On Nov. 2, the movie “Bohemian Rhapsody” was released to theaters all over the country. This film chronicles the rise and reign of the British rock band Queen with special emphasis on unique frontman Freddie Mercury up to their Live Aid performance at Wembley Stadium in 1985. “Bohemian Rhapsody” stars Rami Malek as Mercury and is sure to offer plenty of entertainment against the backdrop of some of Queen’s best hits. In honor of the film’s release, VALLEY has a list of some of the best Queen songs and what about them made this one of the most iconic bands of all time.
8. “Killer Queen”
A light, catchy start leads into one of the most dynamic and ‘fun to sing’ songs of all time. “Killer Queen” is about a high-class call girl and was the band’s first international hit. This tune gets its unique vibe from its four-part harmonies and its quick, interesting lyrics.
7. “Don’t Stop Me Now”
If you’re looking for a song that will never fail to induce dancing at a party, look no further than “Don’t Stop Me Now.” Keeping with the Queen brand of interesting lyrics and multi-layered harmonies, this is one of those tracks that will instantly make you happier and will probably stick in your head for the rest of the day!
6. “Radio Gaga”
This song was an international success for Queen reaching No. one in 19 countries, and this was for good reason. Its lyrics continue to ring true as technology modernizes, making commentary on the fact that television was taking over the popularity of listening to the radio. What makes this song so iconic, however, is the band’s performance of it during Live Aid at Wembley in 1985. Watch the video below to see an entire audience fully enthralled and interactive with this band at a time in which concerts were not decorated with recording cell phones.
5. “We Will Rock You”
Everyone knows the first few beats of this song. Within a couple of seconds, the whole room will be participating in the percussion rhythm and engaging in the hardcore rock music. The fun of “We Will Rock You” comes from the fact that it basically begs for involvement from everyone who is listening.
4. “We Are the Champions”
It’s the song we all wish we could sing after every Penn State football game. It’s the song we want to sing after every situation in our life because it stimulates a feeling of pride, victory and spirit in us all. “We Are the Champions” will have you looking for little victories to celebrate because it’s such a bop.
3. “Somebody to Love”
The best formula to create a catchy song is emotional lyrics with a good melody. “Somebody to Love” is the golden combination of the two. It’s hard not to relate to the lyrics as you are belting the tune at the top of your lungs – slowing down at some parts and rocking out at others. It’s easy to see why this song has been covered by so many artists to come after Queen.
2. “Under Pressure”
Any collaboration between Queen and David Bowie was bound to be an absolute success. These two powerhouse musical artists came together to create “Under Pressure” — a No. 1 hit that has been loved and sung for decades.
1. “Bohemian Rhapsody”
What other song could take the number one spot than the movie’s namesake, “Bohemian Rhapsody?” Sounding like a bunch of different songs mashed into one, this 6-minute track consists of various sections without a specific chorus. Sing along to this song and you can call yourself a master of ballads, opera and hard rock. “Bohemian Rhapsody” is considered one of the best rock songs of all time, and after giving it a listen, it’s easy to understand why.
Listen to all of these songs in VALLEY’s Spotify playlist below!
