No-One but You (Only the Good Die Young)
Encyclopedia
"No-One But You" is a song recorded by the remaining three members of the British
rock band Queen
following the death of singer
Freddie Mercury
. Guitarist
Brian May
– the writer of the song – and drummer
Roger Taylor share lead vocals. The song was released on the album Queen Rocks
and it was also released as a single.
The impetus for the song came after the death of Diana, Princess of Wales
in August 1997, but is largely a eulogy to Freddie Mercury. It was originally written for a potential Brian May solo project, which eventually evolved into the album Another World
. He sent the demo
of the song to Roger Taylor who according to Taylor himself put it in a drawer and forgot about it. After eventually hearing it Taylor suggested that it could be turned into a Queen song. Roger Taylor's contribution was to change the tempo
and make the lyrics less specific to Mercury.
The song features only the remaining three members of Queen, the final new recording to be released under the Queen name alone. This is also the last new recording to feature John Deacon
, who subsequently retired from public life.
, London on 29 November 1997, the home of Hammer Horror in the 1960s and also where the Rocky Horror Picture Show
was shot.
It was shot in black and white lifted by excellent lighting and a high-class sheen on the finished article. There are two versions of the promo video. The black and white promo video which was shown across the world featured only the three remaining members of Queen in the studio. The second version is a completely different edit and featured a new ending and also sepia tinted footage of Freddie through all his years with the band. This version was featured on Queen Rocks: The Video in 1998 and on Greatest Flix III VHS in 1999.
, to record an orchestral version of the song as it appears in the musical, We Will Rock You
, where Ellis played the role of Meat. In the musical, it is sung by a female, who after the ensemble have recalled the names of a number of musicians who died young, will culminate in saying the name "Freddie" as a tribute to Freddie Mercury. This version of the song was made only available to download on the official Queen website on 19 March 2005 and failed to chart. However, it was later included on her extended play Wicked in Rock
and subsequently featured on her debut album Anthems
.
In 2004, the Spanish stage actress and singer Eva María Cortés recorded the same orchestral version in Spanish to promote the Original Madrid Cast Recording of We Will Rock You.
Track recorded at Sphere Studios, Olympic Studios and Allerton Hill
Orchestra recorded at Air Studios, Lydhurst Hall
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
rock band Queen
Queen (band)
Queen are a British rock band formed in London in 1971, originally consisting of Freddie Mercury , Brian May , John Deacon , and Roger Taylor...
following the death of singer
Lead vocalist
The lead vocalist is the member of a band who sings the main vocal portions of a song. They may also play one or more instruments. Lead vocalists are sometimes referred to as the frontman or frontwoman, and as such, are usually considered to be the "leader" of the groups they perform in, often the...
Freddie Mercury
Freddie Mercury
Freddie Mercury was a British musician, singer and songwriter, best known as the lead vocalist of the rock band Queen. As a performer, he was known for his flamboyant stage persona and powerful vocals over a four-octave range...
. Guitarist
Guitarist
A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
Brian May
Brian May
Brian Harold May, CBE is an English musician and astrophysicist most widely known as the guitarist and a songwriter of the rock band Queen...
– the writer of the song – and drummer
Drummer
A drummer is a musician who is capable of playing drums, which includes but is not limited to a drum kit and accessory based hardware which includes an assortment of pedals and standing support mechanisms, marching percussion and/or any musical instrument that is struck within the context of a...
Roger Taylor share lead vocals. The song was released on the album Queen Rocks
Queen Rocks
-Video version:A video version of the album was made. It included slightly different videos for all these songs.# “I Want It All”...
and it was also released as a single.
The impetus for the song came after the death of Diana, Princess of Wales
Diana, Princess of Wales
Diana, Princess of Wales was the first wife of Charles, Prince of Wales, whom she married on 29 July 1981, and an international charity and fundraising figure, as well as a preeminent celebrity of the late 20th century...
in August 1997, but is largely a eulogy to Freddie Mercury. It was originally written for a potential Brian May solo project, which eventually evolved into the album Another World
Another World (Brian May album)
Another World is the second full studio album delivered by Queen guitarist, Brian May. Recorded at his home studio after the completion of the last Queen album, Made in Heaven, the album was released in the UK on 1 June 1998 and on 15 September of that year in the US. The album itself started life...
. He sent the demo
Demo (music)
A demo version or demo of a song is one recorded for reference rather than for release. A demo is a way for a musician to approximate their ideas on tape or disc, and provide an example of those ideas to record labels, producers or other artists...
of the song to Roger Taylor who according to Taylor himself put it in a drawer and forgot about it. After eventually hearing it Taylor suggested that it could be turned into a Queen song. Roger Taylor's contribution was to change the tempo
Tempo
In musical terminology, tempo is the speed or pace of a given piece. Tempo is a crucial element of any musical composition, as it can affect the mood and difficulty of a piece.-Measuring tempo:...
and make the lyrics less specific to Mercury.
