by Queen is renowned worldwide for their grand theatrical live shows and Freddie Mercury’s powerful vocals. However, not every Queen song is suited for a romantic date night playlist. While many of their songs like “Love of My Life” and “You’re My Best Friend” are love ballads perfectly fitting for intimacy, others have subject matters or styles that may dampen the mood. Let’s take a deeper look at some Queen songs that are better left off a romantic playlist.
Another One Bites the Dust (1980)
Queen broke into the American charts in a huge way with “Another One Bites the Dust” in 1980. Its infectious bassline and funky disco style made it a number one hit in the US. However, the subject matter of the song is about the cutthroat nature of relationships rather than romance. Freddie sings about another person being eliminated from their social circle, implying betrayal or the end of a friendship.
The lyrics describe predatory behavior with lines like “Let me lay it on you again, I said, whoa oh oh oh oh.” Musically it’s an uptempo dance track, but the subject of someone being “bitten by the dust” isn’t exactly romantic dinner date material. The song celebrates the ruthless elimination of another, which isn’t the vibe most people want on a romantic playlist meant to strengthen bonds between two people. While a fun party song, “Another One Bites the Dust” is better left off more intimate playlists.
Death on Two Legs (Dedicated to…)(1975)
One of Queen’s earliest hits, “Death on Two Legs” directly calls out and insults a manipulative person who betrayed the band. Released on their second album A Night at the Opera in 1975, it was rumored to be about Queen’s former manager who took advantage of them in their early career. Freddie sings with venomous anger, wishing death upon this two-legged individual through scathing lyrics like “You suck my blood like a leech/You break the law and you breach/Screw my brain till it hurts.”
The song is filled with resentment and rage, which certainly isn’t conducive to romance. Who wants to listen to wishes of death and insults during a intimate dinner? While an impactful early song for Queen’s development, the subject matter of betrayal and toxicity isn’t a good match for setting a loving mood. Unless you and your date specifically want an angsty soundtrack to discuss past relationship hurts over wine, it’s best to avoid playing “Death on Two Legs” while trying to connect.
Killers (1980)
Off of Queen’s eighth studio album The Game, “Killers” is a fast-paced rock anthem. However, its subject matter of a society obsessed with violence through imagery of murder and war isn’t exactly romantic evening material. Freddie sings about a civilization where “killing is done just for fun, it’s the pleasure, the joy of the deed” with lyrics like “We are the killers, yeah, we are the killers, yeah.”
Musically it’s an adrenaline-fueled rocker, but the message of glorifying violence as entertainment clashes heavily with trying to set a gentle, caring mood. Unless you and your date really want an intense soundtrack to discuss society’s problems over drinks, the dark subject of “Killers” is better left on the shelf for a more upbeat playlist choice. Its themes of murder, war, and treating human life as entertainment clash with intimacy.
Stone Cold Crazy (1974)
Originally recorded by Queen in 1974 but released as a bonus track on their live album in 1977, “Stone Cold Crazy” is credited as one of the first speed/thrash metal songs ever recorded. Its chaotic, frenetic energy is pure punk rock at its roots. With its fast tempo, aggressive guitar riffs, and manic vocals, it’s the musical equivalent of adrenaline.
While undoubtedly influential, its punk style isn’t exactly conducive to romance. Unless you and your date really want an intense mosh pit soundtrack to get your heart racing, the frantic nature of “Stone Cold Crazy” doesn’t mesh well with intimacy, gentle connection, or slow dancing. It’s a song better enjoyed at high volume in a live setting with other fans, not for setting a soft, loving mood over wine and dinner. The aggressive musical style simply isn’t a match for romance.
Get Down, Make Love (1982)
On the surface, the suggestive title “Get Down, Make Love” from Queen’s 1982 album Hot Space seems like it would be perfect romantic date night material. However, the song itself is actually a tongue-in-cheek disco number poking fun at the genre rather than a serious love song. Freddie sings with exaggerated falsetto about wanting to “get down tonight, make love” to mocking, robotic synthesized beats in a style parodying disco.
