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

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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]

[Marvin]

I always wondered how it would sound with Freddie's voice. Now I know, now I know, now I know...

[mmanes]

First time I listen Freddie sings the song, tks so much.

[dianecourtney]

Young beautiful ‘Freddie voice’ before he learned to keep his voice from doing its own thing … he took charge and reeled it in. Sad in a way BUT I love it both ways. Freddie is completely irreplaceable.

[antonioelle]

This track is a perfect example of how Mercury shaped his early voice on Tim's

[saskiabaggen]

I miss you Freddie and I love you singing it ❤

[skywipe]

Downloaded this and the other ones before they go up in a puff of smoke.

[faddeybulgarin]

Шикарная песня❤ Впервые ее услышал исполнении Smile, но когда в 2000-х услышал ее в исполнении Фредди, то полюбил навсегда ❤❤❤ Топ 10 любимейших песен Queen

[jovipz]

Qué liiiindo!! ❤
Los inicios de Freddie cuando Brian y Roger aceptaron la propuesta de cambiar el nombre a QUEEN, Su voz es fresca, como en Goin' Back, hermoso! 👑🧚‍♂️💛🌍⭐️🥰

[jordantreyofficial]

This is a Smile song, the demo was uploaded many years ago but this is the clearer version I've ever heard

[jdsnyc]

For people that prefer the “Smile” version, the difference here is that Freddie sings the whole song himself; in the Smile version there are 2 people (Brian & Tim) singing different parts-so it feels different somehow & it is telling. Freddie is able to handle the lows & highs with his own sole voice & it’s what set him apart, then & (forever) now.

[jimmiok]

Almost certainly Deaky on bass. I don’t believe Queen did any studio work before John joined.

[dpm]

Hearing Freddie sing this for the first time several years ago sent me reeling! I always wondered if it was intentional that he changed the lyric from "makes my eyes light up when I would see him there" to " makes HIS eyes light up when I would see him there." Seems so Freddie. Lol. But maybe just an error. I wish I could understand all the lyrics. I have this on a demo CD compilation of several songs from '72-'74, that includes Silver Salmon and Misfire. ❤

[juunotfromearth]

Love that u can just hear Brian and roger arguing

[LilacHaze]

Considering not even a flick of hope was giving about this piece appearance on Queen I Box Set l, probably is from Queen II or Sheer Heart Attack Session, although wonder is from that era was also Now That I'm Here/Silver Salmon...

[edgardominguez]

No mames que chingon wey Escucho a un ángel alaverga

[MaxPower]

Always thought the first part of this (“the banter”) was from the NOTW sessions…

[guardu]

Why wasn't it included in the Queen I box set? 😢

[Mcqlfc]

Brian was playing through a Fender Twin

[JPDeez]

Wow, never thought I'd prefer Tim's vocal to Freddie's. Roger would often say in interviews, Freddie early on didn't have the best technique... I guess this would be an example of that.

[BranZ_R]

Does anyone know that behind the background audio roger and brian was arguing?