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The Great Pretender
Produced by: Freddie Mercury, Mike Moran, and David
Richards
Recorded at: Ripe Studios
UK Parlophone 7": 23 February 1987 R 6151 / UK Chart #4
UK Parlophone 12": 23 February 1987 12R 6151
USA Capitol 7": 3 March 1987 B-5696
Related Songs
Exercises In Free Love (Mercury/Moran)
Recorded at: Ripe Studios
UK Parlophone 7": 23 February 1987 R 6151 / UK Chart #4
UK Parlophone 12": 23 February 1987 12R 6151
USA Capitol 7": 3 March 1987 B-5696
| 7" Side One 1. The Great Pretender (Ram) 3:29 | 7" Side Two 1. Exercises In Free Love (Mercury/Moran) 3:56 |
| 12" Side One 1. The Great Pretender (Extended Version) (Ram) 5:54 | 12" Side Two 1. The Great Pretender (Ram) 3:29 2. Exercises In Free Love (Mercury/Moran) 3:56 |
Related Songs
Exercises In Free Love (Mercury/Moran)
Single Info
1986 was a very busy and successful year for Queen. A Kind
Of Magic returned the band to the top of the UK chart and spawned four hit
singles, while the band had the most successful tour of their career. The
band took a break for the next couple of years, where they each pursued
solo interests.
Freddie had developed a friendship with Mike Moran after working with him on Dave Clark's Time. Moran was recruited for Freddie's next couple of solo projects, including a cover song he always wanted to record, The Platter's classic, The Great Pretender.
The track was recorded at Mike Moran's Ripe Studios outside of London in November 1986. Mercury, Moran, and David Richards shared producing duties, while Richards mixed the track at Townhouse Studios.
The Great Pretender was released on February 23, 1987 in the UK and entered the charts at #9. An outrageous video featured Freddie revisting personas from previous videos, accompanied by "female" backup singers Roger Taylor and Peter Straker. The video helped propel the song to #4 in the UK, Freddie's highest solo chart position to date.
For the B-side, Freddie instructed Mike Moran to play classical style piano while he sang overtop. Exercises In Free Love became a gateway to recording with Montserrat Caballé later that year.
Freddie had developed a friendship with Mike Moran after working with him on Dave Clark's Time. Moran was recruited for Freddie's next couple of solo projects, including a cover song he always wanted to record, The Platter's classic, The Great Pretender.
The track was recorded at Mike Moran's Ripe Studios outside of London in November 1986. Mercury, Moran, and David Richards shared producing duties, while Richards mixed the track at Townhouse Studios.
The Great Pretender was released on February 23, 1987 in the UK and entered the charts at #9. An outrageous video featured Freddie revisting personas from previous videos, accompanied by "female" backup singers Roger Taylor and Peter Straker. The video helped propel the song to #4 in the UK, Freddie's highest solo chart position to date.
For the B-side, Freddie instructed Mike Moran to play classical style piano while he sang overtop. Exercises In Free Love became a gateway to recording with Montserrat Caballé later that year.
The Great Pretender
The Great Pretender 3:29
Appears on: UK The Great Pretender 7" vinyl, UK The Great Pretender 7" picture disc, UK The Great Pretender 12" vinyl, UK The Great Pretender 7" vinyl (1993), UK The Great Pretender CD single (1993), The Solo Collection, Lover Of Life Singer Of Songs, Lover Of Life Singer Of Songs (Limited Edition), Solo, Messenger Of The Gods - The Singles
Released in February 1986, Freddie's take on The Platters' hit is an excellent cover. There was no solo album released to accompany this, though he had started working on one which eventually was overtaken by the Barcelona project. The single became a hit, reaching #4 on the UK chart. The song was released again in 1993 reaching #29 in the UK.
The Great Pretender (2019 Never Boring Mix) 3:25
Appears on: Never Boring CD, Never Boring vinyl, Never Boring Box Set
The Great Pretender (Extended Version) 5:54
Appears on: UK The Great Pretender 12" vinyl, The Solo Collection
The Great Pretender 12" features an extended version of the song. This version is not bad, but the original mix is far better. The opening is drawn out, but the really significant changes come around the four-minute mark, where the song doubles back on itself and repeats the ending. The song loses its momentum there, and suffers for it, but regains its footing at the end.
