A Day At The Races

Alternate Versions

Single Version
Well I suppose I have to mention it... The 7" version of this does not include the "intro" section found on the album (which isn't really part of the song anyway, just an album intro). This explains its running time of 3:44, as opposed to 4:46 as it says on the album. Some CDs actually seperate the two tracks anyway, although again they don't say so anywhere! So this is nothing new or different, but it is a shock if you aren't prepared for it. Incidentally, the UK "Somebody To Love" CD3 has the album version with the intro - only the Japanese CD3 has the single mix.

Video Version
The same as the single version, but starts with a big thunderclap noise. On the official "Greatest Flix" video. Not as interesting as it sounds though, as the guitars almost completely drown out the thunderclap.

Hollywood Remix 1991
Remixed by Matt Wallace. Although it starts off exactly the same as normal, this is slightly different and definitely grows on you. Brian's guitar is removed from some sections, leaving John's bass to carry the rhythm. Only minor changes, but surprisingly effective. Time 3:44

Live Piano Version, Unknown Origin
On "Opera Omnia". This version has a lot of extra piano in it, reminiscent of the extra piano added by Morgan Fisher to "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" from Osaka 82. If it is Fisher on piano, which I feel is highly likely, this too would be from the "Hot Space" Tour, and is almost certainly from 1982. Its a nicely different version, with the piano very prominent and some different drums too. Quite a change from the more usual guitar-driven live versions, and very good indeed. There is a slim chance this is actually lifted from one of the official video releases, but I haven't had a chance to check yet.

"The Eye" Version
From "The Eye" computer game. Disc 2, track 11. Not in fact "Tie Your Mother Down" at all, but the album intro from "A Day At The Races". Fades out before the actual song starts. Time 0:39

Mono Demo Duet
Bootleg demo, which is to say it's a fake. Sounds very similar to the finished version, except in mono (surprise). The intro by Freddie is missing, but that could well be an edit by bootleggers. A genuine recording of this is rumoured to exist though (and I do stress the word "rumoured") with Brian adding vocals, so if anyone knows anything for sure please tell me! There are plenty of bootlegs that claim to have this "mono demo duet", though every one I've heard is identical to the album mix.

Live Version, Earls Court 1977
A superb take, just Freddie solo on piano and vocals. The backing vocals from the album are missing, and its a powerful performance throughout. Its only spoiled by what sounds like an amp blowing up partway through (its a series of very loud crashes). The part up to this interruption is included on the official "Rare Live" video, although the whole thing is available on bootlegs (such as "A Night At The Court"). There are similar versions from other concerts around this time, although this version is probably the best for sound quality (despite the amp).

"The Eye" Version
From "The Eye" computer game. Disc 2, track 4. A piano instrumental version, without Brian's guitar solo but with some wonderful moments. Works extremely well, and no doubt people will have hours of fun editing Brian's solo onto the end of this for a full instrumental. Time 3:15

Live Version
In an interview Freddie mentioned that the band had been rehearsing this song for live appearances. Though I've never seen it, there are rumours that a live recording does exist, presumably with Freddie on lead vocals. Though this may not exist at all, it's worth hoping for (after all, plenty of other supposedly "non-existent" recordings have surfaced in recent years). So if anyone knows something, please tell me!

Instrumental Demo
Definitely a bootleg mix (from "The Ultimate Collection"), if you listen closely you can even hear the vocals. To get the same effect from the normal version, unplug one of your speakers (the one Freddie's voice comes through), scratch the record badly, and then listen to it from next door.

Demo
A bootleg mix, this is missing some of the backing vocals, resulting in a slightly different sound. They have simply omitted one of the stereo channels. Most noticeable on the lines "You know I never could forsee" etc. Nice, but not genuine. On the bootleg "Made In Heaven", amongst others. This would actually have been more interesting had the bootleggers taped the other channel instead, as it leaves the backing and instrumentation in, but removes Freddie's lead vocal. The result is a quite dramatic sounding piece of music. Still, you can hear both versions at home if you experiment with your "speaker balance" control.

Live Version, USA 1982
On "Queen Live USA '82". A very long version, (7+ mins) that has a slightly different arrangement to usual. Roger's vocals are particularly noticeable, and seem to be much more prominent than normal. Milton Keynes 1982 also has a particularly good version of this, although the US one just beats it in my opinion.

Hollywood Remix 1991
Remixed by Randy Badazz. Honestly... On the US remastered CD album. Reminiscent of the live version, this has some re-arranged percussion but is not radically different. Certainly one of the more tasteful remixes, just a bit pointless really.

"Top Of The Pops" Version
Seen most recently on "Top Of The Pops 2" in October 1996. This is a glorious version, with a slightly different tempo to usual and a few extra vocals from Roger. Roger sings the parts handled by Mike Stone on the album (most notably the "Hey boy, where'd you get it from?" bit). A very lively performance, and very obviously "live", this is a very deserving take indeed.

Single Version
Some dealers claim the Japan-only 7" contains an edit, and at first sight the 4:41 running time looks significantly shorter than the 5:50 album version. However this is accounted for by the "outro" on the album, that is obviously not on the single. The actual song is unchanged.

Live Version, Osaka 82
From "Rocking Osaka in 82", and not the more common Osaka bootlegs such as "Get Down" (Queen played two nights in Osaka 82, most bootlegs are for the other night). Also on "Opera Omnia", and there are live versions on other bootlegs too (e.g. "The Ultimate Collection"). This is quite similar to the album mix, but with just Freddie and a piano for large parts of it. The crowd sing along, and its a less complex arrangement, but it just seems that bit "better" than the album version. Queen have often been criticised for "over-producing" their records, and this is a classic example of how a simple, almost basic arrangement can upstage the meticulously put together album mix.