Jazz

Alternate Versions

Demo
On at least two bootlegs, the most common of which is "Made In Heaven" (but expect a name change soon). This comes minus Freddie's intro, and is missing most of Brian's guitar parts. Described as "Brian May's backing track" in the sleevenotes, this is almost certainly just someone playing with the stereo effects (like the "Who Needs You" instrumental). There is a slim chance this is genuine, but don't bet on it. Different all the same.

Live Version
On "Opera Omnia", also "The Ultimate Collection" and (I think) originally from Glasgow Barrowlands 1979. Notable for being much shorter than the album take, and often using a very basic arrangement of guitar, drums, and piano, with the piano driving it. The crowd tend to clap along (for some reason they don't know the words!) but the best feature is the piano at the end, which usually blends into something else, such as "Death On Two Legs". Not stunning, but interesting. Time approx 3:00, sometimes less.

"The Eye" Version
From "The Eye" computer game. Disc 2, track 2. Just the a capella vocal intro to the song, up to but not including "Hey!". Time 0:26

Single Edit
The original 7" edit, also usually found on "Greatest Hits". A bit punchier than the LP version, several chunks of instrumental have been cut from this, resulting in a noticeably shorter running time (3:22 as opposed to 4:16).

Video Version
The video to this song appears to be an even shorter edit than the 7" one - at a mere 3:03, it's definitely missing something! Found most easily on the official "Greatest Flix" video.

Hollywood Remix 1991
By Brian Malouf. Similar to the original, but has some different closing vocals ("them dirty ladies, get me everytime" etc.) that don't appear anywhere else, indicating that perhaps this was made from an alternate take or something. Interesting, and at least its not a dance mix. The drums are different too, if you listen hard enough.

"Queen Rocks" Error Version
On the "Queen Rocks" compilation album. At just after five seconds into the song, a strange "click" type noise can be heard over the introductory vocals. This is presumably due to a mastering error, and there is now some evidence that this is in fact an error that crept in during the "digital remastering" of the track by EMI. If so, this version will also appear elsewhere, and it has already been spotted as one of the B-sides to "Let Me Live". Worse still, it may well be on the EMI "Jazz" remaster itself. It's not very intrusive, just mildly annoying, but it is a shame they haven't fixed it. The US Hollywood Records remaster is fine, and doesn't have any problems (at last, Hollywood Records got something right!). Otherwise the song is identical to the original album version on "Jazz". Time 4:16

Live Version, Osaka 82
There are a lot of good live versions of this, but all my favourites come from the "Hot Space" Tour. This one, from Osaka 82, is especially good. The sound is heavier than usual, Brian is on top form, and Roger can be heard much more clearly than on the studio versions. A truly splendid rendition! This 5:28 version can be found on "Get Down" (vinyl) and "Domo Arigato" (CD), but another good version is on "Queen Live USA '82", and there are plenty of others to choose from as well. One of the concert highlights.

First Take
On "The Ultimate Collection" bootleg. Despite being credited to 1979(!), this may indeed be a different version. Unfortunately, the sound quality is so poor it could equally well be just a very bad copy of the normal 7". All you can really hear is the guitar, but the few vocals I can make out do seem slightly different in the chorus. It would be nice if someone could definitely confirm or deny this, but I would be very surprised if it were indeed the first take.

Hollywood Remix 1991
Remixed by Junior Vasquez for Hollywood Records, this mix also appears on several bootlegs under the name "Tour D'Hip-Hop Mix". And yes, its one of those inappropriate dance mixes you can't even dance to. Unlike some of the other Hollywood remixes, this has no redeeming features whatsoever that I can think of. It's not even well-edited. Five minutes of pure rubbish. Time 4:56

Columbia-Only 12" Mix
On the Columbian coloured vinyl (multiple colours) 12" of "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" only. A rather pointless mix, that after playing the first two minutes of the normal version (i.e. up to the "bell ringing" section) simply starts up again from the beginning, instead of going into Brian's solo. Presumably this is an unofficial release, but you never can tell with these South American things. Not particularly interesting, you could edit this yourself with a bit of patience and a half-decent stereo system. Time 5:00

Live Version
Most commonly found on the bootleg "By Appointment Only" (Cologne 1979), but better sounding versions can be found on "Opera Omnia" and "The Ultimate Rarities Collection". Approx 5:00, this has a bit more life than the album take, and seems more upbeat. Worth investigating, the fuller performance benefits the track immensely. Note the Cologne version is the best though, the one on "Ultimate Rarities" has some distracting audience noise.

"The Eye" Version
From "The Eye" computer game. Disc 3, track 10. The intro to the album version, including the drums and guitar up to just before the really fast bit starts, looped three times. Instrumental. Time 0:49

Live Version
A very fun live track, there are lots of good versions of this out there (including on "Live Killers"). The crowd usually sing along, and Freddie's relaxed and light-hearted vocal is perfect for the song. It definitely sounds better live.

"The Eye" Version
From "The Eye" computer game. Disc 1, track 9. Full instrumental, but without the little medley at the end - it just fades out. Absolutely superb for the first minute or so, then you realise that the song is just repeating over and over. With no vocal holding it together, it's easy to lose interest in this, which is a shame. If this were only a couple minutes shorter, maybe with a line of vocals here and there, it could have been a classic. Nice, but far too long. Time 4:30