8. Killer Queen
‘Killer Queen’ was Queen’s first big international hit and featured on their third album entitled Sheer Heart before appearing on their first compilation album, Greatest Hits. Despite being their first of countless amounts of hits, ‘Killer Queen’ has remained a favourite for many.
The track depicts a classy woman who appears to be working as a prostitute, and boasts extremely clever, unique lyrics: “She’s a Killer Queen gunpowder gelatine / dynamite with a laser beam / guaranteed to blow your mind”. There’s a lot going on in the track; the immensely catchy piano riffs, upbeat tune and, of course the song wouldn’t be complete without the use of the delightful guitar solo executed perfectly by Brian May.
‘Killer Queen’ is infectiously likeable, with Freddie Mercury once describing it as “one of those bowler hat, black suspender belt numbers”.