Freddie Mercury 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 large number of previously unreleased songs and demos were released in the 'Solo' 10CD/2DVD boxed set, with a handful additionally appearing on the 'Barcelona - Special Edition' CD and DVD set. Full detais of all of these tracks are available on the Miscellaneous Songs and Early Version Lyrics pages, while two further tracks, which are duets with Michael Jackson, are State Of Shock and Victory.
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.
Africa By Night
Everybody Needs Somebody
Garden Lodge Improvisations
Had To Believe Me
In Search Of Love
Killing Me
The Music Of The Night AKA Creatures Of The Night
The Phantom Of The Opera
You Are The Only One
Barcelona
I Was Born To Love You
Love Kills
Man Made Paradise
New York
There Must Be More To Life Than This
It's In Every One Of Us
Love Kills
Africa By Night
This track was recorded by Freddie (possibly with Montserrat) for the 'Barcelona' album. The track later evolved into the Queen track 'All God's People', and it is believed that the two sound very similar, which possibly explains why it isn't in the 'Solo' 10CD/2DVD boxed set.
Barcelona
Details of the album version can be found on the 'Barcelona' album page, while details of the later version can be found on the Early Version Lyrics page. This is an alternate mix of the 'Later Version' of the track, which is one of three demo versions which were released in the 'Solo' 10CD/2DVD boxed set. This was played at one of the fan club conventions, and while the majority of the track is very similar, towards the end, it loses several backing vocals, before fading out earlier. The rest of the track could have other changes, but the quality of the recording makes it difficult to tell. Length 3:58. I had this perfect dream
This dream was me and you
I want all the world to see
A miracle sensation
My guide and inspiration
Now my dream is slowly coming true
The wind is a gentle breeze (oooh)
It whispers through the trees
The bells are ringing out
They're calling us together
Guiding us forever
Wish my dream would never go away
Barcelona
It was the first time that we met (Barcelona, Barcelona)
Barcelona
How can I forget (Barcelona)
The moment that you stepped into the room
You took my breath away (ooooh)
Barcelona (Barcelona, Barcelona, Barcelona)
Barcelona (oooh, oooh)
And if God willing
We will meet again
Someday
Let the songs begin
Let the music play
Make the voices sing
Start the celebrations
Rise to the occasion
And cry
Come alive
And shake the foundations from the skies
Barcelona
Such a beautiful horizon
Barcelona
Like a jewel in the sun
Tonight my stars in heaven tell me will be friends
Barcelona
Barcelona (oooh, oooh)
Friends until the end
Viva
Barcelona
Everybody Needs Somebody
Had To Believe Me
In Search Of Love
These three songs were apparently written by Freddie, and the lyrics were sold off via auction. It is believed that none of the three tracks were ever recorded, but it is entirely possible that elements of them found their way into other Freddie or Queen tracks.
Garden Lodge Improvisations:
Fuck Off And Die You Fag
Girl From Ipanema
Rock A Bye Dixie
These are three recordings, presumably made on the same night, of improvised singalongs, featuring Freddie, Mike Moran and Peter Straker, with only piano accompaniment. Sources suggest they were recorded at Christmas, 1987, although I do not know how accurate this is. The tracks are 'Rock A Bye Dixie' (1:29), Girl From Ipanema (3:36) and Fuck Off And Die You Fag (3:11), although they may also be known by other names. As they are improvised, the lyrics are very difficult to make out.
It's In Every One Of Us
This track isn't a demo, but has been claimed to be. It is in fact a live recording featuring Freddie and Cliff Richard, taken from the world premiere of the 'Time' musical in 1988, and features an introduction presumably from Dave Clark. Length 3:36 approx (although it seems edited). Dave Clark (?) : Ladies and gentlemen, friends, Cliff Richard and Freddie Mercury It's in every one of us to be wise
Find your heart
And open up both your eyes
We can all know everything
Without ever knowing why
It's in every one of us by and by
It's in every one of us to be wise
Find your heart
And open up both your eyes
We can all know everything
Without ever knowing why
It's in every one of us by and by
It's in every one of us by and by, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
It's in every one of us by and by, yeah, yeah, yeah
I Was Born To Love You
Details of the released version can be found on the 'Mr Bad Guy' album page. This isn't a demo as such, but features various sound excerpts at an early stage, which ultimately made up the album version. The track begins with a drum intro, then the beat of the track, a synthesiser solo, keyboards, more synths, disco effects, then a-capella vocals which cut into the album version, before cutting out very abruptly. Length 1:41. An amazing feeling - coming through
I was born to love you
With every single beat of my heart
Yes, I was born to take care of you, ha
Every single day of my life
Killing Me
Very little is known about this track, other than it being an out-take from one of Freddie's solo projects. There is speculation that it may be linked to the Roger Taylor track 'Killing Time', which featured Freddie, although this is presumably just based on the similarity of the titles and nothing else.
