Queen "A Night At The Opera" album and song lyrics

Released 21 November 1975, reached no 1, on chart for 50 weeks, achieved Platinum status.
Album length 43:16, 2011 bonus EP length 19:00.

Produced by Queen and Roy Thomas Baker
Engineered by Mike Stone with additional engineering by Gary Lyons
Recorded at Sarm, Roundhouse, Olympic, Rockfield, Scorpio and Lansdowne Studios, August - November 1975
Mixed at Sarm Studios

Cast: Freddie Mercury: vocals, vocals, Bechstein Debauchery and more vocals
Brian May: guitars and orchestral backdrops
Roger Taylor: percussion
John Deacon: electric bass

Equipment supervision - John Harris
Art direction - David Costa
Special thanks to Rick Curtin & Brian Palmer

No synthesisers!
All titles composed, arranged and performed exclusively by Queen

2011 Reissue Notes:
This 2011 version has been meticulously re-created using the finest modern analogue and digital technology from the original first-generation master mixes.

Executive producers - Brian May and Roger Taylor
Mastered by Bob Ludwig at Gateway Mastering Studios, Portland, ME
Audio supervised by Justin Shirley-Smith and Kris Fredriksson.
Additional audio restoration by Kris Fredriksson
Special thanks to Joshua J. Macrae, Greg Brooks and Gary Taylor, Paul Alexander and all at Cedar Audio, All at Astoria studio
Sleeve notes by Greg Brooks and Gary Taylor
Bonus material mastered by Adam Ayan at Gateway Mastering Studios, Portland, Maine, audio restoration by Kris Fredriksson.
Special thanks to Greg Brooks, Gary Taylor, all at British Grove Studios and FX Copyroom, Paul Alexander, and all at Cedar Audio

This album was also released on the DVD-Audio format, and as a 30th Anniversary CD & DVD set.
See also the 2006 documentary DVD 'The Making Of 'A Night At The Opera''.

The original cassette release has a slightly different tracklisting, swapping the positions of 'Good Company' and 'Seaside Rendezvous'.

Death On Two Legs

(Dedicated To....)

Track 1. Written by Freddie Mercury. Length 3:43.
'Psycho Legs' was an alternative working title for the track, or it's introduction.
Details are also available of a demo excerpt, and the DVD-Audio and 30th Anniversary DVD surround sound mix.
Alternate Versions:
1. The Eye Instrumental Version 1 (0:38) (an instrumental version, upto 0:39, when the piano starts)
2. The Eye Instrumental Version 2 (3:05) (an instrumental version, from 0:39 onwards, but retains some lyrics)
3. The Eye Version 3 (0:19) (on 'The Art Of Queen The Eye' CD-Rom only; an edit of 0:10 to 0:28, mixed with a Freddie Singalong)
4. Demo Excerpt (possibly) (0:38) (on the 30th Anniversary DVD, on the second menu; similar to the first 0:16 of the track, but has a slightly different sound and continues after the guitar normally starts, so could possibly be from a demo or earlier take)
Live Versions:
1. Live Killers (3:22) (recorded in Barcelona, Spain, on 20 February 1979)
Lyrics:
Ahhhhh

You suck my blood like a leach
You break the law and you breach
Screw my brain till it hurts
You've taken all my money, and you want more

Misguided old mule
With your pigheaded rules
With your narrow-minded cronies who are fools of the first division

Death on two legs
You're tearing me apart, ooh
Death on two legs
You never had a heart of your own

Kill joy, bad guy
Big talking, small fry
You're just an old barrow boy
Have you found a new toy
To replace me
Can you face me
But now you can kiss my ass goodbye

Feel good, are you satisfied
Do you feel like suicide (I think you should)
Is your conscience alright
Does it plague you at night
Do you feel good, feel good?

Ahhhhh
Talk like a big business tycoon
You're just a hot air balloon
So no-one gives you a damn
You're just an overgrown school boy
Let me tan your hide

Dog with disease
You're the king of the sleaze
Put your money where your mouth is Mr Know - all
Was the fin on your back part of the deal (shark)

Death on two legs
Tearing me apart, ooh
Death on two legs
You never had a heart (you never did) of your own (right from the start)

Insane, should be put inside
You're a sewer-rat decaying in a cess-pool of pride
Should be made unemployed
Make yourself null and void
Make me feel good
I feel good

