Mr. Bad Guy

Alternate Versions

Extended Version
On the UK CD, and the B-side on the "Love Me Like There's No Tomorrow" 12". An attempt at a disco sound, reasonably successful in its time but sounding a bit dated now. There is still much to like though, and it is mixed quite differently to the album version, with many additional instruments etc. If you like the album mix, you'll like this. The ending is a bit abrupt though, and some of the effects are really showing their age. Also on at least two bootlegs - "The Great Extender" (very limited release) and "Mr Bad Guy - Special Edition". Time 5:04

1992 Remix
Oh dear. Remixed for inclusion on "The Freddie Mercury Album" and the US-only "The Great Pretender" CD album. A very tasteless rave version - it tries, it really does, but the result is just flat. It actually sounds more dated than the original! There's a bit of everything though, from synths to guitars, even a horn section. A definite case of trying too hard.

7" Remix
The standard single mix, available on both the 7" and 12". Very similar to the album mix, with only a few noticeable changes and a very slightly modified running time (a few seconds shorter than the 4:02 album mix). Time 3:59

Extended Version
On the 12" only. A nicely re-worked vocal introduction, but not especially long for a 12" mix. Very good though, and a favourite of many fans, with a nicely different ending too - that last "written in the stars" has a wonderful echo. Superior to the album mix in my opinion. Note the common bootleg version of the "Mr Bad Guy" album (called "Mr Bad Guy - Special Edition") only has the first three minutes of this mix, and simply fades out part-way through, therefore missing the new ending. "The Great Extender" bootleg has the full version. Time 4:45

Video Version
In the video to this song, there are a few extra sound effects. At the start there is what sounds like an orchestra warming up, and also some extra noises (wind/rain sound effects, or possibly a crowd cheering?) at the end. Nothing major though. On "The Freddie Mercury Video EP".

Extended Version
Probably the most well-known album track, this extended version is absolutely superb. Very different, with some nice stereo effects in the middle too. Mostly just a re-arrangement of elements in the single mix (similar to the extended mix of "I Want To Break Free"), but some new things are also evident. Highly recommended. One of the bonus tracks on the original UK CD, but more easily found on the 12". Also on the original cassette version of the album, in place of the "normal" version, which has been known to surprise a few people. Heavily bootlegged. Time 7:00

Disconet Mix
This is frequently quoted as being from Brazil, but is actually a US DJ-only release instead. Much more tasteful than the later (post 1991) remixes, this was done in 1988 by Steven von Blau and is really just an alternate 12" mix - it doesn't change the music, just re-arranges it. Not bad, and if you like the original this is certainly worth a look. Not that anyone's seen it for years though.

Demo
In private collections only. Not exactly a demo, this short extract features someone (probably Freddie) basically playing in the studio, trying some of the different elements from the final mix. Its almost all instrumental - the different keyboard sections and riffs are played quickly, back-to-back, then it goes silent very briefly. Freddie's voice is then heard a capella for a few words, before the full backing comes in and the song very quickly fades out. Definitely genuine, but not really very listenable once the initial curiosity has been satisfied! Very short, and one of the strangest things I've heard in a while. Time approx 1:00

"Teachers" Soundtrack Version
Available on the soundtrack album to the film "Teachers". Though otherwise identical to the original album mix, some people can hear a slighly different vocal pattern right near the end of this version. Opinion is divided however, and it seems to be another "Old Grey Whistle Test Keep Yourself Alive", in that some people can hear the difference and some can't. But even those who can admit its only a very slight difference. The album, incidentally, is copyrighted 1984, a year before "Mr Bad Guy", so it could just be an ever-so-slightly earlier take, before the final mixing. But please note I only said "could be". I haven't noticed anything different myself yet, and I've listened pretty closely.

1992 Remix
One of the more tasteful remixes. Quite gentle and with a very light feel. Has some soft keyboards that work quite well, and makes excellent use of piano too. Also retains a lot of the original instrumentation, and is worth at least a couple of listens. It does take a while to grow on you though. Remixed by Steve Brown. On both "The Freddie Mercury Album" and the US "The Great Pretender" album, but also on a rare German promo CD.

