Best songwriter in Queen

Haven’t come across this thread at all here as of yet. Who do you guys think is the best songwriter in Queen?

Some examples from all 4


Freddie
- Killer Queen
- Bohemian Rhapsody
- Somebody To Love
- We Are The Champions
- Don’t Stop Me Now
- Crazy Little Thing Called Love

Brian
- Now I’m here
- Tie Your Mother Down
- We Will Rock You
- Fat Bottomed Girls
- Who Who Want’s to Live forever
- Hammer To Fall

Roger
- I’m in love with my car
- Radio Gaga
- One Vision
- A Kind Of Magic
- These Are the Days Of Our lives

John
- You’re my best friend
- Spread your wings
- Another one bites the dust
- I Want To Break Free

 

In order
Freddie

And the other three are tied... can't choose.

 

For his vision and willingness to take risks, it has to be Freddie.

 

Freddie wins hands-down. Without a doubt. Most of the very best Queen songs are his.

That said, each of the other members of Queen had their moments too, particularly Brian May.

 

I voted for freddie but surprised Deacy is getting more votes than Brian. Love his songs but Brian has some great ones too. would put him at #2.

 

I love the whole catalog, but the heavier rock tracks are always the ones I gravitate most towards, so I have to pick Brian. Plus "Who Wants To Live Forever" is just a perfect track. (Brian also made the best solo LP's of any Queen member)

 

To me it's amazing how really close this is. I'll give it to Freddie simply because Bohemian Rhapsody is sooo shockingly good. But Brian and John are both super strong, just barely second. And Roger, too, is fantastic. All and all what a group!

ps - I would add to your list: Headlong from Brian and Need Your Loving from John.

 

Well, I know its Freddie. But John Deacon wrote what my two favorite tunes by them, so I voted for him.

Thank God he did not sing them ...

 

Freddie wrote many of my favourite Queen songs but also wrote practically all the Queen songs I actively skip, Brian May was often sublime but also provided their unnecessary metal moments and Roger & John both veer between the inspired & the insipid.

Seems to me you need all four to produce a palatable Queen record.

 

Whoever wrote Flick of the Wrist wins

 

They all had their ups and downs. I’d say Mercury had the most ups.

 

Mr Mercury

 

They were equally good, IMO, and that's one of the great things about Queen. But after Freddie's death, not much (if any) great song writing came from the surviving members. So perhaps Freddie was an inspiration for them, and they created songs with his voice and front man persona in mind.

 

well I wasn't sure, so I looked. I didn't include any co-writes.
Freddie and Brian came in even with 19 a piece of my favourite Queen songs.
Roger and John both wrote great songs, but not as prolific, so they didn't get the numbers.
So I have to say Brian and Freddie in a tie

 

A rare band where all four contributed greatly to the songs, the sound and presentation.

 

A very gifted group of songwriters, each with the ability to compose first-rate compositions.

 

Yo,

They all seemed to have peaks & troughs at different points in the bands life-span, but even still, they all needed each other to bounce off to get a tune in finished shape.

No vote from me here.

In the earliest days, Brian & Freddie were the dominant forces, that also encouraged the others to contribute.

A nice melting pot for sure, with the biggest surprise being that John & Roger wrote the biggest sellers....

Ciao,

Gregster

 

Freddie, followed by John, Brian and Roger.

 

I didn't realise all four wrote songs, and all four wrote good songs!

Who wrote "I'm Going Slightly Mad"?

 

Freddie, then Brian. They were the main Queen songwriters.

 

Freddie Mercury

 

I always was taken by Brian's stuff. I think it is a guitar player thing for me.

- The Prophet's Song
- White Man
- Son and Daughter
- It's Late
- Now I'm Here
- Stone Cold Crazy (Even if they all take credit, that riff is pure May).
- Fat Bottoned Girls
- Dragon Attack
- She Makes Me (Stormtrooper in Stilettos)

Yep .... 100% .... May.

 

All four were inducted to the Songwriters Hall of Fame though.

 

Brian May

The others wrote great songs too, particularly Freddie.

 

I’m not sure how to quantify “best” but I can definitely state who’s songs I listen to more often:

Brian
Freddie
Roger
John