While the first Greatest Hits focused on the band’s 70s rock roots, Greatest Hits II captures their evolution into and pop-culture icons. It covers the period of their legendary Live Aid performance and the final studio efforts recorded before Freddie Mercury's passing in 1991.
Featuring the National Philharmonic Orchestra, the remaster handles the massive crescendo beautifully, ensuring the sweeping strings do not distort or overpower May’s soaring guitar solo.
Following their legendary performance at Live Aid, the band experienced a massive surge in creativity, resulting in heavily polished pop-rock hits.
The 2011 digital remaster is widely available on streaming platforms like Spotify and Deezer , and physical editions can often be found on secondary markets like Discogs .
The album features the following 17 tracks in their remastered form: Under Pressure (feat. David Bowie) Radio Ga Ga I Want It All (Single Version) I Want To Break Free (Single Remix) Innuendo It's A Hard Life Breakthru Who Wants To Live Forever Headlong The Miracle I'm Going Slightly Mad The Invisible Man Hammer To Fall (Single Version) Friends Will Be Friends The Show Must Go On One Vision (Single Version) Key Features
The 2011 remaster, handled by legendary engineer Bob Ludwig , was part of the band's 40th-anniversary celebration. It focuses on the high-energy, cinematic anthems recorded between 1981 and 1991, featuring a cleaner, more dynamic range than previous CD versions.
"Queen Greatest Hits II (2011 Remastered Edition)" is a must-listen for any music enthusiast. With its timeless songs, impeccable remastering, and a brief glimpse into Queen's remarkable history, this album is a treasure trove of rock music excellence. So, put on your headphones, press play, and experience the magic of Queen's music like never before.
Cultural Impact and Continuing Influence Greatest Hits II also functions as a document of how mainstream rock adapted to electronic and pop production in the 1980s. Its tracks have been sampled, covered, and referenced across genres, highlighting Queen’s adaptability. The remastered edition extended this relevance: digital-era listeners discovered the band with greater sonic fidelity, and the release dovetailed with renewed interest in Mercury’s life and legacy, amplified by subsequent biographical projects and anniversary reissues.
: For several tracks like "Hammer to Fall," fans have often preferred the 2011 remaster for doing the heavy-hitting percussion and guitar work more "justice" than earlier album versions. Tracklist: The Top Songs of Greatest Hits II
The 2011 remaster was distributed across multiple physical and digital configurations. Depending on your listening preference, each format offers unique benefits: Greatest Hits II (2011 Remasters): CDs & Vinyl - Amazon.com
: The cover, featuring Freddie Mercury's hand-designed crest representing the band's zodiac signs, was "refreshed" and brought up to date for this edition. Essential Tracks & Highlights
The tracklist reads like a victory lap: