Queen CD Single Box

The Queen CD Single Box is a limited-edition compilation box set by the British rock band Queen, featuring 12 three-inch mini CD singles housed in individual picture sleeves, along with a 50-page booklet containing a biography, discography anthology in Japanese, and song lyrics in both English and Japanese, released exclusively in Japan by EMI Records on April 26, 1991.^[1][2] This Japan-only release, cataloged as TODP-2251~62, compiles Queen's early singles from their 1973 debut through to the mid-1980s, presented in a custom textured gold-embossed box with a lift-off lid and originally distributed without an OBI strip but with a price sticker.^[1][2] The set includes 11 standard singles with three tracks each—typically the A-side, B-side, and an additional non-album track—plus Queen's First E.P., which contains four tracks from their self-titled debut album.^[1] Key singles featured are Seven Seas of Rhye (1974), Killer Queen (1974), Bohemian Rhapsody (1975), Somebody to Love (1976), We Are the Champions (1977), Crazy Little Thing Called Love (1979), Another One Bites the Dust (1980), Under Pressure with David Bowie (1981), Radio Ga Ga (1984), I Want to Break Free (1984), and A Kind of Magic (1986).^[1] Each mini CD is packaged in a unique snap-pack sleeve labeled "Mini Album" on the reverse, reflecting the era's trend toward compact formats in the Japanese market.^[1][2] Notable for its collectible appeal among Queen fans, the box set captures the band's evolution from glam rock to stadium anthems, though it contains a production error on the Another One Bites the Dust single where the producer credit for the track Dragon Attack is incorrectly co-credited to David Bowie.^[1] Unlike later global Singles Collection volumes released in the 2000s, this 1991 edition remains a rare artifact of Queen's early CD-era distribution in Asia, with mint copies now valued highly among collectors due to its exclusivity and pristine packaging.^[1][2]

Background and Development

Origins of the 3-Inch CD Singles

The 3-inch CD single format, measuring 8 cm in diameter, became particularly popular in Japan during the late 1980s as a space-efficient way to release music singles, appealing to collectors and fitting easily into pockets or wallets while delivering the same audio fidelity as full-sized CDs. This trend prompted international artists, including Queen, to experiment with the format outside Japan, leading to its adoption for UK releases in 1988 as a means to reintroduce classic tracks in a novel digital package. The mini CDs maintained standard CD audio quality, with 16-bit resolution and a 44.1 kHz sampling rate, but their reduced size limited capacity to roughly 18-20 minutes per disc, typically supporting 2-4 tracks of high-fidelity stereo sound.^[3][4][5] Queen's UK 3-inch CD singles rollout occurred in three staggered batches to build momentum and cover key hits from their catalog. The initial batch launched on October 24, 1988, with two singles: "Seven Seas of Rhye" and "Killer Queen." This was followed by the second batch on November 14, 1988, featuring three more: "Bohemian Rhapsody," "Somebody to Love," and "Queen's First E.P." The final batch arrived on December 5, 1988, completing the series with seven singles: "We Are the Champions," "Crazy Little Thing Called Love," "Another One Bites the Dust," "Under Pressure," "Radio Ga Ga," "I Want to Break Free," and "A Kind of Magic." Each single was packaged in a slim 3-inch square card sleeve, emphasizing the format's portability and collectibility.^[6][7] These early digital reissues of Queen's iconic tracks highlighted the band's enduring appeal and tested consumer interest in smaller physical media, setting the stage for later compilations while showcasing the technical versatility of the 3-inch format for short-form content like B-sides and live versions.^[8]

Compilation Concept and Production

In response to the surging popularity of the 3-inch CD single format in Japan during the late 1980s and early 1990s, where it became a standard for music releases and displaced vinyl singles due to its compact size and collectible appeal, EMI decided to compile all 12 of Queen's UK 3-inch singles from 1988 into a dedicated box set exclusively for the Asian market.^[9][1] This curation aimed to leverage the format's niche status in Japan, where consumers favored mini-CDs for their portability and often included bonus content, by repackaging the originals without modifications to preserve authenticity.^[5] The production was finalized in early 1991, aligning with the release of Queen's album The Miracle in May of that year, and involved mastering and replication at Japanese facilities to meet local manufacturing standards and catalog numbering conventions under Toshiba-EMI.^[1] Each of the 12 discs adhered to the original UK single structures, incorporating all B-sides and non-album tracks unaltered, resulting in a total of 37 tracks across the set with a combined runtime of approximately 2:24:31—the First EP disc featuring four tracks while the others held three each.^[1][3] This compilation occurred in the years following Freddie Mercury's 1987 AIDS diagnosis but prior to his death in November 1991, during a period when the band remained active in overseeing releases; the surviving members—Brian May, Roger Taylor, and John Deacon—provided input to ensure fidelity in artwork and track sequencing, reflecting their ongoing commitment to Queen's catalog amid Mercury's health challenges.^[7]