I'm In Love With My Car

Track 3. Written by Roger Taylor. Length 3:05.
Roger Taylor sings the lead vocal on the studio version, and all released live versions.
The album version starts with drums, and ends with engine noises and guitar.
Details are also available of the DVD-Audio and 30th Anniversary DVD surround sound mix.
Alternate Versions:
1. Single Version (3:11) (on the 'Bohemian Rhapsody' 7", Japanese 3" CD (not the UK one), the US 'Greatest Hits' 2004 CD, and in the 'Queen Singles Collection 1' boxed set; adds engine noises at start, but loses the guitar/engines at end)
2. Hollywood Records Remix (3:28) (only on the US Remaster; with additional percussion and an 'a-capella' intro)
3. Queen Rocks Version (3:11) (adds engine noises to the start, and retains the guitar/engines at end)
4. DVD-Audio Instrumental Excerpt (0:51) (on the 'Stereo Credits' page; a unique instrumental version of 1:47 to 2:39, fading in over a second and out over 7 seconds)
5. Guitar & Vocal Mix (3:17) (available on the 2011 double disc reissue; this is essentially the album version with just the guitar and vocals, but features a longer instrumental outro with more guitar, which could have come from a demo or alternate version)
6. Rock Band Video Game Version (3:03) (available as part of the 'Queen Extravaganza 02' download only; this features some slight remixing throughout the track, and as the track fades, there is a sort of phased effect, from 2:49 to 2:55, before the reprise as normal, which fades slightly earlier)
Queen Live Versions:
1. 1978 Live Version (0:34) (recorded at an unknown show in 1978; available on 'The Making Of 'A Night At The Opera'', used on the menus, this is basically the first 34 seconds, including the first three lines of lyrics)
2. Live Killers (1:59) (recorded in Zurich, Switzerland, on 4 February 1979)
3. Concerts For Kampuchea, 1979 (2:02) (recorded at the Hammersmith Odeon, London, on 26 December 1979; only available as a streaming video as part of the 'Absolute Greatest' release)
4. Sao Paulo 1981 (2:00) (recorded at the Morumbi Stadium, Sao Paulo, Brazil, on 20 March 1981; available on the 'On Air' 6CD set)
5. We Will Rock You / Queen Rock Montreal (1:59) (recorded in Montreal, Canada, on 24/25 November 1981)
Queen Live Versions Without Freddie:
1. Official Download, Barcelona 2005 (3:12) (recorded in Barcelona, Spain, on 2 April 2005)
2. Official Download, Newcastle 2005 (3:29) (recorded in Newcastle, England, on 3 May 2005)
3. Return Of The Champions (3:23) (recorded in Sheffield, England, on 9 May 2005)
4. Super Live In Japan (3:13) (recorded in Tokyo, Japan, on 27 October 2005; not released on the Highlights CD/DVD)
5. Live In Ukraine (3:22) (recorded in Kharkov, Ukraine, on 12 September 2008)
6. Official Download, Paris 2008 (3:23) (recorded in Paris, France, on 24 September 2008)
7. Official Download, Murcia 2008 (3:22) (recorded in Murcia, Spain, on 24 October 2008)
The Cross with Brian May Live Versions:
1. Bootleg (3:09) (recorded at the Astoria Theatre, London, on 7 December 1990, with guest Brian May)
Lyrics:
Ooohhh
The machine of a dream, such a clean machine
With the pistons a pumping, and the hub-caps all gleam
When I'm holding your wheel
All I hear is your gear
With my hand on your grease gun
Oh, it's like a disease son

I'm in love with my car
Gotta feel for my automobile
Get a grip on my boy racer rollbar
Such a thrill when your radials squeal

Told my girl I'd have to forget her
Rather buy me a new carburettor
So she made tracks saying this is the end now
Cars don't talk back they're just four wheeled friends now

When I'm holding your wheel
All I hear is your gear
When I'm cruising in overdrive
Don't have to listen to no run of the mill talk jive

I'm in love with my car (love with my, love with my car)
Gotta feel for my automobile
I'm in love with my car (love with my, love with my car)
String back gloves in my automolove

You're My Best Friend

Track 4. Written by John Deacon. Length 2:50.
John Deacon plays electric piano.
Details are also available of the 'Greatest Video Hits I', DVD-Audio and 30th Anniversary DVD surround sound mix.
Alternate Versions:
1. Hollywood Records Remix (2:50) (only on the US Remaster; the original version, with additional percussion)
2. Instrumental Version (2:50) (on the 'Greatest Karaoke Hits' CD, DVD and video; retains some backing vocals)
3. Menu Excerpt (0:32) (on the 'Making Of A Night At The Opera' DVD; a straight edit of the start of the track, fading in over the first 2 seconds and fading out from 0:30 to 0:32)
4. Backing Track Mix 2011 (2:50) (available on the 2011 double disc reissue; very similar to the 'Greatest Karaoke Hits' version, but remixed slightly, with some dialogue at the start and end)
5. Menu Edit (0:38) (available on the 'Days Of Our Lives' DVD and Blu-ray, on the Subtitles menu; this is an edit of the above Backing Track Mix, from around 0:56 to 1:18 and then 0:56 to 1:12)
6. 'Greatest Flix I & II' Video-CD Edit (2:47) (apparently this omits part of the keyboard intro, and fades out slightly earlier at the end)
Live Versions:
1. Live Killers (1:59) (recorded in Barcelona, Spain, on 20 February 1979, and at other unknown venues)
Lyrics: (the Menu Excerpt contains all lyrics upto and including "oooh, you're the best friend" in the second verse)
Oooh, you make me live
Whatever this world can give to me
It's you, you're all that I see
Oooh, you make me live now honey
Oooh, you make me live

Oooh, you're the best friend that I ever had
I've been with you such a long time
You're my sunshine
And I want you to know
That my feelings are true
I really love you (oooh)
Oh, you're my best friend

Oooh, you make me live
Oh, I've been wondering round
Still come back to you (still come back to you)
In rain or shine
You've stood by me girl
I'm happy at home (happy at home)
You're my best friend

Oooh, you make me live
Whenever this world is cruel to me
I got you to help me forgive (ooh, ooh, ooh)
Oooh, you make me live now honey
Oooh, you make me live

Oh, you're the first one
When things turn out bad
You know I'll never be lonely
You're my only one
And I love the things
I really love the things that you do
Oh, you're my best friend