1992 Remix
A diverting take on the original, this is not an out-and-out dance mix, but more a proper "1992" version - i.e. it has been updated but still retains some sense of the original. Takes some getting used to though, and it could do without the pause in the middle. Not as fast paced as the original, and there is a feeling that it never quite gets going. The vocal is still full of life, but the music seems to lag behind it in my opinion. The slow intro has been left alone though, and that was always the best bit of the song anyway. Remixed by Steve Brown.

7" Edit
From Argentina only. The normal version, but fades out very early, just as the vocals stop. Which means the instrumental from the end of the song is cut out completely. Seems a bit pointless, but there you go. And certainly a rarity! Available as the B-side to an Argentina-only promo-only 7" of "I Was Born To Love You". There was also a "proper" release of "Mr Bad Guy" (backed with "Stop All The Fighting") on 7" in Argentina, but its unclear if that actually includes this edit. I suspect the edit is promo-only. Time 3:15

1992 "The Freddie Mercury Album" Version
On "The Freddie Mercury Album" only. Stripped of its full orchestral glory, this is a "rock mix" that sounds completely different to the original. Worth a look, but I still prefer the original! Mixed by Brian Malouf, with additional production by Julian Raymond.

1992 "The Great Pretender" Version
On "The Great Pretender" CD in the US, the remix of this is slightly different. Its fractionally longer, and does not end in a fade but on a final beat/chord. A much better ending than the UK version, and it doesn't seem to be a case of the UK version just fading out early either, but a genuinely different finale. The original orchestra arrangement isn't as prominent throughout either.

Extended Version
Not US or Brazil (see later). Six and a half minutes of pure Freddie! Completely re-worked, this is simply stunning, and vastly superior to the many subsequent remixed versions. Loads of extra percussion and bass, some great fills and a killer vocal. There don't appear to be any gaps in this arrangement at all, there's always something new happening. Miss it if you dare. On the original 1985 12" and the UK CD, and a couple of bootlegs too. Time 6:32

Alternate Extended Version
On original issue 12" from Brazil and the US, and surprisingly rare. This record claims to have the "extended mix", but it is not the "extended mix" mentioned above - instead it has a new mix! Very different from the "standard" extended mix, this has a particularly heavy drum sound, and is a generally sparser arrangement. It has some unique elements too, including many re-arranged vocal parts, and is a very interesting alternative. The re-arranged vocals give it a different structure, and while its not quite as manic as the UK mix, its certainly worth tracking down.

Video / Single Version
From "The Freddie Mercury Video EP". Has an audible time nearly thirty seconds shorter than the album mix. The actual "single version", on the 7", is almost certainly an edit too, although I can't confirm that yet. If so, it is undoubtedly the same edit as this. Time 3:03

1992 Remix
On both "The Freddie Mercury Album" and the US-only "The Great Pretender" CD album. An attempt at a proper dance mix, and quite different to the remix that was later re-issued as a single. The original vocal is left untouched here, but the result is not inspiring although it is a rather "full" mix. Remixed by Julian Raymond. Time 3:39

Radio Mix
The 1992 single mix by No More Brothers, on 7", 12" and CD single. Much better than the album mix, and a huge hit. Whether you approve of Freddie's music being tampered with in this way or not, you have to admit it was well done. Time 3:35

1992 Extended Mix
A longer version of the "Radio Mix" (and also by No More Brothers), and very similar in style. On the re-issue 12" and CD single, also "The Freddie Mercury Remixes" mini-album. Time 5:15

Club Mix
Also mixed by No More Brothers. One of the most different sounding mixes, though again intended solely for dancing rather than listening to. On CD single and re-issue 12" only. Time 4:25

Dub Mix
Only available on the 1992 re-issue 12" (the only one of the 1992 remixes still unavailable on CD). Similar in style to the Radio Mix, but still noticeably different. Although its basically just re-arranged bits of the Radio Mix again. Remixed by No More Brothers. Time 5:10

