Roger Taylor "Strange Frontier" album and song lyrics

Released 25 June 1984, reached number 30, on chart for 4 weeks.
Re-released on CD in May 1996 (with a slightly different track listing), in November 2013 as a download, and as part of the boxed set 'The Lot', and again on CD and vinyl in the USA in 2015.
Album length 41:54.

Produced by Roger Taylor, David Richards and Mack.
Engineered by David Richards and Mack
Recorded at Mountain Studios, Montreux

Original photographs by George Hurrell
Totem Pole Illustration - Ian Wright

Thanks for help and encouragement to my dear friends Freddie Mercury, John Deacon, Brian May & Rick Parfitt

The track listing on this page refers to the 1996 CD reissue; the original releases had 'Abandonfire' as track 6 and 'Killing Time' as track 7.
The original USA release also had a different track listing, namely:
Man On Fire, I Cry For You, It's An Illusion, Racing In The Streets, Masters Of War, Strange Frontier, Beautiful Dreams, Abandonfire, Killing Time, Young Love

The album was later re-released in the USA on 24 March 2015, on CD and limited edition red coloured vinyl, with the CD version adding five bonus tracks. Each track was identical to the versions released in 'The Lot' boxed set in 2013.

Strange Frontier

Track 1. Written by Roger Taylor. Length 4:14.
Alternate Versions:
1. Extended Version (8:34) (available on the 12" single, the 'Solo Singles 1' album, 'The Lot' boxed set, and the 2015 US CD reissue; features a lengthy instrumental introduction, changes throughout, and a different outro)
Lyrics:
(Strange frontier)

Into the shadows from out of the light
Into the darkness and into the night
We're off the tracks, we're off the lines
You and me seen better times
Now we're on the borderline
And I wish I wasn't here
People say it could never happen here
But this is a strange frontier

Freedom fighters come and go
Bloody righteous, and mentally slow
We're on the skids, we're off the lines
Trapped inside these dangerous times
Now we've reached the borderline
Can start to smell the fear
People say it could never happen here
But this is a strange frontier

Ah-ah-ah, ah-ah, ah-ah
Ah-ah-ah, ah-ah, ah-ah
Ah-ah-ah, ah-ah, ah-ah
Ah-ah-ah, ah-ah, ah-ah

Had some good times, had some fun
Soon our problems could be none

We're on the skids, we're off the lines
We're out of luck, we're out of time
Now we're on the borderline
We've nearly gone and done it this time
People say it could never happen here
But this is a strange frontier

Freedom fighters (ah-ah-ah) come and go (ah-ah-ah)
Bloody righteous (ah-ah-ah) and mentally slow (ah-ah-ah)
We're out of work (ah-ah-ah) we're out of time (ah-ah-ah)
We're out of luck (ah-ah-ah) we're out of line
Now we're on the borderline (ah-ah-ah)
We've really gone and done it this time (ah-ah-ah)
People say it could never happen here
But this is a strange frontier

Take your children while you can
But there's nowhere you can run
No more tears and no more fun
Someday soon they'll drop the big one
No more dad and no more mum
This is a strange frontier

Beautiful Dreams

Track 2. Written by Roger Taylor. Length 4:23.
Lyrics:
Beautiful dreams we had at night
All children have to dream at night
Eyes closed in sleep of innocence
Sandman had come to us alright
Beautiful dreamers
Lost in some never, never dream
Beautiful dreams we had
Just beautiful dreams

Beautiful dreams we had alright
Now we had found the golden key
Door to a secret world
Of chemical dreams
Beautiful dreamers
Of beautiful dreams
Beautiful dreams we had
Such beautiful dreams

We'd like to find a cure
For every known disease
There's no such thing you say
The answer's there to see

Colourful dreams we had at night
Of nuclear purity
This is the final twilight
This is the final cure it seems

Beautiful dreamers
Drifting in never, never dreams
Beautiful dreams we had
Just beautiful dreams

