Queen operates in a league of their own. Their unique meld of musical styles didn’t exist before Freddie Mercury, Brian May, John Deacon and Roger Taylor joined forces, and it hasn’t been found since.
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Their catalog is so expansive (15 studio albums in total) that three separate deep-cut compilations were released in 2011 and they still only encapsulated a small measure of what Queen has to offer. Below, we’ve chosen just five of those deep cuts to highlight. It’s only scratching the surface, but it will start you on your journey to uncovering Queen’s lesser-known tracks.
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1. “Son And Daughter”
“Son and Daughter” was played at the first concert under the Queen banner back in 1970. In the years after, it became a staple in the group’s live show with an extended guitar solo from Brian May. Despite its integral nature to the Queen story, it has fallen into relative obscurity. Nevertheless, the track proves that Queen was delivering buzz-worthy theatrics right from the start of their career.
2. “Nevermore”
In their heyday, Queen never squandered a second of their time on a song. Despite “Nevermore” being one of their shortest songs, they manage to squeeze a stunning three-part harmony, an experimental piano technique, and a powerful story of heartbreak into 75 seconds. It’s well worth the listen.
3. “Misfire”
Deacon penned a number of hits for Queen—namely “Another One Bites the Dust” and “You’re My Best Friend”—but his first effort for the group though was a guitar-led track called “Misfire.” Released on Sheer Heart Attack, an album full of glam rock offerings, “Misfire” is an outlier, but its inclusion is a testament to the band’s range.
4. “The Prophet’s Song”
While A Night at the Opera will always be defined by “Bohemian Rhapsody,” May’s “The Prophet’s Song” puts up a good fight. Boasting an even longer runtime than “Bohemian Rhapsody,” the track meanders through prog rock elements to heavy metal riffs. It’s yet another masterclass in arrangement from Queen.
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5. “More Of That Jazz”
Taylor is the mastermind behind “More Of That Jazz,” the closer to their 1978 album Jazz. The bridge of the song incorporates samples from other songs on the record, including “Bicycle Race,” “Dead on Time,” “Fun It,” “If You Can’t Beat Them” and “Fat Bottom Girls.” Effectively, the song acts as a best of Queen medley.
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