Release and Distribution

Japan-Exclusive Launch

The Queen CD Single Box was released exclusively in Japan on April 26, 1991, by EMI Records Japan under catalogue numbers TODP-2251 to TODP-2262.^[1] This compilation gathered twelve 3-inch (8 cm) CD singles spanning the band's early career from "Seven Seas of Rhye" to "One Vision," formatted to align with Japan's established preference for compact mini-CDs in the singles market during the early 1990s.^[6] The exclusivity stemmed from licensing arrangements with EMI's Japanese division and the format's regional specificity, preventing initial international distribution or export.^[1] Distribution focused on domestic channels, primarily through major music retailers across Japan, making it accessible to local fans without overseas availability at launch.^[10] The box set's rollout capitalized on Queen's enduring appeal in the country, where the band had cultivated a devoted following since their breakthrough tours in 1975 and subsequent visits in 1979, 1982, and 1985.^[11] This timing coincided with a period of heightened interest in Queen's catalog, as rumors about Freddie Mercury's declining health began to circulate, though the band continued studio work on what would be their final album with him, Innuendo, released later that year.^[12] Mercury's passing on November 24, 1991, would further amplify the set's significance among Japanese collectors in the ensuing months.^[12]

Marketing and Promotion

The marketing and promotion of the Queen CD Single Box emphasized its status as a limited-edition collectible tailored for the Japanese audience, capitalizing on the burgeoning popularity of compact discs in the country during the early 1990s. At the time, CD sales had surpassed cassettes globally by 1991, with Japan representing a particularly robust market for physical media formats that appealed to dedicated fans and collectors.^[13] Advertising campaigns included print advertisements in Japanese music magazines, featuring glossy, full-color promotions that showcased the box set's unique 3-inch CD format and comprehensive compilation of Queen's singles. One such ad, published in March 1992, was produced by Toshiba EMI and measured 17.5 x 25.5 cm, highlighting the set's exclusivity for rock enthusiasts.^[14] These efforts extended to posters displayed in Tokyo-area stores, drawing attention to the novelty of the mini-CD technology as a premium, space-efficient collectible. The promotion was integrated with broader reissues of Queen's catalog, coinciding with the 1991 release of Innuendo, to reinforce the band's enduring appeal; in-store displays often incorporated demo players allowing customers to sample the 3-inch discs directly.^[15] Targeted primarily at physical media collectors amid Japan's CD market expansion—where annual sales exceeded 100 million units into the late 1990s—the campaign stressed the set's rarity, completeness, and tribute-like quality following Freddie Mercury's passing later that year.^[16] Initial media coverage in Japanese publications featured discussions on the project's innovative format, with EMI representatives underscoring its appeal to devoted fans seeking archival completeness.

Packaging and Components

Exterior Design

The Queen CD Single Box is housed in a sturdy cardboard box featuring a gold-embossed design.^[2] The box has a lift-off lid that provides easy access to the 12 individual snap-pack picture sleeves housed inside, each customized with reproductions of the corresponding single artwork.^[2] Produced exclusively in Japan, the packaging caters specifically to dedicated fans and archivists.^[1] Internally, the box accommodates a separate booklet alongside the singles.^[2]

Included Booklet

The included booklet with the Queen CD Single Box is a 50-page publication presented in both Japanese and English, designed to provide contextual depth to the compilation of 12 three-inch CD singles. It is structured into three primary sections: a biography, a discography anthology, and lyrics, offering fans a multifaceted resource that combines historical narrative, analytical summaries, and textual content for the 37 tracks across the set. This bilingual format caters specifically to the Japanese market, enhancing accessibility for local collectors while preserving the original English elements of Queen's work.^[1] The biography section delivers a chronological overview of Queen's career from their formation in 1970 through key developments up to 1991, the year of the box set's release. Accompanied by photographs and highlights of major milestones—such as album releases, tours, and Freddie Mercury's contributions—it is written entirely in Japanese to engage the domestic audience with culturally attuned storytelling. This portion underscores the band's evolution from underground rock act to global icons, emphasizing their innovative sound and theatrical performances without delving into post-1991 events.^[1] The discography anthology section focuses on narrative summaries for each of the included singles, covering their recording histories, chart performances in various territories, and broader cultural impacts. These overviews prioritize conceptual insights into the singles' creation and reception, drawing on production anecdotes and sales data to illustrate Queen's enduring legacy in rock music.^[1] The lyrics section reproduces the full English lyrics for all 37 tracks featured on the discs, ensuring fidelity to the originals as penned by Freddie Mercury, Brian May, Roger Taylor, and John Deacon. Complementing this are Japanese translations for every song, enabling non-English speakers to grasp thematic elements like the operatic drama in "Bohemian Rhapsody" or the anthemic empowerment in "We Will Rock You." This comprehensive approach makes the booklet a practical tool for study and enjoyment.^[1] Beyond the core sections, the booklet incorporates high-resolution reproductions of the original single artwork, capturing the iconic designs from EMI and Hollywood Records eras, such as the surreal imagery for "Killer Queen." Liner notes provide perspectives on the compilation's curation. These visual and editorial elements elevate the booklet from mere supplement to a collectible artifact in its own right.^[1]

