rawer and much heavier.
This version is officially available on the 'Queen At The Beeb' album.
Click here for the original song details.
Lyrics:
Great king rat died today
Born on the twenty-first of May
Died syphilis forty-four on his birthday
Every second word he swore
Yes, he was the son of a whore
Always wanted by the law

Wouldn't you like to know
A wouldn't you like to know
A wouldn't you like to know
Great king rat was a dirty old man
And a dirty old man was he
Now what did I tell you
Would you like to see?

Where will I be tomorrow
Will I beggar, will I borrow
I don't care anyway
Come on, come on, the time is right
The man is evil and that is right
I told you, yes I told you
And that's no lie, no, no

Wouldn't you like to know
A wouldn't you like to know
People, people
Great king rat was a dirty old man
And a dirty old man was he
Now what did I tell you
Would you like to see?
Let me show you

Um, wouldn't you like to know
A wouldn't you like to know
People, people
Great king rat was a dirty old man
And a dirty old man was he
Now what did I tell you
Would you like to see?

Hit it

Now listen all you people
Throw out the good and keep the bad
Don't believe all you read in the bible
You sinners get in line
Saints you leave far behind
And very soon you're gonna be a disciple

Don't listen to what your mama says
Not a word, not a word mama says
Or else you'll find yourself being the rival, sure
The great Lord before he died
Knelt sinners by his side
And said 'you're going to realise tomorrow'

No, I'm not gonna tell you
What you already know
'Cos time and time again
The old man said it all a long time ago
Come on, come on the time is right
This evil man will fight
I told you once before (and that's no lie)
Take it

Um, now wouldn't you like to know
A wouldn't you like to know
People
Great king rat was a dirty old man
And a dirty old man was he
The last time I tell you
Would you like to see

Modern Times Rock 'n' Roll
Session 3, Track 3. Recorded at Langham One Studio, London, on 3 December 1973. Length 1:59.
This track is very similar to the album version, but is slightly longer and has a new instrumental ending.
This version is officially available on the 'Queen At The Beeb' album.
Click here for the original song details.
Lyrics:
Had to make do with a worn out rock and roll scene
The old bop is getting tired, need a rest, well you know what I mean
Fifty-eight that was great but it's over now and that's all
Something harder's coming up, gonna really knock a hole in the wall
Gonna hit you, grab you hard, make you feel ten feet tall

Well I hope that big new thing's gonna come along soon
You don't know it could happen, any old rainy afternoon
With the temperature down and the juke box blowing no fuse
And the musical life's feeling like a long Sunday school cruise
And you know that there's one thing every single body could use

It's not that I'm bright, just happy go lucky

Modern times - rock 'n' roll
Modern times - rock 'n' roll

Get your high heeled guitar styled boots and some dirty clothes
Get a hair piece on your chest and a ring through your nose
Find a nice little man who says he's gonna make you a big, big star
Stars in your eyes, ants in your pants, think you should go far
Everybody in this bum sucking world's gonna know who you are

Look out

Son And Daughter
Session 3, Track 4. Recorded at Langham One Studio, London, on 3 December 1973. Length 7:07.
This track is basically the same structure as Session 2, but the guitar solo is longer and the track is heavier.
This version is officially available on the 'Queen At The Beeb' album.
Click here for the original song details.
Lyrics:
I want you
So watch out

Tried to be your son and daughter
Rolled into one
You said you'd equal any man
For having your fun
Um, didn't you feel surprised to find
The cap just didn't fit
A woman expects a man
To buckle down and a shovel it
What'll you do for loving
If it's a only just begun

I want you
To be a woman

Tried to be a teacher
And a fisher of men
An equal people preacher
Will you lead us all the same
Um, I travelled all round
The world and found
A brand new word for day
Watching the time
Never linger behind
Pardon me I have to get away
What'll you think of heaven
If it's a back from where you came

I want you
To be a woman

Um, didn't you feel surprised to find
The cap just didn't fit
The world expects a man
To buckle down and shovel it
What'll you do for loving
If it's a back from where you came

I want you
To be a woman

Modern Times Rock 'n' Roll
Session 4, Track 1. Recorded at Langham One Studio, London, on 3 April 1974. Length 2:41.
This track is noticeably slower than the album version, and as a result there is extra guitar in places. After the track normally ends, there is a new outro section with vocals from both Roger and Freddie.
This version is officially unreleased.
Click here for the original song details.
Lyrics:
Had to make do with a worn out rock and roll scene
The old bop is getting tired, need a rest, well you know what I mean
Fifty-eight that was great but it's over now and that's all
Something harder's coming up, gonna really knock a hole in the wall
Gonna hit you grab you hard, make you feel ten feet tall
Ooh

