Queen - Polar Bear (Demo - Take 2) [Unreleased Song]

Re-uploaded due to a Copyright Strike which took down the original upload.
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This is a Queen recording of the Smile track, recorded at some time between 1971 and 1973, almost certainly featuring John Deacon on bass and not Barry Mitchell as some sources suggest. Musically it is similar to the Smile version, but some parts are slightly different. Freddie's vocals are more powerful than Tim Staffell's, and more suited to the track. The lyrics seem more ad-libbed by Freddie, and in places don't make much sense (such as the start of the second verse), but still this performance is much better than the Smile version.

It had been rumored for years that a Queen version Polar Bear existed with Freddie on vocals. These claims were denied by Queen Productions. A copy was leaked at about the same time as Silver Salmon. The Queen version is superior to the Smile version in just about every way. The track starts with 38 seconds of studio banter between Roger and the rest of the band, all the while Freddie is trying to start the take. Track starts at 0:39 with Freddie finally saying "Right, take two." There are some minor lyrical differences between the Queen and Smile version as well. It is unknown if further takes were attempted.

This version comes from an upgrade of an unknown working tape and now is a lossless source. I have done some de-noise work on this and like the outcome. Thanks to DJGreg for uploading this lossless upgrade to QueenChat!

Written by: Tim Staffell or Brian May
Produced by: ?
Musicians:
Freddie Mercury - vocals
John Deacon - bass guitar
Brian May - guitars
Roger Taylor - drums

Information from QueenVault.com, QueenPedia.com Ultimatequeen.co.uk
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Lyrics / Transcription:

Roger: ...We can't slow down
Freddie: Ha, ha, right, take two
Brian: I'm trying to slow the thing down
Roger: Well it doesn't need slowing down, it's, God, it's creeping at the moment
Freddie: Ha, ha, alright, try
(Unknown dialogue in the background, probably from Brian)
Roger: God, it was so slow, and it was getting even slower. You always try to play this like I've never
Freddie: Take two
Unknown voice: You play the fucking twelve string
Freddie: Take two, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha
(Unknown dialogue in the background, probably from Brian)
Roger: Alright, we’ll all follow you
(Some sort of 'hollering' noise in the background)
Unknown (in background): Fucking hell
Freddie: Right, take two
Unknown: ...Four

In a bright shop window sits a polar bear
Makes his eyes light up but I don't see him there
Among the tinsel he gives everyone a smile
See him as you'd see a star
Love her from where you are
He's not for, not for, not for sale

Walk around the world I walks a pretty girl
Someone like you've seen or by it's hard to tell
Oooh, and when you see her light seem around the lie
And see her as you'd see a star
Love her from where you are
Not for, not for, not for sale

And when the lights light up
To warn the grasping hand
Minor contentment wears a smile
Ooohhh-wahh
Not for, not for, not for sale
Not for sale

[Tape Cut]