Oooh, you make me live, live, live, live

I'm happy, happy at home
You're my best friend, oh
Oh, you're my best friend

Ooh, you make me live (ooh, ooh, ooh)
Ooh, you're my best friend

'39

Track 5. Written by Brian May. Length 3:31.
John Deacon plays double bass. Brian May sings the lead vocal on the studio version, and all released live versions from 2005 onwards.
Either by accident, or on purpose, this is the 39th song to appear on a Queen album.
Details are also available of the DVD-Audio and 30th Anniversary DVD surround sound mix.
Alternate Versions:
1. Menu Excerpt (0:30) (on the 'Making Of A Night At The Opera' DVD; a straight edit from 1:32 to 1:59, fading in over a second and out over 3 seconds, containing 'ahhh' backing vocals only)
2. Acoustic Performance by Brian May (2:47) (on the 'Making Of A Night At The Opera' DVD; a new acoustic performance featuring just Brian; lyrics are almost identical to the album version)
Queen Live Versions:
1. Earl's Court 1977 (3:11) (recorded at Earl's Court, London, on 7 June 1977; available on the 2011 double disc reissue only)
2. Live Killers (3:07) (recorded in Frankfurt, Germany, on 2 February 1979)
Queen Live Versions Without Freddie:
1. Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert (1:43) (recorded at Wembley Stadium, London, on 20 April 1992, with lead vocals by George Michael)
2. Live In Ukraine, version 1 (1:18) (recorded in Kharkov, Ukraine, on 12 September 2008; performed by Brian and Roger, with lead vocals by Brian)
3. Live In Ukraine, version 2 (2:20) (recorded in Kharkov, Ukraine, on 12 September 2008; performed by the whole band, with lead vocals by Brian)
4. Official Download, Munich 2008, version 1 (1:18) (recorded in Munich, Germany, on 1 October 2008; performed by Brian and Roger, with lead vocals by Brian)
5. Official Download, Munich 2008, version 2 (2:21) (recorded in Munich, Germany, on 1 October 2008; performed by the whole band, with lead vocals by Brian)
6. Official Download, Glasgow 2008, version 1 (1:19) (recorded in Glasgow, Scotland, on 11 October 2008; performed by Brian and Roger, with lead vocals by Brian)
7. Official Download, Glasgow 2008, version 2 (2:22) (recorded in Glasgow, Scotland, on 11 October 2008; performed by the whole band, with lead vocals by Brian)
Brian May Live Versions:
1. Live At The Brixton Academy (0:33) (recorded at the Brixton Academy, London, on 15 June 1993; only the chorus is performed)
2. Official Download, Leipzig 2005 (2:50) (recorded in Leipzig, Germany, on 17 April 2005)
3. Official Download, Rotterdam 2005 (1:49) (recorded in Rotterdam, Netherlands, on 26 April 2005)
4. Return Of The Champions (2:44) (recorded in Sheffield, England, on 9 May 2005)
5. Super Live In Japan (1:46) (recorded in Tokyo, Japan, on 27 October 2005; not released on the Highlights CD/DVD)
6. Starmus 2014 (3:31) (recorded with Rick Wakeman at the Starmus Festival, Tenerife, Spain, on 26 September 2014)
Brian May & Kerry Ellis Live Versions:
1. The Candlelight Concerts - Live At Montreux 2013 (3:32) (recorded at the Stravinski Hall, Montreux, Switzerland, on 19 July 2013)
Lyrics:
In the year of '39 assembled here the volunteers
In the days when lands were few
Here the ship sailed out into the blue and sunny morn
The sweetest sight ever seen

And the night followed day
And the story tellers say
That the score brave souls inside
Um, for many a lonely day sailed across the milky seas
Never looked back, never feared, never cried

Don't you hear my call though you're many years away
Don't you hear me calling you
Write your letters in the sand
For the day I take your hand
In the land that our grandchildren knew

In the year of '39 came a ship in from the blue
The volunteers came home that day
And they bring good news of a world so newly born
Though their hearts so heavenly weigh
For the earth is old and grey, little darling went away
But my love this cannot be
For so many years have gone though I'm older but a year
Your mothers eyes from your eyes cry to me

Don't you hear my call though you're many years away
Don't you hear me calling you
Write your letters in the sand
For the day I take your hand
In the land that our grandchildren knew

Don't you hear my call though you're many years away
Don't you hear me calling you
All your letters in the sand
Cannot heal me like your hand
For my life still ahead - pity me

The Prophet's Song

Track 8. Written by Brian May. Length 8:20.
Brian May plays a toy koto. The track segues into 'Love Of My Life' and was originally titled 'People Of The Earth'.
The section from 'Aaah, people can you hear me' upto 'God, give you grace' is heard through one stereo channel, and then repeated through the other about 1.6 seconds later. The lyrics below ignore the echoes.
Details are also available of the DVD-Audio and 30th Anniversary DVD surround sound mix.
Alternate Versions:
1. DVD-Audio Version (8:31) (on the DVD-Audio disc only; identical to normal, but adds about 11 seconds of wind at the start)
2. DVD-Audio Excerpt (0:12) (on the '5.1 Credits' page; a straight excerpt of the album version from 3:21 to 3:33, containing 'A-ah' three times)
Lyrics:
Oh, oh, people of the earth
Listen to the warning
The seer he said
Beware the storm that gathers here
Listen to the wise man

I dreamed I saw on a moonlit stair
Spreading his hands on the multitude there
A man who cried for a love gone stale
And ice cold hearts of charity bare
I watched as fear took the old man's gaze
Hopes of the young in troubled days
I see no day, I heard him say
So grey is the face of every mortal

