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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
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 (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 (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
(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) 7:47
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 (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).
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Modern Times Rock 'n' Roll
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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 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 (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
(Album Version) 1:15
Written by Freddie Mercury
Appears on: Queen, Track 10
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 (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 (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, 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
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.
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