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The Freddie Mercury Album
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Released 16 November 1992, reached number 4, on chart for 25 weeks, and achieved 2x Platinum Status.
Album length 44:16.

Tracklisting:
1. The Great Pretender (original version)
2. Foolin' Around (1992 remix)
3. Time (1992 remix)
4. Your Kind Of Lover (1992 remix)
5. Exercises In Free Love (original version)
6. In My Defence (1992 remix)
7. Mr Bad Guy (1992 remix)
8. Let's Turn It On (1992 remix)
9. Living On My Own (1992 album remix)
10. Love Kills (original version)
11. Barcelona (album version)

 

Tracks 1, 5 and 11 produced by Freddie Mercury, Mike Moran and David Richards.
Tracks 2, 4, 7, 8 and 9 produced by Freddie Mercury and Mack.
Tracks 3 and 6 produced by Dave Clarke and Freddie Mercury.
Track 10 produced by Freddie Mercury, Georgio Moroder and Mack.

Design by Richard Gray.
Photography by Peter Hince, George Hurrell and Jeremy Enness.
Digitally mastered by Eddy Schreyer at Future Disc Systems, Hollywood


This page includes the details of the four tracks which were given their first album release on this compilation, namely The Great Pretender, Time, In My Defence, and Love Kills. In the details below, 'boxed set' generally refers to the 'Solo' 10DVD/2CD boxed set, released in 2000.


The US release was retitled as 'The Great Pretender', and replaced the normal versions of The Great Pretender and Love Kills with remixes, Barcelona with a remix of My Love Is Dangerous, and used a slightly different remixed version of Mr Bad Guy. This means the US version retains only one original version, namely Exercises In Free Love. The full track listing is as follows:

1. The Great Pretender (Malouf Mix)
2. Foolin' Around (1992 remix)
3. Time (1992 remix)
4. Your Kind Of Lover (1992 remix)
5. Exercises In Free Love (original version)
6. In My Defence (1992 remix)
7. Mr Bad Guy (1992 remix, alternate ending)
8. Let's Turn It On (1992 remix)
9. Living On My Own (1992 album remix)
10. My Love Is Dangerous (1992 remix)
11. Love Kills (original Wolf mix)

Some copies also add the Techno Version of 'Living On My Own' as a hidden track.

 

Singles:

Reissued Singles:

The Great Pretender
Track 1. Written by Buck Ram.
This track was originally recorded by The Platters, and reached no 5 in September 1956.
Roger Taylor and Peter Straker may provide backing vocals (as they appear in the video).
Click here for details of the surround sound mix, or here for the extended version surround sound mix.
Recording Notes:
Produced by Freddie Mercury, Mike Moran and David Richards.
Recorded at Townhouse Studios, London, November 1986.
Demo version recorded at an unknown venue, London, 8 November 1986, mixed by Joshua J Macrae, assisted by Dean Crathern.
Malouf Mix mixed by Brian Malouf, with additional production by Julian Raymond.
Available Versions: :
1. Single Version (3:25) (on all singles, the album, the boxed sets, Queen's 'Greatest Hits III' and 'Lover Of Life, Singer Of Songs')
2. Extended Version (5:51) (on the 12" single and in the boxed set) (click here for lyrics)
3. 1992 Remix / Malouf Mix (3:39) (on the reissue CD single, 'The Great Pretender' album, 'Freddie Mercury Remixes', in the boxed set and 'Lover Of Life, Singer Of Songs'; features some additional guitar, piano, percussion, and other mixing changes)
4. Film Version (3:20) (available in the 1992 film 'Night And The City', and on a US Promo CD; the track runs faster than normal, and adds some synthesiser music in places and a couple of vocal overdubs)
5. Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert Insert (1:51) (a short edit; fading in at 0:33, losing 1:16 to 1:51 and 2:42 to 2:47 and ending at 3:03) (click here for lyrics)
6. Instrumental Version (3:25) (in the boxed set; retains a few backing vocals only) (click here for lyrics)
7. Original Demo (3:03) (in the boxed set) (click here for lyrics)
8. Extended Video Version (5:51) (on 'The Great Pretender Video EP', the 'Freddie Mercury Video Collection' and 'Lover Of Life, Singer Of Songs'; includes some backstage quotes from Freddie, Roger and Peter Straker, many of which are undecipherable) (click here for lyrics)
Lyrics: (the Malouf Mix has the additional word in red, but not those in blue)
Oh yes, I'm the great pretender (oooh-ooh-oooh-ooh)
Pretending I'm doing well (oooh-ooh-oooh-ooh)
My need is such
I pretend too much
I'm lonely but no-one can tell

Oh yes, I'm the great pretender (oooh-ooh-oooh-ooh)
Adrift in a world of my own (oooh-ooh-oooh-ooh)
I play the game
But to my real shame
You've left me to dream all alone

Too real is this feeling of make believe (oooooh, make believe)
Too real when I feel what my heart can't conceal (oooh, ooh, oooh, ooh, oooh)

