Bohemian Rhapsody
A classic rock song released in 1975 won for Brit Award For Song of the Year and MTV Music Award for best video of a Film. Bohemian Rhapsody was a song from the album A night at the Opera During the seventies, songs with this length were not played on the radio that much, but Queen proved their capability and mastered the craft of creating pop music.
We will rock you/we are the champions
If you've been to a stadium or out for a karaoke night you must've heard the all-time classics We are the Champions and 'We will Rock You' from the album News of The World. These two songs by Queen are preferably the most famous ones. The fact that these songs have been a part of our music culture since its release in 1997 is impressive itself.
The show must go on
Released in 1991, this song talks about the inevitability of death. The show symbolises life as a full circle and how the process of living and moving forward has to be enjoyed. One must stay strong to face the challenges life throws at them and be determined for a new day, another tomorrow. This was the last track on the final studio album Innuendo Queen made with Freddie Mercury. Hence it made fans so emotional listening to this song tear eyed thinking what it could have been if we had not lost Mercury who was suffering from AIDS.
Another one bites the dust
Another one bites the dust is a disco funk rock song released in 1980 with the album The Game, it's the band’s best-selling single. Composed by Queen’s bassist John Deacon who was inspired by the dance-friendly, groovy, disco culture and also Michael Jackson’s vocals. He wrote the lyrics for the song which were influenced by soul music that he was always interested in since his school life. Another one bites the dust is a common phrase used for example when someone loses or dies in a battle. Rumored interpretations of the song include Fred Mercury’s struggle with bisexuality and his friend John asking him to be careful.
Somebody to Love
Somebody to love was debuted on the band’s 1976 album A day at the races and was a smash hit. It was written by lead singer and pianist Freddy Mercury who talks about his connection with god through this song. Pleading directly to grant him with somebody to love and bless his life as the singer is going through a very sad and depressing stage of his life. He feels alone and lost facing a rough phase on his own without a loving companion. At the end of the song, Mercury expresses that he is still hopeful to find someone who will love and care for him unconditionally.
Crazy little thing called love
This song was released in 1979 as a tribute to Elvis Presley who passed away a few years before the birth of this track. However this track is not about him, it's Mercury’s perception of love and how he views romance. It isn't technically an anti love song but a one with Freddie’s opinion. He views love not as something that brings joy but an unavoidable task that he is not ready to take part in. It was Queen’s first number one single on the Billboard Hot !00 US in 1980 hence became the band's first single to achieve this level of international success. Mercury was inspired by his favourite musicians Elvis Presely and Cliff Richard which is evident from his writing style and music.
Killer queen
this song was recorded for their third album Sheer Heart Attack, also written by Mercury in 1974. It is also included in Queen’s 1981 Greatest Hits compilation and also Queen’s first song to reach US hit. By reaching number 12 on Billboard Hot 100 to reaching number 2 in the UK singles chart Killer Queen received immense success. The song is about a high-class call girl who is seductive and enjoys an elite lifestyle and how no one should get involved with her as she might be dangerous.
Don't stop me now
This fan favourite was released as a single in 1979 but was featured in their album ‘Jazz’. Lead vocalist Freddie once again talks about his emotional and physical high that is impossible to reach, once again his experience being a bisexual both sexes to join him on this adventure. It is not clear if he meant to hint on his sexuality but fans believe otherwise.
Radio ga ga
Radio ga ga was written in 1987 by Queen’s drummer Roger Taylor on the album The Works. This song brought worldwide success for the band as it became the final single to reach the US top 20 in Fred Mercury’s lifetime. Not just in the US, it reached number one in 19 countries. Moreover, this song secured number 2 on the UK singles chart, Australian Kent Music Report and number 16 on the US Billboard Hot 100.
March of the black queen
Listening to this song makes you feel like you're listening to a mini rock opera. Some even called it a studio experiment as the band wasn't able to perform it live due to its complexity, high riffs and difficult vocal layers. Even if they did, it was only certain parts of the song. Mercury composed it in 1973 and this song was included in their second album Queen 2, a year later.
Who wants to live forever
Queen’s Who wants to live forever was inspired by a movie called Highlander that was released in 1989. The storyline of this movie franchise is based on a group of immortals who live forever, don't age and can only die until their head has been cut off. The main character lives forever while his wife eventually dies. The song is from the main character’s perspective , his emotions and how he felt when he saw the love of his life gradually die and he ends up all alone without her.
I want to break free
Bassist John Deacon wrote this song, it was released as a single, on the album ‘The works’ and extended version as well. This song topped music charts in Belgium, Austria and the Netherlands. However it was only able to reach number 45 on the US Billboard Hot 100 but was able to reach number three in the UK.
Tie your mother down
Tie your mother down is written by Queen’s lead guitarist Brian May. From the album A day at the races released in 1976, this song explored a new sense of singing style with Brian’s hard riffing and Fred’s layered vocals as it wasnt a metal song.
Keep yourself alive
Another song by queen that focuses on deep and heartfelt topics was Keep yourself Alive. This song is about chrishing being alive and how it is the most important thing even more than being rich or famous. It is the opening track for the band’s debut album also called ‘ Queen’ released in 1973.
Bicycle race
Bicycle race was released on Queen’s 1978 album Jazz. The song mentions plenty of political and pop culture references such as religion, Vietnam war, fictional characters Peter Pan, Frankeistien and Superman and the films Jaws and Star Wars.
Under pressure
Under Pressure is a song by Queen and David Bowie released in 1981 and was later included a year later in their album Hot Space. This song reached number one in the UK Singles Chart becoming their second number one hit in their own country, and reached top ten in more than 10 countries around the world.
I want it all
Brian wrote this song highlighting determination and ambition of getting things done. It was inspired by his wife Anita dobson who he quoted I want it all and I want it now
Stone cold crazy
Stone cold crazy was performed live by Queen at every single concert they performed from 1974 to 1978. It is a fast paced song due to its tempo and heavy distortion.This was the eighth song track on the album sheerless heart attack
Seven seas of Rhye
An incredible vocal performance by Freddy Mercury and the guitar played by John Deacon contributed to the making of this incredible song. This was the last track on their sophomore album Queen 2 while the instrumental version of this song was played on their debut album.
Hammer to Fall
Hammer to fall is the eighth track on Queen’s album The Works written by guitarist Brian May. This song reached number three in South Africa and 13 in UK singles Charts. Fans were confused and had multiple theories regarding the meaning of this song when May cleared it through his website saying “ it's really about life and death, being aware of death as a part of life