Freddie Mercury was a true icon of the music industry, renowned for his powerful vocals, flamboyant stage presence, and unparalleled songwriting abilities. As the lead singer of the legendary British rock band Queen, he left an indelible mark on the world of music, inspiring countless fans and fellow artists alike. From his early days as a struggling musician to his meteoric rise to fame, Freddie Mercury’s music continues to captivate audiences around the globe.
With such an extensive discography spanning over two decades, it can be challenging to pick the top ten best Freddie Mercury songs of all time. However, in this article, we have taken up the task of compiling a list of Freddie’s greatest hits that showcases his versatility as a songwriter, his ability to blend various musical genres, and his incredible vocal range.
Whether you’re a die-hard Queen fan or a casual listener, this list will undoubtedly provide you with a glimpse into the musical genius of Freddie Mercury. From his soaring rock anthems to his heart-rending ballads, the songs on this list are a testament to his artistry, passion, and enduring legacy. So without further ado, let’s dive into the top ten best Freddie Mercury songs of all time.
1. Time/Time (Instrumental)
This track showcases Freddie Mercury's musical prowess in a seamless instrumental arrangement that emanates a serene yet dynamic aura. With Time/Time (Instrumental), Queen delivers an unparalleled listening experience that transcends time and space. The harmonious interplay of guitar riffs, basslines, and drums create a hypnotic ambiance, leaving the listener spellbound. This number reminds us of Freddie's dexterity as both a lyricist and composer, cementing his place as one of the greatest musicians of all time.
Moving forward, timeless classics such as Bohemian Rhapsody, Somebody to Love and Don't Stop Me Now are undeniably present on this list. However, Time/Time (Instrumental) takes things up a notch with its powerful composition. This masterpiece is representative of Queen's artistic vision for creating multifaceted music that is boundless in scope. It is fascinating to note how the instrumental speaks volumes despite not having any lyrics.
Beyond that, there lies a compelling narrative behind this iconic piece that has become legendary in the music industry. Freddie Mercury shared in an interview how he wrote Time after having a recurring dream about meeting God who gives him some universal secrets only for Freddie to forget them once he wakes up. The song explores the motif of life's ephemerality and makes one ponder over the essence of our existence amidst the vastness of time.
Freddie asks us to love him like there's no tomorrow, but with his legendary music, he left us with a lifetime's worth of adoration.
2. Love Me Like There’s No Tomorrow/Let’s Turn It On
This song encompasses the epitome of Freddie Mercury's versatility in his music. The first part, 'Love Me Like There’s No Tomorrow', is a slow-tempo love song that highlights Mercury's captivating vocals. In contrast, the second part, 'Let's Turn It On', is an upbeat rock track that exhibits Mercury's dynamic range and performance skills. This pairing shows how Freddie's music can transition from romantic to energetic flawlessly.
Freddie Mercury may have been a fallen priest to some, but to us, he'll always be the golden boy of rock and roll.
3. The Golden Boy (Single Edit)/The Fallen Priest (B-side Edit)
For the third track on our list, we delve into the captivating charm of 'The Golden Boy (Single Edit) / The Fallen Priest (B-side Edit)'. Here is a breakdown of its unique features in detail:
| Song | The Golden Boy (Single Edit) The Fallen Priest (B-side Edit) |
| Album Name | The Great Pretender |
| Released Year | 1987 |
| Genre | Pop Rock |
| Description | 'The Golden Boy' presents a striking vocal performance by Freddie Mercury, and its B-side 'The Fallen Priest' showcases his composing prowess with intricate guitar riffs complementing his powerful vocals. |
To add to its brilliance, both these songs carry a nostalgic feel and feature an amalgamation of different musical genres ranging from opera to pop rock. It's one of the few tracks that allows us to experience Freddie's musical genius as a singer, songwriter and composer in equal measure.
Pro Tip: Listening to 'The Golden Boy (Single Edit) / The Fallen Priest (B-side Edit)' on high-quality speakers will only intensify your listening experience.
