Love Kills

Originally provided for the re-coloured version of the film "Metropolis", "Love Kills" (co-written with Giorgio Moroder) was Freddie's first solo single, and one of his biggest solo hits. The B-side ("Rotwang's Party") was also taken from the "Metropolis" soundtrack, but is nothing to do with Freddie.

Incidentally, the lyrics printed in the soundtrack album are completely different to what Freddie actually sings. Freddie reportedly didn't like the original version of this song as offered to him by Moroder, so he re-wrote it. The printed lyrics could therefore be for the original version of the song. Details of both sets of lyrics can be found on Andy Young's pages. Freddie is also the only artist on the album to get a co-credit for song-writing.

Alternate Versions

Love Kills

Film Version
As originally featured in the film, "Love Kills" is only a short segment that is segued into the film's soundtrack. It sounds like it was mixed differently too, having a slighty flat sound to it here. The actual soundtrack album, however, features the normal single version. Time approx 1:40

Single Version
On 7" and also "The Freddie Mercury Album" (where it's one of the few non-remixed tracks). Also found on the film soundtrack LP and CD. A full version that sounds much better than the original film extract. Much more "disco" in sound than previous Queen recordings, with percussion and synths providing most of the instrumentation. Time 4:29

Extended Version
Only available on 12", and described in the US as the "Extended Dance Remix". Noticeably longer but very similar in style to the single mix. The main difference is in the instrumental sections, which are extended to good effect. Later re-issued on 7", as part of the "I Was Born To Love You" 7" double-pack in the UK. Time 5:21

Original Wolf Mix
A "hard rock" mix from 1992, with guitars replacing the original's disco feel. Available on the US-only "The Great Pretender" CD album. Also included on the UK "In My Defence" CD single set (Part Two), and on a one-track US promo CD. Very different, but its a shame they didn't beef up the drums as well as the guitars. Has a slightly different lyric structure to the original too, most noticeable after the first chorus. Mixed by Richard Wolf.

Wolf Euro Mix
Again mixed by Richard Wolf. From the UK "In My Defence" CD Single (Part One) and also on the "Freddie Mercury Remixes" CD album. A slightly toned down version of the "Original Wolf Mix" mentioned above, but still very similar to it. Presumably America thought the original remix was too heavy for Europe! Pah! Actually this benefits from being a bit "poppier" in my opinion, although it really isn't much different. It doesn't use the different lyric structure from the "Original Wolf Mix" though, instead being virtually identical to usual.

12" Re-Edit
On numerous CD bootlegs, including "Mix-up: A Tribute To Freddie Mercury". To me this sounds identical to the original 12" version, but its still nice to have on CD.