Well I hope that a big new baby's gonna come along soon
You don't know it could happen, any old rainy afternoon
With the temperature down and the juke box blowing no fuse
And the musical life's feeling like a long Sunday school cruise
And you know that there's one thing every single body could use

Modern times - rock 'n' roll
Modern times - rock 'n' roll

Get your high heeled guitar styled boots and some groovy clothes
Hair piece on your chest and a ring through your nose
Find a nice little man who says he's gonna make you a big, big star
Stars in your eyes, ants in your pants, think you should go far
Everybody in this bum sucking world is gonna know who you are

Rock 'n' roll (Freddie: Rock 'n' roll)
Rock 'n' roll (Freddie: Rock 'n' roll)
Rock 'n' roll (Freddie: Rock 'n' roll)
Rock 'n' roll (Freddie: Move it to the left, move it the right)
Rock 'n' roll (Freddie: Rock 'n' roll)
Rock 'n' roll (Freddie: Rock 'n' roll)
Rock 'n' roll (Freddie: Rock 'n' roll)
Rock 'n' roll (Freddie: Rock 'n' roll)
Rock 'n' roll

The March Of The Black Queen
Session 4, Track 2. Recorded at Langham One Studio, London, on 3 April 1974.
This version is identical to the album version, fading out as 'Funny How Love Is' begins. Sources suggest that either Queen ran out of studio time and were unable to record a fourth track, or that they were unhappy with what they did record, so the album version was broadcast instead. This means that possibly the track was recorded but not broadcast, but if so then it is likely to have been lost as the BBC tapes were destroyed many years ago. This does, however, seem an unlikely track to attempt to record, given it's length and complexity, and Queen never recreated it on stage in full. 'Father To Son' or 'Seven Seas Of Rhye' would have been a more logical choice and would both have been far easier to perform.
This version is officially unreleased.
Click here for the original song details.

Nevermore
Session 4, Track 3. Recorded at Langham One Studio, London, on 3 April 1974. Length 1:27.
Lyrically, this performance is almost identical to the album version, but towards the end of the track there is some guitar, which gives the track a heavier finale. There are also a couple of very minor lyric changes.
This track is available on the 'Queen II' 2011 double disc reissue.
Click here for the original song details.
Lyrics:
There's no living in my life anymore
The seas have gone dry
And the rain stopped falling
Please don't you cry anymore
Can't you see
Listen to the breeze
Whisper to me please
Don't send me to the path of nevermore, oh, oh, oh

Even the valleys below
Where the rays of the sun
Were so warm and tender
Now haven't anything to grow
Can't you see
Why did you have to leave me (nevermore, nevermore)
Why did you deceive me (nevermore, nevermore)
Send me to the path of nevermore
When you say you didn't love me anymore (aahhh)
Ahhh, nevermore
Nevermore

White Queen
Session 4, Track 4. Recorded at Langham One Studio, London, on 3 April 1974. Length 4:46.
This is similar to the album track, beginning with the guitar at 0:12 and continuing until the last vocals at 4:33. It has the same feel as other live performances of the song, has piano throughout, and adds a great piano/guitar solo.
This version is officially unreleased.
Click here for the original song details.
Lyrics:
So sad her eyes
Smiling dark eyes
So sad her eyes
As it began

On such a breathless night as this
Upon my brow the lightest kiss
I walked alone
And all around the air did say
My lady soon will stir this way
In sorrow known
The white queen walks and the night grows pale
Stars of lovingness in her hair

Needing - unheard
Pleading - one word
So sad her eyes
She cannot see

How did thee fare, what have thee seen
The mother of the willow green
I call her name
'Neath the window have I stayed
I loved the foot steps that she made
And when she came
White queen how my heart did ache
And dry my lips no words could make
Still I wait

