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The Miracle


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Alternate Versions


Khashoggi's Ship


"The Eye" Version One
From "The Eye" computer game. Disc 3, track 11. A diverting instrumental mix, more interesting than most. Always was a damn good riff though. Has a drum beat intro and stops at the "ooh, bop, bop" bit. Fades out. Time 1:37

"The Eye" Version Two
From "The Eye" computer game. Disc 4, track 5. Same as the previous version. Time 1:37


The Miracle


US Edit
On the US "Classic Queen" CD. Edited to enable all the tracks to fit on one disc, this is missing a very noticeable chunk of instrumental near the end (the "fast bit"). This detracts quite a bit from the song, and makes it seem incomplete and a lot blander. A significant edit though, if you're into that sort of thing. But note the disc still lists the usual 5:02 running time on the back sleeve, not the actual time of 4:25. In fact the sleeve lists the full running time then says "edited for CD" - surely it would be easier to just list the correct time?! Time 4:25

Demo
On the bootleg "Demories Please Majesties". Another short "rough cut" of the song, with some minor differences but the structure etc. is obviously there. Incomplete rather than different.

"Greatest Hits II" Version
On the "Greatest Hits II" CD this track is edited down from 5:02 to 4:55, although I defy anyone to tell me they noticed. At the end of the song, when the lines "the time will come, one day you'll see, when we can all be friends" repeat, it is simply repeated one less time than usual.

Video Version
Here, the above-mentioned line of lyrics is actually repeated one more time than usual, making the video version longer than the original album mix. This extends the time to 5:08. Fairly hard to spot, unless you count the number of repetitions. And is there any reason for it?! Time 5:08


I Want It All


Single Version
On 7", 12", CD single and "Greatest Hits II". With a very different beginning, sometimes described as the "vocal intro version", this is re-worked rather than just edited into a single format (although some of Brian's guitar has been edited out). Actually a bit "poppier" than the album mix, which is much heavier in comparison. Time 4:01

Demo
On the bootleg "Demories Please Majesties", together with all the demos from the sessions for this album. Probably not a demo as such, more of a "rough take" or guideline recording, and quite short (1:26). Has many of the elements from the finished version in place, although not always in the same place, and Brian's vocal is incomplete.

Video Intro Version
Not the video to the single, but the extract used over the opening credits of "Rare Live". This is a unique edit (approx two minutes) that uses re-arranged elements of the album mix, and starts with Freddie talking to the crowd at Live Aid.

"Queen Rocks" Version
On the "Queen Rocks" compilation album. This has the vocal intro used for the single mix, but goes into the album mix partway through. Brian's guitar solo (after his brief vocal) is unedited, and it seems this is more an "alternate single mix for rock fans" than anything else. A nice idea, and rather good, although it would have been nice if the sleevenotes mentioned it was a remix. The album mix is still the best though! Time 4;31

Hollywood Records Version
Only on the remastered Hollywood Records "The Miracle" CD album. Approximately 1:15 into the song, the chorus that repeats "I Want It All" is missing, and there are some extra backing vocals as well. According to Hollywood Records themselves, this is not an error - they are right and everyone else is wrong. They claim the song was taken direct from a "definitive master" of the track, given to them by the group themselves, and therefore it "represents the definitive version". Presumably the rest of the world has had the wrong version for the last ten years without noticing then. So, whether its right or wrong, they aren't going to change it in a hurry, and either way someone in quality control somewhere should be slapped.

"The Eye" Version One
From "The Eye" computer game. Disc 1, track 3. An instrumental mix of the full album version. Freddie still sings the first verse, but the only other vocal kept is "Hear the cry of youth" near the end. Very good, and definitely one of the better instrumental mixes. The start doesn't seem to be quite in the right place though - it cuts in a little too abruptly for my liking. Time 4:43

"The Eye" Version Two
From "The Eye" computer game. Disc 1, track 15. The album mix, but without any vocals apart from "Hear the cry of youth" near the end. The first ten seconds is looped twice, accounting for the extra time, with an extra keyboard effect hiding the join. There are signs of minor remixing in other places too, though any changes are very subtle. Nicely done. Time 4:53


The Invisible Man


Extended Version
On CD single, 12" and the CD album as a bonus track. Sounding completely different to the normal mix, and 5:35 long. Has a different structure, and very different beginning and ending. The introduction of each band member as they start their solos has also been dropped. Not a real favourite of mine (I much prefer the album mix) but certainly has its merits, particularly the more atmospheric intro. It has a very strange sound at times though.

Demo
From "Demories Please Majesties". One of the most interesting demos, this short but sweet take has a different start and end, and even has a rock'n'roll section in the middle. If that wasn't enough to grab your attention, it also uses some slightly different instruments, and the result is certainly worth a look. Time 1:25

"Top Of The Pops" Version
On a BBC Transcription disc. I haven't heard this, but apparently it is a slightly different version. I think there was some rule introduced stating that performances on "Top Of The Pops" had to have some live element in them, and this is possibly a result of that. If anyone can confirm or deny the existance of this I would be grateful, as as far as I know only one person has ever seen this!

