Is this the most definitive queer anthem of Queen’s entire catalog?
Jazz, the track embodies the full unapologetic spirit that Freddie Mercury became known for. But what is often overlooked is the song’s queer subtext and subsequent pushback amidst skeptical bandmates, factors that truly set it apart as a definitive queer anthem amongst Queen’s illustrious catalog.
The song was written by Freddie Mercury during the sessions for Jazz. The band felt they were “getting better at having a good time” and the lyrics reflect this shift.
Subscribe to our newsletter for your front-row seat to all things entertainment with a sprinkle of everything else queer.Musically, the song builds on Mercury’s piano playing, with John Deacon and Roger Taylor providing a bass guitar and drums backing track, and is an example of Queen’s trademark style of multitrack harmony vocals for the chorus lines.At its core, the song is a celebration of life, encapsulating the essence of living in the moment and embracing one’s true self.
Mercury’s electrifying vocals, paired with the band’s signature harmonies, create an atmosphere of euphoria, inviting listeners to join in on an exhilarating ride that mirrored Freddie’s own personal life at the time. “I’m a rocket ship on my way to Mars on a collision course / I am a satellite, I’m out of control / I’m a sex machine, ready to reload like an atom bomb / About to oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, explode / I’m burning through the sky, yeah / Two hundred degrees, that’s why they call me Mister Fahrenheit / I’m traveling at the speed of light / I wanna make a supersonic man outta you.“Some speculate that “Don’t Stop Me Now” reflects Freddie Mercury’s newfound embracement of his queerness, exploration of the gay club scene and an unabashed revelry in pre-AIDS era freedoms.
