Back in 1985, Freddie Mercury teamed up with drummer and producer Dave Clark to record several tracks for album Time, which was based on Clark’s musical of the same name. Mercury contributed vocals to “In My Defence” and “Time,” with the latter one becoming a big hit in the UK. But, as it turns out, there was another version of this song.
The original version of “Time” was heavily produced and filled with drums and backing vocals, which didn’t allow Mercury’s amazing voice to shine. However, Clark recently decided to present us with a stripped down version of the song, which captures the essence of late Queen frontman’s performance.
On the new version of “Time Waits For No One,” Mercury is backed by a piano played by his collaborator Mike Moran and showcases his ability to bend his voice in amazing manners.
“Freddie asked me, ‘How do you want me to perform this?'” Clark recalled in a recent interview with Rolling Stone. “I said, ‘As a cross between Edith Piaf, Jennifer Holliday, and Shirley Bassey.’ He said, ‘Well, dear. I have all the dresses. I can do it perfectly.'”
You can hear this alternate version of the song below.
