I now have all of Queen’s released studio recordings, which may not seem like a big deal, but it is not as clear cut a prospect as you might initially imagine. There are of course the fifteen albums the band has released, but that’s not the whole of it.
Each of those studio albums has been rereleased a few years ago for the band’s 40th anniversary with each one including a second disc containing 5 or 6 extra songs. Most of the songs on the second disc are demos or live recordings, but there are some B-sides as well as a couple of unreleased tracks.
What I have done is taken all of the “extra” tracks and compiled them into one playlist in (mostly) chronological order. I have not taken the demos and edits of various songs already on the fifteen studio albums, but instead focused on the actual B-sides and other harder to find or unreleased material. I am also not including songs such as “Somebody To Love” where George Michael sang lead at the Freddie Mercury tribute concert.
In addition to the studio albums there are a few new and reworked tracks on compilations. These are possibly the least “Queen” tracks on this playlist, but they are still quality tracks for fans of the band (and I like them, which is the most important factor).
Here is how it goes:
“Mad The Swine”
Left off the band’s first album Queen due to time and space constraints.
“See What A Fool I’ve Been”
A live stable that was recorded and used as a B-side for a Queen II track.
“Feelings Feelings”
Recorded during the News Of The World sessions a track that did not make the final album, or any thereafter.
“A Human Body”
A B-side from The Game.
“Soul Brother”
Another B-side, this time from Hot Space.
“I Go Crazy”
From The Works, used as a B-side.
“Thank God It’s Christmas”
A non-album single from 1984.
“Chinese Torture”
This Miracle is represented the most here with four tracks starting with this instrumental idea that never made it into a full song.
“Stealin'”
The first B-side from The Miracle.
“Hijack My Heart”
Another The Miracle B-side.
“Hang On In There”
This track was released on The Miracle original CD release as a bonus track, but not the vinyl or cassette.
“Lost Opportunity”
A B-side from Innuendo.
“There Must Be Something More To Life Than This”
From Queen Forever a reworked Freddie Mercury solo track to become a Queen track. Originally it was recorded, or at least attempted to, for the Hot Space album.
“Let Me In Your Heart Again”
Intended for The Works it was never finished until its release on Queen Forever.
“Love Kills” (The Ballad)
A reworking of this Freddie Mercury solo song from the Metropolis soundtrack had been intended for The Works but it did not come to fruition until Queen Forever.
“No One But You (Only The Good Die Young)”
Originally recorded for the Queen Rocks compilation it is the only song by the three surviving original members recorded after Mercury’s death.