Unlike the 1989 album mix, the Greatest Hits II version has a harder rock edge. The TFM20 pressing brings Brian May’s Red Special guitar harmonics to the forefront without piercing your ears.
Greatest Hits II , specifically the 2011 Remaster , serves as the definitive collection of the band's later era, spanning from 1981 to 1991. Remastered by Bob Ludwig to celebrate the band's 40th anniversary, this edition features upgraded sound quality compared to previous releases. Key Features of the 2011 Remaster Enhanced Audio
: Digitally remastered to provide a clearer, more dynamic sound. Iconic Tracklist
: Features 17 of Queen's biggest hits from their peak arena-rock years. Updated Artwork
: Includes new cover art and updated packaging for the anniversary series. Universal Music Indonesia Store Top Tracklist (2011 Remastered Edition) The collection includes tracks from albums like A Kind of Magic The Miracle Original Album A Kind of Magic A Kind of Magic Under Pressure (feat. David Bowie) Radio Ga Ga I Want It All The Miracle I Want to Break Free It's a Hard Life The Miracle Who Wants to Live Forever A Kind of Magic The Miracle The Miracle I'm Going Slightly Mad The Invisible Man The Miracle Hammer to Fall Friends Will Be Friends A Kind of Magic The Show Must Go On One Vision A Kind of Magic Availability
You can find the 2011 Remaster on major streaming platforms and physical formats:
The Queen Greatest Hits II (2011 Remastered) collection is a definitive anthology covering the band's massive global success from 1981 to 1991. Released as part of the band's 40th-anniversary celebrations, this remastering effort by legendary engineer Bob Ludwig aimed to bring newfound clarity and punch to Queen's later-era anthems. The 2011 Remastering: Sound Quality & Features
The 2011 reissue was heralded as a significant sonic upgrade over previous CD editions. By returning to the original master tapes, the production team achieved: queen greatest hits ii 2011remasteredtfm20 top
Enhanced Detail: Reviewers noted a clearer distinction in complex vocal layers and intricate guitar overdubs.
Dynamic Range: While some audiophiles debated the use of peak limiting, many fans praised the "rich, detailed" sound and "minimal noise" on the 2011 Vinyl Edition from Amazon UK.
Definitive Versions: 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 album features 17 chart-topping hits that defined the second decade of Queen's career. Song Title Original Album A Kind of Magic A Kind of Magic (1986) Under Pressure (feat. David Bowie) Hot Space (1982) Radio Ga Ga The Works (1984) I Want It All The Miracle (1989) I Want to Break Free The Works (1984) Innuendo Innuendo (1991) It's a Hard Life The Works (1984) Breakthru The Miracle (1989) Who Wants to Live Forever A Kind of Magic (1986) Headlong Innuendo (1991) The Miracle The Miracle (1989) I'm Going Slightly Mad Innuendo (1991) The Invisible Man The Miracle (1989) Hammer to Fall The Works (1984) Friends Will Be Friends A Kind of Magic (1986) The Show Must Go On Innuendo (1991) One Vision A Kind of Magic (1986) Historical Significance
While the first Greatest Hits focused on the band’s 70s rock roots, Greatest Hits II captures their evolution into arena-rock titans 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.
The compilation has sold over 16 million copies worldwide and remains a staple for both casual listeners and die-hard collectors. It is available for streaming on platforms like Spotify and Deezer. Greatest Hits II (2011 Remaster) - Amazon UK
In 2011, to mark Queen’s 40th anniversary, the legendary Greatest Hits II was digitally remastered by the renowned engineer Bob Ludwig. This collection captures the band’s transformative decade from 1981 to 1991, featuring some of their most symphonic and experimental works. The Sound of a Legend Reborn Unlike the 1989 album mix, the Greatest Hits
The remastering brought a fresh clarity to the 17 tracks, which range from the pop perfection of "A Kind of Magic" to the haunting, epic scale of "Innuendo". For many fans, the 2011 version—often found in The Platinum Collection—provided the definitive way to experience the band's later stadium-rock era. Key Tracks on Greatest Hits II (2011 Remaster)
Under Pressure: The iconic collaboration with David Bowie that topped the UK charts.
Radio Ga Ga: A synth-heavy anthem that became a staple of their live performances.
I Want It All: Presented in its punchy single version for this compilation.
The Show Must Go On: A poignant finale, released just weeks before Freddie Mercury’s passing in 1991. Collector's Editions
If you're looking to own this piece of music history, the 2011 remasters are available in several formats:
Greatest Hits II (2011 Remaster) - Compilation by Queen - Spotify Greatest Hits II , specifically the 2011 Remaster
It sounds like you’re looking for a focused report on Queen’s Greatest Hits II, specifically the 2011 remastered edition (often labeled as part of the Universal/Island remasters) and perhaps the TFM20 (likely a typo or catalog reference, possibly meaning TFM2 or a specific pressing code). Since “TFM20” isn’t a standard Queen release code, I’ll interpret it as a possible reference to a 20-track edition or a 20th-anniversary tie-in — but to be useful, I’ll base the report on the widely available 2011 remaster.
Below is a concise, useful report.
When fans talk about Queen’s "Greatest Hits," they are usually referring to the 1981 compilation—the one with the austere gold border and the band members in silhouette. It is the best-selling album in UK history. But if the 1981 album is the band’s crown, the 1991 sequel—specifically the 2011 Remastered edition—is the jewel inside it.
As part of our TFM20 Top selection, we are revisiting this monumental record. While the first Greatest Hits was a stadium-rock party, Greatest Hits II is a cinematic epic. It chronicles the band’s "imperial phase" of the 80s, where Queen stopped trying to fit into the zeitgeist and decided to become the zeitgeist.
Here is why this remastered edition deserves a top spot in your collection.
The original 1991 CD release was loud but somewhat flat. The 2011 Remaster (done by Bob Ludwig and the band) changed the game.
How does the TFM20 stack up against other famous pressings?
Verdict: The TFM20 is the top choice for the "Old Guard" audiophile who wants the physical sensory experience (the booklet, the silver disc) combined with mastering quality that beats modern hi-res streaming.