Freddie Mercury’s favorite songs embrace an Elvis Presley traditional fro | Music | Entertainment | EUROtoday

Freddie Mercury, the legendary frontman of Queen, was a person of eclectic tastes, and his musical influences spanned far and broad. Known for his unmatched vocal vary and electrifying stage presence, Mercury drew inspiration from pop, soul, opera, and even the colourful sounds of traditional Fifties rock ‘n’ roll.

In a playlist compiled by his Queen bandmates, which sheds gentle on Mercury’s favorite songs, one traditional stands out: the enduring Elvis Presley hit ‘Jailhouse Rock’.

The observe, which Elvis Presley recorded in 1957, rapidly grew to become a defining anthem of early rock ‘n’ roll. Its infectious rhythm, catchy lyrics, and simple vitality made it a traditional that captured the essence of Presley’s musical type – a mix of riot, charisma, and uncooked energy.

Mercury was identified 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 track 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 particular place in Freddie Mercury’s coronary heart, it wasn’t the one track that formed his musical identification. From ‘Kashmir’ by Led Zeppelin to ‘Respect’ by Aretha Franklin, Freddie’s tastes had been something however predictable.

Songs like ‘I Get Around’ by The Beach Boys and ‘Woman in Love’ by Barbra Streisand spotlight his love for each upbeat pop anthems and extra emotive ballads, whereas ‘Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting’ by Elton John displays his affinity for high-energy rock and roll.

Another Elvis traditional, ‘Love Me Tender’, additionally earned a spot on Freddie’s record of favourites. Released in 1956, the ballad is an adaptation of the Civil War-era track ‘Aura Lea’ and has since been featured in no less than 20 movies.

Here are the highest 25 of the 60 songs on the playlist of Freddie Mercury’s favorite songs, as chosen by his Queen bandmates, his former PA Peter Freestone, and writer and band buddy 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

• ‘Dress the jacket’ – Carreras, Domingo, Pavarotti, and Mehta

• ‘Little Red Corvette’ – Prince

• ‘Pull Up to the Bumper’ – Grace Jones

• ‘of affection on the rosy of the rose’ – Giuseppe Verdi.