Freddie's vocals in The Great Pretender/Exercises In Free Love are so good, it's almost as if he's pretending to be someone who's not already the greatest singer of all time.
4. The Great Pretender/Exercises In Free Love (Freddie’s Vocal)
This iconic song portrays Freddie's vocal prowess in a powerful manner. 'The Great Pretender/Exercises In Free Love' – a heartfelt, masterfully composed track showcases Freddie's incredible range and ability to captivate audiences. The song embraces the theme of love with Freddie delivering sensational falsettos and emotive tones. One of the most celebrated songs in his extensive discography, this melodic masterpiece stands as a testament to Freddie's unparalleled talent.
Continuing with the theme of love, this multi-part composition showcases Mercury's breathtaking vocal gymnastics. With 'Exercises In Free Love', he seamlessly blends different genres while displaying his exceptional voice control, leading to an unforgettable listening experience.
The arrangement of the song is enchanting with beautiful piano and harmonies expertly woven into the mix. The striking switch between slow balladry to energetic pop creates a dynamic mood shift that carries listeners along effortlessly.
Freddie Mercury was revered worldwide for his raw talent. His legacy lives on through these great works, which have become some of music history’s most notable recordings.
Fun Fact: This track was released in 1987 as part of Freddie’s debut solo album ‘Mr Bad Guy’.
Freddie proves he can conquer the world of opera and exercise at the same time with this powerful single.
5. Barcelona (Single Version)/Exercises In Free Love (Montserrat’s Vocal)
This entry on the list of '10 Best Freddie Mercury Songs of All Time' showcases Barcelona (Single Version)/Exercises In Free Love (Montserrat’s Vocal) – A renowned masterpiece from Freddie's solo works. The duet version is a brilliant fusion of rock and opera, orchestrated by the superstar and Montserrat Caballe. The resonating vocals in Spanish perfectly emphasize the lyrics, setting an atmosphere of emotion that carries to the chorus where it reaches a crescendo with a phenomenal instrumental accompaniment.
Freddie Mercury's passion for music transcends genres, as shown in this unique track, which displays his unmatched versatility and creativity. It epitomizes his intuitive ways of incorporating different styles into anthemic pieces while making sure each element complements and enhances the other.
It is interesting to note that this song was composed years before its eventual release when Freddie worked with Montserrat at Royal Opera House. Its appeal has not waned even after decades since first popping up on airwaves across Europe.
This one-of-a-kind musical piece raises goosebumps, especially when enjoying it on high fidelity audio platforms like premium-grade headphones or immersive home theatres.
Experience Freddie Mercury's revolutionary sound with his vast discography streaming now on various music platforms. Find yourself humming along to his iconic tunes all-day-long!
Don't worry, Freddie, we still love you even if your killer love didn't stand the test of time.
6. Love Kills
This entry in the list highlights one of Freddie Mercury's lesser-known yet impressive works. 'Love Kills' was originally released for a 1984 Italian movie, and later appeared in his solo album as well. The song showcases Mercury's versatility as a musician with its electronic beats, rock-inspired vocals, and soulful lyrics.
Despite being an unconventional style for him, 'Love Kills' proved to be a crowd-pleaser with its catchy hook and Mercury's emotive delivery. It stands out among his other tracks due to its unique sound and the fact that it was composed for cinema, unlike most of his songs.
One interesting aspect of 'Love Kills' is how it reflects Mercury's willingness to experiment with his music and push boundaries. He always strived to keep his art fresh and exciting by blending various genres together, which made him a pioneer of sorts in the music industry. This song is a testament to that spirit of innovation that drove him throughout his career.
As one looks back at Freddie Mercury's legacy, it is hard not to feel grateful for the gift he has given us through his music. Each track – including 'Love Kills' – is an affirmation of his immense talent, boundless creativity and infectious energy. These qualities have spread far beyond his time, inspiring generations of fans who continue to appreciate and cherish his work.
