Barcelona

Alternate Versions

Single Version
A distinctive edit of the album's 5:38 version, with a much more immediate beginning. One of Freddie's most popular tracks, and as close to "bringing ballet to the masses" as he could have hoped. A deservedly huge hit (twice), this is a very endearing track presented here in its most accessible form. On 7" and CD single (twice). Time 4:28

Extended Version
A touch long for some, at nearly seven minutes, but still quite good. On 12" and CD single. Worth a few listens, but unlikely to hold interest for too long.

Edit Version
Specially edited for TV coverage of the Olympic Games, this is a very short version included on the 1992 re-issue single only, on 7" and CD single. Not released in France for some reason. Time 1:30

Single Version
The original B-side to "The Golden Boy". On 7" only, this track appears in a heavily-edited form. Half the length of the album version, at 2:45 compared to the normal 5:45. Obviously the missing three minutes are quite noticeable, and the result sounds very dramatic but perhaps jumps around a bit too much. Then again, its a much less demanding listen than the album version. Time 2:45

Single Version
The second single was an edited version of this gospel-tinged track. Actually much more listenable than the album mix. The original 6:04 version was included on the CD single and 12", so the edit is available only on the 7". Had Freddie recorded this solo it would have been much better, as Montserrat Caballe is clearly out of her depth here, and her vocals seem totally inappropriate. She is a fine singer, but her voice is just not suited to the material. Time 5:00

Edited Version
A unique version found on the CD "The Best Of Tim Rice". A unique edit, if a rather odd one. It keeps the full instrumental intro, but then jumps straight to the choir singing "and then he said to her". The first set of vocals are therefore missing, and while it doesn't detract too much from the song, it is a very obvious and somewhat strange edit. Time 5:13

Instrumental Version
On the 12" and CD single. This mix retains the feel of the original (together with the backing vocals), but really only shows the potential that was wasted. The gospel choir is simply begging to burst into full swing (a la "Somebody To Love") but never quite gets there. Time 6:04

Radio Edit
A special radio mix found only on a rare AA-sided radio promo 7". Basically the "middle bit" of the song, this edit starts very abruptly, on "and then he said to her". Once that first shock is overcome, the rest is quite listenable. Time 3:30

Single Version
On the album, this track is segued with "Guide Me Home", which acts as a sort of intro to this song. For single release this was impractical, so a "stand-alone" version was prepared. Its not actually any different to the album mix, it just has a more distinct starting point. Nice, but nothing new. Same running time as the album mix, and found on original issue 7", and the re-issue 7" and CD. It is not on the original 12" and CD - they included "Guide Me Home" as a B-side, and placed the tracks in the same order as on the album (i.e. the segue). This makes the single A-side track two, which is a little unique! Time 3:59

Discomix Version
There is a Brazilian promo 12" in a red and white sleeve that claims to have a "special discomix" of this track. It doesn't, it has the album mix. Can you seriously imagine a disco version?! There are a lot of promos from Brazil that make this sort of claim, announcing on the sleeve that they have "special" or "promotional" mixes, when in fact they only have the standard mixes, so be careful. The other common ones include "Scandal" and "I Want It All", although there are quite a few others.

Single Version, Possibly?
Original B-side to "How Can I Go On", not on the re-issue. On the 7" only, this would certainly have been edited down from the 6:40 album mix. The original 12" and CD have the album version. Although I've been unable to double-check this, given that all the other long tracks from this album have been edited for 7" it is extremely unlikely this one escaped unscathed. Likely to sound very messy though, as the full version junps around so much anyway. Unless it just fades out early of course. If someone could confirm this I'd be grateful, otherwise this is just my own supposition. Note the 7" label still says 6:40, but I stopped believing labels a long time ago…

B-sides & Bonus Tracks etc.

Freddie Vocal Version
The original B-side to "The Great Pretender" single in 1987 (on both 7" and 12"). Also found on "The Freddie Mercury Album" and the US "The Great Pretender" album. A precursor to "Barcelona", this was the first track Freddie wrote for Montserrat Caballe and indeed its in a very similar style to the other "Barcelona" material. Freddie sings all the vocals on the original, although you won't make out any words - just be impressed by his vocal range. Incidentally, the track "Ensueno" on the "Barcelona" album has some striking similarities to this, seeming to be a duet version.

Montserrat Caballe Vocal Version
The B-side to the "Barcelona" single (all formats, including re-issues!) was this re-recording of "Exercises In Free Love". This time Montserrat Caballe provides the vocals, not Freddie. She has apparently performed this live as an encore to her recitals too, which must make Freddie very proud. Its also the song that reportedly convinced her to record the album in the first place, so it's no real surprise she recorded it herself! A haunting and emotional piece of music.

Unreleased
An unreleased track that was rumoured to appear on a Montserrat Caballe compilation album, but that idea has sadly been shelved now. Brief extracts of it can apparently be heard in "Overture Piccante". Presumably its the fast piano bit that doesn't match any of the other album tacks. If so, this would have been another gospel-tinged song. Its possible there are other unreleased tracks from this time as well. Was originally planned for inclusion on the "Barcelona" album, but was withdrawn at the last minute. Unlikely to ever surface now of course.