The Great Pretender

This popular cover version was first released in 1987, and soared to No. 4 in the charts. Freddie was rumoured to be considering an entire album of covers at the time, but it is likely this idea was quickly abandoned in favour of the "Barcelona" project. Other tracks supposed to have been considered include "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes", of which a partial recording may exist. The original B-side to this track, "Exercises In Free Love", was the first song Freddie wrote for Montserrat Caballe, and is in the "Barcelona" section with the rest of their collaborations.

Image from Bruno & Simona. Thanks guys.

Alternate Versions

The Great Pretender

Original Single Vesion
On the original issue 7" and 12", and later re-issued on CD. A few promo 10"'s also exist, but are increasingly scarce now. The shaped picture disc is also quite a rarity. The song itself is suitably over-the-top in places, and is typical Freddie Mercury (especially the vocal arrangements). Also boasts a wonderful video, in which Roger mimes to the backing vocals, although its not clear if he actually sings on the record. If he does, there's absolutely no evidence for it. Time 3:26

Extended Version
On the original issue 12" only. Nicely re-worked, and quite different to the single mix. The intro and outro are particulary different, and this mix boasts a nice false ending, before starting up again. It makes especially good use of looping bits of the lead vocal, to give a very different tone to the song - more atmospheric too. Time 5:43

Extended Video Version
On "The Great Pretender Video EP" only. The video to the extended mix fills the extra time by adding behind-the-scenes footage of making the video, and includes a few lines of dialogue dubbed over the soundtrack. Most noticeable is Freddie screaming "Get them off!!!" at his tights at the end. Quite fun.

Malouf Mix
One of the more worthwhile remixes, this features some nice "jangly guitar bits" (I'm afraid I can't think of a better description) and some very good extra piano. It has a very different feel to the original, and is easily one of the best remixes. And at least its not a dance mix! Included on the "The Great Pretender" re-issued CD single, the US "The Great Pretender" CD album (in place of the original version), and the imaginatively titled CD mini-album compilation "The Freddie Mercury Remixes". Remixed by Brian Malouf.

"Night And The City" Version
The "Night And The City" film soundtrack (for the re-make) includes a remix of "The Great Pretender" too, albeit apparently an unintentional one. The track appears to be mastered incorrectly onto the soundtrack, and plays at slightly the wrong speed. It is fractionally faster than usual, not really enough to notice, but enough to affect the total running time. This makes it appear that it is an edit, as it play a few seconds shorter than normal.