My Goddess hear my darkest fear
I speak too late
It's for evermore that I wait

Dear friend, goodbye
No tears in my eyes
So sad it ends
As it began

Now I'm Here
Session 5, Track 1. Recorded at Maida Vale Studio, London, on 16 October 1974. Length 4:11.
The music to this performance is almost identical to the album version, to the extent that it could just be the backing track from the album. If it is the album version, then it has been slightly remixed, because at about 2:20, the guitar is much more prominent. There also seem to be slight changes to the end of the track; on the album, it fades out over about 21 seconds, whilst for this version it is about 13 seconds, and there are also a couple of seconds of additional music at the end. There are very few lyric changes, although Freddie's vocals have a slight echo and sound different to the album version.
This version is officially unreleased.
Click here for the original song details.
Lyrics: (the lyrics in red are echoed)
Here I stand
Look around, around, around, around, around
But you won't see me

Now I'm here
Now I'm there
I'm just a
Just a new man
Yes, you made me live again

A baby I was when you took my hand
And the light of the night burned bright
The people all stared didn't understand
But you knew my name on sight

Whatever came of you and me
America's new bride to be
Don't worry baby I'm safe and sound
Down in the dungeon just Peaches 'n' me
Don't I love her so
Ooh, you made me live again
Yeah, oh yeah

Yeah
Ooh, a thin moon me in a smoke screen sky
Where the beams of your lovelight chase
Don't move, don't speak, don't feel no pain
With the rain running down my face
Your matches still light up the sky
And many a tear lives on in my eye

Down in the city just Hoople 'n' me
Don't I love him so
Oh, don't I love, love him so
Woo

Whatever comes of you and me
I love to leave my memory with you

Now I'm here
Think I'll stay around, around, around, around, around, around
Down in the city justa you 'n' me
Ow

Don't I love you so

Go, go, go little Queenie, ooh

Stone Cold Crazy
Session 5, Track 2. Recorded at Maida Vale Studio, London, on 16 October 1974. Length 2:11.
As with 'Now I'm Here', this performance is so similar to the album version, it could just be the album version backing track. On the album, Freddie's vocals have a slight echo, whereas on this version they are normal.
This version is officially unreleased.
Click here for the original song details.
Lyrics:
Sleeping very soundly on a Saturday morning I was dreaming I was Al Capone
There's a rumour going round, gotta clear outta town
Yeah, I'm smelling like a dry fish bone
Here come the law, gonna break down the door, gonna carry me away once more
Never, I never, I never get it any more
Gotta get away from this stone cold floor
Crazy
Stone cold crazy, you know

Ahh
Yeah

Rainy afternoon I gotta blow a typhoon and I'm playing on my slide trombone
Anymore, anymore, cannot take it anymore
Gotta get away from this stone cold floor
Crazy
Stone cold crazy, you know

Hit 'em - haa
Ahhh
Ohh
Wow

Walking down the street, shooting people that I meet
With my rubber tommy water gun
Here come the deputy, he's gonna come and getta me
I gotta get me get up and run
They got the sirens loose
I got right outta juice
They're gonna put me in a cell, if I can't go to heaven
Then they let me go to hell
Crazy
Stone cold crazy, you know

Ow

Flick Of The Wrist
Session 5, Track 3. Recorded at Maida Vale Studio, London, on 16 October 1974. Length 3:24.
This track is quite similar to normal, in some places almost identical, but Brian's guitar solo is very different. At the end of the track, the last vocals 'been had' are a-capella, and then there is an echoed guitar burst to finish.
This track is available on the 'Sheer Heart Attack' 2011 double disc reissue.
Click here for the original song details.
Lyrics:
Dislocate your spine if you don't sign he says
I'll have you seeing double
Mesmerise you when he's tongue tied
Simply with those eyes (oooh, ooh, oooh)
Synchronise your minds and see
The beast within him rise

Don't look back
Don't look back
It's a rip off
Flick of the wrist and you're dead baby
Blow him a kiss and you're mad (oooh, oooh, oooh, oooh)
Flick of the wrist - he'll eat your heart out
A dig in the ribs and then a kick in the head
He's taken an arm, taken a leg
All this time honey
Baby you've been had

Intoxicate your brain with what I'm saying
If not you'll lie in knee deep trouble
Prostitute yourself he says
Castrate your human pride (oooh, ooh, oooh)
Sacrifice your leisure days
Let me squeeze you till you've dried

Don't look back
Don't look back
Ooh, it's a rip off
Aahhh
Aahhh
Aahhh

Work my fingers to my bones
I scream with pain
I still make no impression

Seduce you with his money make machine
Cross collateralise (big time money, money)
Reduce you to a muzak fake machine
Then the last goodbye (aah-ahh, aah-ahh, aah-ahh, aah-ahh)
It's a rip off

