Keep Yourself Alive

Keep Yourself Alive (Album Version) 3:47 Click here for more info!
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 Re-take) 4:04
Written by Brian May
Appears on: Queen Hollywood Remaster (1991)
, UK Keep Yourself Alive 7" acetate vinyl
A completely different take than the album version, this take has an almost synthesizer sounding intro (undoubtedly from the Red Special) and different vocals at the end. This was released 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) 3:44
Written by Brian May
Appears on: Unreleased, Recorded in 1971

Again, a different take from the album version. This is sourced from Queen's original demo tape recorded at De Lane Lea Studios. 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

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.

Doing Alright

Doing Alright (Album Version) 4:09
Written by Brian May and Tim Staffel
Appears on: Queen, Track 2


Doing Alright (BBC Session 1) 4:10

Written by Brian May and Tim Staffel
Appears on: At The BBC, At The Beeb
Great version of the classic Queen/Smile track. This version's sound is a bit rawer. The main highlight is Roger singing lead vocals for the last verse.

Great King Rat

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


Great King Rat (De Lane Lea Demo) 6:07

Written by Freddie Mercury
Appears on: Unreleased, Recorded in 1971
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 undeveloped. 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

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

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) 7:47
Written by Freddie Mercury
Appears on: Unreleased, Recorded in 1971
Awesome opening drum part, sounding much more full than the album cut. Features great extra guitar work by Brian, who includes 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.

The Night Comes Down

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


The Night Comes Down (Roy Thomas Baker Produced Version)

Written by Brian May
Appears on: Unreleased
The original De Lane Lane demo was actually preferred by the band and is the definitive version found on the Queen album. The Roy Thomas Baker produced version of the song remains unreleased. The band didn't agree with Baker on the direction he was taking the song (most notably the Trident Studio drum sound). This version remains in the vault until the eventual Queen Anthology release.

The Night Comes Down (The eYe Version) 0:48
Written by Freddie Mercury
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

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

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


Son And Daughter (BBC Session 2) 5:59

Written by Brain 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 Brain 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.

Jesus

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: Unreleased, Recorded in 1971
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.

Seven Seas Of Rhye

Seven Seas Of Rhye (Album Version) 1:15
Written by Freddie Mercury
Appears on: Queen, Track 10


Mad The Swine

Mad The Swine 3:23
Written by Freddie Mercury
Appears on: Queen Hollywood Remaster (1991), UK Headlong CD Single, UK Headlong 12" vinyl
This track from the Queen I sessions remained unreleased until 1991. Lyrics are highly religious and are in the same vein as Jesus. David Richards apparently remixed the final product in 1991 for official release. What is the difference between the Richards mix and the Roy Thomas Baker mix? Apparently just minor changes in drum volume. This track is easily found on the US Hollywood Remaster of Queen I and the UK Headlong CD single.


Silver Salmon

Silver Salmon (Demo) 3:09
Written by Tim Staffel
Appears on: Unreleased, Recorded 1970/71?
This track is the most well known and talked about Queen demo. Rumored to exist for years, but was often said not to exist by Queen Productions. A copy was finally leaked into the bootleg and internet trader market. Track starts with Freddie talking in the studio. A great heavy metal track with great heavy guitar work by Brian and brilliant drumming by Roger. One of the best unreleased demos by far.


Polar Bear

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

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, Golder's Green, 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

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.