Dreams
Dreams
Dreams
Dreams

Man On Fire

Track 3. Written by Roger Taylor. Length 4:05.
This track is believed to have been recorded by Queen for 'The Works'.
Alternate Versions:
1. Extended Version (6:02) (on the 12" single, the 'Solo Singles 1' album, 'The Lot' boxed set, and the US 2015 CD reissue; this is the album version with a longer drum solo intro and instrumental section, and a different outro; only a single word is lost)
Roger Taylor Live Versions:
1. Truro 1994 (5:01) (recorded at Truro City Hall, Truro, England, on 2 December 1994; available on the DVD in 'The Lot' boxed set only)
The Cross Live Versions:
1. Europe 1990 (4:39) (recorded at an unknown venue in May or June 1990, most likely in Germany; available with a spoken intro on the 'Final Destination' CD single, The Cross 'Singles 2' album and 'The Lot' boxed set, or without the intro on the 'New Dark Ages' CD and 12" singles)
2. Bootleg (4:59) (recorded at the Astoria Theatre, London, on 7 December 1990)
3. Live In Germany (5:28) (recorded in Düsseldorf, Germany, on 21 October 1991)
Lyrics:
I walk these streets each and every day
Trying to find some work just to earn my pay
Just to make some plans for you some day
But plans don't work and it's not that fine
When you got no money all you got is time
Don't it make you stop and wonder why

Sometimes I feel like a man on fire
Sometimes I feel like a man possessed
Sometimes I wanna burn down this crazy town

I walk these streets each and every night
Feel like I'm playing my role but it fits too tight
Watch my life go by in black and white
When times are hard and times are rough
Then you better be made of sterner stuff
You'll find it's time to stop and wonder why

I'm smoking, I'm burning
I'm twisting and turning
But one thing I'm learning
It's the power of your love keeps me under their thumb
'Cos the beat of your heart is the beat of my drum
Don't it make you stop and wonder why

Sometimes I feel like a man on fire
Sometimes I feel like a man possessed
Sometimes I wanna burn down this crazy town

Sometimes I feel like a man on fire
Sometimes I feel like a man possessed
Sometimes I wanna burn down this crazy town

Sometimes I feel like a man on fire
Sometimes I feel like a man possessed
Sometimes I wanna burn down this crazy town

Sometimes I feel like a man on fire
Sometimes I feel like a man possessed
I wanna burn down this crazy town

Racing In The Street

Track 4. Written by Bruce Springsteen. Length 4:26.
This song was originally recorded by Bruce Springsteen in June 1978, and appears on the no 16 'Darkness On The Edge Of Town' LP.
Lyrics:
I got a 69 Chevy with a 396
Fuelie heads and a Hurst on the floor
She's waiting tonight down in the parking lot
Outside the seven eleven store

Me and my partner Sonny built her straight out of scratch
And he rides with me from town to town
We only run for the money got no strings attached
We set 'em up and then we shut 'em down

Tonight, tonight, the strips just right
I wanna blow 'em off in my first heat
Summer's here and the time is right
For racing in the street

We take all the action we can beat
And we cover all the north east states
When the strip shuts down we run 'em in the street
From the fire roads to the inner state

Now some guys they just give up living
And start dying little by little piece by piece
Some guys come home from work and wash up
And go racing in the street

Tonight, tonight, the strips just right
I wanna blow 'em all outta their seats
We're calling out around the world
We're going racing in the street

I met her on the strip three years ago
In a Camero with this dude from L.A
I blew that Camero off my back
And drove that little girl away

But now there's wrinkles round my baby's eyes
And she cries herself to sleep at night
When I come home the house is dark
She sighs 'baby did you make it alright'

She sits on the porch of her daddy's house
But all her pretty dreams are torn
She stares off alone into the night
With the eyes of one who hates for just being born

For all the shut gun strangers and hot rod angels
Rumbling through this promised land
Tonight my baby and me we're gonna ride to the sea
And wash these sins off our hands