Flick of the wrist and you're dead baby
Blow him a kiss and you're mad (oooh, oooh, oooh, oooh)
Flick of the wrist - he'll eat your heart out
A dig in the ribs and then a kick in the head
He's taken an arm, taken a leg
All this time honey
Baby you've been had

Tenement Funster
Session 5, Track 4. Recorded at Maida Vale Studio, London, on 16 October 1974. Length 2:57.
Musically this version is very similar to the album version, so it could be a backing track from the album (especially given that Roger sings the lead vocal over his own backing vocals). The track has a proper ending (just like the Japanese 3" CD version), with new vocals by Roger which have a slight echo. The main lyric difference is that on the album version, 'young and you're crazy' is sung four times in total whereas on this version it is only sung three times.
This track is available on the 'Sheer Heart Attack' 2011 double disc reissue.
Click here for the original song details.
Lyrics:
My new purple shoes
Have been amazing the people next door
And my rock 'n' roll 45's
Been enraging the folks on the lower floor

I got a way with the girls on my block
Try my best be a real individual
And when we go down to Smokies and rock
They line up like it's some kinda ritual

Ooh, give me a good guitar
And you can say that my hair's a disgrace (ooooh)
Or, just find me an open car
I'll make the speed of light outta this place

Um, I like the good things in life
But most of the best things ain't free (ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh)
So the same situation
Just cuts like a knife
When you're young, and you're poor, and you're crazy
(Young and you're crazy, young and you're crazy, young and you're crazy)

Ooh, give me a good guitar
And you can say that my hair's a disgrace (ooooh)
Or, just find me an open car
I'll make the speed of light outta this place

We Will Rock You
Session 6, Track 1. Recorded at Maida Vale Studio, London, on 28 October 1977. Length 4:19.
This version combines a shortened slow version (1:13), an explosion and reading of Siddhartha (by Herman Hesse) (0:21) followed by a fast version of the track (2:44).
The fast version has officially been released, on the free 'Sun' CD single in 2002, but the rest is unreleased.
Click here for full details of the slow version, or here for full details of the fast version.
Lyrics:
Buddy you're a boy make a big noise
Playing in the street gonna be a big man some day
You got mud on your face
You big disgrace
Kicking your can all over the place
Singing

We will, we will, rock you
We will, we will, rock you, come on
We will, we will, rock you
We will, we will, rock you

????? believed in a creator God, Brachma. The Buddha rejected Brahmism and mocked at it's rituals. As for Brachma, the Buddha didn't deny his existence, but regarded him as a deluded spirit, who imagined he had created the universe

Oooh, oooh, yeah
Yeah, come on

Buddy you're a boy make a big noise
Playing in the street gonna be a big man some day
You got mud on your face
You big disgrace
Kicking your can all over the place

We will, we will, rock you
We will, we will, rock you

Buddy you're a young man, hard man
Shouting in the street gonna take on the world some day
Blood on your face
Big disgrace
Waving your banner all over the place
Sing it

We will, we will, rock you, oh yes ah
We will, we will, rock

Oh, oh, oh, oh
We will, we will, rock you, yes
We will, we will, rock you

Buddy you're an old man, poor man
Pleading with your eyes gonna make you some peace some day
Mud on your face
Big disgrace
Somebody better put you back into your place

We will, we will, rock you, come on
We will, we will, rock you
We will, we will, rock

Oh, rock you

Right on

It's Late
Session 6, Track 2. Recorded at Maida Vale Studio, London, on 28 October 1977. Length 6:31.
This performance is quite similar to the album version, but just when the 'I've been so long' verse normally starts, at about 3:05, the band perform an improvised section (similar to the 'weird' part of 'Get Down Make Love') which lasts 2:45. There is then a heavy guitar burst from Brian before the track reprises for 35 seconds.
This version is officially unreleased.
Click here for the original song details.
Lyrics:
You say you love me
And I hardly know your name
And if I say I love you in the candle light
There's no-one but myself to blame
But there's something inside
That's turning my mind away
Oh, oh, how I could love you
I could let you stay

It's late - and I'm bleeding deep inside
It's late - is it just my sickly pride
Too late - even now the feeling seems to steal away
So late - though I'm crying I can't help hear you say
It's late, it's late, it's late
But not too late
Ooh, yes
Ooh, yeah

