Brian May Unreleased Songs and Demos
This page includes full details (where known) of all unreleased songs, demos of released tracks, and other tracks which are often claimed to be demos. In addition to the tracks listed here, a number of tracks have been used as the themes to TV series, and these are listed on the Miscellaneous Songs page.
This page was generated by collating a number of other sources, and from my own collection of recordings. Not much information is known about many of the tracks, so if you can provide further information or believe there to be any errors or omissions, please email me.
C'mon Baby
Come To Your Senses
God (The Dream Is Over)
Macbeth
(Marie's The Name) His Latest Flame
Moody Keyboards
Olympic Theme
Sleepy Blues
The Green Parade
Two Sisters
Il Colosso
I'm Scared
My Boy
Resurrection
The Dark
Too Much Love Will Kill You
Cyborg
Nothin' But Blue
On My Way Up
Resurrection
The Business
Come To Your Senses
This track was written by Brian in around 2001 and has apparently been played at fan club conventions, though his version is unreleased. It has however been recorded by Troy Turner, without Brian, and was released on his 2010 album 'Whole Lotta Blues'. As the album's name suggests, the track has a blues feel, but whether this also applies to Brian's version is unknown. The lyrics below are for this version, of length 4:11. Oh, let me see you baby
Come up closer into the light
Let me see you baby
Come up closer into the light
'Cos when the chips are down
You gotta come to your senses
What you sayin' ain't right
Oh, let me hear you baby
Say you love me one more time
Oh, let me hear you baby
Say you love me just one more time
'Cos when the chips are down
You gotta come to your senses
You know you gotta be mine
Maybe you have a mind to treat me unkind
Ain't no sense in me hanging around
But I know my love will find you
Just take a look around
You know you're gonna come back to your old love hound, yeah
Let me feel you baby
Let me feel your body next to mine
Oh, let me feel you darling
Let me feel your sweet body next to mine
'Cos when the chips are down
You gotta come to your senses
It's way overtime
Oh, let me hear you baby
Let me see you baby
Let me feel you baby
Touch you, taste your sweet perfume
Come back to my white room
'Cos when the chips are down
You gotta come to your senses someday soon
'Cos when the chips are down
You gotta come to your senses someday soon
Cyborg
Details of the released version can be found on the 'Another World' album page. This track was originally released on the 'Rise 2: Resurrection' computer game, and was later remixed for 'Another World'. As such, there are a number of shorter versions available, which are often described as demos. This version is similar to the album version, fading out over 'time is up for the cyborg', but there are changes. The guitar at the start of the track is replaced by a synthesiser, there are a few slightly longer instrumental sections, some of the drums sound slightly different, and there are a few undecipherable lyrics just before the main lyrics start. Length 1:43. Full details of the full version and a couple of other remixes are found on the album page. Welcome to my world
Oh
Fight
Hey
Come and play with me, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha
I'm waiting (Undecipherable lyrics) I play their fantasy and
I live their pain
My heart and soul locked up in a cold steel frame
A strange creature's crawling
And it's calling out my name
I don't want to
I don't need to
But I must fight again
Let me out
Set me free
Calling out for the Cyborg
Gonna rub you out
Time is up for the Cyborg
Il Colosso
Details of the released version can be found on the Miscellaneous Songs page. This demo is similar to the soundtrack version, but it contains 'straight' vocals from Brian, whereas the final release contains his vocals speeded up to sound like a boy. If you play this demo about 10% faster than normal, then the vocals sound like the soundtrack version. This demo has been edited quite drastically and so it loses many of the more operatic parts (presuming they were present in the first place). Length 3:37. I will
Now all the world is waiting (all)
The maiden I must save (the world is)
Don't wait, no hesitating (waiting)
If only I were brave (and now is the hour)
This time I must be the hero
It's my call, that's my fate
It's everything or nothing
Look out he's coming through
I'll save you princess
Puny peasants
No
Behold the giant
He stands out proud, defiant
The princess shall be mine
She will be mine
Who next?