Oh, oh yes, I'm the great pretender (oooh-ooh-oooh-ooh)
Just laughing and gay like a clown (oooh-ooh-oooh-ooh)
I seem to be what I'm not you see (oooh, oooh, oh, you see)
I'm wearing my heart like a crown
Pretending that you're still around

Yeah, yeah (ooooh-oh-ooh-oh-oooh)
Woo-hoo
Too real when I feel what my heart can't conceal (real, feel, what my heart)

Oh yes, I'm the great pretender
Just laughing and gay like a clown (oooh-ooh-oooh-ooh)
I seem to be what I'm not you see
I'm wearing my heart like a crown
Pretending that you're
Pretending that you're still around

Yeah, yeah
Oh yes

Time
Track 3. Written by Dave Clarke and John Christie.
This track originally appeared in the musical 'Time', released in April 1986, and was also released as a single.
Click here for details of the surround sound mix.
Recording and Additional Notes:
Produced by Dave Clarke and Freddie Mercury.
Engineered by John Kelley and Ashley Lowe, assisted by Paul Mortimer.
Recorded at Abbey Road Studios, London, January 1986.
Arranged by Freddie Mercury and Mike Moran.
1992 Remix remixed by Nile Rodgers.
2000 Remix remixed by Dave Clarke at Abbey Road Studios, May-June 2000.
Additional Musicians:
Mike Moran (keyboards)
Ray Russell (guitars)
Brett Morgan (drums)
Alan Jones (bass)
John Christie and Peter Straker (backing vocals)
Remix Identifiers:
The original version begins with a-capella vocals, with the piano starting on the second line of vocals. The 1992 remix has an organ from the very start, while the 2000 remix has piano at the very start.
Available Versions:
1. Original Album Version (2:57) (on the 'Time' LP only; this is identical to the single version, but interrupted by a sudden noise as the 'rock star' is kidnapped; it also has some dubbed audience noise)
2. Album Reprise Version (0:53) (on the 'Time' LP only; this is the rest of the single version, beginning with the sudden noise again; it also has some dubbed audience noise)
3. Single Version (3:55) (on the singles, in the boxed set and on 'Lover Of Life, Singer Of Songs')
4. Extended Version (4:35) (on the 12" single and in the boxed set) (click here for lyrics)
5. Instrumental Version (3:20) (on the singles and in the boxed set; this is an instrumental version of the single version, retaining some lyrics, and omitting the section from 0:28 to 1:02) (click here for lyrics)
6. 1992 Remix (3:48) (on the album and in the boxed set; similar to the original, but loses the piano, and adds extra instruments including jangly guitar and organ effects)
7. Radio Edit (3:49) (on a promo CD single; a slight edit of the 1992 Remix, which trims a couple of sections)
8. 2000 Remix (3:59) (only in the 3CD 'Solo' set; very similar to the original version, but loses the percussion from some parts)
Lyrics: (the original album version retains all lyrics upto the two 'time waits for nobody' followed by the four 'time's; the reprise includes the lyrics from these four 'time's onwards)
Time waits for nobody (ooooh, oooh)
Time waits for nobody (ooooh, ooh, oooh)
We all must plan our hopes together
Or we'll have no more future at all
Time waits for nobody

We might as well be deaf and dumb and blind
I know that sounds unkind
But it seems to me we've not listened to
Or spoken about it all
The fact that time is running out
For us all

Time
Waits for nobody
Time waits for no-one
We've got to build this world together
Or we'll have no more future at all
Because time
It waits for nobody

You don't need me tell you what's gone wrong (gone wrong, gone wrong)
You know what's going on
But it seems to me we've not cared enough (ooooh, oooh)
Or confided in each other at all
It seems like we've all got our backs against the wall

(Time) Time waits for nobody
(Time) Ooh, waits for no-one
We've got to trust in one another (ooooh, oooh)
Or there'll be no more future at all

(Time)
Yeah, time waits for nobody, no, no
Time don't wait for no-one
Let's learn to be friends with one another (ooooh, oooh)
Or there'll be no more future at all

Time, time, time, time
Waits for nobody
Waits for nobody
Time, time, time, time
Waits for nobody at all

Time waits for nobody, yeah
Time don't wait (don't wait), waits for no-one
Let us free this world forever (ooooh, oooh)
And build a brand new future for us all
Ahh, ah, ahh, ah
Time