Oh, oh, people of the earth
Listen to the warning
The prophet he said
For soon the cold of night will fall
Summoned by your own hand

Oh, oh, children of the land
Quicken to the new life
Take my hand
Fly and find the new green bough
Return like the white dove

He told of death as a bone white haze
Taking the lost and the unloved babe
Late too late all the wretches run
These kings of beasts now counting their days

From mother's love is the son estranged
Married his own his precious gain
The earth will shake in two will break
And death all around will be your dowry

Oh, oh, people of the earth
Listen to the warning the seer he said
For those who hear and mark my words
Listen to the good plan

Oh, oh, oh, oh
And two by two my human zoo
They'll be running for to come
Running for to come out of the rain

Oh, ooh
Flee for your life
Who heed me not, let all your treasure make you
Oh, fear for your life
Deceive you not the fires of hell will take you
Should death await you

Aaah, people can you hear me
Aaah, people can you hear me

And now I know
And now I know
And now I know
And now I know that you can hear me
I know that you can hear me

And now I know
And now I know
Now I know, now I know
Now I know, now I know
Now I know, now I know
Now I know, now I know

The earth will shape into will break into
The earth will shape into will break into
Death all around, around, around, around, around, around, around, around

Now I know
Now I know
Now I know, now I know
Now I know, now I know
Now I know, now I know
Now I know, now I know
Now I know, wow, wow, wow, wow, wow, wow, wow, wow

Listen to the wise
Listen to the wise
Listen to the wise
Listen to the wise
Listen to the wise
Listen to the wise man

Laa, laa
La, la, la, la, laa, laa
La, la, la, la, laa, laa
La, la, la, la, laa, laa
La, la, la, la, laa, laa
La, la, la, la, laa, laa
La, la, la, la, laa, laa
La, la, laa, laa
La, la, laa, laa
La, la

Come here, I, you
Come here, I, you
Come here, I, you
Ah, ahhh
Ahh, ahhhhhh
Listen to the mad
Listen to the man
Listen to the mad
Listen to the mad man

God, give you grace to purge this place
And peace all around may be your fortune

Oh, oh, children of the land
Love is still the answer, take my hand
The vision fades, a voice I hear
'Listen to the madman'

Oooh, but still I fear and still I dare not
Laugh at the madman

Love Of My Life

Track 9. Written by Freddie Mercury. Length 3:36.
Brian May plays a harp. The track segues from 'The Prophet's Song'.
The album features a piano version of the track, but all live renditions are guitar versions. Brian May sings the lead vocal on all live versions from 2005 onwards.
This track was later covered by Extreme featuring Brian May.
Details are also available of the DVD-Audio and 30th Anniversary DVD surround sound mix.
Alternate Versions:
1. Jewels II Edit (3:36) (available on the Japanese 'Jewels II' album only; this is the same as the album version, but omits the segue from 'The Prophet's Song' to create a standalone version)
2. 'Forever' Edit (3:32) (available on the 'Forever' single and double disc albums; this is another standalone version, omitting the segue from 'The Prophet's Song', but also fades out slightly earlier)
3. The Eye Edit (0:04) (a straight edit of the 'harp', from 0:18 to 0:22)
4. Star Licks Version (1:13) (on the 'Star Licks Master Series' video only; Brian performs part of the acoustic instrumental version of the track, on electric guitar)
5. Brian & Freddie Version (3:53) (on 'The Making Of A Night At The Opera' DVD; this version features a brand new acoustic performance of the song by Brian, which then jumps to footage of Freddie & Brian performing it at Wembley 1986)
Queen Live Versions:
1. Live Killers (3:13) (recorded in Frankfurt, Germany, on 2 February, and in Paris, France, on 27 February 1979, also released as a single, and on 'Greatest Flix', 'Greatest Video Hits I', and the 2011 double disc reissue)
2. Sao Paulo 1981 (3:49) (recorded at the Morumbi Stadium, Sao Paulo, Brazil, on 20 March 1981; available on the 'On Air' 6CD set)
3. Sao Paulo 1981 Edit (3:01) (recorded at the Morumbi Stadium, Sao Paulo, Brazil, on 20 March 1981; available on the 'Rare Live' video only, this is an edit of the above track, which loses the first verse, and runs slightly faster)
4. We Will Rock You / Queen Rock Montreal (3:34) (recorded in Montreal, Canada, on 24/25 November 1981)
5. Queen On Fire - Live At The Bowl (3:38) (recorded in Milton Keynes, England, on 5 June 1982; also available on the 2011 iTunes LP as a bonus video)
6. Live In Japan (3:51) (recorded in Tokyo, Japan, on 3 November 1982; also available on the Japanese 'Days Of Our Lives' DVD and Blu-ray release)
7. Live In Rio (4:24) (recorded in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, on 19 January 1985; also available on the US 'Five Live' cassette single, and as a streaming video as part of the 'Absolute Greatest' release)
8. Final Concert Live In Japan (4:02) (recorded in Tokyo, Japan, on 11 May 1985)
9. Live At Wembley, First Night (3:43) (recorded at Wembley Stadium, London, on 11 July 1986; available on the 2011 DVD only)
10. Live At Wembley, Second Night (3:51) (recorded at Wembley Stadium, London, on 12 July 1986)
11. Live At Wembley, Second Night Excerpt (0:25) (on the 'Live At Wembley Stadium' 2003 DVD song selection screen; an edit of the above version from 1:31 to 1:56)
12. Hungarian Rhapsody (4:01) (recorded in Budapest, Hungary, on 27 July 1986; available on the CD only)
13. Hungarian Rhapsody / Live In Budapest Edit (2:41) (available on the video releases only; as above, but omits the track from 2:55 onwards)
Brian May Live Versions:
1. Live At The Brixton Academy (4:09) (recorded at the Brixton Academy, London, on 15 June 1993)
2. Official Download, Barcelona 2005 (4:06) (recorded in Barcelona, Spain, on 2 April 2005)
3. Official Download, Rome 2005 (4:14) (recorded in Rome, Italy, on 4 April 2005)
4. Return Of The Champions (4:08) (recorded in Sheffield, England, on 9 May 2005)
5. Super Live In Japan (4:20) (recorded in Tokyo, Japan, on 27 October 2005; not released on the Highlights CD/DVD)
6. Live In Ukraine (4:07) (recorded in Kharkov, Ukraine, on 12 September 2008)
7. Official Download, Moscow 2008 (4:09) (recorded in Moscow, Russia, on 15 September 2008)
8. Official Download, Madrid 2008 (4:07) (recorded in Madrid, Spain, on 25 October 2008)
9. Live In Japan (3:12) (recorded in Tokyo, Japan, on 17 August 2014)
Brian May & Kerry Ellis Live Versions:
1. Acoustic By Candlelight (4:11) (recorded in Leamington Spa, England, on 6 November 2012)
2. The Candlelight Concerts - Live At Montreux 2013 (4:09) (recorded at the Stravinski Hall, Montreux, Switzerland, on 19 July 2013)
Lyrics:
Love of my life - you've hurt me
You've broken my heart and now you leave me
Love of my life, can't you see
Bring it back, bring it back
Don't take it away from me, because you don't know
What it means to me

