Keep Yourself Alive (Album Version) 3:47
Written by Brian May
Appears on: Queen, Track 1

Keep Yourself Alive (US Edit) 3:29
Written by Brian May
Appears on: US Keep Yourself Alive 7" vinyl (1973), US Keep Yourself Alive 7" vinyl (1975), US Greatest Hits vinyl/CD (Elektra 1981), Another One Bites The Dust (Spun Gold) 7" vinyl
The same as the album cut, just with a very early fade-out. The 1973 7" vinyl and the Elektra US Greatest Hits CD copies are increasingly hard to find.

Keep Yourself Alive (Long-Lost Retake) 4:04
Written by Brian May
Appears on: Queen Hollywood Remaster (1991), UK Keep Yourself Alive 7" acetate vinyl, US Keep Yourself Alive 25th Anniversary promo CD, UK/US 2011 A Night At The Opera Deluxe CD
A completely different take than the album version, this version was recorded in 1975 for a possible US single release. As it turns out, an edit of the regular album version was released instead. This reworked version was first released on the Queen I remaster by Hollywood Records in 1991 and has been recently discovered on an acetate record. Recommended just for the sake of hearing something different.

Keep Yourself Alive (Short Lost Re-take Edit) 3:29
Written by Brian May
Appears on: UK Keep Yourself Alive 7" acetate vinyl
Coming from the same acetate as the "Long-lost Re-take," this edit remains unreleased. Thirty seconds have been taken off the full version by means of an earlier fade-out, the intro being cut, and bits around the drum solo being edited.

Keep Yourself Alive (De Lane Lea Demo) 3:51
Written by Brian May
Appears on: UK/US 2011 Queen Deluxe CD
Recorded during studio downtime in December 1971, the De Lane Lea Demos are the first Queen studio recordings. The only known original source is Brian May's own 12" acetate. The De Lane Lea Demo of Keep Yourself Alive begins with the needle hitting the acetate; giving it an authentic and special feel. The intro is on acoustic guitar before the Red Special takes over. Fade-out is similar to the album version.

Keep Yourself Alive (BBC Session 1) 3:48
Written by Brian May
Appears on: At The BBC, At The Beeb, US Keep Yourself Alive 25th Anniversary promo CD
Surprisingly very similar to the album version. Lyrics, lead vocals, and instruments are very similar. Backing vocals sound slightly different, but not a major departure from the definitive version. Fade-out is similar to the album version.

Keep Yourself Alive (BBC Session 2) 3:41
Written by Brian May
Appears on: Unreleased
Again, not much departure from the album version. The only difference is that the lead vocals seem to have a slight echo in places. The backing track is so close to the album version that it may actually be from the album take.

Keep Yourself Alive (Karaoke Version) 3:15
Written by Brian May
Appears on: Greatest Karaoke Hits
Nice to hear an instrumental of this track, even though it's incomplete. Unfortunately the track fades partway into the intro and the track fades out short of the proper end. Also of note, there is no click track at the beginning.

Great King Rat (Album Version) 5:43
Written by Freddie Mercury
Appears on: Queen, Track 3

Great King Rat (Preliminary Mix) 5:43
Written by Freddie Mercury
Appears on: Queen Hollywood Remaster (1991), Queen EMI Remaster (1994)
For any new release, the best available source is preferable. EMI did not know where the first generation master tapes were stored, so the 1986 and 1988 CD releases of Queen used production masters for their source. The production masters were stored at Abbey Road and easily obtainable. They were digitally transferred with care, but do not sound the best because they were second generation tapes. In 1990, Queen retrieved their tapes and found some had been lost or damaged over time. When it came time for Eddy Schreyer to remaster the album for Hollywood Records' 1991 release and the 1994 Digital Master Series, the best source is preferable. However, it had been discovered that the Queen master tape is in poor condition. Great King Rat from the first generation master-mix had a tape dropout three minutes into the song, which would have been very noticable. Since the first generation master-mix of Great King Rat was not available, the next best thing was used; a first generation source from a mix close to the final version. As a result, a preliminary mix of Great King Rat was used for Schreyer's Queen remaster. The performance is the same as the album version, but the mix is different. This preliminary mix is unbalanced; there are silences in the left channel on half of the guitar intro and in the right channel during the acoustic break in the middle. Also of note, later releases of Queen do have the real album version of Great King Rat from the "best available sources".

Great King Rat (De Lane Lea Demo) 6:09
Written by Freddie Mercury
Appears on: UK/US 2011 Queen Deluxe CD
Recorded during studio downtime in December 1971, the De Lane Lea Demos are the first Queen studio recordings. The only known original source is Brian May's own 12" acetate. Like the other De Lane Lea Demos, this version is a bit less produced and more raw than the album take. The middle drum part (at around 2:40) is a bit different to the final version. Freddie's vocals are good, but not as impressive as the final version. Track ends with the drum roll.

