Freddie Mercury, the legendary frontman of Queen, was a man of eclectic tastes, and his musical influences spanned far and wide. Known for his unmatched vocal range and electrifying stage presence, Mercury drew inspiration from pop, soul, opera, and even the vibrant sounds of classic 1950s rock ‘n’ roll.
In a playlist compiled by his Queen bandmates, which sheds light on Mercury’s favourite songs, one classic stands out: the iconic Elvis Presley hit ‘Jailhouse Rock’.
The track, which Elvis Presley recorded in 1957, quickly became a defining anthem of early rock ‘n’ roll. Its infectious rhythm, catchy lyrics, and undeniable energy made it a classic that captured the essence of Presley’s musical style – a blend of rebellion, charisma, and raw power.
Mercury was known for his larger-than-life performances, and his admiration for Presley was no secret. In 1979, the Queen frontman wrote ‘Crazy Little Thing Called Love’, a song which bandmate Brian May later confirmed is “Freddie’s tribute to Elvis in a way”. He added: “Freddie was very fond of Elvis.”
While Jailhouse Rock holds a special place in Freddie Mercury’s heart, it wasn’t the only song that shaped his musical identity. From ‘Kashmir’ by Led Zeppelin to ‘Respect’ by Aretha Franklin, Freddie’s tastes were anything but predictable.
Songs like ‘I Get Around’ by The Beach Boys and ‘Woman in Love’ by Barbra Streisand highlight his love for both upbeat pop anthems and more emotive ballads, while ‘Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting’ by Elton John reflects his affinity for high-energy rock and roll.
Another Elvis classic, ‘Love Me Tender’, also earned a spot on Freddie’s list of favourites. Released in 1956, the ballad is an adaptation of the Civil War-era song ‘Aura Lea’ and has since been featured in at least 20 films.
Here are the top 25 of the 60 songs on the playlist of Freddie Mercury’s favourite songs, as selected by his Queen bandmates, his former PA Peter Freestone, and author and band friend Jim Jenkins:
• ‘Africa’ – Toto
• ‘Kashmir’ – Led Zeppelin
• ‘I Get Around’ – The Beach Boys
• ‘Careless Whisper’ – Wham!
• ‘Jailhouse Rock’ – Elvis Presley
• ‘Woman in Love’ – Barbra Streisand
• ‘Relax’ – Frankie Goes to Hollywood
• ‘Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting’ – Elton John
• ‘I Just Don’t Know What to Do With Myself’ – Dusty Springfield
• ‘Respect’ – Aretha Franklin
• ‘Rock With You’ – Michael Jackson
• ‘Unchained Melody’ – The Righteous Brothers
• ‘Make It Easy on Yourself’ – The Walker Brothers
• ‘Carnival is Over’ – The Seekers
• ‘Please Don’t Tease’ – Cliff Richard
• ‘Love Me Tender’ – Elvis Presley
• ‘Imagine’ – John Lennon
• ‘Billie Jean’ – Michael Jackson
• ‘Take My Hand, Precious Lord’ – Mahalia Jackson
• ‘(You Make Me Feel Like A) Natural Woman’ – Aretha Franklin
• ‘Goin’ Back’ – Dusty Springfield
• ‘Vesti La Giubba’ – Carreras, Domingo, Pavarotti, and Mehta
• ‘Little Red Corvette’ – Prince
• ‘Pull Up to the Bumper’ – Grace Jones
• ‘D’amore Sull’ali Rosee’ – Giuseppe Verdi.