Tonight, tonight, the highways bright
Out of my way mister you best keep
Summers here and the time is right
For racing in the street

Tonight, tonight, the strips just right
I wanna blow 'em all outta their seats
'Cos summer's here and the time is right
For racing in the street

In the street
In the street
In the street
In the street
In the street

Masters Of War

Track 5. Written by Bob Dylan. Length 3:48.
This song was originally recorded by Bob Dylan and reached no 16 in 1963, also appearing on the album 'The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan'.
Lyrics:
Come you masters of war
You that build the big guns
You that build the death planes
You that build all the bombs
You that hide behind walls
You that hide behind desks
I just want you to know I can see through your masks

Like Judas of old
You lie and deceive
A world war can be won
You want me to believe
But I see through your eyes
And I see through your brain
Like I see through the water that runs down my drain

You fasten all the triggers
For the others to fire
Then you sit back and watch
While the death count gets higher
You hide in your mansion
While the young people's blood
Flows out of their bodies and into the mud

You've thrown the worst fear
That could ever be hurled
Fear to bring children
Into the world
For threatening my baby
Unborn and unnamed
You're not worth the blood that runs in your veins

And I hope that you die
And your death will come soon
I'll follow your casket
On a pale afternoon
And I'll watch while you're lowered
Down to your deathbed
I'll stand over your grave
Till I'm sure that you're dead

Killing Time

Track 6 on the CD, track 7 on the LP. Written by Roger Taylor. Length 4:57.
Freddie Mercury provides backing vocals.
Lyrics:
I live on a satellite
Sun shines on a sea of steel
Ice men in kryptonite
Caveman on wheels
Here in our own small way
Just passing the time of day
Time goes by and
We're treading the same old wheel
Killing what we can't steal
Days go by just killing time
Days go by

I'm living in paradise
Sunset across the shield
Paradise ain't so nice
Some raw deal
Here in our own sweet way
Passing the time of day
Time goes by and
We're treading the same old wheel
Smothering all that's real
Ring the bell it's killing time
Killing time
Killing time
Days go by
Just killing time
Just killing time

Ahhhh-ahhhh
Ahhhh-ahhhh

I'm taking a fast flight
Straight course through the force fields
I've seen the real sights
Cavemen appeal
Here in our own small way
Passing the time of day
Time goes by and we're
Treading the same old wheel
Smile but we just don't feel
All fall down it's killing time
Days go by
Killing time
Just killing time
Just killing time, time

Abandonfire

Track 7 on the CD, track 6 on the LP. Written by Roger Taylor and David Richards. Length 4:13.
Lyrics:
Join our army, join our band
Join our army and be a real man
Abandon hope who enter here
Land of hopelessness and fear

A band of gypsies, a band of gold
Won't save your hide, won't save your soul
Caught like a fly on the face of the Eiger
There's a smile on the face of the tiger

Abandon hope
Is this your answer
Abandon fire
Abandon ship
You know the answer
Abandon fire

Join our army, join our band
Join our army and be a real man
The fires of hell would feel ice cold
And sure as time you'll soon grow old
Tears of heartache, tears of rage
From living in a tiring age
Caught like a fly on the face of the Eiger
Now there's a smile on the face of the tiger

Abandon hope
Is this your answer
Abandon fire
Abandon ship
This is no answer
Abandon fire
Abandon hope
You know the answer
Abandon fire
Abandon ship
Abandon fire

Listen to the rhythms of the city life
Listen to the rhythms of your soul
Listen to the rustling in the undergrowth
Follow in their footsteps to your goal

Abandon hope
Is this your answer
Abandon fire
Abandon ship
Is this no answer
Abandon fire
Abandon hope
You know the answer
Abandon fire
Abandon ship
Abandon fire

Young Love

Track 8. Written by Roger Taylor. Length 3:22.
Lyrics:
With a feeling so sure
With a feeling so real
When you know that it's right
When you know it's for real
You gotta stick to your guns
Show the world that you just don't care