The song features only the remaining three members of Queen, the final new recording to be released under the Queen name alone. This is also the last new recording to feature John Deacon
John Deacon
John Richard Deacon is a retired English multi-instrumentalist and song writer, best known as the bassist for the rock band Queen. Of the four members of the band, he was the last to join and also the youngest, being only 19 years old when he was recruited by the other members of the band...
, who subsequently retired from public life.
Music Video
The music video was directed by the DoRo and filmed at Bray StudiosBray Studios (UK)
Bray Studios is a film and television facility at Bray, near Windsor, Berkshire, England. The films Alien and The Rocky Horror Picture Show were shot there...
, London on 29 November 1997, the home of Hammer Horror in the 1960s and also where the Rocky Horror Picture Show
The Rocky Horror Picture Show
The Rocky Horror Picture Show is the 1975 film adaptation of the British rock musical stageplay, The Rocky Horror Show, written by Richard O'Brien. The film is a parody of B-movie, science fiction and horror films of the late 1940s through early 1970s. Director Jim Sharman collaborated on the...
was shot.
It was shot in black and white lifted by excellent lighting and a high-class sheen on the finished article. There are two versions of the promo video. The black and white promo video which was shown across the world featured only the three remaining members of Queen in the studio. The second version is a completely different edit and featured a new ending and also sepia tinted footage of Freddie through all his years with the band. This version was featured on Queen Rocks: The Video in 1998 and on Greatest Flix III VHS in 1999.
Personnel
- John Deacon: bass guitar.
- Brian May: vocals, piano, guitar.
- Roger Taylor: vocals, drums.
Chart position
- #13 (UKUK Singles ChartThe UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
) - #75 (German Singles Charts)
Kerry Ellis version
In 2002, Brian May worked with stage actress and singer, Kerry EllisKerry Ellis
Kerry Jane Ellis is an English stage actress and singer who is best known for her work in musical theatre and subsequent crossover into music...
, to record an orchestral version of the song as it appears in the musical, We Will Rock You
We Will Rock You (musical)
We Will Rock You is a jukebox musical, based on the songs of Queen and named after their hit single of the same name. The musical was written by British comedian and author Ben Elton in collaboration with Queen members Brian May and Roger Taylor...
, where Ellis played the role of Meat. In the musical, it is sung by a female, who after the ensemble have recalled the names of a number of musicians who died young, will culminate in saying the name "Freddie" as a tribute to Freddie Mercury. This version of the song was made only available to download on the official Queen website on 19 March 2005 and failed to chart. However, it was later included on her extended play Wicked in Rock
Wicked in Rock
- Credits and personnel :*Kerry Ellis - lead vocals, backing vocals*Brian May - arrangement, bass, guitars, keys, production, programming*Steve Sidwell - orchestral arranger, conductor*Taylor Hawkins - drums...
and subsequently featured on her debut album Anthems
Anthems (Kerry Ellis album)
-Notes:* Tracks that were specifically written for this album.* Tracks that were originally songs by Queen.* Tracks 4, 5 and 10 were originally featured on Ellis' teaser album, Wicked in Rock....
.
In 2004, the Spanish stage actress and singer Eva María Cortés recorded the same orchestral version in Spanish to promote the Original Madrid Cast Recording of We Will Rock You.
Credits and personnel
- Kerry EllisKerry EllisKerry Jane Ellis is an English stage actress and singer who is best known for her work in musical theatre and subsequent crossover into music...
- vocals - Brian MayBrian MayBrian Harold May, CBE is an English musician and astrophysicist most widely known as the guitarist and a songwriter of the rock band Queen...
- writer, producer, arranger, piano, guitars, bass - Justin Shirley-Smith - co-producer, engineer, mixer
- Kris Fredriksson - protools
- Joshua J. Macrae - additional protools
Track recorded at Sphere Studios, Olympic Studios and Allerton Hill
- Steve SidwellSteve Sidwell (musician)Steve Sidwell is a conductor, composer, and instrumentalist specialising in swing music. Renowned as an arranger and composer, Steve, has featured on numerous albums, television shows, advertising campaigns and films with his distinctive and innovative orchestrations and compositions.He is also a...
- orchestra arranger and conductor - The London Session Orchestra - orchestra
- Gavyn Wright - orchestra leader
- Isobel Griffiths - orchestra contractor
Orchestra recorded at Air Studios, Lydhurst Hall
- Steve Price - engineer
- Tom Jenkins - protools
- Jake Jackson - assistant
- Roger Taylor - sticks
- Keith Prior - brushes