Freddie Mercury: A Playlist of the Icon’s Favorite Songs
The charismatic vocalist of Queen, Freddie Mercury, may have died in 1991, but his profound influence on music and popular culture persists to this day.
A celebrated composer, compelling vocalist, and multifaceted musician, Freddie Mercury remains a revered music and cultural icon globally. Embodying the legacy of one of history’s greatest showmen, it is remarkable that over three decades have passed since his death.
While compiling a definitive list of Queen’s greatest hits presents a considerable challenge, we have opted for an alternative: a selection of Freddie Mercury’s personal favorite songs, as disclosed by his fellow Queen members, Brian May and Roger Taylor. A 2022 Spotify playlist, curated by Queen’s official profile on the streaming service, provides a unique insight into the discerning taste of a musical genius.
The playlist includes tracks from Freddie Mercury’s solo endeavors, alongside Queen classics, presenting a selection of exceptional and captivating music.
Exploring Freddie Mercury’s Musical Preferences
The playlist features “Somebody to Love,” a song Freddie Mercury once commented on: “We utilized the same three vocalists for the extensive choir segments, but I believe the technical approach differed due to the Gospel style of singing, which introduced a new dimension for us. Drawing inspiration from Aretha Franklin, we aimed for a heightened intensity.
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“My intention was to compose something within that vein. I was particularly drawn to the Gospel influence evident in her earlier albums. While the harmonic approach might seem similar, the studio execution was distinct, involving a different range and technique.”
“It’s a Hard Life” is another inclusion, also noted as a favorite track by Queen’s guitarist Brian May. In the liner notes for 2003’s Greatest Video Hits 2, May remarked: “In my estimation, this is among the most exquisite songs Freddie ever created. It originates directly from his heart, and he revealed a great deal during its development. We spent countless hours together, carefully crafting each lyric to maximize its impact. It provides a revealing perspective on relationships, specifically his personal relationship at the time.
“However, the song resonates with universal relationship experiences. For me, it stands as one of his most beautiful compositions. Initially, I was apprehensive about the chosen video direction, finding it somewhat distracting. Yet, Freddie viewed it differently; not necessarily as a joke, but as an ironic interpretation.”
Notable Omission: “Bohemian Rhapsody”
Surprisingly absent from the playlist is “Bohemian Rhapsody,” the groundbreaking 1975 hit that propelled Queen to unprecedented levels of fame and remains arguably their most recognized song.
Freddie Mercury’s Favorite Songs: The Complete Playlist
Somebody To Love
Penned by Freddie Mercury on piano, this soulful track utilizes intricate vocal layering, enabling Queen to achieve a rich, choir-like sound reminiscent of a large ensemble using just three voices: Freddie Mercury, Brian May, and Roger Taylor. Notably, John Deacon did not contribute backing vocals on this song or the album, A Day at the Races.
Crazy Little Thing Called Love
Freddie Mercury crafted this iconic, upbeat love song in 1979, composing it on guitar as an homage to his musical inspirations, Cliff Richard and Elvis Presley. Roger Taylor recounted in an interview that Freddie Mercury wrote the song in a mere ten minutes while relaxing in a bathtub at the Bayerischer Hof Hotel in Munich – a detail later corroborated by Mercury himself.
It’s A Hard Life
Featured on Queen’s 1984 album, The Works, this track was recorded adhering to the band’s early principle of ‘no synthesizers’. The song’s music video adopted an operatic, period-piece aesthetic. Band members reportedly found their costumes cumbersome and hot, with the “eyes” on Freddie Mercury’s attire being humorously compared to “a giant prawn” by his bandmates.
The Miracle
Composed collaboratively by the entire band, with primary songwriting contributions from Freddie Mercury and John Deacon, “The Miracle” appeared on Queen’s 1989 album of the same title. Both Brian May and Freddie Mercury cited this song as a personal favorite. Roger Taylor, in audio commentary for Greatest Video Hits II, expressed respect for the track’s complexity, even though it wasn’t his absolute favorite.
Time
“Time” originates from Freddie Mercury’s 1986 recording for Dave Clark’s musical of the same name. The music video was filmed at London’s Dominion Theatre, the venue for the play’s world premiere on April 9, 1986. Mercury and producer Rudi Dolezal commenced filming at 6:00 AM for the video.
The Great Pretender
While initially a popular track by The Platters, “The Great Pretender” experienced renewed popularity in 1987 thanks to Freddie Mercury’s rendition. In one of his final filmed interviews in spring 1987, Freddie Mercury stated that the song resonated with his perception of his stage persona and career.
Love Me Like There’s No Tomorrow
Released in 1985, this served as the final single from Freddie Mercury’s debut solo album, Mr. Bad Guy. Peter Freestone, in his memoir “Freddie Mercury: An Intimate Memoir by the Man Who Knew Him Best,” revealed that the song drew inspiration from the Queen singer’s significant relationship with Austrian actress Barbara Valentin.