Mercury commented that the influences he received for the track included early Beatles records, Beach Boys and (lyrically) Noel Coward. He wrote the lyrics first before adding the complex yet catchy musical arrangements. The recording features elaborate 4-part vocal harmonies (particularly in the choruses, and also providing backing parts in the verses), and also an elaborate multitracked guitar solo by Brian May.
Instead of using a 9 ft grand piano as he used to, Freddie Mercury recorded the song with an upright (credited as "jangle piano"), in order to give the track the appropriate vaudeville sound. Besides piano, bass, drums and guitar, there are several percussion instruments such as triangle and windchimes.[citation needed]
Queen on the record
Freddie Mercury[1]:
“
People are used to hard rock, energy music from Queen, yet with this single, you almost expect Noel Coward to sing it. It's one of those bowler hat, black suspender numbers - not that Noel Coward would wear that. It's about a high class call girl. I'm trying to say that classy people can be whores as well. That's what the song is about, though I'd prefer people to put their own interpretation upon it - to read what they like into it.
”
Brian May:
“
'Killer Queen' was the turning point. It was the song that best summed up our kind of music, and a big hit, and we desperately needed it as a mark of something successful happening for us... I was always very happy with this song. The whole record was made in a very craftsmanlike manner. I still enjoy listening to it because there's a lot to listen to, but it never gets cluttered. There's always space for all the little ideas to come through. And of course I like the solo, with that three-part section, where each part has its own voice. What can say? It's vintage Queen. The first time I heard Freddie playing that song, I was lying in my room in Rockfield [a residential recording studio in Wales], feeling very sick. After Queen's first American tour I had hepatitis, and then I had very bad stomach problems and I had to be operated on. So I remember just lying there, hearing Freddie play this really great song and feeling sad, because I thought, 'I can't even get out of bed to participate in this. Maybe the group will have to go on without me.' No one could figure out what was wrong with me. But then I did go into the hospital and I got fixed up, thank God. And when I came out again, we were able to finish off 'Killer Queen.' They left some space for me and I did the solo. I had strong feelings about one of the harmony bits in the chorus, so we had another go at that too.
Panic! at the Disco performed a Killer Queen cover as part of their live set during the Nothing Rhymes with Circus tour. As of 2006, bootleg videos from the tour featuring the song were available on the video sharing website YouTube.
Trivia
Killer Queen, the UK's longest running Queen tribute band, took their name from the song and always cover the song in their set.
The Killer Queen is the name of the antagonist in the Queen musical We Will Rock You. She also performs the song in the show.
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