Jazz

Produced by: Queen and Roy Thomas Baker
Recorded at: Super Bear Studios and Mountain Studios
UK EMI LP: 10 November 1978 EMA 788 / UK Chart #2
USA Elektra LP: 14 November 1978 6E-166 / Billboard #6

Side One
1. Mustapha (Mercury) 3:01
2. Fat Bottomed Girls (May) 4:16
3. Jealousy (Mercury) 3:13
4. Bicycle Race (Mercury) 3:01
5. If You Can't Beat Them (Deacon) 4:15
6. Let Me Entertain You (Mercury) 3:01
  Side Two
1. Dead On Time (May) 3:23
2. In Only Seven Days (Deacon) 2:30
3. Dreamers Ball (May) 3:30
4. Fun It (Taylor) 3:29
5. Leaving Home Ain't Easy (May) 3:15
6. Don't Stop Me Now (Mercury) 3:29
7. More Of That Jazz (Taylor) 4:16

Singles

UK Singles
- Bicycle Race c/w Fat Bottomed Girls 7" / UK Chart #11
- Don't Stop Me Now c/w In Only Seven Days 7" / UK Chart #9

US Singles
- Bicycle Race c/w Fat Bottomed Girls 7" / Billboard #24
- Don't Stop Me Now c/w More Of That Jazz 7" / Billboard #86
- Jealousy c/w Fun It 7" / Did Not Chart

Album Info

Queen left the comforts of London and recorded their seventh album, Jazz, entirely overseas. Reunited for the last time with Roy Thomas Baker, the band found new inspiration from their new surroundings at Super Bear Studios in Nice, France and Mountain Studios in Montreux, Switzerland.

The album, perhaps like the band's lifestyle at the time, was one of eclectic excess, featuring thirteen tracks that spanned the gamut of musical styles. Jazz was released on November 10, 1978 by EMI in the UK and November 14, 1978 by Elektra in the US. It performed better than News Of The World in the UK, going all the way to #2, reaching Platinum sales status. In the US, Jazz and its accompanying singles weren't as strong, with the album going to #6 while also going Platinum.

The double A-Side Bicycle Race / Fat Bottomed Girls was released in October 1978 in both territories, going to #11 in the UK while settling at a disappointing #24 in the US. Don't Stop Me Now followed reaching #9 in the UK and #86 in the US. The track later went on to become one of the band's most popular songs. Jealousy followed in the US but did not chart.

Jazz famously came packaged with a nude bicycle race poster in most countries. A second edition was released in the US that did not feature the poster, but rather included a mail away coupon for the consumer.

Mustapha

Mustapha (Album Version) 3:01
Appears on: Jazz, Track 1


Mustapha (The eYe Version) 0:25
Appears on: Queen: The eYe

From the Electronic Arts videogame, Queen: The eYe. This edit features Freddie singing the a capella vocal intro to the song, ending right before "hey!"

Fat Bottomed Girls

Fat Bottomed Girls (Album Version) 4:16
Appears on: Jazz, Track 2


Fat Bottomed Girls (Single Version) 3:22
Appears on: US Bicycle Race 7" vinyl, UK Bicycle Race 7" vinyl, US Greatest Hits vinyl/CD (Elektra 1981), UK Greatest Hits, UK We Are The Champions 3" CD single, Japan We Are The Champions 3" CD single, US Greatest Hits: We Will Rock You Edition, UK The Singles Collection Volume 1, UK 2011 Jazz Deluxe CD

A bit more straightforward than the album version, with many of the instrumental sections missing. The guitar burst ending is not used; instead, the track ends on a fade-out. It works really well as an edit and still retains the feel of the song.

Fat Bottomed Girls/Bicycle Race (US 12" Promo Version) 6:10
Appears on: US Fat Bottomed Girls/Bicycle Race 12" vinyl promo

The very rare US 12" promo vinyl features Fat Bottomed Girls/Bicycle Race on side A and Bicycle Race/Fat Bottomed Girls on side B. The A-Side plays the Fat Bottomed Girls single edit, but cuts off the last few seconds, at which point Bicycle Race plays. The B-Side plays the Bicycle Race, but cuts off the last few seconds, at which point the Fat Bottomed Girls single edit plays.

