No-One but You (Only the Good Die Young)

"No-One But You (Only the Good Die Young)" is the only song recorded by the remaining three members of the British rock band Queen in 1997 following the death of the lead singer Freddie Mercury in 1991. Guitarist Brian May—the writer of the song—and drummer Roger Taylor share lead vocals. The song was released on the album "Queen Rocks" and it was also released as a double a-side single with "Tie Your Mother Down".
Brian May finished writing “No One But You (Only The Good Die Young)” in early 1997, after Queen reformed for a one-off appearance with Elton John at the Theatre National de Chailloit in Paris. It was dedicated to Mercury and all those who die too soon. In 2019 on his Instagram page Brian revealed that it was during his visit to Montreux in 1996 to unveil a statue in Freddie's honor that he was first inspired to write the song. It was originally written for a potential Brian May solo project, which eventually evolved into the album "Another World". He sent the demo of the song to Roger Taylor, who by his own account put it in a drawer and forgot about it. After eventually hearing it, Taylor suggested that it could be turned into a Queen song. Taylor's contribution was to change the tempo and make the lyrics less specific to Mercury.
Included in Queen’s "Greatest Hits III", the song featured only the remaining three members of the band. This was also the last recording to feature bass guitarist John Deacon, who subsequently retired from public life. This was the last original Queen release until the 2014 release "Queen Forever".
Music video.
The music video was produced by DoRo and filmed at Bray Studios, London on 29 November 1997. It was shot in black and white, and featured only the three remaining members of Queen in the studio.
A second version was also made, and is a completely different edit, featuring sepia-tinted footage of Freddie through all his years with the band. This version was featured on Queen Rocks: The Video in 1998 and on Greatest Hits III VHS in 1999.
Track listings.
7" Single
A1. "No-One But You (Only The Good Die Young)" - 4:13
A2. "We Will Rock You" (Rick Rubin Remix) - 4:59
B1. "Tie Your Mother Down" (Single Version) - 3:44
B2. "Gimme the Prize" (Instrumental Remix for 'The Eye') - 4:01
CD Single
1. "No-One But You (Only The Good Die Young)" - 4:13
2. "Tie Your Mother Down" (Single Version) - 3:44
3. "We Will Rock You" (Rick Rubin Remix) - 4:59
4. "Gimme the Prize" (Instrumental Remix for 'The Eye') - 4:01
Kerry Ellis version.
In 2002, Brian May worked with stage actress and singer, Kerry Ellis, to record an orchestral version of the song as it appears in the musical, "We Will Rock You", where Ellis played the role of Meat. In the musical, it is sung by a woman, who after the ensemble have recalled the names of a number of musicians who died young, will culminate in saying the name "Freddie" as a tribute to Freddie Mercury. This version of the song was made only available to download on the official Queen website on 19 March 2005 and failed to chart. However, it was later included on her extended play "Wicked in Rock" and subsequently featured on her debut album "Anthems".
In 2004, the Spanish stage actress and singer Eva María Cortés recorded the same orchestral version in Spanish to promote the Original Madrid Cast Recording of "We Will Rock You".
Credits and personnel.
Track recorded at Sphere Studios, Olympic Studios and Allerton Hill
Orchestra recorded at Air Studios, Lydhurst Hall