"We Will Rock You." "We are the Champions." "Radio Ga Ga." I could go on and on when it comes to infamous rock band, Queen. They are one of my absolute favorite artists, and I love listening to their songs all the time. And while these are classics, the group has some great tunes that might not be as widely known.
If you listen to "Who Wants to Live Forever?" or "I Want It All," you'll definitely recognize those songs! They've been used in multiple covers and commercials. If you really look into it, Queen songs are all around us. And so, we rounded up 6 tunes you may not have known are actually Queen songs below!
"Stone Cold Crazy" (1974)
The rock band released so many hits, but some of their songs might not be as known or recognizable as others. One of those tunes is "Stone Cold Crazy" which was released in 1974 as part of the group's third album, Sheer Heart Attack.
The song is featured in the 2021 Cruella Disney movie starring Emma Stone. It's not sung by a cover band, it's Queen themselves. Though because the tune isn't as known to the public, not everyone may have known this, including the younger generation who may be discovering it for the first time. I can admit I didn't know it!
The tune was a perfect fit in the Disney movie, and it was actually more punk rock than the "regular" rock we're used to hearing from Queen. In addition to Cruella, rock band Metallica famously covered the song in 1990, and it is one of their more popular covers.
“Bohemian Rhapsody”(1975)
Ok, don't @ me on this one. I know basically almost everyone knows that "Bohemian Rhapsody" is Queen's song. But, I'm going somewhere with this so stay with me. Another famous musical ensemble covered the six-minute suite back in 2009. And that would be The Muppets! It was very cleverly done and everyone's favorite puppets even copied the music video in such a fun way.
And while most of us get this reference, perhaps some of you younger readers didn't know that. I don't want to assume because not everyone is a fan or old enough to know. I mean, with the 2018 biographical film of the same name coming out, that gives it away. But maybe you didn't watch it. So if you didn't know, now you do. You're welcome!
The Muppets take on the tune went viral and the video itself has over 100 million views. "Bohemian Rhapsody" is the lead single from Queen's fourth album, A Night at the Opera. Check it out below!
"Somebody to Love" (1976)
Who remembers the 2006 animated movie Happy Feet? Gloria, voiced by actress Brittany Murphy, performs a big scene and ballad of "Somebody to Love." Plus, another impressive take on the song was in Ella Enchanted starring Anne Hathaway. She also sings it in a major scene. That part of the movie is one of my favorites.
And I'll be honest. Before watching the Bohemian Rhapsody movie, I didn't know "Somebody to Love" was a Queen song! I'd first heard it from Ella Enchanted. Well, it's an iconic tune and one I love to listen to (from Queen) now all the time. The song first came out in 1976 on their fifth album, A Day at the Races.
"Crazy Little Thing Called Love" (1979)
You may recognize this catchy tune thanks to Michael Bublé, who released it in 2003. I have to admit his song and version definitely fit, though this is originally a Queen tune. The track was released in 1979 and is included in the band's eighth studio album The Game. Bublé isn't the only artist to have covered it.
Maroon 5 also has their own version of the song that you may have heard. Plus, Disney fans may recognize this piece of music from the movies Mars Needs Moms and Strange Magic. I don't feel like "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" is one of their musical works that immediately comes to mind when you think of the band, but it's definitely a goodie!
"Under Pressure" ft. David Bowie (1981)
I think there's really few people who haven't heard "IceIce Baby" by Vanilla Ice. It's become an iconic song and one that's very recognizable by a majority of people. For a big chunk of the tune, including the chorus where he sings "ice, ice baby," that section is very catchy and probably what contributed to the success of the artist's debut single. Well, if you listen to Queen's "Under Pressure," you'll definitely recognize the beat. And it's not a coincidence that they both sound the same.
Vanilla Ice never got permission to use a part of "Under Pressure" for his now infamous song. Queen and David Bowie, who is featured on the original, raised a copyright infringement claim since the "IceIce Baby" singer sampled the bassline. And though Vanilla Ice denied this, it didn't work in his favor. The case was eventually settled when Queen and Bowie were paid, and their songwriting credits were added to Vanilla Ice's song. He also purchased "Under Pressure," which was cheaper than continuing to pay royalties.
So yeah, when you think of that catchy beat it's actually thanks to Queen that we even have it! The rock band released it as a single first in October 1981 before it was later included in their tenth studio album, Hot Space, in 1982.
"The Show Must Go On" (1991)
Though it started out as a tribute to Mercury, Celine Dion's version of "The Show Must Go On" has been closely associated with the singer. To be honest, I personally thought it was an original by her before finding out later it's a cover. Queen released it as part of their fourteenth album, Innuendo, in 1991. Dion first performed the musical number in 2007 as a tribute to Mercury.
Later though during her Las Vegas Residency, she performed the song as part of her show. Then in 2016, Dion sang it at the Billboard Music Awards and it became widely popular. That's the performance most people remember. And that's probably where the misconception came from that it's her tune. Dion went on to include it in her set list on her 2016 and 2017 tours. The "My Heart Will Go On" singer officially recorded it as a digital single on May 20, 2016 with Lindsey Stirling on violin.