The Great Pretender (Extended Video Version) 5:54
Apepars on: The Solo Collection, Lover Of Life Singer Of Songs DVD
The Extended Video Version uses the audio from the Extended Version and has soundbites from the making of the video in the mix. The video itself is entertaining to watch, but the audio doesn't stand up on its own due to the soundbites.
The Great Pretender (Instrumental Version) 3:26
Appears on: The Solo Collection
This is the full backing track, complete with harmonies. Without Freddie's vocal, it lacks the punch of the standard version, but you get hear everything going on in the background.
The Great Pretender (Brian Malouf Mix) 3:39
Appears on: US The Great Pretender CD, UK The Great Pretender CD single (1993), Remixes CD, The Solo Collection, Lover Of Life Singer Of Songs, Lover Of Life Singer Of Songs (Limited Edition), US The Great Pretender promo CD
Another truly great remix by Brian Malouf, this version could very well top the original. The backing is all new, with fifties-style piano and rhythm guitar, along with Freddie's original backing vocals, giving the song a greater feel for the period it was written in. This is remixing at its finest.
The Great Pretender (Film Mix) 3:20
Appears on: US The Great Pretender promo CD
The Great Pretender was used in the 1992 Robert De Niro film Night And The City. The Film Mix appears on the 1992 Hollywood Records promo CD with the Brian Malouf Mix. The Film Mix is an interesting remix of the song. Its base is the original single release version from 1987, but sped up; which accounts for the shorter running time. Additionally, there are some added synth string bits throughout the entire song. Finally, at 0:51 there is an additional vocal overdub of Freddie at the line "real shame." This would be a good mix if it weren't sped up.
The Great Pretender (Original Demo) 3:04
Appears on: The Solo Collection
The Great Pretender original demo was recorded on November 8, 1986 at Mike Moran's home studio. Freddie more or less had the song down in this demo. Mike Moran provides piano backing as opposed to the final synthesizers used.
Appears on: UK The Great Pretender 7" vinyl, UK The Great Pretender 7" picture disc, UK The Great Pretender 12" vinyl, UK The Great Pretender 7" vinyl (1993), UK The Great Pretender CD single (1993), The Solo Collection, Lover Of Life Singer Of Songs, Lover Of Life Singer Of Songs (Limited Edition), Solo, Messenger Of The Gods - The Singles
Released in February 1986, Freddie's take on The Platters' hit is an excellent cover. There was no solo album released to accompany this, though he had started working on one which eventually was overtaken by the Barcelona project. The single became a hit, reaching #4 on the UK chart. The song was released again in 1993 reaching #29 in the UK.
The Great Pretender (2019 Never Boring Mix) 3:25
Appears on: Never Boring CD, Never Boring vinyl, Never Boring Box Set
The Great Pretender (Extended Version) 5:54
Appears on: UK The Great Pretender 12" vinyl, The Solo Collection
The Great Pretender 12" features an extended version of the song. This version is not bad, but the original mix is far better. The opening is drawn out, but the really significant changes come around the four-minute mark, where the song doubles back on itself and repeats the ending. The song loses its momentum there, and suffers for it, but regains its footing at the end.
The Great Pretender (Extended Video Version) 5:54
Apepars on: The Solo Collection, Lover Of Life Singer Of Songs DVD
The Extended Video Version uses the audio from the Extended Version and has soundbites from the making of the video in the mix. The video itself is entertaining to watch, but the audio doesn't stand up on its own due to the soundbites.
The Great Pretender (Instrumental Version) 3:26
Appears on: The Solo Collection
This is the full backing track, complete with harmonies. Without Freddie's vocal, it lacks the punch of the standard version, but you get hear everything going on in the background.
The Great Pretender (Brian Malouf Mix) 3:39
Appears on: US The Great Pretender CD, UK The Great Pretender CD single (1993), Remixes CD, The Solo Collection, Lover Of Life Singer Of Songs, Lover Of Life Singer Of Songs (Limited Edition), US The Great Pretender promo CD
Another truly great remix by Brian Malouf, this version could very well top the original. The backing is all new, with fifties-style piano and rhythm guitar, along with Freddie's original backing vocals, giving the song a greater feel for the period it was written in. This is remixing at its finest.