Therefore, while we continue to celebrate Queen's greatest hits, let us also take time to admire this hidden gem from Freddie Mercury's discography – 'Love Kills'. Freddie's voice has me going back for more, like a moth to a flame, or a music lover to their vinyl collection.
7. I Can Hear Music/Going Back
This selection showcases one of Freddie Mercury's lesser-known tracks, 'I Can Hear Music/Going Back'. The song marked a departure from Queen's more theatrical sound and emphasized the band's ability to create multi-layered vocal harmonies. With lyrics that spoke of nostalgia and yearning for simpler times, the track is a standout example of Freddie Mercury's emotional depth as a songwriter. Its slow tempo allowed him to convey every nuance of feeling through his distinct voice. Overall, the track remains an essential piece in Mercury's vast discography and a reminder of his incredible talent.
Freddie may have been living on his own, but his love was definitely dangerous – luckily, it also produced some killer tunes like these.
8. Living On My Own/My Love Is Dangerous
This section delves into two of Freddie Mercury's greatest hits, which are "Living On My Own" and "My Love Is Dangerous". These songs showcase Freddie's impeccable vocal abilities and musical prowess. "Living On My Own" is an upbeat track about enjoying life while alone, and "My Love Is Dangerous" is a powerful love song with rock influences. Both tracks are a testament to Freddie's diverse range as an artist.
In addition to their undeniable musical quality, these songs hold special meaning for the LGBT community due to Freddie's status as a queer icon. His unapologetic expression of himself through his music continues to inspire generations today.
Freddie Mercury once said in an interview that he was inspired by various genres of music and that he “always wanted to try something different”. This mentality can be seen in both "Living On My Own" and "My Love Is Dangerous", where he successfully blended multiple sounds and styles to create unique masterpieces.
(Source: Rolling Stone)
Finally, a love song that both inspires passion and discourages physical violence.
9. I Was Born To Love You/Stop All The Fighting
This song starts with a groovy synth beat and Freddie's electrifying vocals. 'I Was Born To Love You/Stop All The Fighting' is a perfect blend of funk, rock and disco music. With heartfelt lyrics and catchy melody, it showcases Freddie's versatile vocal range. He sings about love being his destiny but he also touches upon the importance of stopping fights and conflicts. The fusion of these two themes gives rise to an upbeat track that uplifts the mood instantly.
The song was released in 1985 on Freddie's solo album 'Mr. Bad Guy'. It was remixed and re-released in 1992 by Queen which became even more popular than the original version. Despite not ranking high on music charts initially, this song has become a fan favorite over time due to its infectious groove.
Interestingly, the video of this song features Freddie dressed as a pantomime dame. This unique costume choice adds to the eccentricity that Freddie Mercury is known for.
A true fact – 'I Was Born To Love You' was covered by Japanese singer-songwriter Hikaru Utada in 2014 as part of her album 'Fantôme'.
If heaven is half as good as Freddie's voice in 'Made In Heaven', sign me up – but 'She Blows Hot And Cold' might make me think twice.
10. Made In Heaven/She Blows Hot And Cold
This entry in the list of the 10 best Freddie Mercury songs, encompasses two tracks, "Made In Heaven" and "She Blows Hot And Cold."
These songs represent a strong connection between the singer and his listeners, with intense emotional resonance. The songs showcase Mercury's unique ability to blend passion with vulnerable emotions and powerful melodies. "Made In Heaven" features a soaring chorus that celebrates love and melodies that stick in your head long after they've finished playing. Meanwhile, "She Blows Hot And Cold" showcases the raw energy of Queen's early music, with its driving beat and bold guitar riffs.
With its distinctly different yet complementary tracks, "Made In Heaven/She Blows Hot And Cold" is one of Mercury's most dynamic offerings. It effortlessly blends his signature style with fresh and innovative sounds that still resonate with fans today.
Even if you're not already a Freddie Mercury fan, these stunning compositions are likely to capture your heart. Listen for yourself and experience these classics firsthand!
Samuel Moore is a frequent contributor to Singers Room. Since 2005, Singersroom has been the voice of R&B around the world. Connect with us via social media below.