Contents and Track Listing

Overview of Included Singles

The Queen CD Single Box compiles 12 singles spanning the band's most iconic releases from 1974 to 1986, showcasing their musical evolution from the glam rock experimentation of albums like Sheer Heart Attack to the polished hard rock and arena anthems of The Game, while extending into their later pop-infused era.^[1] This selection highlights Queen's progression through diverse styles, blending theatrical flair with raw energy in hits that defined their global breakthrough.^[17] The included singles, listed by title and original release year, are:

• Seven Seas of Rhye (1974)
• Killer Queen (1974)
• Bohemian Rhapsody (1975)
• Somebody to Love (1976)
• Queen's First E.P. (1977)
• We Are the Champions (1977)
• Crazy Little Thing Called Love (1979)
• Another One Bites the Dust (1980)
• Under Pressure (1981)
• Radio Ga Ga (1984)
• I Want to Break Free (1984)
• A Kind of Magic (1986) ^[1]

Each disc is formatted as a 3-inch CD, faithfully replicating the 1988 UK mini CD singles, with A-sides featuring the primary hits and B-sides comprising select album tracks or non-album exclusives to provide contextual depth without altering the original configurations.^[7] The set encompasses a total of 37 tracks across these discs, preserving the authentic single presentations with no remixes or bonus content introduced for the box set.^[1]

Detailed Discography

The Queen CD Single Box contains 12 mini CDs, each replicating a single from the band's catalog between 1974 and 1986, with a total of 37 tracks spanning a runtime of 1:47:40.^[18] The set features album versions of most tracks rather than edited single mixes in some cases, and includes several non-album B-sides such as "See What a Fool I've Been," "Soul Brother," "I Go Crazy," and "A Dozen Red Roses for My Darling."^[1] Japanese mastering for this release emphasizes clarity in the compact format, with subtle differences in equalization compared to UK editions, particularly for high-frequency elements in tracks like "Bohemian Rhapsody."^[1] Disc 1: Seven Seas of Rhye (Total: 10:12)

• A-side: "Seven Seas of Rhye" (2:49, writer: Freddie Mercury, from Queen II)
• B-side 1: "See What a Fool I've Been" (4:32, writer: Brian May, non-album medley)
• B-side 2: "Funny How Love Is" (2:51, writer: Freddie Mercury, from Queen II)^[1]

Disc 2: Killer Queen (Total: 11:28)

• A-side: "Killer Queen" (3:01, writer: Freddie Mercury, from Sheer Heart Attack)
• B-side 1: "Flick of the Wrist" (3:18, writer: Freddie Mercury, from Sheer Heart Attack)
• B-side 2: "Brighton Rock" (5:09, writer: Brian May, from Sheer Heart Attack)^[1]

Disc 3: Bohemian Rhapsody (Total: 11:58)

• A-side: "Bohemian Rhapsody" (5:59, writer: Freddie Mercury, from A Night at the Opera)
• B-side 1: "I'm in Love with My Car" (3:09, writer: Roger Taylor, from A Night at the Opera)
• B-side 2: "You're My Best Friend" (2:50, writer: John Deacon, from A Night at the Opera)^[1]

Disc 4: Somebody to Love (Total: 13:41)

• A-side: "Somebody to Love" (4:57, writer: Freddie Mercury, from A Day at the Races)
• B-side 1: "White Man" (4:58, writer: Brian May, from A Day at the Races)
• B-side 2: "Tie Your Mother Down" (3:46, writer: Brian May, from A Day at the Races)^[1]

Disc 5: Queen's First E.P. (Total: 14:11)

• A-side: "Good Old-Fashioned Lover Boy" (2:54, writer: Freddie Mercury, from A Day at the Races)
• B-side 1: "Death on Two Legs (Dedicated to...)" (3:44, writer: Freddie Mercury, from A Night at the Opera)
• B-side 2: "Tenement Funster" (2:58, writer: Roger Taylor, from Sheer Heart Attack)
• B-side 3: "White Queen (As It Began)" (4:35, writer: Brian May, from Queen II)^[1]

Disc 6: We Are the Champions (Total: 8:26)

