Adam: Too Much Love Will Kill You (Brian May version)
Intro Demo 3:08 - Unreleased: Home Mini-Disc.
Musical ideas that sketch the beginning verse of the song.
First Piano Demo 2:55 - Unreleased: Home Mini-Disc.
Mainly music - little lyrics. No guitar at this stage. Although the above "Intro demo" also takes place on a piano, (not a keyboard), this is the first demo of the song - rather than just an intro.
Every Time Demo 1:38 - Unreleased: Home Mini-Disc.
Ending Demo “21 - Unreleased: Home Mini-Disc.
Lyrics added ad-lib, mainly by Elizabeth Lamers. little May lyrical input - but he likes the phrase Too much love will kill you - it get's you "Every Time". Both May and Muskers talk about idea's - but not actual lyrics. An ending - or final phrase is added musically.
Second Verse Demo 1:04 - Unreleased: Home Mini-Disc.
Rough sketch - similar to first verse, more/new lyrics. Again, mainly Eliabeth Lamers, but May and Musker again brainstorm ideas, providing Elizabeth Lamers with a few alternatives/possible minor changes to the bigger picture.
“Shit!” Demo 3:11 - Unreleased: Home Mini-Disc.
Rough idea of the complete song so far. This joins-up the previous demos. The opening verse, the second verse, and the final end bit. No bridge or middle eight as yet. Lyrics are refined, again little contribution from Brian, until he get's it wrong (or makes a mistake) - thus his biggest contribution at this stage becomes - "Oh shit!". However, he has said, "I like that bit", or "I think we could do that better", but no real contributory ideas lyrically.
Acoustic Guitar Demo 2:35 - Unreleased: Home Mini-Disc.
Polished version of the above. Brian on acoustic guitar, Elizabeth Lamers on vocals. Still no bridge or middle eight.
Home Keyboard Instrumental 4:32 - Unreleased: Home Mini-Disc.
Nothing new lyrically, but more polished than the previous acoustic guitar demo. (Though paradoxically, the acoustic guitar demo has a more "charming feel").
First Vocal Demo 4:48 - Unreleased: Home Mini-Disc.
The song, sung by Brian, is more or less completed at this stage.
Home Duet Demo 4:47 - Unreleased: Home Mini-Disc.
As above, but with the vocals shared equally by Brian May and Elizabeth Lamers.
1992 Back To The Light Album Version - Parlophone CDPCSD 123
1992 CDs Guitar 4:29 Instrumental
1992 CD Piano (Miss-press) 4:09 Instrumental - Hollywood
1992 First Live Version with/out Spoken CD Intro - Freddie Mercury Tribute: 20th April 1992
1992 Brian May Promotional Video - Unreleased: Home Video
1992 Holland Veronica Muziek Veilyny Video
21 September 1992 -Unreleased: Wanted
Too Much Love Will Kill You (Queen)
1988 Freddie Vocal Guide/Brian Vocal Demo - Unreleased: GB IQFC Convention 2001
1988 Miracle Demo Promo Teaser Tape - Unreleased: Home Mini-Disc
1995 Album Version - Made In Heaven: Parlophone CDPCSD 167
1995 US Promo CD Single Radio 3:52 Edit - US CDS Hollywood PRCD -10546-2
1995 UK VH1 TV Promo - Unreleased: Home Video
1995 Promotional Video: Heart-Ache -Made In Heaven The Films: WNR 2066
1998 eYe/Demo 1:47 Edit - Electronic Arts DDE05501 101S
From the above, I can conclude that the lyrics have little to do with Brian's divorce, his relationship with Freddie, Anita, or his father, as he was not the designer behind their meaning, rather the majority of the lyrics do belong to Elizabeth Lamers.
However, I do think the song IS about - Brian's divorce, and his relationship with Freddie, Anita, and his father - because he makes the song his own.
Let me explain that last bit.
I can buy my wife a birthday card, but I will not have written the little poem/message inside. Rather, I HAVE chosen the "correct" card to say what I feel. At that point the card transcends being a bit of paper, and becomes the embodiment of MY sentiments and feelings. It becomes MY card, and she recieves it as such (rather than a mass-produced ca
Wow, this is some great insight. I can't believe anybody has never replied to this before. It's always amazing to see the process behind how a song was created, step by step.
RIP