Hey you up there, with the b-b-beard
Oh, I was made of freedom
Nobody pulls my strings
A knight can equal any man
In all the grown up things
Oh, I was made of mischief
They tell me I must learn
But nothing is coincidence
Whichever way I turn
And I will do or die
For I know one thing after all
The bigger any giant comes
The harder he may fall
What are we made of
Can we know what we will be
What are the chances
I can find a better path
A better life
A better me
What are we made of
Is it written in the sand
Where are we sailing
To a strange and distant land
Take my hand and sail with me
What are we made of
If you think you know the answer
Turn around, think again
I was made of
So I was made of
I am made of
What are we made of
Just for this moment take your life into your hands
You will decide
What you are made of
What it is that I can be
Think again, my friend
Turn around, think again
I'm Scared
Details of the released version can be found on the 'Back To The Light' album page. Not much is known about this demo, except that it was recorded in 1988.
Macbeth
Brian recorded the soundtrack for a theatre production of 'Macbeth' on a computer in 1990. Parts of the track had already been written by someone else, but Brian added sections to complete it. The music was copied onto a cassette to play in the theatre, and so three versions are available - from the floppy disc, the cassette, or recordings from the theatre itself (which also include dialogue and audience noise).
There are at least two tracks in circulation which include music, lasting 9:24 and 17:13, and both were recorded among the audience. They feature a number of distinct synthesiser pieces, rather than one long track, which are probably best described as 'mood music', and unusually for Brian, none of the excerpts appear to include any guitar. Against the dialogue from the play, the music is quite effective, but the pieces which are 'standalone' are rather odd taken out of context. As well as these two genuine pieces, and no doubt edited versions, there is at least one MP3 download available which claims to be Macbeth, but is actually 'Moody Keyboards' which is listed below.
(Marie's The Name) His Latest Flame
This track was recorded by Brian with Cozy Powell, most likely in 1997 or 1998, for an abandoned covers album titled 'Heroes', which later became 'Another World'. Length 2:58.
The track is a cover version and was originally recorded by Elvis Presley in 1961, reaching no 1. (An unknown word at the very start from Brian) (Ahh-uh)
(Ahh-uh)
A very old friend came by today
'Cos he was tellin' everyone in town
All the love that he'd just found
And Marie's the name of his latest flame
He talked and talked and I heard him say
(Oooh, ooh) That she had the longest, blackest hair
(Oooh, ooh) Prettiest green eyes anywhere
And Marie's the name of his latest flame
(Ahh-uh)
(Ooh-oh, ooh-oh) Even though I smiled, the tears inside were burning
(Ooh-oh, oooh) I wished him luck and then he said goodbye
(Ooh-oh, ooh-oh) Oh, he was gone but still his words kept returning
(Ooh-oh, oooh) What else was there for me to do but cry
Would you believe that yesterday
This girl was in my eyes she swore to me
She'd be mine eternally
And Marie's the name of his latest flame
Oh, even though I smiled, the tears inside were burning
I wished him luck and then he said goodbye
Oh, he was gone, but then his words kept returning
What else was there for me to do but cry
Ooh-ooh-ooh-oh-oh-oh-oo-oo-oo, ma, maa
Would you believe that yesterday
(Oooh, ooh) He was tellin' everyone in town
(Oooh, ooh) All the love that he'd just found
And Marie's the name (oooh) of his latest flame
Yeah, Marie's the name of his latest flame
Oh, Marie's the name of his latest flame
His latest flame
(Oooh, oooh)
(Oooh, oooh)
(Oooh, oooh) his latest flame
(Oooh, oooh) um
(Oooh, oooh) his latest flame
(Oooh, oooh) his latest flame
(Oooh, oooooh)
Moody Keyboards
This track comes from the 'Back To The Light' sessions and is a simple instrumental track, containing various atmospheric keyboards, panpipes and bells, but is more experimentation than an actual track. It is available as either one long track of length 5:37, or three separate sections known as 'Keyboard Sounds' at 1:47, 'Keyboard Panpipes' at 1:02 and 'Keyboard Bells' at 2:57. There are also some MP3's circulating which claim to be Macbeth, but are actually this track. Length 5:37.
My Boy
Details of the released version can be found on the Miscellaneous Songs page. This track is believed to have been recorded by Brian during the 'Hot Space' sessions in 1982, with a view to it being a Queen track. The track remained unreleased for many years until it was released on the 'Lullabies With A Difference' compilation in 1998. It is believed that the 1998 released version could be the same as the 1982 version, without any reworking or changes, but it is all guesswork. The released version is very basic anyway, so any changes to the track would be minimal to say the least.