Waits
For nobody, nobody, nobody
For no-one

In My Defence
Track 5. Written by Dave Clarke, David Soames and Jeff Daniels.
This track originally appeared in the musical 'Time', released in April 1986.
Click here for details of the surround sound mix.
Recording and Additional Notes:
Produced by Dave Clarke and Freddie Mercury
Music recorded at Abbey Road Studios, London, October 1985
Guitars, Synths and some Backing Vocals recorded at Musicland Studios, Munich, Germany
Arranged by Freddie Mercury and Mike Moran
1992 Remix remixed by Ron Nevison
2000 Remix remixed by Dave Clarke at Abbey Road Studios, May-June 2000
Additional Musicians:
Mike Moran (keyboards)
Paul Vincent (guitars)
Graham Jarvis (drums)
Andy Pask (bass)
Peter Banks (synths)
John Christie (backing vocals)
Remix Identifiers:
The original version begins with orchestral music. The 1992 remix and the 2000 remix lose this orchestral intro, and are very similar, however the piano throughout the 2000 remix is more prominent.
Alternate Versions:
1. Original Version (3:55) (on the 'Time' LP, on 'In My Defence' CD1 and in the boxed set; this has more prominent bass and orchestral parts than the remixes)
2. 1992 Remix (3:52) (on the album, singles, and in the boxed set; similar to the original, but with different percussion, more guitar, and loses some of the orchestral instruments)
3. 2000 Remix (3:52) (in the 3CD 'Solo' boxed set and on 'Lover Of Life, Singer Of Songs'; similar to the original, but heavier percussion, and loses some of the orchestral parts)
4. Instrumental Version (3:55) (in the boxed set; an instrumental version of the original; has a couple of lead/backing vocals only) (click here for lyrics)
5. Video Version (3:51) (on 'The Freddie Mercury Video Collection' and 'Lover Of Life, Singer Of Songs'; this is the 2000 Remix with some quotes from Freddie)
Lyrics: (the quotes in red are added to the video version)
C'est la vie
In my defence, what is there to say?
All the mistakes we made must be faced today
It's not easy now, knowing where to start
While the world we love tears itself apart

I'm just a singer with a song
How can I try to right the wrong?
For just a singer with a melody
I'm caught in between, with a fading dream

I'm a very loving person
How about that, ha, ha, ha, ha

In my defence, what is there to say?
We destroy the love, it's our way
We never listen enough, never face the truth
Then like a passing song
Love is here and then it's gone

I'm just a singer with a song
How can I try to right the wrong?
For just a singer with a melody
I'm caught in between, with a fading dream

Just a singer with a song
How can I try to right the wrong?
I'm just a singer with a melody
I'm caught in between, with a fading dream
Caught in between, with a fading dream
Caught in between, with a fading dream

Oh what on earth (ooohh)
Oh what on earth (ooh, ooh, ooohh)
How do I try?
Do we live or die?
Oh help me God (if I had to do it all again, yes, why not, I'd do it slightly differently)
Please help me
I still love you

Love Kills
Track 10. Written by Freddie Mercury and Georgio Moroder.
This track originally appeared in the film 'Metropolis', released in 1984, and was originally planned for Queen's 'The Works' album. As such, it may feature Roger's programmed drums and Brian's guitar, and possibly John Deacon's bass.
This track has been extensively remixed, click here for full details of all mixes.
Recording and Additional Notes:
Produced by Freddie Mercury, Georgio Moroder and Mack
Recorded at Musicland Studios, Munich, Germany
Instrumental version mixed by David Richards at Mountain Studios, assisted by Kris Fredriksson
Alternate Versions:
1. Film Version (1:40) (in the film only, not on the soundtrack LP; a short segment with a few lyric changes, and slightly different instruments)
2. Single Version (4:28) (on the album, singles, in the boxed sets and on 'Lover Of Life, Singer Of Songs')
3. Promo Edit (3:26) (available on an Argentinian 7" promo, this is simply an earlier fade out)
3. Extended Version (5:21) (on the 12" single, the 'I Was Born To Love You' double-pack single, and in the boxed set) (click here for lyrics)
4. Instrumental Version (4:24) (in the boxed set; a hybrid of instrumental elements of the album and extended versions, although it is difficult to tell which parts come from where) (click here for lyrics)
Lyrics: (the film version contains the first two verses, verse 3 without the 'hey', then verse 2 again with lines 5 and 6 changed to 'Stay with you life time / Just won't let go')
Ooh, ooh, oooh

Love don't give no compensation
Love don't pay no bills
Love don't give no indication
Love just won't stand still

Love kills, drills you through your heart
Love kills, scars you from the start
It's just a living pastime
Ruling your heart line
Stay for a lifetime
Won't let you go
Cause love (love) love (love) love won't leave you alone

Love don't take no reservation
Love is no square deal
Hey, love don't give no justification
It strikes like cold steel

Love kills, drills you through your heart
Love kills, scars you from the start
It's just a living pastime
Burning your life line
Gives you a hard time
Won't let you go
Cause love (love) love (love) love won't leave you alone

Hey, love can play with your emotions
Open invitation to your heart
Hey, love kills

Play with your emotions
Open invitation to your heart, to your heart
Love kills, love kills, hey
Love kills, love kills
Love kills, kills, kills, kills
Love can play with your emotions
Open invitation

Love kills, hey, drills you through your heart
Love kills, scars you from the start
It's just a living pastime
Ruling your heartline
Won't let you go

Love kills, hey, drills you through your heart
Love kills, tears you right apart
It won't let go
It won't let go
Love kills
Yeah, yeah

Ooh, ooh, oooh
Ooh, ooh, oooh

Ooh, ooh, oooh
Ooh, ooh, oooh

Ooh, ooh, oooh

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