Fat Bottomed Girls (1994 EMI Remaster Error) 4:16
Appears on: Queen Rocks, 1994 Jazz Album Remaster

All of the Queen albums were remastered under the banner of the "Digital Master Series" and released over 1993/1994. The album remaster of Jazz features an error on Fat Bottomed Girls. A very loud (and annoying) "pop" sound is heard a few seconds into the song. This appears on all releases that use the EMI 1994 remasters.

Fat Bottomed Girls (Greatest Flix Video Version) 3:04
Appears on: Greatest Flix VHS

The same as the single version mix, just fading out very early.

Fat Bottomed Girls (US Greatest Hits Video Version) 3:14
Appears on: US Hollywood Records Greatest Hits VHS

This version is the single edit up until the end; the album version ending is used instead of the fade-out.

Fat Bottomed Girls (Rocks Video Version) 3:16
Appears on: Queen Rocks VHS

The audio to the Rocks Video Version is pretty much the same as the Single Edit of the track, but instead of fading out at the end, it retains the outro of the album version. The remastering error from the 1994 remasters is present in this version (the "pop").

Fat Bottomed Girls (Video CD Version) 3:03
Appears on: UK Greatest Flix I & II VCD

The Queen promo videos were released digitally for the first time in 1994 on video CD format. The two disc set featured Queen's most popular videos, some of which were minorly edited. The core audio of this version is the single version. The opening fades in on the word "Are", cutting the opening by a second or two. The ending cuts off an additional 19 seconds, which is slightly more than the VHS video.

Fat Bottomed Girls (Greatest Video Hits 1 Stereo Video Version) 3:40
Appears on: Greatest Video Hits 1 DVD

A pretty neat mix. This version has the same edits at the beginning as the single edit, but then continues just as the album version does.

Fat Bottomed Girls (Greatest Video Hits 1 Surround Mix) 3:45
Appears on: Greatest Video Hits 1 DVD

A new 96/24 DTS 5.1 surround mix of Fat Bottomed Girls was made for the 2002 Greatest Video Hits 1 DVD. Most of the new mixes on this DVD (including this one) were produced and engineered by Justin Shirley-Smith with additional engineering and Pro Tools HD by Kris Fredriksson. The mixes were done at Sphere Studios, London. This version has the same edits at the beginning as the single edit, but then continues just as the album version does. A few seconds of silence are added to the beginning of the track for the video title card on the DVD.

Fat Bottomed Girls (Karaoke Version) 3:18
Appears on: Greatest Karaoke Hits

An instrumental version of the single mix that fades out a few seconds early. This version starts with a click track.

Fat Bottomed Girls (Brian Malouf Remix) 4:24
Appears on: Jazz Hollywood Remaster (1991)

Like Brian Malouf's other mixes, this one stays true to the original. There are some phasing effects added to the vocals and minor guitar/drumming effects added. It features some different vocals from Freddie at the end ("them dirty ladies get me every time"), possibly from a different take or an unused section of the mulitrack. A very good remix and worth looking for just for the added vocals.

Fat Bottomed Girls (Organized Konfusion Remix) 4:01
Appears on: BASIC Queen Bootlegs promo CD

Organized Konfusion is an alternative hip hop duo from Queens, New York. This remix features some different lead vocal takes of Freddie, which is its most interesting feature. Organized Konfussion then add their own rap bits to the song to form the verses. Samples of We Will Rock You and Bicycle Race also make appearances. It is on par with most of the other Hollywood rap remixes.

Fat Bottomed Girls (Live In Paris - February 27, 1979) 4:37
Appears on: Bohemian Rhapsody - The Original Soundtrack

This is a surprising standout song from the Bohemian Rhapsody soundtrack. While most listeners were anxiously awaiting revisited tracks and Live Aid, this live version is a highlight of the album. To wrap up their 1979 European tour, Queen performed three nights in a row at the Pavillon de Paris. This excellent performance of Fat Bottomed Girls comes from the first night.

Jealousy

Jealousy (Album Version) 3:13
Appears on: Jazz, Track 3


Jealousy (With Reinstated Bass Drum) 3:13
Appears on: UK 2011 Jazz CD, UK 2011 Jazz Deluxe CD, UK Deep Cuts 2 (1977-1982), Forever Deluxe Edition

According to the Deep Cuts 2 liner notes, the bass drum had been accidently left off the original album mix of Jealousy. After 32 years, the bass drum has been reinstated on the new 2011 releases by Joshua J. Macrae.

