Roxy Music has unveiled a previously unreleased early demo of their 1973 single 'Pyjamarama', titled 'Pyjamarama – guitar & vocal'. This stripped-back recording, featuring only Bryan Ferry's voice and acoustic guitar, is the earliest known version of the song and has remained unheard for over 50 years. It also marks the first time Ferry wrote a song using a guitar.
The demo was recorded while Bryan Ferry was alone at a remote cottage in the Derbyshire Dales, where he focused on writing material for the band's second album, 'For Your Pleasure'. Ferry recalled bringing keyboards, a guitar, an amp, tape recorders, and writing materials to the cottage, stating those days were "crucial to the making of 'For Your Pleasure'." Guitarist Phil Manzanera also recounted helping Ferry learn enough guitar to develop the track.
In addition to the demo, Roxy Music has shared a newly recovered 1973 performance of 'Pyjamarama' from Top of the Pops. The tape, previously missing from the BBC archive, was recently found in a collection belonging to mobile disco DJ Roger Hill.
These releases are part of the forthcoming expanded reissue of 'For Your Pleasure', first announced in August. The Super Deluxe edition, spanning three CDs and a DVD, is due out on November 6 via UMR/Island EMI. It will feature songwriting demos, rehearsals, AIR Studios outtakes, BBC sessions, instrumentals, and archive TV and concert footage from 1972 and 1973. Other rarities include early sketches of tracks like 'Do The Strand' and 'Beauty Queen', as well as tapes featuring Brian Eno. The reissue will also be available in 2LP, 2CD, digital, Blu-ray, and Dolby Atmos formats.