Songs About Queens

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As I type this, England (and, I guess, the extended Commonwealth) is celebrating the Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II – 70 years on the throne.

So, in my own strange way, let's celebrate this with songs about Queens!


That's reasonably simple, right? Well, yes. But I am not going to include the Sex Pistols' hit 'God Save The Queen' because, as much as I like it, I feel it would be a touch disrespectful here. I have also excluded some other good tracks for the same reason (sorry, The Who and David Bowie).

So, with that in mind, here are songs about queens, though not necessarily the Queen of England. Normal rules – 'Queen' in the title, I need to like it, and one song per artist (with one exception). And, again, all of these are from my music collection, so there is a good chance I have missed some, especially country songs. I have not included any classical music, either. Oh, and these are songs about Queen, not by Queen .

Songs about Queens!
'Queen of the Hop' by Bobby Darin (1959)

Standard 1950s pop-rock song, a bit of harmless fun, about a girl who loves to dance. Things were so much simpler back in those days.
'Queen Jane Approximately' by Bob Dylan (1965)

While not a personal favourite Bob Dylan song, it is still a rather good one, and one I was introduced to through a cover (as is normal with Dylan songs, I have learnt). Some strong lyrics here.
'The Witch Queen of New Orleans' by Redbone (1971)

A song about a Queen with magic powers , this has been covered numerous times, but there is something about the original with that chunky guitar playing that does it for me.
'Killer Queen' by Queen (1974)

One of Queen's better known early songs has an interesting musical style and is one of those that is so easy to sing along to. While not a personal favourite, it is still really good.
'Surfer Queen' by The First Class (1974)

The First Class were known for the song 'Beach Baby' and… that was it. It was one of many studio bands fronted by Tony Burrows in the early 70s, and on their album was this track which I quite like. But the throw-back surf music was done with their first single, and so it remained an album cut.
'The Queen of 1964' by Neil Sedaka (1975)

Reminiscing about a girl who danced in the 60s (maybe Darin's 'Queen Of The Hop'?) and how her life has not gone that well. And yet, presented in a boppy manner. Odd, but good.
'Skateboard Queen' by Fat Bubbles (1975)

One of those weird genuine one-hit wonders who released a song that was sort of big, and then they disappeared. I did research and could find nothing about them. Oh well – the song is still a bit of harmless pop fun.
'God Save The Queen' by Queen (1975)

And here is why I have an exception, because this Brian May rendition of the catch-all Commonwealth National Anthem is too good to leave out.
'Dancing Queen' by Abba (1976)

While not my favourite Abba song – not even close – this is a track I knew I couldn't leave off this list. It's too 70s-pop-disco for me, but I know it's popular, so here it is.
'Queens of Noise' by The Runaways (1977)

The band that gave us Joan Jett, Lita Ford and Cherie Currie (sorry, Sandy and Jackie) released some great albums, and this title track of their second album is a great rock song.
'Rock'n'Roll Party Queen' by Louis St. Louis (1978)

From the Grease soundtrack album, this song is a throwback to the sounds of the late-50s, early-60s and it does it so well. Okay, I enjoy it.
'Arcade Queen' by The Rubinoos (1979)

One of those 1970s glam rock bands that no-one except people like me even remember, this track from the tail end of their career stood out against disco and punk, and that's why the album it came from probably did not do as well. Still, fun track.
'Queen of Hearts' by Juice Newton (1981)

The only country song on this list. Sorry. One of Newton's two cross-over hits from the early 80s, this is a great track and so easy to sing along to.
'The Queen & Me' by Mondo Rock (1982)

Mondo Rock had a few hit songs in Australia, and this is one of the lesser charting ones, but also one of the better ones. But it is very of its time.
'Jokers and Queens' by Jon English & Marcia Hines (1982)

If this had been released four years later, I am sure it would have been an overwrought, OTT power ballad duet, and so I am glad it was released when it was as a slow rock ballad sung by two really good singers.
'Caribbean Queen (No More Love On The Run)' by Billy Ocean (1984)

Billy Ocean had some great songs in the 70s and 80s, and then his chart success faded, which is a shame because the songs were really good. This track is a decent one that did get a play at Blue Light Discos 'back in the day'.
'Rocket Queen' by Guns N'Roses (1987)

The reason I like this song is that it does not go over the top like so many GNR songs, but retains its rock essence. This used to be the track I'd play to introduce people to the band. Yes, I like it that much.
'Queen Of The Winter Night' by Trans-Siberian Orchestra (2004)

TSO do the symphonic rock so well, and this track from the The Lost Christmas Eve album is one of so, so many of theirs that is just glorious to listen to.
'Snow White Queen' by Evanescence (2006)

And we go to symphonic metal, with Amy Lee's voice at the forefront and the playing behind her so very good. This is a slower piece, and the build is really well done.
'Queen of the Supermarket' by Bruce Springsteen (2009)

There were a couple of Springsteen songs I could have chosen, but I just like the lyrics of this one a little more than the rest. Nice, relaxed song that tells a story.
So, there we are, 20 songs about queens. The spread of years – a lot in the early to mid 1970s, a bunch from the 80s, and then a few from the noughties – was not something I had expected, but there it is. Maybe queens pop up only sporadically in popular culture. Well, whatever, it has meant there is an eclectic mix of tracks here, so I hope you found something to enjoy.

Happy listening!
via GIPHY

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