Michael Jackson and Freddie Mercury’s duet songs are on the way to release (updated)
Michael Jackson and Freddie Mercury’s duet songs are set to be released three decades after they were recorded.
These two great artists recorded several joint tracks in the early 1980s. Freddie passed away in 1991, and the songs were never officially released, although fans have heard versions of them. After Michael Jackson’s death, Mercury’s former bandmates (Queen) announced that they would release the duet songs by the two artists. In 2011, they entered negotiations with the Michael Jackson Foundation.
Brian May and Roger Taylor have recently expressed hope that these songs will enter the music market within the next two months.
May described working on the joint works of these two major artists as a challenge and said it was exciting, emotionally overwhelming, yet also enjoyable.
In 1983, Michael and Freddie joined each other at Michael’s home in Encino and, over six hours, recorded three songs: There Must Be More To Life Than This, State of Shock, Victory
It’s unclear which of these songs will be released by Brian May and Roger Taylor.
1) “State of Shock” was written by Michael, and the rights to release it are in the hands of the Michael Jackson Foundation. Roger Friedman says that if the song has a chance to be released, it will be published by the Foundation.
A version of this song featuring Mick Jagger of The Rolling Stones was released in 1984 on the Jacksons’ album Victory, and it became the most successful track from that album. The song was also released in 2004 on The Ultimate Collection.
Originally, the song was supposed to be released with Freddie Mercury’s vocals on the album Thriller (1982). Apparently, Michael and Freddie first started working on it in 1981.
Freddie said about it:
"We had three songs ready that unfortunately were never released. They were fantastic songs. Our problem was time. That year (1983) both of us were really busy. It seemed like we could never find enough time to get settled somewhere and reach our joint work. Michael even called me to see if we could complete State of Shock. But I couldn’t because I had to fulfill my commitments to Queen. Instead of me, Mick Jagger collaborated with Michael on this song. It’s a shame. But in the end, it’s only one song. What matters was the friendship between us."
A demo of this song featuring Michael and Freddie leaked online in 2002. You can listen to it on YouTube.
2) “There Must Be More to Life Than This” was written by Freddie Mercury. Michael and Freddie recorded the song in 1983.
In one version of the song’s demo, Freddie plays the piano and Michael sings. Part of the lyrics was performed by Michael as an improvisation. This version leaked online in 2002. (Listen to it on YouTube.) Another version of this song is also said to exist, in which both vocalists sing. Some say this version is actually a mix of earlier versions, prepared by a fan, and that Michael and Freddie did not harmonize on this track.
Freddie released the song in 1985 on his debut solo album, Mr. Bad Guy, though he had started working on it four years earlier. The song has anti-war and anti-racism themes.
3) “Victory” was written by Michael and Freddie in 1983. It’s been said that a demo of this song exists.
Jim Beach, Mercury’s manager, said that Michael’s animals in the home studio bothered Freddie, and he left the 1983 recording session without finishing the songs:
"Michael and Freddie got along well with each other about everything, except one thing. One day, Freddie suddenly called me and said, ‘Honey, can you please come and take me out of here? I’m recording with a llama. I’m done with it and I want to come outside.’"
Of course, not all the blame can be put on this pet. Apparently, Freddie Mercury’s use of cocaine in Michael’s living room caused the King of Pop to protest.
Mercury regretted the unfinished collaboration for years:
"I think one of the songs we were working on would have been released on Thriller, if we had finished it, but I left the work."
"He was our friend for years. He always came to watch our concerts, and our friendship formed right there. Just imagine if I had collaborated with him on Thriller—what kind of income I would have generated now."
Source: eMJey.com / dailymail
Michael Jackson and Freddie Mercury’s duet songs are set to be released three decades after they were recorded.
These two great artists recorded several joint tracks in the early 1980s. Freddie passed away in 1991, and the songs were never officially released, although fans have heard versions of them. After Michael Jackson’s death, Mercury’s former bandmates (Queen) announced that they would release the duet songs by the two artists. In 2011, they entered negotiations with the Michael Jackson Foundation.
Brian May and Roger Taylor have recently expressed hope that these songs will enter the music market within the next two months.
May described working on the joint works of these two major artists as a challenge and said it was exciting, emotionally overwhelming, yet also enjoyable.
In 1983, Michael and Freddie joined each other at Michael’s home in Encino and, over six hours, recorded three songs: There Must Be More To Life Than This, State of Shock, Victory
It’s unclear which of these songs will be released by Brian May and Roger Taylor.
1) “State of Shock” was written by Michael, and the rights to release it are in the hands of the Michael Jackson Foundation. Roger Friedman says that if the song has a chance to be released, it will be published by the Foundation.
A version of this song featuring Mick Jagger of The Rolling Stones was released in 1984 on the Jacksons’ album Victory, and it became the most successful track from that album. The song was also released in 2004 on The Ultimate Collection.
Originally, the song was supposed to be released with Freddie Mercury’s vocals on the album Thriller (1982). Apparently, Michael and Freddie first started working on it in 1981.
Freddie said about it:
"We had three songs ready that unfortunately were never released. They were fantastic songs. Our problem was time. That year (1983) both of us were really busy. It seemed like we could never find enough time to get settled somewhere and reach our joint work. Michael even called me to see if we could complete State of Shock. But I couldn’t because I had to fulfill my commitments to Queen. Instead of me, Mick Jagger collaborated with Michael on this song. It’s a shame. But in the end, it’s only one song. What matters was the friendship between us."
A demo of this song featuring Michael and Freddie leaked online in 2002. You can listen to it on YouTube.
2) “There Must Be More to Life Than This” was written by Freddie Mercury. Michael and Freddie recorded the song in 1983.
In one version of the song’s demo, Freddie plays the piano and Michael sings. Part of the lyrics was performed by Michael as an improvisation. This version leaked online in 2002. (Listen to it on YouTube.) Another version of this song is also said to exist, in which both vocalists sing. Some say this version is actually a mix of earlier versions, prepared by a fan, and that Michael and Freddie did not harmonize on this track.
Freddie released the song in 1985 on his debut solo album, Mr. Bad Guy, though he had started working on it four years earlier. The song has anti-war and anti-racism themes.
3) “Victory” was written by Michael and Freddie in 1983. It’s been said that a demo of this song exists.
Jim Beach, Mercury’s manager, said that Michael’s animals in the home studio bothered Freddie, and he left the 1983 recording session without finishing the songs:
"Michael and Freddie got along well with each other about everything, except one thing. One day, Freddie suddenly called me and said, ‘Honey, can you please come and take me out of here? I’m recording with a llama. I’m done with it and I want to come outside.’"
Of course, not all the blame can be put on this pet. Apparently, Freddie Mercury’s use of cocaine in Michael’s living room caused the King of Pop to protest.
Mercury regretted the unfinished collaboration for years:
"I think one of the songs we were working on would have been released on Thriller, if we had finished it, but I left the work."
"He was our friend for years. He always came to watch our concerts, and our friendship formed right there. Just imagine if I had collaborated with him on Thriller—what kind of income I would have generated now."
Source: eMJey.com / dailymail