While humorous and entertaining as social commentary on the disco scene, its campy nature isn’t ideal for genuinely connecting with a partner. The exaggerated vocals and intentionally cheesy instrumentation cause it to come across as a joke rather than heartfelt intimacy. Unless you and your date really want an amusing disco parody as the soundtrack for your romantic evening, “Get Down, Make Love” is better enjoyed for its humor than its suitability for romance. More sincerity is usually preferable when trying to set a loving mood.
Fat Bottomed Girls (1978)
A playful celebration of physical attraction on Queen’s 1978 album Jazz, “Fat Bottomed Girls” certainly gets your blood pumping with its infectious guitar riff and energetic vocals. However, its subject of overtly objectifying and celebrating women purely based on their bodies isn’t exactly sensitive date material. Freddie sings about appreciating “the rockin’ world’s illusions” and wanting to “get some steamin'” without regard for who the women are as people.
While meant as lighthearted fun, the one-dimensional focus on physical features alone rather than the women as full human beings doesn’t make for thoughtful intimacy between partners. Objectification has no place in healthy romantic connections. So unless you and your date really want an amusing yet superficial soundtrack to admire each other’s appearances over, “Fat Bottomed Girls” tone of reducing women to objects is better left off the playlist in favor of more mutually respectful choices. Physical attraction alone doesn’t foster deep bonds between two people.
Innuendo (1991)
The complex, layered title track off Queen’s final album with Freddie in 1991 is a musical tour de force. However, its dark themes and cryptic lyrics imply a level of intensity that may clash with trying to set a gentle romantic mood. Freddie sings in innuendo about death, fate, and the end with lines like “The end, just the end, nothing really matters.” Its grand operatic style is a musical marvel, but the subject matter brings a heaviness that could dampen romance.
Unless you and your date want a thought-provoking soundtrack to discuss life’s deeper questions over wine, the somber nature of “Innuendo” doesn’t match lighter intimacy. Great for pondering our mortality alone, its complexity is lost amid conversation. Simple romance usually calls for uplifting qualities like warmth, tenderness and playfulness rather than brooding over life’s heaviest themes. Save the intense musical journey of “Innuendo” for when you can fully focus on its artistry alone rather than trying to foster affection.
Alternative Romantic Choices
Of course, every couple connects in their own way, and you may enjoy rocking out passionately to any of these Queen songs together. Music taste is highly subjective. However, if your goal is setting a gentle, loving mood through playlist choice, there are other Queen songs better serving that purpose. Songs like “You’re My Best Friend,” “Love of My Life,” “Somebody to Love,” “Crazy Little Thing Called Love,” and “It’s a Beautiful Day” have lyrics, melodies and styles more conducive to intimacy through qualities like warmth, playfulness and caring sentiments.
Tender ballads expressing devotion like “You Take My Breath Away” and “The Miracle” allow focused connection through vulnerability. Upbeat songs sparking joy like “Don’t Stop Me Now” and “Good Old Fashioned Lover Boy” foster fun, laughter and silliness between partners. Multi-dimensional epics displaying the band’s range like “Bohemian Rhapsody” and “The Show Must Go On” provide emotional catharsis and admiration for creativity when given full attention. These Queen songs prioritize building bonds through qualities enhancing romance versus potentially dampening moods.
In conclusion, while Queen produced many iconic rock anthems, not every song fits creating a romantic atmosphere. Songs containing themes of anger, violence, dark introspection or superficial objectification clash with intimacy, no matter how great the music. But for couples seeking to strengthen their connection through playlist choice, Queen offers plenty of alternatives expressing warmth, joy, playfulness and caring sentiments better serving that purpose. With a library of hit songs, simply avoid the outliers not aligned with your goals and rock out together to the rest.
