Queen - Bohemian Rhapsody | FIRST TIME REACTION & THOUGHTS
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- Опубліковано 21 вер 2024
- This is apart of a full album reaction of A Night at the Opera by Queen available on Patreon: / salvog
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This is apart of a full album reaction of A Night at the Opera by Queen available on Patreon:www.patreon.com/salvog
Again, these are just my initial thoughts on this record. I enjoy it, and this entire album. I will be returning to most of these songs again 100%. Please listen to the entire video to understand my perspective. Thanks!
ps live version/music video coming soon? Which one should I start with?
The official video gives the song a different feel. "Queen - Bohemian Rhapsody (Official Video Remastered)".
@@jodij6280 Yeah, video first and then live. Both show amazing perspectives!
My best friend and me cut school to get tix for this tour. This album wasn’t out yet when tix went on sale. We got orchestra pit seats. We were huge fans of their first 3 albums and are still my fav Queen albums. It was an amazing show, we were close enough to touch the band, shook BrianMay’s hand, asked us what song we wanted to hear. Freddie called me darling and gave me a long stem red rose. One of the best nights of my life Feb. 1, 1976 Tower Theatre, Upper Darby Pa. Still have my $7.50 ticket stub and photos. My best friend got Roger’s drumsticks. And yes they were amazing live. ✌️♥️🎶
In the early- mid 1970’s when this came out it was wild and exciting so full of passion and tragedy- it played everywhere and was in the UK. Charts for weeks and weeks- the video was ground breaking at the time, believe it or not!
Thanks for sharing! Keep up the great work!! All the best!!!
NO NO NO! YOU MUST WATCH THE VIDEO TO GET THE REAL FEELS AND THE DRAMA FROM THIS MASTERPIECE! ❤
The video is fun, but back when this song was new--in the pre-MTV days--we all pretty well got it all without a video to point the way. The power is in the song, not in the pictures.
Watch 1987 Earl’s Court, feed the world I think it was. Queen stole the show; was epic. Also the video on tv when this came out in 1075 was the first video of any record.
@@carolynthompson3291 1985 at Wembley - Live Aid for the famine victims in Ethiopia - and Bo Rhap came out in 1975. Queen were on tour and couldn't appear on Top of the Pops - and wouldn't have been able to play it live anyway - so they made the video to be shown instead... and nothing was ever the same again.
I’m shocked you’ve gone this long without hearing Bohemian Rhapsody. It’s one of the greats.
I was thinking the same thing!
@@hollyann003that makes three of us....
@@daveking9393four
If you honestly think these reactors haven't heard these songs.....come on.
My words exactly!! 😊
The official video for Bohemian Rhapsody is generally recognized as the first promotional music video and became the gold standard for others to come. It was released to coincide with the song and came out 6 years before the advent of MTV. Performances prior to this video were either on live television shows or live concerts. Queen is also the first band to have every single member inducted into the Songwriting Hall of Fame because each one wrote hit songs.
You seem to forget a lot of pop music videos from The Beatles, The Monkees, The Doors, Pink Floyd, Jethro Tull, etc., etc., etc.
@@jollyrodgers7272 All taken from television shows like Ed Sullivan, The Monkees Show, etc. or live concert footage. They were not videos made specifically for promotional purposes and released separately from any other performances.
Evan Sir Brian May says its not really the first pop video. However, it was probably the first video quickly done solely for TV, because Queen could not do Top of The Pops (major UK music show at the time).
So whilst not the first, it showed to other artists that the tool could be used for promotional purposes.
Like Apple didn't invent the smart phone, but they did show to the masses what it could do.
Queen fans are weird, why say this when you can check in 1 sec that this is patently untrue, bands in Australia were doing promo videos since the '60's , the Beatles did it in 66 with Rain and Paperbck writer, Strawberry Fields, Penny Lane , the list is literally endless.
@@jollyrodgers7272Not to mention a ton of other 60s acts. Or go back further to the Soundies of the 30s and 40s. Music being promoted by film or video has been around a long time.
You HAVE to watch the Live Aid Concert that Queen participated in. Freddie and Queen was on Fire. The Best 20 minutes of a lifetime. Freddie struts and COMMANDS an audience . RIP Freddie. PS: Freddie was a lover of Opera.
I won't be watching these videos again. Upset he didn't show the video while he listened.
@@jk3momHe usually watches the vid too.
@Kass-m5w he may have watched it but wasn't showing it on his screen. I don't watch reacting videos to only see the person responding, I want to watch the artists video too then see their reaction to it.
I, an older man, had a lot of different ways to respond to this magnificent reaction, but I settled on this: Dude, you totally need to check out Queen's Live Aid performance. They weren't just great musicians; the way audiences just RESPONDED to them was magical.
How does someone make it to adulthood without this song? It’s just programmed in. Tie your shoes, share your crayons, and sing along with every word to bohemian rhapsody
Queen were outsiders singing to outsiders. That's what made them legends.
Never thought about Queen like that but tbh upon further consideration/ reflection, I think you are absolutely correct.
