As a huge fan of the group, I have decided to put together a list which consists of my Top 5 favourite uses of Queen songs in film or television.
5# The Big Bang Theory – “We Are the Champions”
4# Shaun of the Dead – “Don’t Stop Me Now”
3. Blades of Glory – “Flash’s Theme”
Although “Flash’s Theme” originally came from the 1980 cult classic Flash Gordon, I opted for its appearance in the hilarious sports comedy Blades of Glory (2007). The song features near the end of the film as Chazz Michael Michaels (Will Ferrell) and his skating partner Jimmy MacElroy (Jon Heder) dance along to it as part of their space-themed routine. It’s an over-the-top sequence that provides plenty of laughs but ultimately leads to their pair winning the Montreal Wintersports Games. The tune is also brilliantly used in the 2012 comedy Ted which even features a hit cameo from Flash Gordon star Sam J. Jones!
2. Cheers – We Will Rock You
When it comes to songs that audiences can perform to, “We Will Rock You” easily stands out. My favourite use of the iconic foot-stomping tune comes from this cold opening that features in a Series 8 episode of the classic US sitcom Cheers. The scene starts off quietly before the slobbish Norm Peterson (George Wendt) and a number of customers begin tapping various things around the bar. Slowly but surely, the whole bar begins to join in the fun before Woody (Woody Harrelson) starts belting out the magic words. It’s a goofy but delightful moment that seemed like a lot of fun to film and stands out as one of my favourite scenes in Cheers.
1. Wayne’s World – Bohemian Rhapsody
There was only ever going to be one winner. This legendary scene from the beginning of the cult classic Wayne’s World sees slacker buddies Wayne Campbell (Mike Myers) and Garth Algar (Dana Carvey) travel to their favourite donut stop with two of their pals. During the journey, Wayne puts on Queen’s iconic ballad which leads to the ultimate carpool karoke as the quartet show off their vocals. The further involvement of the partied-out Phil adds more to the scene which was actually shown to Freddie Mercury prior to his tragic death. Thankfully he approved of the song’s use in the film which was a relief given that the studio originally wanted a Guns N’ Roses tune instead!
Wayne’s World’s connection to Bohemian Rhapsody is also made remarkable by the fact that Mike Myers has a small role in the upcoming biopic as an EMI executive who disapproved of the song being played when it first came about. All I can say about that is….”excellent”.
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