Best version of Save Me?

Nails the song!

Not bad.

I prefer the album version over other versions of most songs, with a few exceptions. I love the versions of "Don't Stop Me Now" and "Spread Your Wings" from Live Killers. The Single Mixes of "Pain Is So Close To Pleasure" and "I Want To Break Free" are superior to album versions. As discussed in another thread, the Rocks Re-take of "I Can't Live Without You" is much more powerful than the earlier album version. The High Def Mix of "Teo Torriatte" makes a great song even better.

I think "Save Me" is an underrated song in North America. It was a single in Canada, but not in the States. Later, the US and Canada both got "Need Your Loving Tonight".

Overall, I prefer the Hammersmith '79 version of this song, even with Brian's slight solo mistakes, although purely on the notes he's hitting, then this is definitely top of the list.

I really hope they have a soundboard recording of this or any of the Crazy Tour shows (apart from Hammersmith obviously), it's a shame that we can only hear these performances in B-Grade quality :(

I think it's the Hammersmith 1979 concert where they do a great version right up to near the end, then Brian has some sort of brain fart and plays a horrible fill.

Rhyeking, unsure if you're old enough to recall, but on the single in Canada (released months before the album was released) I'm positive the guitar was much heavier when the solo kicked in.  I mean a big difference, anyone else recall that?

Hmm...I own the Canadian 7" single of "Save Me" but never heard the difference, though I think I only played it once. I really have to get a new record player. Until then, I can't confirm the claim of the louder guitar and this is the first I've heard of it.

I think this is Freddie's best version of the song: He sings every note like the studio version, SUSTAINS the first B4 at the end, and doesn't crack his voice (like Hammy 1979).

My personal favourite version has *always* been that from Wembley Arena on December the 8th 1980, as found the on ‘Flash Alive’ and ‘Standing On The Arena’ bootlegs.

This version captures all the emotion of the song; Freddie completely nails the vocal and Brian sounds ultra powerful when he kicks in, also squeezing out some amazing notes in the solo.

I love the ‘light & shade’ end of the number too, that final power chord sounds immense with a nice bit of feedback thrown in.

Just my opinion though!

Cheers,

Keith.

I cant see anything so i shall say that The Montreal and Live at the bowl versions are both fantasitc

I think Save Me is one Brian's best songs

Have to agree - Live at The Bowl is exceptionally good.  Can't really get to grips with any bootlegs no matter how good they are - need to be perfect to compare.

http//www.youtube.com/watch?v=gF-x2ycs-vE  (I tried to put the video in but evidently don't know how)
My definite favorite version is Montreal in '81. I liked the way he sings the chorus much better than on the album or the earlier '79 recordings, and he does some crazy vocals. He seems to hit every note and I've never heard him duplicate what he does starting at 4:02 of this video. Save Me is one of my favorite Queen songs and I've listened to a bunch of different versions of it. It's one of the first times I heard the song so I may be a bit biased, but it's an incredible version and you can't find a higher quality recording. It's on YouTube, you can buy it on DVD or BluRay I believe. The only reason I haven't bought it is because it really is hard for me to take him wearing those short shorts toward the end of the concert, lol.

Jason

I still keep my fingers crossed that one day excellent audience recordings will emerge of the two Newcastle 1979 shows.

Gregsynth wrote:

Nails the song!
 I was in the 2nd row that evening, (fan club tickets), Brian started the song at the piano after announcing it as their latest single.
  Great memories.

I didn't hear so much bootlegs from that period. so my personal fave is the one from the Montreal DVD. It's really amazing the synchronization between the band, they were so precise. I love the way Brian starts the song playing the piano, then he attacked with his Red Special and Freddie incredibly replaces him at the piano.

I don't like the Hot Space tour versions because Freddie didn't play the piano, tha piano part by Brian was so much shorter and in my opinion the song lost a lot of its subtle details.

haha... great vocals, but the rest of the band screws up alot! A piano chord by Brian at the start, and further on a bass note totally off..