The Works

Alternate Versions

Instrumental Version
On the 12" only. A nicely different mix, that reveals how good the backing on the standard version is. Musically identical to the standard version, just no lead vocals, which lets you hear all the instrumentation in full. Highly recommended, and oddly enough this doesn't appear to have been bootlegged yet.

Extended Version
Similar in style to the normal version, but obviously longer with a different beginning and ending. Has some of the elements from the "Instrumental Version", and a few unique ones. The start is perhaps a little abrupt, but you get used to it. On the 12", the CD from "Box Of Tricks", the US "Works" CD and numerous bootlegs. Time 6:56

Re-Cut '92 Mix
On the bootleg "Mix-Up:A Tribute To Freddie Mercury" (several other names exist). A very long mix that seems to be made up of bits of the Instrumental and Extended versions edited together. Nice if you like the originals, but you can have too much of a good thing you know. Time 9:45

Loretti Manni Dance Mix
(Hot Tracks Mix)
On a US DJ-only 12", and known by several names ("Hot Tracks Mix" being the most common alternative). There is also a Dutch compilation CD of DJ mixes that has a "Hot Trax" mix of "Radio Ga-Ga", time 8:09, which sounds like the same mix but unfortunately I can't confirm that. This long mix uses bits of the "Extended" and "Instrumental" versions edited together, but in such a way that it doesn't just sound like the single again. It starts with a "tuning a radio" effect, before settling on "Radio Ga-Ga", which is a nice touch. This effect is repeated a couple of times throughout the mix. Not as repetitive as the "Re-Cut '92" mix, and distinctly different to the official versions. The first few minutes, mostly of re-edited instrumental, are particularly good. I really like this, as its an interesting alternative mix that doesn't mess with the original too much. Time approx 8:10

US Edit
This I have seen several times, on various US promos, but not heard. The most common seems to be a promo 12" (in a plain black sleeve), which claims to have this 4:24 edit on it. Although record labels have been wrong before. Time 4:24

DJ Bobo Version
From "Queen Dance Traxx Vol I", a covers compilation album featuring Queen songs performed by contemporay dance artists. A horrible idea, and it will get no further mention here except for this mix, which is not actually a cover. Instead, this features the original vocal laid over a dance remix (like the Hollywood Records dance remixes, or "The Freddie Mercury Album"). It starts with the chorus, which works well, and the new backing is upbeat and "dance-pop" in style. In fact it bounces along quite nicely until DJ Bobo himself starts to sing. Thankfully, his two sections are very short and don't really spoil it too much. Like all the dance remixes, you'll either love it or hate it but I think it's quite fun. "Queen Dance Traxx Vol I" is currently only available in Germany, and possibly some other European countries, with "Radio Ga-Ga" also released as a single in Germany only (on CD and 12"). There are no plans for a Volume 2, and the UK release was abandoned due to poor sales in Europe. Time approx 3:30

Extended Version
On the black vinyl 12" only, and surprisingly hard to find. Also available on CD in the "Box Of Tricks" set. Superior to the normal mix, with a good extra solo from Brian, and some notably different arrangements including a brief a capella section. Not much longer than usual, but if it had been remixed too much it would have ruined it anyway. One of the better 12" mixes. Time 5:06

Live Version, Rio 1985
On the official "Live In Rio" video. A nice take, with some subtle guitar by Brian. But really only mentioned here as it contains one of Freddie's most brazen and endearing lyric fumbles, with the immortal lines "You win / you lose / fah da, da da dah de dum". Well I think its funny.

Extended Version
On the "Thank God It's Christmas" 12". Also in "Box Of Tricks" and on several bootlegs. If you like the original, you'll love this as it's in a very similar style but just over six minutes long. Some extra piano adds interest, but it can seem a bit repetitive to some people.

Instrumental Version
A US-only track, issued as the B-side to "I Want To Break Free" on 7" and 12". Remixed by Brian, it includes a few samples from other Queen songs (most notably "Ogre Battle") and a snippet of Larry Lurex ("Goin' Back"). Very listenable. Worth tracking down, it can also be found on CD in "Box Of Tricks". Time 5:09

Single Remix
The single version, on 7", CD3 and "Greatest Hits II" amongst others. I'm sure you all know this! Much better than the album mix, with a proper intro, more instrumental, and an extra keyboard solo. Note the version on CD copies of "Greatest Hits II" is ever-so-slightly edited, being only 4:18 long instead of the usual 4:21. But its still longer than the 3:20 album mix.

Extended Version
On 12", the US album CD remaster, the CD in "Box Of Tricks" and several bootlegs. Very nice, but doesn't really add very much to the single mix. At 7:16, the length is padded by repeating some of the instrumental sections. Near the end it goes into a brief segue of other tracks from "The Works", which is confusing at first but actually works quite well once you've got used to it.

Special Single Mix Edit
On a US promo 7". This is a minor edit of the standard single mix (which is on the other side). I've been told it just fades out earlier, but I haven't actually heard this yet. Time 3:59

Extended Version
B-side to "Thank God Its Christmas", on 12" only. Also on numerous bootlegs. A 6:50 version that has a very different ending and some nice stereo effects. Sounds like it may have been remixed by John Deacon, although Roger is another possibility.

