It is 40 years since Queen came to the fore in 1973, with the release of their debut album “Queen” and a worldwide tour supporting Mott The Hoople.

Queen’s arrival in the pop and rock world coincided with the Glam Rock era, which perfectly dovetailed the eccentric flamboyance of lead singer, Freddie Mercury with a movement renowned for it’s extrovert showmanship and penchant for cross dressing and sexual ambiguity. Freddie Mercury fitted in perfectly with Marc Bolan, David Bowie, Mud, The Sweet and Slade, all of whom were in their element wearing make up and in some cases wearing frocks on Top of the Pops. Infact the memory of Freddie Mercury cavorting around on the Top of the Pops stage, wearing eyeliner, black nail varnish and a mink coat whilst singing “Killer Queen” in November 1974, will remain with me until I am old and grey!!

Of course Queen were much more than a transvestite vaudeville act and had longevity in the charts up until Freddie Mercury’s death in 1991, when most of their Glam Rock counterparts like Mott The Hoople, Mud and The Sweet had long faded into obscurity. As the glitter and frocks were put back in the “Dressing Up Box”, Queen dropped the “Glam” and became a legitimate “Rock” band, defined by Freddie Mercury’s operatic vocals and Brian May’s rock guitar play. As the 1970s closed, Queen evolved away from their version of Prog Rock, but their anthemic songs continued.

The Recordpress author is very much a fan of Queen’s early work. Their first five albums were sublime – “Queen”, “Queen II”, “Sheer Heart attack”, “A Night At The Opera”, “A Day At The Races”. After 1976 Queen became more pop orientated, but still produced some great singles, if not albums. To celebrate Queen’s 40th Anniversary as recording artists, here’s a Top 10 Best Queen Songs –

Top 10 Best Queen Songs

1) Killer Queen ( 1974 )

2) Bohemian Rhapsody ( 1975 )

3) We Are The Champions ( 1977 )

4) Good old Fashioned Lover Boy ( 1977 )

5) The Show Must Go On ( 1991 )

6) Don’t Stop Me Now ( 1979 )

7) Radio Ga Ga ( 1984 )

8) Drowse ( 1976 )

9) Under Pressure ( 1981 )

10) We Will Rock You ( 1977 )

Which are your favourite Queen songs and why? Let us know in the Reply Box below.

Celebrate your favourite Queen song in your home or office, by ordering your favourite Queen song in a vinyl or CD format; single, album or album cover; framed and mounted as a picture disc souvenir. You can also personalise it with an inscribed / engraved plaque…… 

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Framed vinyl records, framed CDs and framed DVDs with a personalised plaque, make unique presents or original gifts for a special celebration  / special occasion ie a Wedding ( Wedding First Dance Song ), an Engagement Party ( Our Song ), a House Warming Party ( New Home ), a 21st, 30th, 40th, 50th, 60th Birthday ( How about the No1 song on the day of birth? ), a Silver, Ruby or Golden Wedding Anniversary, Father’s or Mother’s Day or Valentine’s Day!!  THE PERFECT PERSONALISED PRESENT!!