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The Misfits Artists That Shaped Rock and Roll

By Aly
In Culture
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From illustrious, elaborate stage shows to risk-taking compositions, few bands project a timelessness like that of Queen. Coming out of Britain in 1970, Queen’s songs have an undeniable sound, hallmarked by the instantly recognizable vocals of Freddie Mercury.

A Beloved Band

Throughout the 70s and 80s, Queen was, and continues to be, one of the most beloved bands of all time. They landed on U.S. Billboard’s top 10 throughout their career and still do to this day. “Bohemian Rhapsody” and “Another One Bites the Dust” are two of the most streamed songs in the summer of 2020, according to Billboard.

Larger-than-Life Performances

Another key attraction about Queen was their memorable and incredible shows that people still talk about to this day. They played at London’s Wembley Stadium in 1986 and, for “Fat Bottom Girls,” had a gorgeous bevy of scantily-clad models riding around on motorcycles.

Aside from their 1985 performance at Live Aid, no other show compares to the album-release party for Jazz in 1978. For Halloween in New Orleans, Queen had 400 guests at the Imperial Ballroom decorated with 50 dead trees. The lineup included an extravaganza of strippers, drag queens, black-faced minstrels, snake charmers, dwarfs and other circus-type acts.

Infectious ; Guttural

Queen songs are notorious for operatic harmonies and classical elements presented in a heavy rock format. Although bands like The Who and Deep Purple were already doing such wild experimentation, Queen took it one step further by fusing jazz, disco, other genres, and unusual instruments.

Musical risk-taking is what makes Queen one of the misfits artists that shaped rock and roll. They could take the most florid sounds and blend it with the most guttural guitar and vocals to reveal a masterpiece that was breathtaking, infectious and larger-than-life.

What’s more, they add abrupt changes and unexpected movement within the songs that keep fans wanting more. Many hail Freddie Mercury as one of the world’s most passionate, powerful singers, even long after passing away in 1991 from HIV complications.

Popularity ; Pop Culture

Everyone knows and recognizes songs like “We Will Rock You” and “Fat Bottom Girls.” They’ve captured the minds and hearts of many people world wide with songs like “Crazy Little Thing Called Love” and “Somebody to Love.”

They created entire soundtrack albums for movies like “Flash Gordon” and “Highlander,” certainly many fans know “Princes of the Universe.” And, of course, “Wayne’s World” bolstered the already-established popularity of “Bohemian Rhapsody.”

Rare Beauties

But there are many other songs in Queen’s vast repertoire that deserve just as much attention. The following is a list of recommended songs rarely, if ever, heard. These display their undeniable talent and penchant for the eccentric:

  1. “The Night Comes Down” 
    1. 1973, Queen
  2. “Some Day One Day” 
    1. 1974 – Queen II
  3. “Lily of the Valley” 
    1. 1974, Sheer Heart Attack
  4. “Stone Cold Crazy” 
    1. 1974, Sheer Heart Attack
    2. Metallica covered this song
  5. “The Prophet’s Song” 
    1. 1975, A Night At The Opera
  6. “Death on Two Legs” 
    1. 1975, A Night At The Opera
  7. “Teo Torriatte” 
    1. 1976, A Day At The Races
    2. two choruses sung in Japanese
  8. “My Melancholy Blues” 
    1. 1977, News Of The World
  9. “Dead on Time” 
    1. 1978, Jazz
  10. “Dragon Attack” 
    1. 1980, The Game

Epic, Timeless Sound

Of course, there are a lot more examples the most avid fan could list. But their amazing musical abilities, storytelling skills and dramatic flair is undeniable. Queen is a classic that any rock fan knows, loves and listens to on the regular. They left a mark on the world that won’t fade from the hearts of Queen fans any time soon.