Nothin' But Blue
Details of the released version can be found on the 'Back To The Light' album page. Like 'Resurrection', this track originally appeared on Cozy Powell's 1992 album 'The Drums Are Back', in instrumental form and under a different name. This version is actually the same as the 'Guitar Version' of the track which appeared on the 'Back To The Light' single. Length 3:50.
Olympic Theme
Both Brian and Roger were approached individually by Thames Television to produce the theme music for coverage of the 1988 Olympic Games, but both tracks were rejected in favour of one by Eric Clapton.
Brian's is a very good, fast paced track, which begins with keyboards, before drums and guitar kick in. The guitar is not very prominent, but this could be due to the bad quality of the available recordings. As well as the full version there is a 1:37 excerpt which fades out abruptly. Length 3:30.
On My Way Up
Details of the released version can be found on the 'Another World' album page. This is basically the same as the album version, but only has the first two verses. After the line 'I've got positivism to give 'em', Brian sings 'hit em', and then the track ends abruptly. Length 0:46. Hey, I'm on my way up (oooh)
Can't put me down (oooh)
Business is tough (oooh)
I ain't gonna get pushed around
I'm on my way (oooh)
Gonna take this town (ooh, ooh)
It's gonna be mine all mine
It's my time (ooh, ooh)
I'm on my way (on my way up)
Straight to the top (I'm telling myself)
I'm telling myself (I'm totally sussed)
I'm putting my name around (on my way up)
Oooh hoo (on my way up)
Gonna get that rhythm
I got positivism to give 'em
Hit 'em (oooh)
Resurrection
Details of the released version can be found on the 'Back To The Light' album page. Apparently an early version exists, with Jamie Page on lead vocals, who co-wrote the music. Before appearing on the album, this was originally an instrumental track called 'Ride To Win', which appeared on Cozy Powell's 1992 album 'The Drums Are Back'. There are some differences between it and Brian's final version (apart from the lack of vocals), and 'Ride To Win' is sometimes claimed to be a demo of the track. Length 3:45.
Sleepy Blues
(or Drunken Blues)
This track is basically Brian singing an idea for a song, intended for 'Back To The Light'. It doesn't feature any instruments at all, instead Brian sings all parts, including the music, and the few lyrics present are improvised. It is a blues song, and sounds quite good but it wouldn't have fitted on the album at all, and whether the track progressed beyond this stage is unknown. Length 5:23. Right. Now this is a song, some blues, for the session upcoming, dated the 5th of March or something, yeah. Due for some sessions soon for my solo album (unknown dialogue). This is a blues song. Loving you (ad-libbed lyrics) Loving you (ad-libbed lyrics) If you find me anymore (Ad-libbed lyrics)
(An ad-libbed verse) You makin' me (ad-libbed lyrics) I've got the lovin' blues
Yeah, I've been sitting here all night long
You know you can't let go (Ad-libbed lyrics)
It needs a bridge there. And then - harmonica solo Yeah, and I've been rolling all night long
I've been dreaming low
And I've been weeping all night long
Since you've been gone pretty baby
Got you too long (Ad-libbed lyrics)
Guitar solo Been dreamin'
I've been weeping all night long (Rest of lyrics are ad-libbed)
The Business
Details of the released version can be found on the 'Another World' album page. This track was used in the TV series, as both the title theme and as incidental music. As a result there are a number of versions available, ranging in length, all created from various excerpts. They are all similar to the finished version, but in some places seem less heavy. The lyrics below refer to a version lasting 2:09, which is very disjointed. It's a hard business
I've got nothing and no-one in my life
So how can I lose again
Got my feet in muddy water
But I'm gonna find that road again
So I'll be taking care of business
'Cos I know what I'm looking for
Ooh, I've been working every hour God gives to man
But I still see the same closed door, yeah
It's a hard business
So don't leave me Mama
Don't make me go on alone
'Cos it's a hard business
Yes it's a hard business
Wooh, ooh
Tell me it's a hard business
Being on my own
The Dark
Details of the released version can be found on the 'Back To The Light' album page. The origins of this track date back to Queen's 'Flash Gordon' album in 1980, and this demo was played to some of Brian's friends in 1988 as a preview of the 'Back To The Light' album, which was released four years later. It is believed to be fairly close to the album version.
