The Game

Alternate Versions

Demo Version, Andy Gibb Vocal
The existence of a version with Andy Gibb, little brother of The Bee-Gees no less, singing the first verse has apparently been confirmed by the US fan club. Whether it is a complete recording or not remains to be seen. We wait with baited breath.

Live Version, USA 1982
All the live versions of this have a nice piano intro, and the piano features prominently throughout. On the bootleg "Queen Live USA '82", this version (from Los Angeles?) is typical, but there are plenty of other nice versions out there. Worth a listen.

Hollywood Remix 1991
Remixed by R.A.K. and Jack Benson, and available on the US Hollywood Records "The Game" CD remaster. The actual music isn't too bad here (for a dance mix), with some nice extra bass giving it a distinctly different feel. However, just when you think its actually quite smooth, it's spoiled completely by the introduction of a rap section. Furthermore, what is possibly Brian's best guitarwork ever has been almost completely removed. Utterly unforgivable!

Dragon's Return
On the bootleg "Mix-Up:A Tribute To Freddie Mercury", and indeed many other bootlegs. At 7:15, this looks interesting until you realise its actually just the Hollywood mix again, this time edited so you can hear the (c)rap bit twice. Obviously if you like the original remix, you'll like this, otherwise don't touch it with a bargepole.

"The Eye" Version
From "The Eye" computer game. Disc 1, track 4. A full instrumental mix, very similar to the album version but with some obvious remixing too. The drum sound in particular has been "tweaked" to sound different (especially on the drum breaks), and the guitars have been altered too. Add a few extra sound effects, some very noticeable echoes on the bassline, and just enjoy. A superb showcase for one of Brian's finest hours. You can tell its a percussionist doing the remixing though. Time 4:23

Dakeyne Mix
On a DJ-only compilation 12" ("The August '86 Remixes"), with other artists. More of a re-editing job than a remix. This version doesn't appear to add any new instruments or samples, and consequently sounds more like an extended version, albeit not a particularly good one. Some of the vocal effects spoil it for me. Not bad, but not stunning either. And it could have been so much better if they'd left the vocal alone!

Dave Ogilvie Alternative Mix
Hollywood Records' attempt at a dance mix (would you believe?). It's not clear why this wasn't used as a bonus track, as it's no worse than most of the other remixes and considerably better than some. Although it sounds little like the original, it has a very powerful sound of its own, and if you want a "Dust" remix this is about the best. Has some "Bohemian Rhapsody" samples thrown in for good measure, not that they add anything. Taken from a Hollywood Records promo sampler CD called "Freakshow", that also includes the Trent Reznor version of "Stone Cold Crazy", amongst lots of other artists. Recommended.

Queen Bee Mix
On a particularly anonymous-looking 12", presumably from the US. Has almost no distinguishing marks at all, apart from the words "Black Wax" on the label; it doesn't even mention that its a remix of "Another One Bites The Dust". In fact this resembles a bootleg pressing more than anything, though its much more likely to be a US DJ 12". About four minutes long, this uses no new instruments but re-arranges (badly) bits of the original with lots of samples from other places - films mostly. The most recognisable are Clint Eastwood saying "Go ahead, make my day", and two quotes from Arnold Schwarzenegger - the uninspired "I'll be back", and the more dubious "F*** you a**hole". Unfortunately, spotting the quotes is the most interesting thing about it, and once you've done that you probably won't want to listen to this again. Bad, really bad.

Ultramix
On a US DJ 12", in a company lime green record sleeve (this 12" is one in a series of 20). The actual mix is a re-edit rather than a remix, rather like the "Dakeyne Mix" but apparently much better. Haven't heard it myself yet. The remix is by Les Massengale. Time 6:34

Other Mixes
There are various other dance remixes of this track that appear from time to time, usually on cassettes from "a friend of a friend". The following mixes have all been mentioned to me, although I have no clear details of their origins. Most will be exclusive DJ releases, though some could well just be different names for other mixes. Anyway, other mixes include: Dance Mix, DMC Mix, Happy Margo Flower Power Segued Disco Mix, Super Sound Mix, Party Mix, Long Dusted B-Boy Version (supposedly from a Hollywood Records sampler CD). I have never seen a record with any of these on it, although I do know people who have (usually poor quality) tape copies of most of them. Any details appreciated!

Live Version
Just to prove its not only Roger's tracks he forgets the words to, Freddie makes some interesting, and amusing, lyric changes in the version of this found on "Opera Omnia". A "straight" (but less endearing) version is on "The Ultimate Collection".

Live Version, Osaka 1982
From the "Rare Live" video. All the live versions of this are good, but this one is particularly noteworthy as it features some superb piano throughout, courtesy of Morgan Fisher. Also much longer than the album version. An absolute gem!

US TV Version
From "Saturday Night Live" in 1981. The only live performance given on US TV, an excerpt of this was shown as part of the MTV "Queen - Days Of Our Lives" tribute. An OK version, but not very different from any other live take.

Live Version, Freddie Vocal
On "Opera Omnia". Features Freddie singing lead vocals instead of Roger. Unfortunately (as with a few other Roger tracks) Freddie doesn't appear to know the words very well. It gets better after a dodgy start, but seems a bit rushed and a touch less polished than their other performances.

Live Version, Osaka 1982
One of many superb live performances, found on the bootleg "Get Down". A real highlight of any Queen concert from the "Hot Space" tour. Other good versions reside on "Queen Live USA '82" and "Opera Omnia".

B-sides & Bonus Tracks etc.

Original B-side
This Roger Taylor track was the B-side to "Play The Game", on 7" only. As yet not issued officially on CD, though plenty of bootlegs have it. A very good song, much in keeping with other material from "The Game", with Roger on lead vocals. This really should have been included on the "Game" CD re-issues as a bonus track. One rumour is that it was left off because Roger doesn't like it anymore! Diddums.