Love of my life - don't leave me
You've taken my love (all my love) you now desert me
Love of my life, can't you see
Please bring it back, bring it back
Don't take it away from me, because you don't know
What it means to me

You will remember
When this is blown over
And everything's all by the way
(Oooh yeah), when I grow older
I will be there at your side to remind you
How I still love you - I still love you

Back, hurry back
Please bring it back home to me
Because you don't know what it means to me (know, means to me)
Love of my life
Love of my life
Oooh, oooh

Good Company

Track 10. Written by Brian May. Length 3:23.
Brian May sings lead vocals and plays Genuine Aloha Ukulele and Guitar Jazz Band.
On the original UK CD pressing, some of the 'swirling' noises at the end are actually included at the start of the next track, 'Bohemian Rhapsody'.
Details are also available of the DVD-Audio and 30th Anniversary DVD surround sound mix.
Alternate Versions:
1. DVD-Audio Instrumental Excerpt (0:25) (on the 'DTS Story' page; a unique instrumental version of 1:45 to 2:10, fading out over 15 seconds)
2. DVD-Audio Excerpt (0:05) (on the 'DTS Story' page; a straight edit of the first 5 seconds)
3. Menu Edit (0:41) (on the 'Days Of Our Lives' DVD and Blu-ray, on the 'Additional Videos' menu; this features the instrumental section from 2:40 to 3:11, followed by 2:40 to 2:49, fading out at the end)
Lyrics:
Take good care of what you've got
My father said to me
As he puffed his pipe and Baby B
He dandled on his knee
Don't fool with fools who'll turn away
Keep all good company
Oh, ho, oh, ho
Take care of those you call your own
And keep good company

Soon I grew up and happy too
My very good friends and me
We'd play all day with Sally J
The girl from number four
Very soon I begged her won't you
Keep me company
Oh, ho
Oh, ho
Oh, ho
Oh, ho
Come marry me for evermore
We'll be good company

Now marriage is an institution sure
My wife and I, our needs and nothing more
All my friends by a year
By and by disappeared
But we're safe enough behind our door

I flourished in my humble trade
My reputation grew
The work devoured my waking hours
But when my time was through
Reward of all my efforts my own
Limited company

I hardly noticed Sally as we
Parted company
All through the years in the end it appears
There was never really anyone but me
Now I'm old I puff my pipe
But no-one's there to see
I ponder on the lesson of
My life's insanity
Take care of those you call your own, own, own
And keep good company

