July 1988: During a break from the recording sessions, Brian co-writes and demoes Too Much Love Will Kill You in LA. The song would be completed with the rest of the band later in the year (and possibly also in early 1989). David Richards as co-producer and engineer. Venues could be in London or in Montreux, or both.
So, would that mean that Queen's version was completed before Brian recorded his solo version for Back To The Light?
Thanks. Always thought it odd that bearing in mind HFE was the lead single from MIH, was a big hit single in the UK, and had an interesting history with Freddie's existing vocal, that I don't recall Brian ever discussing it.
He clearly didn't think much of the track, and slated the video - funnily enough the 'Evolution' BFI video that accompanied it was, I thought, one of the best, and ironically I hope Brian isn't referring to the usual DoRo edit version of the TMLWKY as the one he is really happy with?
"Democracy OF SORTS" sounds very bitter doesn't it?!!
Of course, Queen's version was mixed and prepared for inclusion in 'The Miracle' album by January 1989. Brain's version was recorded circa 91-92.
In fact, Brian's solo version was recorded *because* they had to pull out the Queen version at the last minute due to copyright reasons. By 1995, the problems had been long solved and the 1989 recording could finally see the light.
So if Queen had included Too Much Love Will Kill You in The Miracle then Brian wouldn't have premiered it as part of the FM tribute (he may still have performed the track, who knows?) and a piece of the band's latter years would have been different.
No version on Back To The Light means Freddie's vocal is heard before his death and stands alongside These Are The Days Of Our Lives/The Show Must Go On as tracks with different meanings.
Yeah ... I mean, it's a whole butterfly effect there, an alternate timeline (though, hopefully, not a Godwin's law of time travel).
My take on it: the song's released in '89, becomes a fan favourite on the same level as 'Was It All Worth It' but not a single and, as a consequence, doesn't earn Brian, Frank and Liz an Ivor, nor it gathers all the relative status it's got in this timeline. Also, Brian would've had to include something else on his solo album (perhaps 'Why Don't We Try Again', which allegedly existed since before Freddie passed), which would've changed other stuff around as well.
As for the tribute ... well, yeah, perhaps... but I think part of the reason Brian played it then was that it was, as far as the audience was concerned, a brand new piece. With that novelty factor worn off, he might have chosen something else, perhaps just 'Love of My Life'.
Edit: By the way, it would've also meant they'd have to include something else on 'Made in Heaven' to fill that gap. Perhaps 'Let Me in Your Heart Again' (with Fred on vocals) would've been issued nearly two decades earlier than it was in real life, and it would've probably been a superior version (John was still involved, he could've polished his bass, and Brian is, in my opinion, an excellent guitarist nowadays, but he was a hell of a lot better in the early 90's).
Thanks. Always thought it odd that bearing in mind HFE was the lead single from MIH, was a big hit single in the UK, and had an interesting history with Freddie's existing vocal, that I don't recall Brian ever discussing it.
He clearly didn't think much of the track, and slated the video - funnily enough the 'Evolution' BFI video that accompanied it was, I thought, one of the best, and ironically I hope Brian isn't referring to the usual DoRo edit version of the TMLWKY as the one he is really happy with?
"Democracy OF SORTS" sounds very bitter doesn't it?!!
He couldn't have disliked it too much, as he goes on to say he stands by the album 99%, which is probably more than most other Queen albums !
I wouldn't say he was bitter. But it really clarifies how important TMLWKY was/is to him. It is basically his entire personal life in musical form. It took me about 20 years to finally understand it fully. Brian is criminally underrated as a lyricist, and I'm sure he knows it (not surprising when you invented a guitar sound and were in a band with arguably the greatest front man of all time) - and not having this song released as a single in the UK probably just stung a bit.
The lyrics of that song were co-written, and the guitar was co-invented. Brian did a magnificent job on both, but if it's about credit where credit's due, then it's also fair mentioning the people who worked as hard as he did and who also deserve recognition.
Yeah, I think it was. It could be argued, though, that the lead single's got a far bigger chance to be the biggest hit of the album, and it did happen for most of Queen releases, 'The Game' being the exception.
I think Heaven For Everyone was a great choice though. Releasing TMLWKY as a first single, barely three years after Brian's version seems like a strange choice IMO.
Have you noticed that 'Let Me Live' credits doesn't feature David Richards as co-producer and engineer (see credits on 'Let Me Live' single or Greatest Hits III linear notes)? Also 'Too Much Love Will Kill You' credits doesn't feature any involvment from JSS and JJM by known reasons.
It seems these 2 songs are the only songs with unique credits from MIH album (not counting "13").