Great King Rat (BBC Session 3) 5:56
Written by Freddie Mercury
Appears on: At The BBC, At The Beeb
Track starts with great heavy guitar effects. Drum sound is very tight with no echo or reverb. The middle drum part is a bit more colorful in this version than any other. Again, the track ends with the typical drum roll.

Great King Rat (Take One) 3:48
Written by Freddie Mercury
Appears on: Unreleased
This track premiered at the 19th International Fan Club Convention in Prestatyn. Freddie Mercury counts-in, different lyrics/vocals, 'vocalized' guitar, goes up to the bridge when Freddie counts-out.

Great King Rat (Early Demo) 3:40
Written by Freddie Mercury
Appears on: Unreleased
This track premiered at the 20th International Fan Club Convention in Prestatyn. Obviously from the Queen sessions, Trident Studios, 1973. Very different, with alternate guitar outtakes and vocal overdubs, cuts halfway through.

My Fairy King (Album Version) 4:08
Written by Freddie Mercury
Appears on: Queen, Track 4

My Fairy King (BBC Session 1) 4:06
Written by Freddie Mercury
Appears on: At The BBC, At The Beeb
Again, this take is very similar to the album version. Vocals have lots of power and are superb. The ending features a bit of studio noise.

Liar (Album Version) 6:25
Written by Freddie Mercury
Appears on: Queen, Track 5

Liar (US Edit) 2:59
Written by Freddie Mercury
Appears on: US Liar 7" vinyl promo, US Killer Queen (Spun Gold) 7" vinyl
Quite possibly the worst Queen edit. A butchering would be a more appropriate description. The edit begins at 1:13 into the song, cuts from 2:14 through 3:27, picks up 3:28 through 3:44, cuts 3:45 through 4:17, plays 4:18 through about 4:57, cuts 4:58 through 5:31, and plays the rest of the song from that point onward. Needless to say, it sucks. The 7" vinyl is hard to find and frankly shouldn't be found.

Liar (De Lane Lea Demo) 7:54
Written by Freddie Mercury
Appears on: UK/US 2011 Queen Deluxe CD
Recorded during studio downtime in December 1971, the De Lane Lea Demos are the first Queen studio recordings. The only known original source is Brian May's own 12" acetate. The track starts with an awesome opening drum part, sounding much more full than the album cut. Features great extra guitar work by Brian, including guitar solos that later appear in Great King Rat and Brighton Rock (that solo seems to show up everywhere). Backing vocals are a bit flat, although Freddie's vocals sound good. A nice extended version of the track and worth finding for the guitars alone.

Liar (BBC Session 1) 6:28
Written by Freddie Mercury
Appears on: At The BBC, At The Beeb
Generally follows the path of the album version. The opening drums have a bit more bass, Freddie's vocals have more emotion, and there are quite a few extra guitar bits. Very good version and worth a good listen.

Liar (BBC Session 2) 6:30
Written by Freddie Mercury
Appears on: Unreleased
Not a bad version, just disappointing compared to the De Lane Lea and BBC Session 1 versions. Very similar to the album version with nothing really notable standing out.

Liar (Hollywood Records 1991 Remix) 6:26
Written by Freddie Mercury, Remixed by John Luongo and Gary Hellman
Appears on: Queen Hollywood Remaster (1991)
Certainly not as bad as the other Hollywood Records remixes. The track is basically the same with some extra percussion parts.

Liar (The eYe Version) 1:26
Written by Freddie Mercury
Appears on: Queen: The eYe
From the Electronic Arts videogame, Queen: The eYe. An edit of the album version, simply consisting of the first minute and a half of the song. Note that this version appears twice in The eYe.

Liar (Live at the Rainbow Theatre, 1974) - iTunes Video Version 4:18
Written by Freddie Mercury
Appears on: UK 2011 Queen Deluxe iTunes Video Download
This excellent live performance of Liar from Queen's 1974 Rainbow Theatre concert was made available as an exclusive UK video download on iTunes.

The Night Comes Down (Album Version) 4:23
Written by Brian May
Appears on: Queen, Track 6

The Night Comes Down (De Lea Lane Demo) 4:23
Written by Brian May
Appears on: UK/US 2011 Queen Deluxe CD
Recorded during studio downtime in December 1971, the De Lane Lea Demos are the first Queen studio recordings. The only known original source is Brian May's own 12" acetate. The De Lane Lea demo of The Night Comes Down is actually the first mix of the final album version.

The Night Comes Down (Roy Thomas Baker Produced Version)
Written by Brian May
Appears on: Unreleased
It is speculated that there is a Roy Thomas Baker produced version of The Night Comes Down. Like all of the De Lane Lea demos, it would be assumed that the band decided to re-record this with Roy. The rumor is the band didn't agree with Baker on the direction he was taking the song (most notably the Trident Studio drum sound).

The Night Comes Down (The eYe Version) 0:48
Written by Brian May
Appears on: Queen: The eYe
From the Electronic Arts videogame, Queen: The eYe. An edit of the album version, using the instrumental opening part of the song (before the first verses begin).

