# Killer Queen **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 18, 2001, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/killer-queen/62444 "2001-04-18T18:48:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Arken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dfb087/32.png) [@Arken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arken)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2001, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/killer-queen/62444/1 "2001-04-18T18:48:03Z")
I really love ‘Killer Queen’ by the band Queen, but I keep wondering if it’s supposed to be about someone. Maybe Jackie Kennedy? Does anyone know? I’ve searched on some Queen websites but I didn’t find much. ---
**Author:** ![Silvio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cdc98d/32.png) [@Silvio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silvio)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2001, 7:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/killer-queen/62444/2 "2001-04-19T07:52:36Z")
I would guess it’s autobiographical, about Freddie Mercury. ---
**Author:** ![Arken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dfb087/32.png) [@Arken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arken)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2001, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/killer-queen/62444/3 "2001-04-19T14:23:13Z")
I don’t think it’s autobiographical… I think it must be someone famous from the 1960s based on the references… Some odd selections of lyrics… “‘Let them eat cake’ she says Just like Marie Antoinette” Does this mean that the Killer Queen is foolishly bourgois? “A built-in remedy For Kruschev and Kennedy” Jackie with her fashion and her art would be a remedy for the politics at the time. “Gunpowder, gelatine Dynamite with a laser beam” Strange military references. “Recommended at the price Insatiable an appetite Wanna try?” This to me suggests someone who is essentially considered by some to be a high-class hooker. Marilyn Monroe? “To avoid complications She never kept the same address” Someone who moved around a lot. “Met a man from China Went down to Geisha Minah” Another clue? Someone from that time period who had some dealings with Mao? “Perfume came naturally from Paris” Possibly another Jackie reference. Anyway, it’s an interesting puzzle. Oh… the one way that I could see that this song is MAYBE about Freddie Mercury is the lyric “If you’re that way inclined” which could be referring to homosexuality, but somehow I just don’t think so. ---
**Author:** ![Arken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dfb087/32.png) [@Arken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arken)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2001, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/killer-queen/62444/4 "2001-04-19T18:02:18Z")
Okay, I’m not trying to bump this intentionally. I just think I figured this out on my own. My guess is that the Killer Queen is J. Edgar Hoover! First of all, Hoover had only died a couple of years before and he would still be on everyone’s minds. Plus, if Freddie Mercury learned that Hoover was rumoured to be both a homosexual and a drag queen, I’m sure that would have interested him. Here is how I figure it based on my interpretation of the lyrics: \> She keeps Moet et Chandon in her pretty cabinet This is a metaphor for his being in the closet. Moet et Chandon are French champagnes and champagne is considered by some to be a drink of ‘homosexuals’ the idea of keeping champagne in a ‘pretty cabinet’ could be viewed metaphorically. \>‘Let them eat cake’ she says \>Just like Marie Antoinette A reference to Hoover’s arrogance. \>A built in remedy for Khrushchev and Kennedy Hoover is rumoured to be involved in Kennedy’s assasination and his attempts to root out communism would be a ‘remedy’ for Krushchev. \> And anytime an invitation you can decline Sarcasm. If hoover invites you, you can’t decline of course. \> Caviar and cigarettes well versed in etiquette More sarcasm. Hoover was considered to be very uncouth. \> Extr’ordinarily nice Still more sarcasm \>She’s a killer queen gunpowder gelatine \>Dynamite with a lazer beam \>Guaranteed to blow your mind Obvious violence references due to Hoover and the FBI’s violent history. \> Recommended at the price Many think that Hoover was easily bought by various special interest groups. \> Insatiable an appetite wanna try? His ‘appetite’ for finding ‘deviants’ was definitely insatiable. \> To avoid complications \> She never kept the same address Hoover moved around a LOT to avoid all of the people who he paranoiacally thought were out to get him. \> In conversation she spoke just like a baroness More sarcasm \> Met a man from China went down to Geisha Minah A reference to Hoover’s involvement in Vietnam and Korea \> Then again incidentally if you’re that way inclined Another reference to Hoover’s homosexuality. \> Perfume came naturally from Paris (naturally) And yet another. \> For cars she couldn’t care less Hoover didn’t drive. He was always chauferred \> Fastidious and precise He could certainly be described as both. (CHORUS) \> Drop of a hat she’s as willing as a playful as a pussy cat More sarcasm \> Then momentarily out of action \> Temporarily out of gas \> To absolutely drive you wild - wild Hoover was rumoured to cross-dress when ‘out of action’ i.e. when he wasn’t working. \> She’s out to get you Hoover probably WAS out to get you if you were anyone important considering his incredible paranoia. Anyway, that’s my theory.