How can anyone choose just 5?!
From straight-up rockers to timeless ballads and ambitious, groundbreaking anthems that broke all the rules, the best Queen songs redefined rock music.
Since forming in 1971, the young four-piece hard rock band from England went on to be one of the most successful groups in history, becoming the champion of pomp rock in all its glory and delight and creating music that will most certainly live forever.
Forty-seven years on, Queen’s allurement truly endures.
It’s not an easy task, but here are our top five Queen tracks.
Bohemian Rhapsody
Ah, the quintessential Queen song. Let’s just get this one out of the way first shall we? The operatic rock epic is widely regarded as one of the best songs of all time and rightly so. This six-minute song is a chaotic and nonsensical masterpiece that was able to challenge the format of traditional songwriting and influence an entire generation. Its cultural impact is undeniable and it has to be the best headbanging singalong song of all time. I mean, who doesn’t love trying to attempt to say Beezlebub or hit the high note on Galileo. EPIC!
Don’t Stop Me Now
Dynamic vocals, check. Outlandish lyrical content, check. Epic guitar solo, check. Behind obvious favourite Bohemian Rhapsody, Don’t Stop Me Now is easily one of the most fun Queen songs to sing along to. With its mixture of diverse vocal range, dynamic song structure and energetic guitar this song has the power to uplift any mood. Next time you’re feeling down give this song a spin and unleash your inner Freddie, trust me you won’t be disappointed.
Fat Bottomed Girls
When I was younger I would take many long drives with my Nan and Grandad and one of the few music options they had in their car was a Queen Fat Bottomed Girls/ Bicycle cassette (yes I’m old). I have vivid memories of singing my heart out to this song with dear old Grandad chiming in, laughing most of the way. Don’t be fooled by the playful title, Queen somehow found a way to make a legitimately feel-good rock song about bottoms. Of course, they did.
Somebody to Love
This is my favourite Queen song about love. It is another opera influenced epic which let’s face it, is always a vocal style best left to Freddie Mercury. There are not many people who are able to replicate it but when they can, their name is George Michael. As much as I love the original recording of this song the George Michael rendition is THAT good. Of course, no one can ever replace the icon that was Freddie Mercury but he comes very close.
Under Pressure
It’s not very often you get to see two of the biggest music legends on earth join forces on one song. Freddie Mercury and David Bowie (may they both rest in peace) are two musicians that epitomise cool and the combination of their presence and talent is a collab for the ages. The song’s bassline is one of the most recognisable of all time and the fact that they have managed to seamlessly sneak in some jazz scatting is a testament to how cool these two really are.
So whether your chosen stage is the shower, your car or in front of the TV make sure you brush up on your operatic vocals because anytime these tracks come on, they will have you up and singing.