Fan Club Convention Version, 1989
On a fan club flexi-disc only. A short instrumental version, opening with Brian's guitar solo, over which each member of the band gives a brief spoken message. Freddie, of course, sings his bit. Obviously better if you were there, but a nice reminder all the same.

Video Version
The version of this that accompanies the video is slightly different to usual. It starts in the same way as the "Extended Version", up to the first "I'm the Invisible Man" line, then goes into the normal single/album mix. This adds about ten seconds to the running time, and makes a much better intro. Very nice! Time 4:12


Breakthru


Extended Version
On 12", CD single and the CD in "Box Of Tricks". A good mix that extensively re-works the original, and with some excellent stereo effects, although some of the original structure is lost. Highly recommended if you like the original, even if it does sound like he's singing "grapefruit" at the beginning. Time 5:45

Now Edit
On a 4-mix US promo CD, together with the album / single version, the 12" version and the "Almost Now Edit". This is not a remix, but an edit. The introduction (the slow bit that starts with "When love breaks up") is missing, and the song starts on the first mention of the word "Now!". You can edit this off yourself with a CD player and a pause button.

Almost Now Edit
This retains part of the introduction, up to the line "When the dawn light wakes up" before going into the "Now Edit". A minor but noticeable edit, and not really possible to do at home this time. Only on the same promo CD as the "Now Edit".

"The Eye" Version
From "The Eye" computer game. Disc 5, track 6. Starting partway through the song, this edit is entirely instrumental apart from a few "breakthru"s in the backing vocals. Includes the guitar and bass solos, but not very interesting. Time 2:07


Scandal


Extended Version
On 12", CD single and the US "The Miracle" CD album. A heavier version with lots of extra percussion, including a great introduction. Different, and possibly superior to the album mix. Well worth seeking out, but do play it loud. Time 6:23

Demo
Also called "guitar version". From "Demories Please Majesties". A take in an earlier form to the album version, with more basic instrumentation (just guitar, bass, and drums) and no keyboards. Not bad, but fades out just as it gets going. Time 1:44


Was It All Worth It


"The Eye" Version One
From "The Eye" computer game. Disc 2, track 7. An instrumental mix which seems to be a plain edit of the album version, starting when the guitars kick in before the first verse. Nice but you do miss the vocals. Ends with 7 seconds of silence. Time 1:57

"The Eye" Version Two
From "The Eye" computer game. Disc 3, track 14. The instrumental intro to the song, up to where the main guitar riff comes in. Hard to tell if its been remixed or not, but some bits certainly sound like they’ve been looped. The abrupt fade out is a little odd though. Time 0:37

B-sides & Bonus Tracks etc.


Chinese Torture


CD-only Bonus Track
On "The Miracle" CD album only. A brief instrumental, with just drums, guitar and a full string orchestra. Obviously another showpiece for Brian, whose acrobatic guitar work holds it all together. Well, its about time he came up with a new solo! Time 1:45.

"The Eye" Version
From "The Eye" computer game. Disc 1, track 14. Identical to the normal version, as far as I can tell Time 1:44.


Hang On In There


Original B-side
The B-side to "I Want It All", on 7", CD single, 12" and the CD album as a bonus track. I'm pretty sure most of you will have heard this, and its a good track with some nice changes in tempo. Fits in well with the other album tracks. Incidentally, if you listen very, very closely at the end, with the volume turned right up, you can hear a few extra notes of lead guitar on the CD album version that aren't on the CD single or 7". You will have to listen closely though!

"The Eye" Version
From "The Eye" computer game. Disc 1, track 6. The instrumental intro to the song, looped twice. Atmospheric but pointless, and not particularly well edited either. Time 0:57.


Stealin'


Original B-side
On the 7", 12" and CD single of "Breakthru". There's some great steel guitar in this gentle singalong, which builds to an absolutely manic climax. Not the easiest track to describe actually, but do give it a listen as its quite good.


Hijack My Heart


Original B-side
B-side to "The Invisible Man", on 7", 12" and CD single. A Roger Taylor composition, with the man himself providing vocals. Has a lot of Roger's hallmarks, particularly the lyrics (girls and cars!), and if you like his style then you really should get hold of this.


My Life Has Been Saved


Original Version
This gentle ballad first appeared as the B-side to "Scandal", on 7", 12" and CD single. Although this original version is quite different to the one on "Made In Heaven", its similar enough to say that if you like one version you'll like the other. The main difference is that different instruments are used, most notably the piano from the "Made In Heaven" take is absent. Brian's guitar is more prominent here too, together with some nice soft keyboards. Needless to say, the vocal is pretty similar.


The Teaser Tape


Promo Cassette
A promo-only sampler for the album, on cassette only. Contains short edits of all tracks from the album, but unlike "Hints Of Innuendo" has no new or different extracts. Obviously if you're into collecting edits this will appeal, otherwise its maybe a bit irrelevant.


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