Single Edit
Available on 7" and included on "Greatest Hits II" (also on the "Radio Ga-Ga" CD3). Almost a minute shorter than the album version, with some instrumental cut, this is a good edit and an excellent single. However its not exactly clear which version this is an edit of - the description "single edit" implies it is an edit of the album mix, but various promos label it as an edit of the "Headbanger's Mix" instead. It doesn't matter though, as this could have been derived from either of them, although I suspect it was remixed first then edited down. Time 3:40

Headbanger's Mix
The 12" version, also found in "Box Of Tricks". Noticeably different, particularly at the start and end where extra instrumental sections have been added. A few extra guitar bits, and heavier percussion than normal. Brian must have enjoyed this one! Time 5:25

Edit Of Headbanger's Mix
Found only on a US AA-sided promo 7", and a US promo 12". Any reference to an edit of the "Headbanger's Mix" on promos seems to be just another name for the single edit. They sound exactly the same as the normal 7" mix, and have the same running time. It's possible the promos are incorrectly labelled, or the single edit itself could well be an edit of the "Headbanger's Mix", but either way they all sound the same.

Malouf Mix
On a US promo CD, which contains this mix (by Brian Malouf, 4:08), an edit of it (3:40), and "Bohemian Rhapsody". Not as rare as some dealers will tell you, this is a rather subtle remix. The most noticeable difference is in the drum sound, which is a bit harder and punchier than the original (quite an achievement). There is also a nice "phased" effect on the vocal for the last verse. Don't expect the differences to leap up at you, but if you listen carefully they are there, and this mix does grow on you. Presumably done at the same time as the other Hollywood Records remixes, but not released officially.

Malouf Mix Edit
See above for details. Basically Brian Malouf's version of the single mix (and very nice too).

"Live In Rio" Version
The same version as in the "Live In Rio" video, issued on a rare one-sided promo 12" in Brazil. Mentioned only as its an official release, because it isn't that interesting otherwise.

MTV Live Version
On a promo 12" from the US, with the single mix on one side and this on the other. In fact this is not a live version at all, but the video version (as played on MTV). As such, it is simply the normal single mix with some crowd cheering noises dubbed over it. This is most noticeable at the start and end, but there is no new music here. Still, it sounds better here than on video. Time approx 3:40

"The Eye" Version One
From "The Eye" computer game. Disc 2, track 10. A full instrumental mix of the album version, allowing you to hear every drum roll and guitar fill in the original. And some new ones too - trust a drummer to do the remixing! The phased effect on the keyboards stands out more here too, without the vocals to drown it out. If you like the original you’ll love this. Stops before the last drum crash, just after "Give it to me one more time". Time 4:22

"The Eye" Version Two
From "The Eye" computer game. Disc 5, track 7. Same as the previous version, but with ten seconds of silence at the end. Time 4:32

Piano Demo Version
The original version of this featured Freddie on piano, but the piano track seems to have been lost somewhere. The song may have only existed in this form as a demo, as no copies have ever surfaced.

Live Version
A song that sounds far better live than on LP, the minimal backing adds a great deal of atmosphere and makes the song surprisingly poignant. "Live At Wembley '86" has a good version, but all the live takes are fairly similar. "Live Aid" had another notable performance.

B-sides & Bonus Tracks etc.

Original B-side
B-side to "Radio Ga-Ga". Written by Brian, this is a great rock track that could easily have been on the album. A bonus track on the US "Works" CD, and on the 7", 12" and CD3, not to mention loads of bootlegs, so there's really no excuse for not having this.

Original Single Version
The band's one-off Christmas single, written by Roger and Brian. Freddie's vocal is it's saving grace, but it still sounds odd for eleven months of the year. And it has to be said that this is a bit sickly for most tastes. On 7" and 12", and later re-issued as the B-side to "A Winter's Tale" on CD and jukebox 7". And bootlegs, of course. Time 4:19.

Hollywood Records Version
Once again, Hollywood Records have managed to alter a track whilst remastering it. However, instead of the usual "whoops, missed that bit" type errors spread across their album remasters, this time they have actually added something! There is a longer drum intro at the start, which actually adds a bit more atmosphere to the track and improves it slightly. This stretches the runing time to 4:24, although the label says 4:11 (another mistake). On the "Queen Talks" CD found in "The Queen Collection" - a very nice 3CD box set released in the US, which also contains the US "Greatest Hits" and "Classic Queen" CDs. Presumably this is the same "Queen Talks" CD that is occasionally sold seperately as a promo.

Peace In The Middle East Mix
Only of interest if you like the original. Found only on a one-sided 12" from Israel, issued as a special pressing to commemorate the end of hostilities there in the early '90's. According to the company, only 250 copies were pressed, but there seem to be far more than that about. The mix just repeats bits of the standard version, although it sounds like they've dubbed someone (not from Queen) saying "Happy Christmas" over it in one place too. A bit clumsy to be honest. Time 6:10.

Promo-only Flexidisc
"Excerpts From The Works" is a promo flexidisc containing brief edits of "Radio Ga-Ga", "I Want To Break Free", "It's A Hard Life" and "Hammer To Fall". Its in a very nice silver 7" sleeve, with a similar cover to the album (same photo). The edits themselves are obviously quite short, but they've been nicely done. As teasers go, it's effective but unless you're really into edits you probably won't find this very interesting. Most people seem to buy it for the sleeve, which is fair enough.

Queen Version
Planned as the last track on "The Works", but replaced by "Is This The World We Created?" at the last minute. It is possible that this original Queen version is the one that appears on Freddie's "Mr. Bad Guy" album, as no other version has ever surfaced. The song is unlikely to have been altered much by Freddie anyway.

Remix By John Deacon
Announced in the Winter '96 Fan Club magazine. Presumably a remix of Freddie's version, this was reportedly done "for inclusion in a potential box set". Promising news, but don't hold your breath.