Jealousy (Early Instrumental Take) 4:00
Appears on: Unreleased

This track premiered at the 20th International Fan Club Convention in Prestatyn. This is a different backing track (piano, bass, drms) than the final one that appears on Jazz. Of particular interest is an unused bridge that includes a part from what will become Play The Game.

Bicycle Race

Bicycle Race (Album Version) 3:01
Appears on: Jazz, Track 4


Bicycle Race (Columbia Long Version) 4:58
Appears on: Columbia Crazy Little Thing Called Love 12" vinyl

The B-Side to Columbia's 1979 Crazy Little Thing Called Love 12" vinyl features a very strange extended version of Bicycle Race. The track plays normally until the bell ringing portion. At that point, the track begins again and plays the whole way through.

Bicycle Race/Fat Bottomed Girls (US 12" Promo Version) 6:11
Appears on: US Fat Bottomed Girls/Bicycle Race 12" vinyl promo

The very rare US 12" promo vinyl features Fat Bottomed Girls/Bicycle Race on side A and Bicycle Race/Fat Bottomed Girls on side B. The A-Side plays the Fat Bottomed Girls single edit, but cuts off the last few seconds, at which point Bicycle Race plays. The B-Side plays the Bicycle Race, but cuts off the last few seconds, at which point the Fat Bottomed Girls single edit plays.

Bicycle Race (Video CD Version) 2:55
Appears on: UK Greatest Flix I & II VCD

The Queen promo videos were released digitally for the first time in 1994 on video CD format. The two disc set featured Queen's most popular videos, some of which were minorly edited. The end of Bicycle Race fades very early, cutting off some of the end lyrics.

Bicycle Race (Greatest Video Hits 1 Surround Mix) 3:09
Appears on: Greatest Video Hits 1 DVD

A new 96/24 DTS 5.1 surround mix of Bicycle Race was made for the 2002 Greatest Video Hits 1 DVD. Most of the new mixes on this DVD (including this one) were produced and engineered by Justin Shirley-Smith with additional engineering and Pro Tools HD by Kris Fredriksson. The mixes were done at Sphere Studios, London. A few seconds of silence are added to the beginning of the track for the video title card on the DVD.

Bicycle Race (Karaoke Version) 3:04
Appears on: Greatest Karaoke Hits

An instrumental version that takes out the lead vocals, but retains the backing vocals. The karaoke version fades out a second or two early (losing some reverb) and starts with a click track.

Bicycle Race (Instrumental) 3:10
Appears on: UK 2011 Jazz Deluxe CD

A completely instrumental version. There are no lead vocals or backing vocals to be found. A fun track to listen too; there may be a few things there that you haven't heard before.

Bicycle Race (Junior Vasquez Remix) 4:58
Appears on: Jazz Hollywood Remaster (1991)

This 1991 Hollywood Records release by Junior Vasquez is a dance/hip-hop mix of the track; featuring a back-beat, various effects, and loops. The bicycle ringer solo has been replaced with an odd vocal loop with piano. One of the oddest remixes that Hollywood Records released.

If You Can't Beat Them

If You Can't Beat Them (Album Version) 4:15
Appears on: Jazz, Track 5

Let Me Entertain You

Let Me Entertain You (Album Version) 3:01
Appears on: Jazz, Track 6


Let Me Entertain You (The eYe Version) 0:49
Appears on: Queen: The eYe

From the Electronic Arts videogame, Queen: The eYe. This is the instrumental intro to the album version (drums and guitar) looped three times.

Let Me Entertain You (Alternative Mix) 3:24
Appears on: Unreleased

This track premiered at the 2006 Dutch Fan Club Convention. From the Jazz sessions, 1978, this alternative mix has different vocals, live drums, and an unfaded outro that transitions into an a capella chorus of We Are The Champions.

Let Me Entertain You (Live at the Nippon Budokan, 1979) - Absolute Greatest Streaming Video Version 3:09
Appears on: UK 2009 Absolute Greatest Streaming Video

This live version from Japan starts with Freddie speaking Japanese at the beginning, to the delight of the crowd. The performance is similar to the Live Killers version.

Let Me Entertain You (Live at the Nippon Budokan, 1979) - iTunes Video Version 2:49
Appears on: UK 2011 Jazz iTunes Video Download

A typical live performance of Let Me Entertain You, this time from Queen's 1979 tour of Japan. This is the same performance that appeared on 2009's Absolute Greatest streaming videos. This version, however, does not have Freddie's banter with the crowd at the beginning.