LA Mix
On the re-issue 12" and the German 2-track CD single. This is one of the more distinctive mixes, and goes for the "2 Unlimited" sound. You'll love it or hate it. If you hate it, take comfort in the fact its one of the shortest of the remixes. Remixed once again by No More Brothers. Time 3:40

Underground Solutions Mix
(Roger S Mix)
A B-side to Part Two of the UK "In My Defence" CD single set, also a B-side to the re-issued "The Great Pretender" CD single in the US. Known as the "Roger S Mix" on the "The Freddie Mercury Remixes" album. Radically different to all the other remixes, though still very much a dance mix. Time 5:45

Techno Mix
A bonus track recently added on the US "The Great Pretender" CD album. Only on new versions of the CD, although the track started out as an unlisted "ghost track" on some copies of the album. New copies list it on the sleeve as well. I haven't heard it, but it apparently has some "orchestra-type noises" at the very start. It's not too dissimilar to the "LA Mix", but is different enough to be worth investigating. Time 3:48

Extended Version
On the B-side of the "Living On My Own" 12" (not Brazil). Heavy percussion and a strong reggae feel, this is another heavily re-worked extended version. Pounding drums, and a much more "solid" feel than the album mix. A bit slower too, although it still gets manic when the guitars start. Recommended. On the usual Freddie bootlegs. Time 6:24

Jeff Lord-Alge Mix
On the "Freddie Mercury Remixes" CD mini-album, and the US "The Great Pretender" album. Not on "The Freddie Mercury Album". A rock mix, and very different (especially during the verses). Quite fun too, and very bouncy. Not bad.

Extended Version
On 12" only, and more subtly remixed than the other 12" versions. An atmospheric intro sets the tone for this poignant ballad, which unfortunately failed to chart. Very nice, though not radically different from the album mix. The intro really is good though. Bootlegged on both the "Special Edition" and "The Great Extender". Time 5:25

B-sides & Bonus Tracks etc.

Original B-side
B-side to "I Was Born To Love You", on the 7" and 12" (and included in the UK 7" double pack). Later re-issued on the UK "The Great Pretender" CD single. Worth seeking out, and not dissimilar in style to tracks from the album, though perhaps a touch under-developed in comparison. Very much dominated by the bass-line, with some nice percussion too. Time 3:20.

Extended Version
Found only in the "I Was Born To Love You" 7" double-pack. Definitely "extended" rather than "remixed", this is even more bass-driven in places, with some extra instrumental sections. A touch repetitive, but nicely done and with a good "false ending". Worth investigating. Also on the bootleg "The Great Extender". Time 6:25.

Original B-side
B-side to "Made In Heaven". A very fun song, and very "Freddie", with some wonderful piano and guitar. Lyrically a bit lightweight, but so full of life you can forgive anything. Originally only available on the 7", although it was later re-issued as part of the "In My Defence" CD single set (UK Part One). However, the re-issue version isn't quite the same. On the original 7" vinyl you can hear someone (probably Freddie) talking in the studio at the very beginning of the song, before the first drum beat starts. Its not very clear, but it sounds something like "I guess we can't do it like that, we'll have to do it faster" (its not that exactly, but its the best I can make out). This was edited out of the re-issue, which means the full version is still unavailable on CD. Time approx 3:30.

Re-issued B-Side
On the previously-mentioned "In My Defence" CD release, and therefore possibly UK only(?). For no apparent reason, the talking mentioned above has been edited out. It doesn't detract that much from the song, its just a very noticeable ommission! And its such a pointless change to make too. Why oh why? Time 3:25.

Extended Version
On the "Made In Heaven" 12". Much longer and even better than the original, which is possibly an edit of this take anyway. Really manic in places, this is great stuff that sounds like it was as much fun to record as it is to listen to. Fantastic stuff, and essential for any Freddie fan. Includes some wonderful guitar breaks, and Freddie provides some superb piano. Also on the "Mr. Bad Guy - Special Edition" bootleg. Time 5:50.