Meaning of “Killer Queen” by Queen
There are three prevailing histories or theories behind the meaning of this song. The most-accepted is of course that put forth by the singer and songwriter of the track himself, Freddie Mercury. According to Mercury himself, “Killer Queen” is about a “high class” prostitute. However, some fans highly doubt this. They believe that the track is about the band, Queen, itself. And there is also a music executive, Eric Hall, who worked with Queen, who claimed that the song is actually about him, like a very well-veiled, poetic diss track.
Either way, as the title implies, the main character this song is about, in the eyes of the band, is the “Killer Queen”. And there are three main characteristics that she possesses. One is that she enjoys a high-class, pricey lifestyle which includes interacting with top-level powerbrokers, and she actually seems quite smug about it. Second, she is very seductive. Finally, third and perhaps most importantly is that the band perceives her as being lethally dangerous.
In fact more than anything, the overall purpose of this song appears to be to function as a warning to the listener against getting involved with the Killer Queen rather than actually criticizing her lifestyle or meaninglessly documenting her lethalness.
Facts about “Killer Queen”
- The usual writing style of Queen’s Freddie Mercury, who wrote this song, was to write the melody and music before the lyrics. However, with this track he did the opposite.
- Mercury earned his first Ivor Novello Award – giving to outstanding songwriters and composers – for penning this song.
- According to Mercury, “Killer Queen” is about “a high class call girl”. Moreover, he intended it to be a jab at some “classy people” but also for listeners to add their own interpretations to it.
- The line that references Marie Antoinette is based on a legend that she was so alienated from the plight of her people that when she was told they lacked bread, she replied then “let them eat cake”. However, this quote has been erroneously credited to her.
- “Killer Queen” was released as a single on 21 October 1974.
- This was Queen’s first international hit.
- In 2013, American pop singer Katy Perry released a fragrance called “Killer Queen” which is named after this song. Her decision to do so was based on her admiration of Freddie Mercury and the character of the “Killer Queen” featured in the song.
- The Australia pop band 5 Seconds of Summer covered “Killer Queen” in commemoration of the release of the 2018 Queen biopic Bohemian Rhapsody. Net profits generated from the song were donated to the Mercury Phoenix Trust, an anti-HIV/AIDS NGO founded by Queen members Brain May and Roger Taylor along with their manager Jim Beach.
How did “Killer Queen” perform commercially?
It was a great commercial success for Queen. It reached number 2 on the UK Singles Chart, number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 15 on Canada’s RPM 100 chart. The track also charted very well the following countries: Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Norway and the Netherlands.
On which album does “Killer Queen” appear?
It was released as a single from Queen’s 1974 album titled Sheer Heart Attack. In addition to Sheer Heart Attack, this song is also featured on the following Queen albums:
- Greatest Hits (1981)
- Absolute Greatest (2009)
- Live Killers (1979)
- Queen Rock Montreal (2007)
Another view is that it is about Jackie Onasis.
A suspected CIA who is a kind of high class call girl who also was claimed to have a history of assasination.
The recent released FOI files cast major doubt on the official version with the Jackie Kennedy theory based on her and the driver killing him.
She used a modified weapon in her hand bag and the driver a more typical gun.
Obviously this is a theory but look at the lyrics from this perspective especially it does create a double take at least.
That’s not a bad guess. Jackie O’ that is.
Thought it was about coke. Not that I’d know.
About coke? Thanks, you made my day XD
Nice… ‘gun powder…’ makes sense…. ‘absolutely drives you wild….’ ‘wanna try?’ Changed my perspective completely….
wait so its not about coke
She’ll absolutely drive you wild….
Wow!
it was about eric part of his management team …unrequied move or lust..fact end of story.
Eric hall …..freddie lusted after him…fact..thats who the song is about.
Its about freddies friend eric hall. …unrequited lust.
Its all about …a Queen who’s a killer but because Gelignite don’t rhyme with queen she wasn’t quite so dangerous using jelletine
Huh? The original lyric is ‘guillotine’ as in gee-uh-teen
Not it’s not. Listen closely, it’s obviously gelatine which make sense when paired with gunpowder.
If you watch the video along with the lyrics the first syllable is clearly “gel”.
👩 I think it’s about ‘coke’ but Freddie didn’t want to get in trouble and so he said it was a high priced call girl. 😉
I always took the title literally, thinking it was about a high class transvestite.
Always suspected Freddie was singing about April Ashley ! No doubt they would have got on like a house on fire !
Its all about a call girl I believe! A very classy one from Paris who does coke and dresses perfect and has a sexual power for her partner??Idk
Coke. Can anyone from the 70’s, 80’s & now deny that?
I thought it was about an assassin lol
What if this song is about drag queen and killer queen was their stage name
Never considered the coke angle. Every theory makes sense, which great art inspires. I’m sure Fred would enjoy this debate.
Gosh……nobody guessed it?
Killer Queen……it’s obviously about Thatcher!
I wondered that!
Could have been about a drag queen Freddie knew.
Freddie must have seen it Vogue
All signs lead to jackie onasis,right down to the fur coat he wore in video. Freddie mush a read vogue magazine.
The fact that so many theories fit these lyrics is undeniable testimony to the genius of Freddie Murcury. How lucky are we to experience this man and this band in our lifetimes?
What about guaranteed to blow your mind, anytime….hmm sounds sexual
I always thought it was about like a rifle or something, never paid much attention to the lyrics but ¨for kennedy a remedy¨? I think youd know what im referencing.
¨Recommended at the price¨ sound like a guns salesman talking about the gun, ¨insatiable, an appetite¨ insatiable sounds like he means either the magazine/clip or that its an appealing gun, he mentions gunpowder, maybe gellatin is in reference of the target, someone said its supposed to say guillotine maybe it is like an executioner.
a laser beam because its accurate, goes with such power the bullet hits instantly and doesnt fall.
Lastly, the one we were all waiting for ¨guaranted to blow your mind¨we all know what i mean with this one.
for the rest of the names mentioned, Im really bad with names so I really only recognized Kennedy
Btw I just take things literally and i imagined a dope ass queen dressed assassin like the dude said above, one who travels the world to make their targets meet their fate so I prefer my ¨cool¨ version
Transvestite.