@@daviddemar551 I wouldn't have said it if it wasn't true.
They were/are also the smartest band in Rock and Roll
I couldn't have said it better myself. I'm 63 years old and remember hearing this for the first time in November 1975 while I was still at school. I nearly shat myself with the excitement of it all. By the way, me, my brother and our friends do a sing-a-long a Bohemian Rhapsody at our local bar every now and again. We'll play the song on the jukebox and 12 of us will all sing along to it. It creates a bit of a buzz, and before you know it, all the other customers in the bar join in. Great fun.
Nailed it!
I was in a record store, looking for my next experience. This song came on, and the 3 other people in the store (all employees), burst into song, never missing a beat. I had heard Queen (You're My Best Friend), but that event made me a fan
The song charted in the 1990s because of the movie 'Wayne's World' (1992) starring Mike Myers, Dana Carvey, and Rob Lowe. Mike Myers and Dana Carvey created the characters of Wayne Campbell and Garth Elgar on 'Saturday Night Live' and the sketches were some of the most popular on the show in the late 80s and early 90s. The film was written with one scene where Wayne, Garth, and their 3 friends are tooling around Chicago in a car, and Wayne pops in "Bohemian Rhapsody". As they drive, they sing along, lip sync, and headbang...and it's one of the funniest scenes in the movie (and the movie is hysterical!!!).
They filmed it but did not yet have the rights to the song. Somehow, they reached out to Brian May. They asked him to show the scene to Freddie Mercury. At this moment, Freddie was in his final days due to AIDS. Freddie saw the scene and loved it so much, that he not only said yes to the rights, he gave his blessing on the whole film.
Shortly thereafter, Freddie passed. The film was so popular that everyone wanted to hear "Bohemian Rhapsody"...and it shot up the charts for a second time since its 1970s release. It was on the radio constantly in the year 'Wayne's World' was released.
When the film 'Bohemian Rhapsody' (2018) starring Rami Malek as Freddie Mercury was made, Mike Myers was cast in the film as record executive Ray Foster who wanted nothing to do with the song "Bohemian Rhapsody" as a single. He fought against it to be even released. BTW, while 'Bohemian Rhapsody' is an amazing film, and Malek won the Oscar for Best Actor for his astounding portrayal of Freddie Mercury, it gets A LOT of stuff wrong about what happened to the band and Freddie. The movie is worth it just to watch Rami Malek's performance, and to see the recreation of Queen's performance at Live Aid on July 13, 1985.
Wayne's World clip: ua-cam.com/video/l2IQE6ZpNZ0/v-deo.html
The poetic license parts were confusing to a true fan but it was a great movie.
Yes I just said if your 40 then the first time you heard this song was in Wayne’s World
In the early- mid 1970’s when this came out it was wild and exciting so full of passion and tragedy- it played everywhere and was in the UK. Charts for weeks and weeks- the video was ground breaking at the time believe it or not!
I believe it charted after Freddie's death in 91, along with much of their music.
mentioning "Waynes World" when discussing this masterpiece really only devalues the brilliance of the song. Yes, some people are limited but it's such a slap in the face to the genius of this piece
One of the hardest bars of all time.. “I don’t wanna die. I sometimes wish I’d never been born at all.”
For those of us who grew up with this, this was an anthem for EVERYONE! We all knew the words. We all sang along. We all acted out the lyrics..........it was beyond amazing for us. It IS complicated and it flows seamlessly. At some point, it might help to watch the documentary on Queen and Freddie Mercury.
Please watch the movie “Bohemian Rhapsody”!!! It really does an amazing job of where this song came from and how it was created in the time it was created. There’s so much here. And I really suggest that you definitely watch the music video as it’s put together amazing and Freddy‘s performance is unbelievable. As you probably know Freddie had aids at a time before there was any hope of living. In the song it’s almost eerie that he’s talking about dying and for everyone to carry on. I so enjoy your reactions and I wanted to see if you got any emotions from this but I didn’t see your emotions and I missed that! Please find out more about queen and then watch this amazing music video and the movie. This song will hit you very differently❤🫶🏻✌️☀️
I am so fortunate to have grown up in this era with so many amazing bands. I know every generation claims that their music was the best, but my generation can just point to Bohemian Rhapsody as proof.
agree. i think the 70's was the best decade for music. more talent in that decade than all the decades since combined.
Listen several times and it will flow....
Night at the OPERA . It is rock Opera, and Operas are TRAGIC. That is why the song is like this.
The part where he sings "nothing really matters" in the end is the most genius aspect of Rock of all time
You should check out the crowd singing Bohemian Rhapsody in 2017 at the Green Bay concert in Hyde Park. Such a great tribute to Freddie and Queen. 43 years after this song debuted. I believe it was 65,000 singing in unison.
Actually it's 48 years this year since it was released.
I think you meant Green Day. For a second the Packers popped into my head. I was like....whaat. Spell check can be a bitch 😂
@@snakeinthegrass7443 lol... Thank you, yes Green Day.
@@moodaymoom2271 thank you for the correction.