When they're putting you down
With their knives in your back
When they're spreading it round
When they're on the attack
You gotta stand on your ground
Show the world that it's no cheap deal

This is your time
This is your life
This is no cage
This is your problem
This is your life
This is your age

Starbright - this is your night
Young love is what you feel
Young lovers fight
But young love is right
When your young love is real

You've seen it before
Like your mum and your dad
They're dying each day
Living a lie that's so sad
You gotta stick to your guns
Grab a chance while your chances come

If you're frightened of dying
You ain't really alive
Everytime that you meet
You try to kindle the fire
You gotta stand on your ground
Show the world that it's no cheap deal

This is your time
This is your life
This is no cage
This is your problem
This is your life
This is your age

Starbright - this is your night
Young love is what you feel
Young lovers fight
But young love is right
When your young love is real

Young love is right
Young love is real
Young love is what you feel
Young lovers fight
But young love is right
When your young love is real
Is real
Is real
Is real

It's An Illusion

Track 9. Written by Roger Taylor and Rick Parfitt (of Status Quo). Length 4:03.
This track ends just as 'I Cry For You (Love, Hope And Confusion)' starts, but they do not segue.
Additional Assistance:
Rick Parfitt (co-writing and guitars)
John Deacon (bass)
Lyrics:
Can't believe what you hear
Don't believe what you read
Hard to see what you need these days
Can't believe that it's true
You know we had so much to do
How come you treat me this way

Hey, you, why don't you play by the rules
Play by the rules
You, just, you must take me
Take me for some kind of fool

It's an illusion (it's an illusion)
Here and gone in a day
Not what it seems this American dream
Just drifting away

It's an illusion (it's an illusion)
After all that we've seen
A complete waste of time
Just a nursery rhyme
Can't believe that you're leaving

Can't believe what you hear
Don't believe what you read
Hard to see what you need - these days
They'll feed you the facts (oooh, oooh, oooh, oooh)
Leave you like a kid on a railroad track (oooh, oooh, oooh, oooh)
Our reason is fading away (oooh, oooh, oooh, oooh)

OK, not much left I can do
I can do
You, just, you just took me
Took me for some kinda fool

It's an illusion (it's an illusion)
Here and gone in a day
Not what it seems this American dream
Just drifting away

It's an illusion (it's an illusion)
After all that we've seen
It's a complete waste of time
Just a nursery rhyme
Can't believe that you're leaving

It's an illusion (it's an illusion)

It's an illusion (it's an illusion)

It's an illusion

I Cry For You

(Love, Hope and Confusion)

Track 10. Written by Roger Taylor and David Richards. Length 4:21.
At the end of the track on both the 1996 remaster and 'The Lot' boxed set, you can hear the start of 'Racing In The Street' fade in and then back out again.
Additional Assistance:
John Deacon (bass and remixing on the single version, and co-remixing of the extended version)
Mack (co-remixing of the extended version)
Alternate Versions:
1. Single Remix (4:08) (on the 'Strange Frontier' 7" single, the 'Solo Singles 1' album, 'The Lot' boxed set, and the 2015 US CD reissue; this has some remixing, a more 'basic' feel, and loses some lyrics)
2. Extended Version (6:26) (on the 'Strange Frontier' 12" single, the 'Solo Singles 1' album, 'The Lot' boxed set, and the 2015 US CD reissue)
Lyrics: (the single version loses those lyrics in red)
I cry - I cry for you
I cry for you
I cry for you

Love me tender
Love me true
Love can always
See you through

I hope you're fine
I hope all's well (all's well)
Given time
Hope springs eternal
Who finds conclusions (finds conclusions)
With love, hope and confusion

I cry, I cry for you
I cry for you
I cry for you

Life has no fun anymore
Time is on the run for sure
No place to run anymore
Love, hope and confusion