The way you love me
Is the sweetest love around
But after all this time
The more I'm trying
The more I seem to let you down, yes
Now you tell me you're leaving
And I just can't believe it's true
Oh, oh, how I love you
Though you know I can't be true
Oh, you make me love you, yes
Don't tell me that we're through

It's late - oooh, and it's driving me so mad
It's late - oooh, but don't try to tell me that it's
Too late - even now love you can't turn out the light
So late - I've been wrong but I'll learn to be right
It's late, it's late, it's late
But not too late
No

It's late, it's late, it's late
Ohhh, oooh
Ow, oh
Ow, ohhhh, oooh
Make, make, make, make
Oh, oooh, oooh, oh, oooh
Ow, ow, ow
Oh, oohh

Make love, make love, make love, make love, make love, make love, make love, m-m-m-m-m-m-m-m-m-oooh
Get down, oooh
Oh, oh, oh, oh, ohhh
Ow, ow, ow
Ooh
Ooh, shh, ahh
Oh, oh, oh
Maaa
Ow, ow, ow

Owww, oooh
It's all too late
M-m-m-m-m-m-m-m-m-m-m-m-m-late, ooh, late

My Melancholy Blues
Session 6, Track 3. Recorded at Maida Vale Studio, London, on 28 October 1977. Length 3:11.
This performance is quite similar to the original version, but features guitar accompaniment by Brian. At the end of the track, instead of singing 'and meet my melancholy blues', Freddie sings 'and meet my', then laughs.
This track is available on the 'News Of The World' 2011 double disc reissue.
Click here for the original song details.
Lyrics:
Another party's over
And I'm left cold sober
My baby left me for somebody new, oooh, oooh
I don't wanna talk about it
Want to forget about it
Wanna be intoxicated with that special brew

Come and get me
Let me
Get in that sinking feeling
That says my heart is on an all time low, so
Don't expect me
To behave perfectly
And wear that sunny smile
My guess is I'm in for a cloudy and overcast
Don't try and stop me
Cause I'm heading for that stormy weather soon

I'm causing a mild sensation
With this new occupation
I'm permanently glued
With this extraordinary mood
So now move over
And let me take over
With my
Melancholy blues

I'm causing a mild sensation
With this new occupation
I'm in the news
I'm just getting used to my new exposure
Come into my enclosure
And meet my
Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha

Spread Your Wings
Session 6, Track 4. Recorded at Maida Vale Studio, London, on 28 October 1977. Length 5:25.
Although most of the track is similar to the album version, at about 4:03, there is an excellent very fast paced section, before returning to a slower pace at 4:56 to finish the track.
This track is available on the 'News Of The World' 2011 double disc reissue.
Click here for the original song details.
Lyrics:
Sammy was low
Just watching the show
Over and over again
He knew it was time
He'd made up his mind
And leave his dead life behind

His boss said to him
'Boy you'd better begin
To get those crazy notions right out of your head
Sammy, who do you think that you are?
Why can't you be happy at the Emerald Bar'

Spread your wings and fly away
Fly away, far away
Spread your little wings and fly away
Fly away, far away
Pull yourself together
'Cos you know you should do better
That's because you're a free man, yeah

He spends his evenings alone in his hotel room
Keeping his thoughts to himself, he'd be leaving soon
Wishing he was miles and miles away
Nothing in this world, nothing, could make him stay

Since he was small
He had no luck at all
Nothing came easy to him
Now it was time
He'd made up his mind
'This could be my last chance'

His boss said to him
'Now listen boy
You're always dreaming
You've got no real ambition, you won't get very far
Sammy boy, don't you know who you are?
Why can't you be happy at the Emerald Bar'

So honey
Spread your wings, fly away
Fly away, far away
Spread your little wings and fly away
Fly away, far away
Pull yourself together
'Cos you know you should do better
That's because you're a free man, yeah

So come on honey
Fly, fly with me
Far away
Oooh, let me take you
Ooh yeah

Ooh
Oh spread, come on
Spread your wings
Come on and fly, fly, fly with me
Yeah

Ooooh
Ooh-ooh-ooh-oh
Yeah
M-m-m-m-m-m-m-m-m-m fly
Oh, yeah
Alright, alright
Come on honey, fly with me, yeah
Oh spread
Oooh, yeah

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