Blue Rock

Alternate Versions

Live Version, Astoria 1990
Performed before the song was completed, this version (found on one of the "official" Cross bootleg tapes) features some very different lyrics. Some are improvised on the spot, other sections are repeated, but most are quite amusing. Among them is the line "I like to do my dishes, in the nude". Definitely one for Roger fans! Musically quite similar to the finished version. Note that they hadn't even decided on a title for the song at this stage - it is introduced as "Tear It Up, or Bad Attitude, we haven't decided which".

Single Version
An edit of the superb LP mix, on 7", CD and 12". More has been edited out than is immediately apparent on listening (the album mix is 4:58), but the song loses nothing of significance. Time 3:24

B-side Version
On the B-side of "New Dark Ages", the version of this is around 30 seconds longer than the album mix. The extra time seems to be made up of a much longer fade out, with possibly some extra guitar / backing vocal parts as well. I'm not sure if this is on all formats of the single, but I would imagine so (I've only been able to check the CD and 7"). Another good reason to buy the single! Time 5:01

B-side Version
Not really any different from the album mix, this is a "stand-alone" mix (its part of a short segue on the album). Ironically it doesn't actually start with the beginning of the song, but with the last guitar solo from the end of "Millionaire" (the last five or six seconds of the song). This actually makes a lot of sense, as there is a natural break there anyway. It also makes for a very atmospheric and stylish intro. Available (hmm... maybe that's not quite the right word!) on the "Life Changes" CD, although you could easily edit this yourself from the album. And of course, the album could always have a mastering error, making this the "correct" version! Either way, there's nothing actually new here.

Single Version
This is a reasonable 3:53 edit of the 5:53 album version. Great song, and more noticeable than the "New Dark Ages" edit. This was released on CD single only, despite the fact its described as the 7" version. That's life, I suppose. Not officially released anywhere - it was scheduled for release in Germany, but withdrawn immediately. However a lot of CDs were pressed, most of which seem to have reached the market.

B-sides & Bonus Tracks etc.

Original B-side
On the "Life Changes" CD. Very good indeed, this could easily have been included on the album. Due to the rarity of this CD, this song is possibly the rarest (officially released) Queen-related song ever (on a par with the "Liar" CD single). Worth tracking down, but very expensive now. Features Peter Noone on vocals as well as Roger, for extra interest. Time 4:47.