Dead On Time

Dead On Time (Album Version) 3:23
Appears on: Jazz, Track 7

In Only Seven Days

In Only Seven Days (Album Version) 2:30
Appears on: Jazz, Track 8

Dreamers Ball

Dreamers Ball (Album Version) 3:30
Appears on: Jazz, Track 9


Dreamers Ball (Early Acoustic Take, August 1978)
Appears on: UK 2011 Jazz Deluxe CD

What a welcome addition to the 2011 Deluxe Jazz CD release! This early take features Freddie, Brian, and Roger performing a very much work-in-progress version of the song. There are no electric guitars here either, all acoustic. The vocal is slightly more subdued, but suits this take very well. A great bonus track.

Dreamers Ball (Live from the Pavillon de Paris, 1979) - Absolute Greatest Streaming Video Version 4:00
Appears on: UK 2009 Absolute Greatest Streaming Video

A great live version, probably superior to the one that appears on Live Killers. The track starts with Freddie introducing the song to the crowd, inviting them to clap along. Recommended.

Fun It

Fun It (Album Version) 3:29
Appears on: Jazz, Track 10

Leaving Home Ain't Easy

Leaving Home Ain't Easy (Album Version) 3:15
Appears on: Jazz, Track 11

Don't Stop Me Now

Don't Stop Me Now (Album Version) 3:29
Appears on: Jazz, Track 12


Don't Stop Me Now (With Long-Lost Guitars) 3:35
Appears on: UK 2011 Jazz Deluxe CD

This is the familiar album version with a bit of a bonus; guitar accompaniment throughout the entire song and a new guitar solo. According to the 2011 Jazz Deluxe CD liner notes, these guitar parts were always part of the multitrack but not used for the final stereo album mix.

Don't Stop Me Now... revisited 3:37
Appears on: Bohemian Rhapsody - The Original Soundtrack

Don't Stop Me Now was revisited with a new mix and some new performance elements on the Bohemian Rhapsody soundtrack. Brian May recorded new guitar parts to make the song sound much closer to how the band plays the track live with Adam Lambert. Roger's drums also have a different sound in this mix, whether it be due to EQ choices, possible samples/triggers or just the mix itself. Freddie's outro is slightly different, ending the song with a different mood. This is a nice alternative to the album version and preferred to the "Long-Lost Guitars" version.

Don't Stop Me Now (Video CD Version) 4:44
Appears on: UK Greatest Flix I & II VCD

The Queen promo videos were released digitally for the first time in 1994 on video CD format. The two disc set featured Queen's most popular videos, some of which were minorly edited. The opening of Don't Stop Me Now is edited with a fade-in, removing the opening word "tonight".

Don't Stop Me Now (Greatest Video Hits 1 Surround Mix) 3:31
Appears on: Greatest Video Hits 1 DVD

A new 96/24 DTS 5.1 surround mix of Don't Stop Me Now was made for the 2002 Greatest Video Hits 1 DVD. Most of the new mixes on this DVD (including this one) were produced and engineered by Justin Shirley-Smith with additional engineering and Pro Tools HD by Kris Fredriksson. The mixes were done at Sphere Studios, London. A few seconds of silence are added to the beginning of the track for the video title card on the DVD.

Don't Stop Me Now (Jewels Video Version) 3:29
Appears on: Jewels DVD

The Jewels Video Version fades slightly early in comparison with the album version.

Don't Stop Me Now (1998 Karaoke Version) 3:32
Appears on: 1998 Greatest Karaoke Hits

A full instrumental version of the song, with backing vocals retained. Starts with a click track.

Don't Stop Me Now (2004 Karaoke Version) 3:31
Appears on: 2004 Greatest Karaoke Hits

The click track on the 2004 Karaoke Version differs than the 1998 version. Instead of the standard click track, keyboard notes are played to the click.

Don't Stop Me Now (Instrumental Backing Track Take) 3:34
Appears on: Unreleased

This track debuted at the 2006 UK Fan Club Convention. This a is a very simple backing track performance of piano, drums, and bass.

More Of That Jazz

More Of That Jazz (Album Version) 4:16
Appears on: Jazz, Track 13


More Of That Jazz (The eYe Version) 4:30
Appears on: Queen: The eYe

From the Electronic Arts videogame, Queen: The eYe. This is an incomplete instrumental version of the album take. The beginning has been edited, taking out the first drumbeats and instead starting with the first guitar chords. The ending medley has also been removed.