Freddie Mercury Revisits “Living On My Own” for ‘Mr. Bad Guy’ Anniversary
Freddie Mercury, Queen, David Wigg, Munich, Justin Shirley-Smith, Joshua J Macrae,
The archival vaults have opened once more for the final chapter of a video series celebrating the fortieth anniversary of Freddie Mercury’s debut solo album ‘Mr. Bad Guy’. This concluding episode takes listeners back to a candid 1985 interview in Munich where the frontman sat down with journalist David Wigg to discuss the personal nature of his songwriting. While the special edition vinyl reissue hit shelves on December 5, this footage provides an intimate look at the experiences of love and loneliness that fueled tracks like “Living On My Own”. Mercury remains in peak form throughout the clip, balancing his trademark wit with rare moments of vulnerability regarding the isolation of his international lifestyle.
During the conversation, the singer reflects on the rhythmic sexuality of “Foolin’ Around” and the self-aware warning within “My Love Is Dangerous”. He famously describes himself as a romantic at heart while acknowledging that he might not be the easiest partner for anyone to keep up with. These revelations offer a fascinating counterpoint to the flamboyant image portrayed in the “Living On My Own” music video which was famously filmed at his thirty-ninth birthday celebration. Mercury explains that while his life often resembles a gypsy style of travel between global hotels, he still manages to find his own version of a boogie time amidst the solitude.
The new special edition reissue of ‘Mr. Bad Guy’ features a fresh mix from Queen’s longtime sound team of Justin Shirley-Smith and Joshua J Macrae. Available on translucent green vinyl and as a picture disc LP, the record serves as a testament to Mercury’s desire to explore musical territory outside of his primary band. From the operatic heights of “Made In Heaven” to the dancefloor energy of “I Was Born To Love You”, the album captures a spectrum of moods that Mercury felt were a natural reflection of his life in the mid-eighties. The series concludes with a mischievous exchange about the album’s chocolate box cover art where the icon jokes about his dark blue shades and butch aesthetic.
This retrospective celebration honors a record that earned gold status and delivered a number one hit while Mercury was operating at the peak of his powers. By revisiting the Munich sessions and the honest words shared with a trusted friend like Wigg, the project highlights the enduring legacy of an artist who always preferred to keep things interesting. Whether discussing the sexual vibe of a rhythm or the reality of his clipped wings, Mercury continues to fascinate audiences four decades after these songs first hit the airwaves. It is a fitting tribute to a performer who put his entire soul into his first solo outing away from the Queen machine.