Bohemian Rhapsody

Track 11. Written by Freddie Mercury. Length 5:53.
Operatic vocals are by Brian May, Roger Taylor and Freddie Mercury, and they took over 70 hours to record.
During the recording, Freddie played the same piano as the one used by Paul McCartney on The Beatles' 'Hey Jude'.
On the original UK CD pressing, some of the 'swirling' noises from the end of 'Good Company' are included at the start of the track, and this version also appears on the 3" CD single.
Excerpts of various parts of the song from the recording sessions can be found on the 'Greatest Video Hits I' DVD, the 'The Making Of 'A Night At The Opera'' DVD, the 'Days Of Our Lives' DVD, and the TV documentary 'The Story Of Bohemian Rhapsody'. Unfortunately most of these excerpts are very short, or feature interviews over the top, so aren't really worth describing individually.
The track was re-released as an EP download in 2005 to mark the 30th anniversary of the release, and includes the album version audio and 'flames' promo video, the 'We Will Rock You' London cast recording, and Queen + Paul Rodgers live in Hyde Park audio and video.
It was later recorded by The Muppets, using the original backing track, and covered by Bad News, produced by Brian May. A VR video was released in 2016 titled 'The Bohemian Rhapsody Experience'.
Details are also available of an unreleased piano out-take and extended demo version, and the 'Greatest Video Hits I', DVD-Audio and 30th Anniversary DVD surround sound mix.
Additional Assistance for the 'Party At The Palace' version:
The Cast of We Will Rock You (lead vocals by Tony Vincent, Hannah Jane Fox and Sharon D. Clarke, backing vocals by all)
Phil Collins (drums)
Alternate Versions:
1. Promo Edit (3:40) (available on a very rare French 7" promo only; apparently this makes two main edits; firstly, it loses the third and fourth verses ('Mama, just killed a man' and 'Mama, oooh, ooh, ooh, ooh'), then continues as normal, fading out after the rock section, losing 'Ooooh, ooooh, ooooh, oooh yeah, oooh yeah' onwards)
2. Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert Insert (2:01) (an edit of the album version, from 0:00 to 0:48, then 3:05 to 4:08, followed by two explosions)
3. Instrumental Version (5:52) (on the 'Greatest Karaoke Hits' CD, DVD and video, and on the 'Artist Karaoke Series' US CD; retains some backing vocals)
4. DVD-Audio Instrumental Excerpt (0:23) (on the 'Special Thanks' page; a unique instrumental version of 5:32 onwards, fading in over 2 seconds, losing the backing vocals)
5. Menu Excerpt (0:33) (on the 'Making Of A Night At The Opera' DVD; a straight edit from 1:48 to 2:21, starting with the piano and fading out over three seconds from 2:18 to 2:21)
6. Operatic Section A-Capella Mix (1:01) (available on the 2011 double disc reissue, this is a fully a-capella version of the track from 'I see a little silhouetto of a man' to 'Beelzebub has a devil put aside for me, for me, for me', from 3:06 to 4:07)
7. Menu Edit (0:16) (on the 'Days Of Our Lives' DVD and Blu-ray 'Additional Scenes' menu; an edit of the a-capella mix, from the start to 0:16, including the lyrics from 'I see a little silhouetto of a man' to 'magnifico-o-o')
8. London 2012 Olympics Excerpt (0:51) (available on the 'A Symphony Of British Music' album and the 'London 2012 Olympic Games' DVD/Blu-ray; this is a short excerpt containing the opening five lines of lyrics, each one echoed, with longer delays between them)
9. 'Greatest Flix I & II' Video-CD Edit (5:50) (this is a slight edit, which loses some of the gong at the end of the track)
Queen Live Versions:
1. A Night At The Odeon (2:14) (recorded at the Hammersmith Odeon, London, on 24 December 1975)
2. A Night At The Odeon (Reprise) (0:59) (a reprise of the above version, after 'Killer Queen' and 'The March Of The Black Queen')
3. Live Killers (5:02) (recorded in Frankfurt, Germany, on 2 February 1979)
4. We Will Rock You / Queen Rock Montreal (5:04) (recorded in Montreal, Canada, on 24/25 November 1981)
5. Queen On Fire - Live At The Bowl (5:03) (recorded in Milton Keynes, England, on 5 June 1982)
6. Live In Japan (5:22) (recorded in Tokyo, Japan, on 3 November 1982)
7. Live In Rio (5:15) (recorded in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, on 12 January 1985)
8. Final Concert Live In Japan (5:00) (recorded in Tokyo, Japan, on 11 May 1985)
9. Live Aid Rehearsal (1:58) (recorded in the week before Live Aid, in London, July 1985, available on the 'Queen Rock Montreal And Live Aid' DVD)
10. Live Aid (2:12) (recorded at Wembley Stadium, London, on 13 July 1985, available on the 'Live Aid' DVD, and on the double DVD 'Queen Rock Montreal And Live Aid')
11. Magic Tour Rehearsal (4:58) (recorded at rehearsals in May/June 1986; on the 'Live At Wembley Stadium' 2003 and 2011 DVD, this version is slightly edited)
12. Live At Wembley, First Night (5:24) (recorded at Wembley Stadium, London, on 11 July 1986; available on the 2011 DVD only)
13. Live At Wembley, Second Night (5:19) (recorded at Wembley Stadium, London, on 12 July 1986)
14. Live At Wembley, Second Night Excerpt (0:25) (on the 'Live At Wembley Stadium' 2003 DVD song selection screen; an edit of the above version from 2:07 to 2:32)
15. Hungarian Rhapsody / Live In Budapest (5:13) (recorded in Budapest, Hungary, on 27 July 1986)
16. Live Magic (4:05) (recorded at Knebworth Park, England, on 9 August 1986; this edits out the opera section)
Queen Live Versions Without Freddie:
1. Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert (5:22) (recorded at Wembley Stadium, London, on 20 April 1992, with lead vocals by Elton John and Axl Rose)
2. Party At The Palace 2002 (5:19) (recorded at Buckingham Palace, London, on 3 June 2002, with lead vocals by the cast of 'We Will Rock You'; available on the 'Party At The Palace' DVD and video (not the CD) and the 'We Will Rock You' UK cast album 10th anniversary reissue)
3. 46664 South Africa (2:16) (recorded at Green Point Stadium, Cape Town, South Africa, on 29 November 2003, with vocals by the Soweto Gospel Choir; only the operatic and rock sections are performed)
Queen + Paul Rodgers Live Versions: (all tracks feature vocals by Paul Rodgers, and Freddie via videoscreen)
1. Official Download, Rotterdam 2005 (6:02) (recorded in Rotterdam, Netherlands, on 26 April 2005)
2. Return Of The Champions (6:00) (recorded in Sheffield, England, on 9 May 2005)
3. Official Download, Hyde Park 2005 (5:47) (recorded in Hyde Park, London, England, on 15 July 2005, released as part of the 30th Anniversary Download EP)
4. Super Live In Japan (5:56) (recorded in Tokyo, Japan, on 27 October 2005; not released on the Highlights CD/DVD)
5. Live In Ukraine (5:44) (recorded in Kharkov, Ukraine, on 12 September 2008)
6. Official Download, Rome 2008 (5:52) (recorded in Rome, Italy, on 26 September 2008)
7. Official Download, Rotterdam 2008 (5:52) (recorded in Rotterdam, Netherlands, on 7 October 2008)
Queen + Adam Lambert Live Versions: (all tracks feature vocals by Adam Lambert, and Freddie via videoscreen)
1. Live In Japan (5:41) (recorded in Tokyo, Japan, on 17 August 2014)
Brian May Live Versions:
1. Live At The Brixton Academy (0:44) (recorded at the Brixton Academy, London, on 15 June 1993, as part of 'Resurrection'; only the rock section is performed)
'We Will Rock You' Musical Tracks:
1. London Cast Recording (5:19)
2. Spanish Cast Recording 1 (5:25)
3. Spanish Cast Recording 2 (6:02) (a bonus on the enhanced CD2; features Brian on guitar)
4. German Cast Recording (5:38)
Lyrics: (the Menu Excerpt contains only the fifth 'too late, my time has come' verse)
Is this the real life
Is this just fantasy
Caught in a landslide
No escape from reality