Modern Times Rock 'n' Roll (Album Version) 1:48
Written by Roger Meddows-Taylor
Appears on: Queen, Track 7

Modern Times Rock 'n' Roll (BBC Session 3) 2:00
Written by Roger Meddows-Taylor
Appears on: At The BBC, At The Beeb
Lead vocals by Roger. Similar to the album version. The track includes an extra vocal bit at 0:46, faster paced drumming, and a heavy bit of guitar at the ending. Not bad at all.

Modern Times Rock 'n' Roll (BBC Session 4) 2:41
Written by Roger Meddows-Taylor
Appears on: Unreleased
Lead vocals by Roger. By far the best version of this song! Brian does some excellent guitar work here. Roger's vocal is slower and more deliberate, as opposed to the faster paced album version. Freddie even comes in to add some surprise backing vocals at 2:09.

Modern Times Rock 'n' Roll (The eYe Version) 1:44
Written by Roger Meddows-Taylor
Appears on: Queen: The eYe
From the Electronic Arts videogame, Queen: The eYe. A full instrumental version of the album version. Slightly repetitive, but neat to hear.

Son And Daughter (Album Version) 3:20
Written by Brian May
Appears on: Queen, Track 8

Son And Daughter (Austrailian Censored Single Version) 3:12
Written by Brian May
Appears on: Austrailian Keep Yourself Alive 7" vinyl
From 1974, this Austrailian censored version of Son And Daughter appeared on the first Keep Yourself Alive 7" available in the country. Because of the use of the word "shit", two verses were completely edited out of the song. The lines "the world expects a man to buckle down and shovel shit" have been edited out.

Son And Daughter (BBC Session 2) 5:59
Written by Brian May
Appears on: Unreleased
A very strong version of the track, featuring great performances from everyone in the band. Instead of the "shovel shit" lyric, Freddie sings "shovel shhhh...". Not surprisingly, a bit of the Brighton Rock guitar solo appears during Brian's guitar bit (with some sound effects and some vocal monologue by Roger). The only downside is a bit of feedback that appears at the beginning of the take.

Son And Daughter (BBC Session 3) 7:08
Written by Brian May
Appears on: At The BBC, At The Beeb
Freddie's vocals aren't as strong here as in other versions. Instead of the "shovel shit" lyric, Freddie sings "shovel shhhh..." and "shovel it" respectively. Once again, a longer version of the Brighton Rock guitar solo appears during Brian's much longer guitar bit.

Son And Daughter (Live at the Hammersmith Odeon, 1975) - iTunes Video Version 1:25
Written by Brian May
Appears on: UK 2011 Queen Deluxe iTunes Video Download
This brief performance of Son And Daughter from Queen's 1975 gig at Hammersmith Odeon was made available as an exclusive iTunes video in the UK.

Jesus (Album Version) 3:44
Written by Freddie Mercury
Appears on: Queen, Track 9

Jesus (De Lane Lea Demo) 5:06
Written by Freddie Mercury
Appears on: UK/US 2011 Queen Deluxe CD
Recorded during studio downtime in December 1971, the De Lane Lea Demos are the first Queen studio recordings. The only known original source is Brian May's own 12" acetate. The De Lane Lea demo of The Night Comes Down is actually the first mix of the final album version. Similar to the album take, although much longer. Guitars are much heavier and a long guitar solo is added. Try to find this one; you'll be happy you did.

Polar Bear (Queen Demo Version) 4:33
Written by Brian May
Appears on: Unreleased
It had been rumored for years that a Queen version of this song existed with Freddie on vocals; again, denied by Queen Productions. A copy was leaked at about the same time as Silver Salmon. The Queen version is superior to the Smile version in just about every way. Freddie's vocals are incredible compared to Tim Staffel's. The track starts with 38 seconds of studio banter between Roger and the rest of the band, all the while Freddie is trying to start the take. Track starts at 0:39 with Freddie finally saying "Right, take two." There are some minor lyrical differences between the Queen and Smile version as well.

Hangman (Studio Demo)
Written by Unknown
Appears on: Trident Studios Hangman 10" Acetate
Although denied to exist by Queen Productions, John S. Stuart apparently owns a 10" acetate that does in fact have a studio version of Hangman. It is unknown if there are any other studio versions or acetates of this track.

Hangman (Live Versions)
Written by Unknown
Appears on: Unreleased
A track dating back to Mercury's time in Wreckage. This track appears frequently during 1973/74 concerts (Bristol, Oxford, etc.). A kind of heavy/bluesy song, in the same vain as See What A Fool I've Been. Bootleg versions can be found, but in very poor quality.

Rock n' Roll Medley
Written by various artists
Appears on: Unreleased
During early concerts, Queen usually played a Rock n' Roll medley. It has been rumored for years that a studio Rock n' Roll medley recording exists. Judging from what cover tracks were played by them at the time, the medley most likely would consist of Jailhouse Rock, Stupid Cupid, and Bamalamaloo.