• A-side: "We Are the Champions" (3:01, writer: Freddie Mercury, from News of the World)
• B-side 1: "We Will Rock You" (2:02, writer: Brian May, from News of the World)
• B-side 2: "Fat Bottomed Girls" (3:23, writer: Brian May, from Jazz)^[1]

Disc 7: Crazy Little Thing Called Love (Total: 10:02)

• A-side: "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" (2:43, writer: Freddie Mercury, from The Game)
• B-side 1: "Spread Your Wings" (4:33, writer: John Deacon, from News of the World)
• B-side 2: "Flash" (2:46, writer: Brian May, from Flash Gordon)^[1]

Disc 8: Another One Bites the Dust (Total: 12:23)

• A-side: "Another One Bites the Dust" (3:35, writer: John Deacon, from The Game)
• B-side 1: "Dragon Attack" (4:18, writer: Brian May, from The Game)
• B-side 2: "Las Palabras de Amor (The Words of Love)" (4:30, writer: Brian May, from Hot Space)
  Note: The producer credit for "Dragon Attack" is erroneously co-credited to David Bowie.^[1][1]

Disc 9: Under Pressure (Total: 12:15)

• A-side: "Under Pressure" (4:06, writers: Queen and David Bowie, from Hot Space)
• B-side 1: "Soul Brother" (3:37, writers: Queen, non-album)
• B-side 2: "Body Language" (4:32, writer: Freddie Mercury, from Hot Space)^[1]

Disc 10: Radio Ga Ga (Total: 13:07)

• A-side: "Radio Ga Ga" (5:46, writer: Roger Taylor, from The Works)
• B-side 1: "I Go Crazy" (3:42, writer: Brian May, non-album)
• B-side 2: "Hammer to Fall" (3:39, writer: Brian May, from The Works)^[1]

Disc 11: I Want to Break Free (Total: 13:38)

• A-side: "I Want to Break Free" (4:24, writer: John Deacon, from The Works)
• B-side 1: "Machines (or 'Back to Humans')" (5:06, writers: Brian May and Roger Taylor, from The Works)
• B-side 2: "It's a Hard Life" (4:08, writer: Freddie Mercury, from The Works)^[1]

Disc 12: A Kind of Magic (Total: 13:10)

• A-side: "A Kind of Magic" (4:26, writer: Roger Taylor, from A Kind of Magic)
• B-side 1: "A Dozen Red Roses for My Darling" (4:43, writer: Roger Taylor, non-album)
• B-side 2: "One Vision" (4:01, writers: Queen, from A Kind of Magic)^[1]

Reception and Legacy

Critical Response

Upon its exclusive release in Japan in 1991, the Queen CD Single Box garnered praise for its comprehensive assembly of the band's singles and the innovative use of 3-inch mini-CDs, a format that evoked nostalgia for vinyl-era packaging while embracing early digital technology.^[1] Retrospective critiques from collector communities emphasize the box set's enduring artistic and collectible value, with user ratings averaging 4.6 out of 5 on Discogs based on 37 reviews. Fans and experts commend its faithful reproductions of original single artwork and the included 50-page booklet featuring biographies, Japanese anthology, and bilingual lyrics, positioning it as a key artifact preserving the brief mini-CD era. However, common criticisms include the lack of bonus tracks or remixes, which contrast with subsequent expansions in Queen's catalog, limiting its appeal beyond dedicated collectors.^[1]

Collectibility and Reissues

The Queen CD Single Box, produced exclusively in Japan with a limited run, has become a highly sought-after item among collectors due to its scarcity and regional exclusivity.^[1] Post-2000, global demand has surged, with secondary market prices ranging from $59 to over $348, reflecting its status as a rare artifact from Queen's early compact disc era.^[1] As of 2025, no official reissues of the box set have been produced by EMI or subsequent Queen rights holders, maintaining its exclusivity.^[19] Instead, availability stems from resales on platforms like eBay and specialist retailers, where complete sets in good condition command premiums. The set's format influenced later Queen single compilations, such as The Singles Collection Volume 1 released in 2008, which adopted a similar boxed collection of remastered singles. The 3-inch mini CDs in the set are particularly vulnerable to damage due to their compact size, which increases the risk of scratches, cracks from drops, and warping in humid environments.^[20] Collectors are advised to store them in individual protective sleeves or jewel cases, handle only by the edges or center hole, and keep them in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to prevent degradation.^[20] Beyond its material value, the box set symbolizes an experimental phase in CD technology during the late 1980s and early 1990s, showcasing the short-lived 3-inch format for singles.^[3] It is frequently referenced in Queen discography resources, such as detailed catalogs on Ultimate Queen and Queenpedia, highlighting its role in the band's catalog evolution.^[19][21]