Eager to find out which Queen songs still rock the charts? Check our list of the 10 most profitable tracks by the British rock legends.

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10 Highest Earning Songs by Queen

Few rock bands can match the widespread influence of British rock icons Queen. Thanks to the immense success of 2018’s blockbuster film Bohemian Rhapsody, the greatest hits of Freddie Mercury and crew have seen a resurgence in popularity over the last few years.

Some of these chart-toppers have managed to earn a great deal of profit lately. For example, “Bohemian Rhapsody” is the most downloaded song in music history. With that in mind, below you’ll find the 10 highest-earning songs by Queen.

10. You’re My Best Friend

Certified platinum with over one million copies sold in the US alone, “You’re My Best Friend” reached seventh place on the UK Singles Chart. It was written by John Deacon, Queen’s bombastic bass player.

Deacon was devastated when Freddy Mercury died in November 1991. He retired from music in 1997, going on record to say that, without Freddie, Queen simply would never be the same again. Deacon was at the centre of all things finance-related for the band. Up until today, he has advised his old band members on many financial decisions.

9. Killer Queen

Written by lead singer Freddie Mercury, “Killer Queen” reached second place on the UK Singles Chart and number twelve on the US Billboard Hot 100. The song was recorded for Queen’s third studio album, Sheer Heart Attack, which was released to commercial success in 1974.

Mercury took an unconventional approach when writing “Killer Queen”. Whereas his usual style of composition would start with the melody and music, the lyrics for “Killer Queen” were written long before the construction of any musical melodies. The biggest attraction of the song is the story it manages to tell; a story that has reached ‘Gold’-level sales in three European countries.

8. We Are the Champions

One of rock’s most widespread hits, “We Are the Champions” hit number two on the UK Singles Chart. It was number three in Canada and reached fourth in the Billboard Hot 100 rankings. The song has been on a great many ‘top 10’ lists and, despite being released back in 1977, remains one of the most recognizable victory chants in the world.

“We Are the Champions” was always meant to be a crowd-pleaser. It was written primarily with audience participation in mind. The song’s usage in a multitude of sporting events proves its effectiveness as a rousing anthem. It was the official theme for the 1994 FIFA World Cup and it was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2009.

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7. Somebody to Love

Debuting on Queen’s 1976 album A Day at the Races, “Somebody to Love” is a deep and soulful piece that proved Queen’s ability to explore a variety of inspirations. The unique gospel-layered sounds of “Somebody to Love” reached second place on the UK Singles Chart.

For its time, “Somebody to Love” used advanced voice layering manipulation to make three singers sound like a full choir. Freddie Mercury, along with lead guitarist Brian May and drummer Roger Taylor, used the song to explore the philosophy behind love, loss, and God. According to Mercury himself, American singer and songwriter Aretha Franklin was a chief influence for the creation of the song.

6. I Want to Break Free

Appearing for the first time on 1984’s The Works, “I Want to Break Free” was created by Roger Deacon, the same bass guitarist responsible for “You’re My Best Friend” and at least ten other Queen tracks. “I Want to Break Free” reached third place in the UK, but only number 45 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Due to its theme of crossdressing, the music video for “I Want to Break Free” is arguably as famous as the song itself. Though the single wasn’t nearly as successful in America as it was in Europe or South America, it has since become a unifying anthem for many fights against oppression.

5. We Will Rock You

Recorded for the 1977 album News of the World, “We Will Rock You” was written by Queen’s lead guitarist Brian May. The song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2009. It is often referred to as the greatest sporting anthem of all time, and has been covered, remixed, parodied and referenced in many forms of entertainment.

According to the Official Charts Company (OCC), “We Will Rock You” topped the UK weekly charts in 2000. The song’s cappella format became an instant classic in the UK. Thanks to the rise of club football and a growing mass of football fans, the song has become a regular chant heard in many stadiums worldwide.

4. Another One Bites the Dust

“Another One Bites the Dust” was Queen’s first certified worldwide hit, holding the Billboard Hot 100 number one spot for several weeks after its release in early October of 1980. Written by James Deacon, the song was in the Billboard top 10 for over three months and reached number seven in the UK Singles Chart.

Voted the American Music Awards’ Favourite Rock Single in 1981, “Another One Bites the Dust” has, like many other Queen hits, appeared in a variety of media formats. From movies to sports matches, the song’s catchy rhythm has delighted music fans for decades.

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3. Under Pressure

“Under Pressure” was made in collaboration with none other than David Bowie, easily one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century. The song was released as a single in October 1981 and was later included on Queen’s 1982 album entitled Hot Space.

“Under Pressure” reached number one in the UK and made several top 10 charts around the world after its release. The song has been covered by many popular artists, including the US rock band Chemical Romance and Canadian singer/songwriter Shawn Mendes.

2. Don’t Stop Me Now

After its initial release on Queen’s 1978 album Jazz, “Don’t Stop Me Now” gained so much popularity that the band released it as a single in 1979. The song reached number nine in the UK Singles Chart, but its highest position was only 86 on the Billboard Hot 100

Written by lead singer Freddie Mercury, the song wasn’t as well-received as most of the other tracks on this top 10. However, due to its use in a number of successful movies, “Don’t Stop Me Now” gained cultural relevance many years after its release. Thanks to movies like the 2004 zombie-comedy classic Shaun of the Dead and 2018’s Bohemian Rhapsody, “Don’t Stop Me Now” is the second most successful song in Queen’s history.

1. Bohemian Rhapsody

“Bohemian Rhapsody” was first made for Queen’s 1975 album, A Night at the Opera. Written by Freddie Mercury, the song is Queen’s greatest hit to date. It officially became the most streamed song in December of 2018, having been downloaded or streamed almost 2 billion times.

Due to its unusual length of six minutes, and a unique combination of eclectic musical genres, “Bohemian Rhapsody” received mixed reactions from critics upon initial release. However, thanks to the rising demand for progressive rock music, the song gradually became the cultural behemoth we know and love today.