Open your eyes, look up to the skies and see
I'm just a poor boy, (oooh, poor boy), I need no sympathy
Because I'm easy come, easy go
Little high, little low
Anyway the wind blows, doesn't really matter to me - to me

Mama, just killed a man
Put a gun against his head
Pulled my trigger now he's dead
Mama, life had just begun
But now I've gone and thrown it all away

Mama, oooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
Didn't mean to make you cry
If I'm not back again this time tomorrow
Carry on, carry on, as if nothing really matters

Too late, my time has come
Sends shivers down my spine
Body's aching all the time
Goodbye everybody, I've got to go
Gotta leave you all behind and face the truth

Mama, oooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
(Anyway the wind blows)
I don't want to die (oooohhh)
I sometimes wish I'd never been born at all (oooh-ooh, oooh-ooh, oooh-ooh, oooh-ooh)

I see a little silhouetto of a man
Scaramouche, Scaramouche will you do the fandango?
Thunderbolts and lightning - very, very frightening me
Gallileo, gallileo
Gallileo, gallileo
Gallileo, figaro - magnifico-o-o-o-oh
I'm just a poor boy, nobody loves me
He's just a poor boy from a poor family
Spare him his life from this monstrosity

Easy come, easy go, will you let me go
Bismillah! No - we will not let you go, let him go
Bismillah! We will not let you go, let him go
Bismillah! We will not let you go, let me go
Will not let you go, let me go
Never, never, never, never, never (never let you go)
Never let me go-o-o-o-oh
No, no, no, no, no, no, no
Oh, mama mia, mama mia
Mama mia let me go
Beelzebub has a devil put aside for me, for me, for me

So you think you can stone me and spit in my eye?
So you think you can love me and leave me to die?
Oh, baby, can't do this to me baby
Just gotta get out - just gotta get right outta here

Ooooh, ooooh, ooooh, oooh yeah, oooh yeah

Nothing really matters
Anyone can see
Nothing really matters
Nothing really matters to me

