Is Queen The Best Music Band Ever?
There are countless amazing bands, just as many as there are music fans. But when it comes to the title of The Greatest Band of All Time, the list narrows quite drastically. Only a select few groups can claim undeniable popularity, longevity, and impact. One of those legendary bands is Queen.
Is Queen the Best Music band ever? In terms of sheer talent, remarkable amount of number-one hits, ever-lasting popularity, and the incredible live performances – it’s hard to find a group that can surpass them.
These is the third article in my “The Best Music Band Ever” series. The previous ones covered the great Pink Floyd and Creedence Clearwater Revival. Let’s see if I can convince you that Queen deserves the ultimate crown 🏆
Why Queen Might Be The Best Group Ever
Queen is arguably the Greatest Band of all time. They excel in every aspect that defines legendary music groups: emotional impact, longevity, innovation, and influence (If you’re curious about these factors, check out my previous piece on Pink Floyd). Let’s take a look at each of these areas.
First of all, Queen’s music has always resonated with audience on a personal level. Songs like Bohemian Rhapsody, Somebody to Love, and Who Wants to Live Forever have connected with millions of fans years ago, and still do today. These are extraordinary masterpieces that have the magic ability to touch raw human emotions, like rare songs can. Just watch some of Queen’s live performances, and how entire stadiums sing alone those hits. That kind of emotional impact can’t be faked or forced. It’s either there or it’s not, and with Queen – they absolutely have it.
This brings me to another key greatness factor: longevity. Decades after their first hit, Queen’s music is still as popular and beloved as ever. At the moment of writing this, the band’s Spotify profile shows stunning 55,445,541 monthly listeners. That’s more than the entire population of a major European country like Spain! Queen has six songs with over a billion plays each – that’s unprecedented. And their super-hits like We Are the Champions are constantly used as soundtracks at celebrations, big sporting events and social media videos. I dare you to name a band that can boast similar impact.
Innovation is another mark of Queen’s greatness. They had released 15 studio albums and they definitely weren’t afraid to experiment in each. They mixed rock with opera, added extravagant theatrical elements, used unconventional song structures. A perfect example is Bohemian Rhapsody, the track was groundbreaking when it came out, and it still sounds fresh today.
Queen’s influence is undeniable. Their music has inspired countless artists. The list is too long to even name everyone here. But it includes rock legends like Nirvana, Guns N’ Roses, Iron Maiden, Slipknot, Red Hot Chili Peppers. And also pop stars like Adele, Psy, BTS, Lady Gaga (she took her stage name from Queen’s song Radio Ga Ga). They are one of the most influential bands ever.
TOP 3 Queen Songs
It would be impossible to name Queen the best music band if they didn’t have SO MANY unforgettable tracks. As you go through their discography, you continuously discover multiple hits. It’s one of the most impressive music collections any band can have. Even mediocre songs by Queen’s standard are often more interesting and memorable than mediocre songs by other great bands.
Here are TOP 3 Queen songs, just as example of how timeless their music is:
1. Who Wants To Live Forever (from 1986 album “A Kind of Magic“)
2. The Show Must Go On (from 1991 album “Innuendo“)
3. Queen – Bohemian Rhapsody (from 1975 album “A Night at the Opera“)
I’ve made a playlist of their greatest songs, so if you want to enjoy Queen to the fullest, here it is:
About Queen: Short History
Queen started in London in 1970 by Freddie Mercury, Brian May, Roger Taylor joined forces. John Deacon became a member a year later. The band quickly formed their own unique sound which was unlike any other group at the time.
Their big breakthrough came with the album A Night at the Opera in 1975. It featured the iconic Bohemian Rhapsody, one of their biggest hits to this day. The band’s success continued through the ‘70s and ‘80s, with hits like We Will Rock You, Another One Bites the Dust, We Are The Champions, Somebody To Love, Radio Ga Ga, and many others. Their performance at Live Aid in 1985 is often considered as one of the greatest live shows ever.
Freddie Mercury’s powerful voice and captivating stage presence made him one of the most iconic front-man in music history. But Queen wasn’t a one-man band. Brian May delivered absolutely magnificent guitar riffs, Roger Taylor was superb on drums, and John Deacon’s bass lines created a sound that is so unmistakably Queen. You just can’t imagine their music without any of these parts.
After Freddie Mercury’s death in 1991, Brian May and Roger Taylor have kept the music alive. Both performed with new musicians, which definitely helped to introduce their songs to new generations. Lately they collaborated with Adam Lambert, who toured with the Queen as a guest-vocalist.
The crazy thing is that after 50+ years the band is still active, you can check their website for latest news.
Conclusion
Queen was, is, and always will be one of the greatest bands of all time. They have it all: unique style, magical sound, presence of phenomenal Freddie Mercury, immense talent of every group member. All this makes them one of a kind.
Queen is also one of a few groups in which each band-mate has written at least one number one hit. Freddie Mercury is the author of Bohemian Rhapsody, Brian May wrote We Will Rock You, Roger Taylor came up with Radio Ga Ga, and John Deacon penned Another One Bites the Dust.
As always with my Greatest Ever series, I finish with this. If someone told me that I could only listen to one band for the rest of my life, and it would be Queen – I definitely wouldn’t be disappointed. It’s a great choice.