I hope you're fine
I hope all's well (all's well)
Give 'em hell
Hope springs eternal
Who finds conclusions (finds conclusions)
With love, hope and confusion

Yeah, alright
I cry, I cry for you
I cry for you
I cry for you

(I cry) I cry for you (I cry for you)
I cry for you
I cry for you

(I cry) I cry for you (I cry for you)
I cry for you
I cry for you

I cry for you
I cry for you
I cry for you

Two Sharp Pencils

(Get Bad)

Non-album track. Written by Roger Taylor. Length 3:25.
Available on the 'Strange Frontier' 12" single, the 'Solo Singles 1' album, 'The Lot' boxed set, and the 2015 US CD reissue.
Roger's voice is electronically lowered for the track.
2017 Remixes:
Two remixes were released as a single in 2017 on the 'Music For Freaks' label. In an Official Queen Podcast, Roger stated that he had no involvement in them. However, according to the product details on Amazon, the tracks were published by his record company (Nightjar Productions) so they can be considered an official release (or at least officially endorsed). They are fairly decent remixes, which are very true to the original, retaining much of the music and lyrics, unlike many of the Queen and Freddie remixes which have been released.
Alternate Versions:
1. Anna Wall & Corbi Remix (6:30) (available on both the 2017 remix 12" single and the download; this adds a dance beat, numerous instrumental sections derived from the original track, and loses most of the verses)
2. Anna Wall & Corbi Remix Radio Edit (3:12) (available on the 2017 remix download only; this is an edit of the above remix, which loses lengthy instrumental sections, and a few lyrics)
3. Anna Wall & Corbi Instrumental (6:30) (available on the 2017 remix download only; this is a complete instrumental of the above remix, with no lyrics at all)
4. Jamie 3:26 Punk Funk Version (6:49+) (available on both the 2017 remix 12" single and the download; this adds a more prominent dance beat throughout, and includes a 3:30 instrumental intro. It then features the full lyrics, with additional distortion on the vocals. The Amazon download ends abruptly so the track is probably slightly longer than 6:49)
Lyrics: (click here for the lyrics to the Anna Wall & Corbi Remix and Radio Edit)
Here comes a dude
Get a look at that guy
Yeah, ba-ba ba, ba-ba, ba-ba, ba-ba, ba-ba
Da-da da, be-de-da, be-de-da, be-da

Give me B, give me A, give me D, give me 1, 2, 3, give me 1, 2, 3
Now there was a young man from Dundee
Got stung on the knee by a wasp
When I asked if it hurt he said no not a bit
He can do it again if he wants to
Again if he wants to, do it again if he wants to
It's bad
Real bad

It's a crazy world, full of crazy dudes
If we all get crazy we can boogie through, yeah
Say, give me two sharp pencils
Give me bass for days
That's bad
That's bad
Get bad
Alright

That's bad
Get bad
Get bad

There was a cute young chick from Bude
Who went for a swim in a lake
And a man in a punt stuck pole in the air
And said you can't swim here, it's private
That's bad
Get bad

Give me B, give me A, give me D, give me 1, 2, 3
That's bad
Ba-ba-ba

It's a crazy world full of crazy dudes
If we all get crazy we can boogie through
Get bad
Bad
Get bad
That's bad
Um, alright

Give me B, give me A, give me D, give me 1, 2, 3
That's bad
Get bad
Get bad

Anna Wall & Corbi Remix Lyrics: (the radio edit loses the four lyrics in blue)
Yeah
Say, give me two sharp pencils
Give me bass for days
That's bad
That's bad
Get bad
Alright

That's bad
That's bad

It's a crazy world, full of crazy dudes
If we all get crazy we can boogie through
Get bad

That's bad
Get bad
Get bad
That's bad
Um, alright

Give me B, give me A, give me D, give me 1, 2, 3
That's bad
Get bad
Get bad

Yeah
Say, give me two sharp pencils
Give me bass for days
That's bad
That's bad
Get bad
Alright

That's bad
That's bad

That's bad

That's bad