🎤 **Freddie Mercury – Never Boring (Compilation, 2019)**

Never Boring is a solo career compilation and box set celebrating the wide‑ranging artistry of Freddie Mercury, best known as the dynamic frontman of Queen. Released on 11 October 2019 — shortly after the global success of the biopic Bohemian Rhapsody — this set was curated to showcase Freddie’s solo performances, remixes, collaborations, and visual work in a way that honors his magnetic personality and musical breadth.

The title Never Boring comes from Mercury’s own words about how he wanted his work to be remembered: “You can do anything with my work, but don’t make me boring.”

Unlike a traditional greatest‑hits package, Never Boring is a multi‑format collection blending music, visuals, written and spoken words, rare photos, and archival material — giving both longtime fans and new listeners a panoramic look at Freddie’s solo legacy.

📀 Album Credits

Artist: Freddie Mercury
Title: Never Boring
Type: Compilation / Solo box set
Released: 11 October 2019
Recorded: 1983–2019 (various recordings and mixes)
Labels: Mercury Records (Worldwide), Hollywood Records (North America)
Produced/Compiled by: Justin Shirley‑Smith, Kris Fredriksson, Joshua J. Macrae (Queen’s longtime sound team)
Formats:
- 3‑CD box set (32 tracks)
- DVD / Blu‑ray with promotional videos and interviews
- 120‑page hardcover book with rare photos and quotes
- Individual releases of the included CDs, vinyl editions, and streaming versions

🎶 Compilation Structure & Tracklist

**CD1 – Never Boring (12‑Track Compilation)**

This disc brings together many of Mercury’s most representative solo tracks (often in new or remixed versions for this release):

The Great Pretender (2019 Never Boring Mix)
I Was Born To Love You (2019 Special Edition Mix)
Barcelona (2012 Orchestrated Version)
In My Defence (2000 Remix)
Love Kills (2019 Never Boring Mix)
How Can I Go On (Single Version – 2012 Orchestrated)
Love Me Like There’s No Tomorrow (2019 Special Edition Mix)
Living On My Own (Radio Mix)
The Golden Boy (2012 Orchestrated Single Edit)
Time Waits For No One
She Blows Hot And Cold (2019 Never Boring Mix)
Made In Heaven (2019 Special Edition Mix)

**CD2 – Mr. Bad Guy (2019 Special Edition)**

A newly mixed edition of Freddie’s only solo studio album from 1985, featuring updated versions of his original songs.

**CD3 – Barcelona (2012 Orchestral Edition)**

The 2012 remastered orchestral edition of his classic collaboration with Montserrat Caballé, showcasing his operatic and theatrical ambitions.

DVD / Blu‑ray

The set also includes visual material — 13 promo videos and some live footage — remastered from original film reels for improved picture and sound quality.

⭐ Notable Songs & Highlights

“The Great Pretender”

A standout solo performance and one of Freddie’s most beloved non‑Queen tracks, here presented in a specially remixed version for Never Boring.

“I Was Born To Love You”

Originally from Mr. Bad Guy, the track was later reworked by Queen and became a fan favorite; the 2019 mix brings renewed polish to the solo version.

“Barcelona”

Freddie’s epic duet with opera soprano Montserrat Caballé blends rock and classical influences — a centerpiece of his expansive musical vision.

“Love Kills” & “Love Me Like There’s No Tomorrow”

These tracks showcase Mercury’s ability to handle both high‑energy pop and torch balladry, and the latter received a new animated video tied to this release.

“Time Waits For No One”

A newly included track in the solo canon, featuring a stripped‑back arrangement of a song originally connected to the Time musical project.

🎉 Fun Facts & Trivia

🎤 Comprehensive Celebration: Never Boring was designed not just as a music collection but as a multimedia tribute to Freddie’s solo artistry, complete with visuals, interviews, a hardback book of images and quotes, and deluxe packaging.

📀 Connection to Bohemian Rhapsody: The compilation’s promotional material features an introduction by Rami Malek, the Oscar‑winning actor who portrayed Mercury in the biopic.

🔁 Updated Mixes: Many classic solo tracks were remixed or remastered for the 2019 release, making this project appealing even to long‑time fans familiar with original versions.

🎥 Visual Collection: The included Blu‑ray/DVD marks the first time several of Mercury’s promotional videos were presented in high‑quality transfers from original 35 mm film elements.

💡 Did You Know?

Never Boring peaked on the UK Albums Chart, demonstrating that Mercury’s solo music still resonates with audiences decades after his passing.
The compilation includes versions of songs remixed or re‑edited long after Mercury’s lifetime, highlighting the work’s enduring flexibility and appeal.
“Time Waits For No One” was a recently rediscovered or newly emphasized track in the Mercury archive, gaining attention through its inclusion here.

📊 Legacy & Impact

Never Boring isn’t just another posthumous greatest‑hits package — it’s a definitive multimedia presentation of Freddie Mercury’s solo work. Spanning pop, opera, dance, and theatrical songcraft, the set profiles his artistic breadth beyond Queen’s stadium rock identity. With updated mixes, curated visuals, and archival memorabilia, Never Boring serves as both a tribute and introduction to Mercury’s individual voice, ensuring that even decades later, his unique creative spark remains never boring.