The Green Parade
In 2006, on his website, Brian revealed that he had written a track called 'The Green Parade' which is a protest song, set in the future when people have respect for the planet and animals. He wrote it around the time he was producing 'Who Wants To Live Forever' with Ian & Belinda for the BBMDA, and this track was intended as the B-side. Although they recorded a few takes of it, they ran out of time to finish the track, so it remains unreleased. He also quoted part of the lyrics, as listed below. Ooh - does your heart beat faster
Ooh - taste the air we breathe
Ooh - in the tears and the laughter
Marching in the Green,
Marching in the Green
Parade
Too Much Love Kill You
Details of the released version can be found on the 'Back To The Light' album page, while details of Queen demos can be found on the Queen Demos pages.
To differentiate the different versions, when the album version has the lyric 'no there's no making sense of it, every way I go I have to lose', the duet version has 'there's no making sense of it, either way I go I'm gonna lose' whilst the extended version has 'there's no making sense of it, every way I go I'm bound to lose'. This version was apparently performed by Brian, and features additional piano throughout as a guide for the vocals. Length 4:40. This version loses the vocal intro, and is musically very similar to the album version, but Brian's vocals are weaker, probably intended as a guide. Length 4:56. Musically, this version is very similar to the album version, but it loses the vocal intro to the song and features vocals by both Brian and co-writer Elizabeth Lamers. Length 4:53. This originates from a cassette tape, recorded during early home sessions for the song. It features Brian, Elizabeth Lamers and Frank Musker experimenting with the track, working out the lyrics and tune, and as such features a number of early versions with alternate lyrics. Unfortunately, the recording is relatively poor quality, with a lot of background noise, so it is hard to make out some of the dialogue and lyrics. Length 14:56. Oooh
Oooh (Unknown background dialogue) I'm just the pieces of the man I used to be
Too many bitter tears are raining down on me
I'm far away from home
And I've been facing this alone for much too long
I feel like no-one ever told the truth to me
'Bout growing up and what a struggle it would be
In my tangled state of mind
I've been looking back to find where I went wrong
Too much love will kill you
If you can't make up your mind
Torn between the lover
And the love you leave behind
You're headed for disaster
'Cos you never read the signs
Yes, too much love will kill you - every time
Every time
I'm just the shadow of the man I used to be
And it seems like there's no way out of this for me
I used to bring you sunshine
Now all I ever do is bring you down
How would it be if you were standing in my shoes
Can't you see that it's impossible to choose
There's no making sense of it
Every way I go I'm bound to lose
Too much love will kill you
Just as sure as none at all
It'll drain the power that's in you
Make you plead and scream and crawl
And the pain will make you crazy
You're the victim of your crime
Too much love will kill you - every time
Ummm (Numerous ad-libbed 'oooh's) Too much love will kill you
It'll make your life a lie
Yes, too much love will kill you
And you won't understand why
You'd give your life
You'd sell your soul
But here it comes again, yeah
Too much love will kill you
In the end
In the end
Oh, too much love will kill you in the end
Ooh, you know I'll get you in the end
Oh, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know
Yeah, in the end
You know, you know, you know, you know, you know
Ooooh, yeah Oohh, ohhhhh Oooh, ooohhh
I'm just the pieces of the man I used to be
Too many bitter tears are raining down on me
Far away from home
I've been fighting this alone for much too long I feel like no-one ever told the truth to me
About growing up and what a struggle it would be
In my tangled state of mind
I look back to find the point where I went wrong Too much love will kill you
If you can't make up your mind Torn between the lover
And the love you leave behind
You're headed for disaster
'Cos you never read the signs
Too much love will kill you - every time I'm just the shadow of the man I used to be
And it seems there's no way out of this for me
I used to bring you sunshine
Now all I ever do is bring you down How would it be if you were standing in my shoes
Can't you see that it's impossible to choose
There's no making sense of it
Either way I go I'm gonna lose Yeah, too much love will kill you
Just as sure as none at all
It'll drain the power that's in you
Make you plead and scream and crawl And the pain will drive you crazy
You're the victim of your crime Yeah, too much love will kill you - every time (everytime)
Yeah, yeah, yeah Ooh, ooh, oooh Oohh Too much love will kill you
It'll make your life a lie
Too much love will kill you
And you won't understand why
You'd give your life
You'd sell your soul But here it comes again
Yeah, too much love will kill you
In the end In the end Too much will kill you in the end
Kill, kill you in the end Oooh, kill you in the end Oooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
Oooh
Two Sisters
In 2010, Brian stated on his website that he had composed and recorded music for the play 'Two Sisters', which featured his wife, Anita Dobson. Nothing else is known about the track(s).