🔘Future Management – Single: Mar. 1981

Released: March 27, 1981 (UK)

Catalogue Number: EMI 5157 (EMI Records, UK)

Roger Taylor steps out of Queen’s shadow with a sleek, synth‑driven vision of the future.

Released on March 27, 1981, “Future Management” marked Roger Taylor’s first major solo statement since his 1977 debut single “I Wanna Testify.” Serving as the lead single from his debut album Fun in Space, the track introduced Taylor’s distinctive blend of electronic textures, sardonic lyricism, and minimalist production — a stark contrast to Queen’s grandiose arrangements.

The single arrived at a moment when each Queen member was exploring individual creative identities. Taylor’s approach was the most experimental: dry vocals, pulsing synths, and a dystopian lyrical edge. Backed with “Laugh or Cry,” the release showcased Taylor’s multi‑instrumental abilities, as he performed nearly all parts himself.

“Future Management” reached No. 49 on the UK Singles Chart, becoming Taylor’s second solo chart entry and establishing the sonic world that Fun in Space would expand upon.

🔘 Track List

(UK 7" – EMI 5157)

Side One

Future Management — Roger Taylor

Side Two

Laugh or Cry — Roger Taylor

Produced by: Roger Taylor

Engineers: David Richards, Mack (album‑era engineering)

🔘 Variants (Discogs‑Verified Only)

🇬🇧 UK – EMI – EMI 5157 (1981)

Format: 7" Single

Country: UK

Year: 1981

Notes:

• Standard UK picture sleeve featuring Taylor portrait artwork

• Black/silver EMI labels

• B‑side: “Laugh or Cry”

🇩🇪 Germany – EMI Electrola – 1C 006‑07 546 (1981)

Format: 7" Single

Country: Germany

Year: 1981

Notes:

• Alternate German sleeve design

• Same track list

• EMI Electrola labels

🇯🇵 Japan – EMI – EMS‑17163 (1981)

Format: 7" Single

Country: Japan

Year: 1981

Notes:

• Japanese picture sleeve with lyric insert

• Unique Japanese artwork

• Highly collectible

🔘 Chart Performance

🇬🇧 UK Singles Chart

Peak Position: #49

First Chart Date: April 4, 1981

Weeks on Chart: 4

Top 40: No

Top 75: Yes

Label: EMI

Catalogue Number: EMI 5157

Chart Run: 49–58–71–Out

🔘 Context & Notes

Personnel (Verified)

• Roger Taylor — vocals, drums, guitars, bass, keyboards

• David Richards — engineering

• Mack — engineering (album sessions)

Recording Notes

• Recorded at Mountain Studios, Montreux

• Taylor performs nearly all instrumentation

• Early‑’80s synth textures and dry vocal production

• Minimalist, futuristic arrangement

Press Reception

• Praised for its bold stylistic departure from Queen

• Noted for its electronic production and lyrical bite

• Moderate chart success but strong fan interest

Legacy

• Established Taylor’s solo identity

• A cornerstone of Fun in Space

• Continues to be cited as one of his most distinctive solo tracks

🔘 Visual Archive

A stylised portrait‑based sleeve featuring Roger Taylor in a futuristic, minimalist design typical of early‑’80s EMI singles.

Roger Taylor — “Future Management” UK 7" (1981). Sleeve photography uncredited.

🔘 Related Material

Previous Solo Single: “I Wanna Testify” (1977)

Next Solo Single: “My Country” (1981)

Related Artists: Queen, Brian May, Freddie Mercury, John Deacon

🔘 Discography (Selected)

• “I Wanna Testify” (1977)

• Fun in Space (1981)

• “Future Management” (1981)

• “My Country” (1981)

🔘 Mini‑Timeline

1977: Taylor releases debut solo single

1980: Begins work on Fun in Space

Mar. 27, 1981: “Future Management” released

1981: Peaks at No. 49 in the UK

🔘 Glam Flashback

A cool, chrome‑toned slice of early‑’80s futurism — Taylor imagining a world beyond Queen’s theatrical universe.

🔘 Closing Notes

“Future Management” stands as a defining moment in Roger Taylor’s solo evolution — a sleek, self‑produced single that carved out a new creative identity and set the tone for Fun in Space.

🔘 Sources & Copyright

• Discogs (EMI 5157 UK, German & Japanese variants)

• 45cat (UK single entry)

• Wikipedia (Roger Taylor discography + chart data + album context)

All artwork and text remain the property of their respective copyright holders.

🔘 Tags

#RogerTaylor #FutureManagement #FunInSpace #QueenSolo #1981 #EMIRecords