The Great Pretender (Film Mix) 3:20
Appears on: US The Great Pretender promo CD
The Great Pretender was used in the 1992 Robert De Niro film Night And The City. The Film Mix appears on the 1992 Hollywood Records promo CD with the Brian Malouf Mix. The Film Mix is an interesting remix of the song. Its base is the original single release version from 1987, but sped up; which accounts for the shorter running time. Additionally, there are some added synth string bits throughout the entire song. Finally, at 0:51 there is an additional vocal overdub of Freddie at the line "real shame." This would be a good mix if it weren't sped up.
The Great Pretender (Original Demo) 3:04
Appears on: The Solo Collection
The Great Pretender original demo was recorded on November 8, 1986 at Mike Moran's home studio. Freddie more or less had the song down in this demo. Mike Moran provides piano backing as opposed to the final synthesizers used.
Exercises In Free Love
Exercises In Free Love 3:56
Appears on: UK The Great Pretender 7" vinyl, UK The Great Pretender 7" picture disc, UK The Great Pretender 12" vinyl, UK The Great Pretender CD single (1993), The Solo Collection, The Freddie Mercury Album, US The Great Pretender CD, Messenger Of The Gods - The Singles
A haunting and sweet track, with no lyrics, but Freddie in excellent voice hitting the high notes, this was recorded during "The Great Pretender" sessions in anticipation of Freddie meeting opera diva Montserrat Caballe. When he played it for her, it more or less kicked off the entire Barcelona project. This piece would eventually be given proper lyrics and become the track "Ensueno." All in all, a real treat and a strong track that more than stands on its own. Mike Moran provides the piano backing track.
Exercises In Free Love (Montserrat's Vocal) 4:04
Appears on: UK Barcelona 7" vinyl, UK Barcelona 12" vinyl, UK Barcelona 12" picture disc, UK Barcelona CD single, UK Barcelona 7" vinyl (1992), UK Barcelona CD single (1992), Messenger Of The Gods - The Singles
The song that helped inspire the Barcelona project rightfully serves at the B-side to the Barcelona single, this time with Montserrat on lead vocals. Montserrat gives Freddie a run for his money in her performance of the song. Since Freddie was doing his best Montserrat homage in the original, this is Montserrat proving Freddie's vocal was right on. This is worth getting and it is a shame it wasn't on The Solo Collection boxed set.
Exercises In Free Love (Montserrat's Vocal - 2012 Version) 4:28
Appears on: Barcelona (Special Edition) 4 Disc Box Set
Finally, this B-side gets a re-release on the Special Edition box set of Barcelona. This 2012 version is a bit different however, featuring some added studio banter at the beginning and end of the track.
Appears on: UK The Great Pretender 7" vinyl, UK The Great Pretender 7" picture disc, UK The Great Pretender 12" vinyl, UK The Great Pretender CD single (1993), The Solo Collection, The Freddie Mercury Album, US The Great Pretender CD, Messenger Of The Gods - The Singles
A haunting and sweet track, with no lyrics, but Freddie in excellent voice hitting the high notes, this was recorded during "The Great Pretender" sessions in anticipation of Freddie meeting opera diva Montserrat Caballe. When he played it for her, it more or less kicked off the entire Barcelona project. This piece would eventually be given proper lyrics and become the track "Ensueno." All in all, a real treat and a strong track that more than stands on its own. Mike Moran provides the piano backing track.
Exercises In Free Love (Montserrat's Vocal) 4:04
Appears on: UK Barcelona 7" vinyl, UK Barcelona 12" vinyl, UK Barcelona 12" picture disc, UK Barcelona CD single, UK Barcelona 7" vinyl (1992), UK Barcelona CD single (1992), Messenger Of The Gods - The Singles
The song that helped inspire the Barcelona project rightfully serves at the B-side to the Barcelona single, this time with Montserrat on lead vocals. Montserrat gives Freddie a run for his money in her performance of the song. Since Freddie was doing his best Montserrat homage in the original, this is Montserrat proving Freddie's vocal was right on. This is worth getting and it is a shame it wasn't on The Solo Collection boxed set.
Exercises In Free Love (Montserrat's Vocal - 2012 Version) 4:28
Appears on: Barcelona (Special Edition) 4 Disc Box Set
Finally, this B-side gets a re-release on the Special Edition box set of Barcelona. This 2012 version is a bit different however, featuring some added studio banter at the beginning and end of the track.