Flash Gordon

Alternate Versions

Single Mix
The title theme was remixed for release as a single, and the result can be found easily on "Greatest Hits". Quite different to the album version, this makes excellent use of samples from the film. One of their most popular singles, even among non-Queen fans, it is also their shortest single to date (just 2:45 long). The B-side, "Football Fight", was also taken from the "Flash Gordon" album, but not remixed in any way (although it is part of a segue on the album, it's easily seperated - especially on CD). Time 2:45

Promo Mix (apparently)
There is supposedly a US promo 12" which has two different versions of "Flash's Theme" on it. All I know is that both are different from the album mix. One is presumably the single version, the other could be a unique mix but I have a suspicion it is actually just the single mix again, in mono. There is definitely a mono / stereo promo 12" out there, though I'm told that this is in addition to the two-mix version. I guess we'll never know! (unless someone out there can definitely confirm anything).

Hollywood Remix 1991
On the US remastered CD album. This is a dance mix by Mista Lawnge, which works better than some of the other remixes. Not that that's saying much. Sometimes called the "One-Two" mix on bootlegs, on account of the "one time, two time" sample used. . Time 6:45

German DDR TV Mix
A great remix, done especially for German television. Extremely hard to get hold of, this doesn't seem to appear on vinyl or cassette anywhere. The music is the same as on the album, but the selection of samples used from the film is completely different. This is a really, really nice alternative version and I'd recommend it to anyone. Time 2:45

Greatest Flix Version
On the video "Greatest Flix", also included in "Box Of Flix". Identical to the normal single mix, but as the end credits start there is an extra roll of drums that continues untill the credits finish. Pretty pointless really. About 15-20 seconds longer than normal (depends how hard you listen!). Time approx 3:00

"The Eye" Version
Included in "The Eye" computer game. This is the only track from the game that is not included as pure audio on any of the CDs, and so you have to play the game to hear it. Not that its really worth it - it's just the normal album mix with a spoken commentary dubbed over it (similar to the "We Will Rock You" version). The commentary is from the game itself, and doesn't really go with the song.

Live Version
Now this really is novelty value! On "The Ultimate Rarities Collection" again, this time claiming to be from Japan '81, this is a two-and-a-bit minute wonder. Great to hear a live version of this, you can really hear Brian and Roger going for it, with the solitary keyboard being very much more in the background than the album mix. Also includes about 30 seconds worth of the "Battle Theme". Find it!

Live Version
Used as the opening number on the "Hot Space" tour. Backing tapes would play "Flash's Theme" as the introduction, until the band burst on stage with "The Hero". This medley can be found on "Get Down" (vinyl) and "Queen Live USA '82" (cass and CD), amongst others. Time varies, depending on how much "Flash" is played.

B-sides & Bonus Tracks etc.

Live Medley
From "The Ultimate Rarities Collection" CD (yes, another one). Not really a seperate track, but worth mentioning as it contains the only live version of "Flash" I've ever come across. Basically the same medley as mentioned earlier, but entirely live. Not as sharp as the studio version, and obviously missing the film samples, this is more noteworthy for its oddity value than the quality of the performance. Still worth a listen though, and look out for Roger's "Oh Flash I love you"s in the background. Running time 3:33, and supposedly taken from a Spanish date on the Hot Space Tour.