Anyway the wind blows

God Save The Queen

Track 12. Written by Brian May. Length 1:12.
This is an instrumental version of the National Anthem. It is believed to have been recorded on 27 October 1974, although this may have just been for use at live shows, rather than the final album version.
Details are also available of the DVD-Audio and 30th Anniversary DVD surround sound mix.
'Party At The Palace' version:
This is a reworked version, featuring some 'Brighton Rock' style guitar as an intro and outro to the main solo.
It was performed by Brian May standing on Buckingham Palace, on 3rd June 2002, and features timpani by Roger Taylor, gong by Ray Cooper, and the Royal Academy Of Music Symphony Orchestra.
It appears on the 'Party At The Palace' CD and DVD and also on 'The Best Air Guitar Album In The World.... II'. Length 1:55.
Alternate Versions:
1. Single Version (1:15) (on the US 'Keep Yourself Alive' 1975 reissue single, this is the same as the album version but the intro is at full volume rather than fading in)
2. DVD Edit (0:31) (on 'Greatest Video Hits I' and 'Greatest Video Hits II' only; edits out the section from approx. 0:07 to 0:48)
3. Demo Version (0:57) (on the 'Making Of A Night At The Opera' DVD; an instrumental demo version performed by Brian on the piano, with Brian talking about the track over the top)
Live Recordings: (the album version is simply played from tape; some recordings feature dialogue or the audience singing)
1. Live At The Rainbow, November 1974 (1:09) (recorded at the Rainbow Theatre, London, on 19 or 20 November 1974; available on all of the 'Live At The Rainbow '74' releases, apart from the 2 LP set, and also on the 'Box Of Tricks' video)
2. A Night At The Odeon (1:08) (recorded at the Hammersmith Odeon, London, on 24 December 1975)
3. Live Killers (1:07) (possibly recorded in Rotterdam, Netherlands, on 30 January 1979)
4. We Will Rock You / Queen Rock Montreal (1:11) (recorded in Montreal, Canada, on 24/25 November 1981; not released on the original 60 minute VHS release)
5. Vienna 1982 (1:13) (recorded in Vienna, Austria, on 12 May 1982, on 'Rare Live' and the 'Queen On Fire - Live At The Bowl' DVD)
6. Queen On Fire - Live At The Bowl (1:12) (recorded at Milton Keynes, England, on 5 June 1982)
7. Live In Japan (1:13) (recorded in Tokyo, Japan, on 3 November 1982)
8. Live In Rio (1:13) (recorded in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, on 12 January 1985)
9. Final Concert Live In Japan (1:13) (recorded in Tokyo, Japan, on 11 May 1985)
10. Mannheim 1986 (1:09) (recorded at Maimarktgelande, Mannheim, Germany, on 21 June 1986; available on the 'On Air' 6CD set)
11. Live At Wembley, First Night (1:08) (recorded at Wembley Stadium, London, on 11 July 1986; available on the 2003 and 2011 DVD's)
12. Live At Wembley, Second Night (1:06) (recorded at Wembley Stadium, London, on 12 July 1986)
13. Hungarian Rhapsody / Live In Budapest (1:08) (recorded in Budapest, Hungary, on 27 July 1986)
14. Live Magic (1:06) (recorded at Knebworth Park, England, on 9 August 1986)
15. Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert (1:08) (recorded at Wembley Stadium, London, on 20 April 1992)
16. Official Download, Hamburg 2005 (1:06) (recorded in Hamburg, Germany, on 28 April 2005)
17. Official Download, Cardiff 2005 (1:06) (recorded in Cardiff, Wales, on 7 May 2005)
18. Return Of The Champions (1:06) (recorded in Sheffield, England, on 9 May 2005)
19. Super Live In Japan (1:09) (recorded in Tokyo, Japan, on 27 October 2005, and also available on the Highlights CD/DVD)
20. Live In Ukraine (1:08) (recorded in Kharkov, Ukraine, on 12 September 2008)
21. Official Download, Nottingham 2008 (1:08) (recorded in Nottingham, England, on 10 October 2008)
22. Official Download, Cardiff 2008 (1:08) (recorded in Cardiff, Wales, on 14 October 2008)
23. Official Download, London 2008 (1:08) (recorded in London, England, on 8 November 2008)
24. Live In Japan (1:08) (recorded in Tokyo, Japan, on 17 August 2014)
25. VR The Champions (1:09) (recorded at the Palau Sant Jordi, Barcelona, Spain, on 22 May 2016)

Bohemian Rhapsody

(with The Muppets)

Non-Album Track. Written by Freddie Mercury. Length 4:37.
This track features the original Queen backing track, with new vocals from The Muppets. The video of the track was first available on Youtube, and achieved 10 million hits in the first two weeks. It was then released as a download single on 14 December 2009.
The video lasts 4:46, although the last 9 seconds (the last four lines) aren't part of the track itself, so presumably are not included in the audio version. Compared to the original album version, the track loses the fifth and sixth verses.
The Muppets vocals are performed by Bill Barretta, Dave Goelz, Eric Jacobson, David Rudman, Matt Vogel and Steve Whitmire.
Click here for details of the original version.
Lyrics:
Is this the real life
Is this just fantasy
Caught in a landslide
No escape from reality

Open your eyes, look up to the skies and see
I'm just a poor boy, I need no sympathy
Because I'm easy come, easy go
Little high, little low
Anyway the wind blows, doesn't really matter to me - to me

Mama, mama
Yeah, mama
Mama
Mama, mama, ah, ah, ah, ah
Mama, mama, mama, mama, mama, mama, mama

Mama, ah-ahh
Mama, oh mama
Mama
Mama
Dadda
Dadda

I see a little silhouetto of a clam
Scaramouche, Scaramouche will you do the fandango?
Thunderbolts and lightning - very, very frightening me
Mi-mi-mi-mi, gallileo
Mi-mi-mi-mi, gallileo
Mi-mi-mi-mi-mi-mi-mi, galileo figaro - magnifico-o-o-o-oh
I'm just a poor boy, nobody loves me
He's just a poor boy from a poor family
Spare him his life from this monstrosity

Easy come, easy go, will you let me go
Nah, nah, nah, nah! Let me throw
Nah, nah, nah! They will not let you throw, let me throw
Nah, nah, nah! They will not let you go, let me joke
Do not like your jokes! Let me joke
Do not like your jokes! Oh let me joke
No, no, no, no, no, no, no
(Unknown lyric)
Mama mia let me go
Does anyone know if there is a part for me - for me - for me

So they tell us this video's going to fly
All I know is we're not getting paid tonight
Oh, baby, can't do this to me baby
Just gotta get out - just gotta get right outta here

Ooooh, ooooh, ooooh, oooh yeah, oooh yeah

Nothing really matters
Anyone can see
Nothing really matters
Nothing really matters but moi

Anyway the wind blows

Scooter?
Yeah chief?
Remind me to stop setting up these video conferences, they're not very productive
You got it

A Night At The Opera

Death On Two Legs

(Dedicated To....)

Lazing On A Sunday Afternoon

I'm In Love With My Car

You're My Best Friend

'39

Sweet Lady

Seaside Rendezvous

The Prophet's Song

Love Of My Life

Good Company

Bohemian Rhapsody

God Save The Queen

Bohemian Rhapsody

(with The Muppets)