Love Kills
Details of the released version can be found on the Miscellaneous Songs page. This version is often claimed to be a demo, because it is so short, features slightly different music and features some different lyrics. However, it is not a demo, just an earlier version of the track which is part of the soundtrack to 'Metropolis'. Length 1:40. There is also apparently a genuine demo which exists, although nothing else is known. Apart from this, the track was also originally recorded by Queen for 'The Works', and then reworked using Freddie's original vocals for the 2014 compilation 'Forever'.
Man Made Paradise
Details of the released version can be found on the 'Mr Bad Guy' album page.
In addition to the below solo demo, Queen also recorded the track for their 1984 album 'The Works'. This version is very similar to the album version, but features additional harmonied vocals. It is probably a Freddie demo, but there is a chance it is an excerpt of the above Queen demo.
It appears in 'Freddie Mercury: The Untold Story', but has interviews over the top. Length 0:35. Come into my life, to my life
It's a man made paradise
Come into my life, to my life
It's a man made paradise
Come into my life, to my life
It's a man made paradise
Come into my life, to my life
It's a man made paradise, paradise
New York
Details of the released version can be found on the Miscellaneous Songs page. This is a very rough demo version recorded by Freddie at home. It features the usual piano melody, which is very similar to the released demo, but the lyrics are very undeveloped, with only a few words in place, but plenty of Freddie's usual ad-libs. The track begins with around 4 seconds from another take, and ends with Freddie turning the tape recorder off, briefly humming the track to himself. Length 2:21. Been sitting up all night long (Ad-libbed lyrics) I was lonely (Ad-libbed lyrics) alright (Ad-libbed lyrics) it's dawning
Yes it's morning, alright (A verse of ad-libbed lyrics) Just what's been going on, yeah, yeah (A verse of ad-libbed lyrics) (A verse of ad-libbed lyrics) Just been sittin' all alone (Ad-libbed lyrics)
The Music Of The Night AKA Creatures Of The Night
The Phantom Of The Opera
These two tracks were apparently recorded by Freddie as a test or audition for Andrew Lloyd Webber's 'The Phantom Of The Opera'. Freddie was Andrew Lloyd Webber's first choice for the leading role and Freddie recorded at least these two tracks, and copies are believed to still exist. The musical opened in October 1986 with Michael Crawford in the leading role, so these demos were presumably recorded earlier in 1986 or possibly as early as 1985.
There Must Be More To Life Than This
Details of the released version can be found on the 'Mr Bad Guy' album page.
These are two versions of the track, recorded by Freddie with Michael Jackson in Los Angeles in 1983. Full details and lyrics can be found on the Collaborations page.
As well as this, the track was also recorded by Queen and intended to close 'The Works' album before it was replaced by 'Is This The World We Created?'. A completed track, featuring elements from both versions, was released on the Queen 'Forever' album in 2014.
You Are The Only One
This is a very simple track, recorded in 1985 or 1986, which features just Freddie at a piano, singing a very rough outline for a song. The piano seems to be complete, but Freddie's vocals are mostly ad-libbed apart from a few lyrics. It is a very basic song, and could have been intended either as a Freddie solo or Queen track. Length 1:59. Um, da, da, da
Da, da, da, da, da, da, da
I'm so sorry
Got my head in the clouds
Do, do, do, do, da, da, da, da
Da, de, da, da, da
You are the only one
You are the only one
Do, do, do, do
Honey our love can be
La, la, la, la, la, la, la
Dee, dah
You are the only one
Do, do, do, do
Do, do, do, do, do, do
Do, do, do, do, do, do, do, do, do
I'm so sorry
I'm so sorry
Do, do, do, do, do, do
Do, do, do, do, do, do, do, do, do
Na, na, na, na, na
You are the only one
Da, da, dee, dah
Do, do, do, do
Honey our love can be
Do, do, do, do, do, do, do (Freddie coughs)