Yes, thousands of people there who are probably younger (than us folks when it came out), belting out every word and some of the tune. Brought tears to my old eyes.
I just went to watch their Montreal on the huge IMAX screen last night - they were so good live and Freddie was a magnificent frontman. I took my son who has started his deep dive journey into classic rock - so great to share the music of my youth with him!
I do believe that that is the first reaction video of yours I have watched that you didn't pause the music and comment. Left me feeling that you felt the need to hear it all non stop to get your true opinion. Thank you for sharing.
Two things. You needed to see the video with the track and you should take a look at 2017 Green Day Hyde Park concert start video from 2017, where the whole audience know the words to this and sing the whole track without anyone on the stage epic. Also bear in mind this was 25 years after Freddie passed away.
This song either blows you away at first or it doesn't. If it doesn't you may learn to appreciate it for its artistry, however it will never become part of your soul.
Thief lol
@@glyjackyou funny...
queen is a band where a lot of the pleasure is by watching them live
You have just experienced avid fans of Queen from more than 40+yrs ago. They're an amazing rabbit hole to journey upon. Enjoy Salvo! ❤
The Genius that is Freddie Mercury ❤️❤️
The live version of this song in Montreal 81 is 🔥
How can anyone not have heard this song? It's timeless, young and old know it.
Moody Blues - the entire album Days of Future Past (late ‘60’s) is a ProgRock masterpiece. Ditto for Pink Floyd’s Dark Side, Wish You Were Here, Animals, and of course, The Wall.
Plenty more groups to discover down the ProgRock rabbit holes - definitely worth a listen!!
For me and many others THIS Song is THE BEST ROCKSONG EVER!!!
First heard about this on the tv- a great video goes with it- when I was 11… back in the mid-70s…..it’s been one of my favorites ever since!
From the first time I heard Queen I fell in love with them. Loved Freddie’s voice but the whole band was amazing and they came together brilliantly! Freddie left us way too soon and had so much more to give us. It was so nice when Queen continued their music with George Michael and Adam Lambert as lead singers. Thanks for reviewing this brilliant song.
Salvo, like you I go with how a song touches me, makes me feel. This one completely blew me away back in the day. It’s still one of my favorites. I’m 82, and to me Queen is still tops.
SOMEDAY….
You should react to a live performance too, just because Freddie’s vocals live are ALWAYS so amazing (especially the rock section at the end).
The BEST live version available on video is - IMO - the performance at:
MONTREAL in 1981🥰
Thanks for this reaction, Salvo. As Brian May said (I'm paraphrasing here), Freddie never discussed his meaning of BoRap which - in Brian's words - was probably a good thing because it leaves listeners with their own interpretation. The meaning of the song aside, I have always been in awe of the instrumentation in this piece and the multi-layered harmonies done when the only thing they could use was the limited technology available at the time. To me, the way Queen produced this song pushed the limits of that technology into the stratosphere. In my opinion, it's pure genius and took long months of work on the part of all 4 members of Queen and their engineers to get BoRap on vinyl. The fact that no one thought they should release BoRap as a single because of it's length is a whole other story...but thank goodness Queen stuck to their guns and the rest is history. Salvo, there's a wonderful documentary done by Brian May about the making of BoRap called "Inside the Rhapsody". Brian sits at the huge console they used and explains the process - even shows Freddie's instructions for each instrument written out on long sheets of paper. It's quite a long video, so you may not want to react to it, but it sure will give you some idea of what Queen - as well as other bands of the time - had to contend with in a pre-computer era where multi-tracking on those old tape machines was the only way to go. It's a GREAT video!
Dr Sir Brian May 🙂
@@nzmoggy3898 Thanks...I should have named him correctly.
Thank you for giving an honest reaction. Many say what they think will please the viewers, especially on a song with this kind of reputation.
This song appealed to me immediately because of how complicated and well produced it is, and most of all because I enjoy the music and the journey it takes.
Chances are this song will grow on you. People often don't know what to make of it on the first hearing. However, once they "get it," they love it. ❤
I didn't like it when I first heard it. I was 13 years old when the video came out and it freaked me out! Now I LOVE it. I want to hear your honest opinion, even if you don't like a song that I love.
Night At The Opera is an album that truly stands the test of time. It came out the year I was born. Does that make me a classic as well? If only I had aged as gracefully....
I've got a copy of the digitized multi-track tracks of this song. THAT alone is worth the listen! (e.g. one track with piano, one with guitar left, one with guitar right, one with bass, etc., etc.) I imported the whole thing into Audacity and started messing around with the mix. Everything lined up perfectly! In total, about 24 tracks. When I played it back, it sounded BETTER than the record company releases!.
You must watch the Wayne's World video version and you'll understand why the song charted again in the 90's. I was in high school when I first heard the song because of the movie. They played the video constantly on TV.
I just recently started watching you and really enjoy your reactions and enjoyment of the music. I graduated in 1984 and so I'm particularly fond of 70's and 80's. Keep up making these videos ❤❤❤!
Salvo, the Virgin Rock channel does a wonderful in-depth analysis of BoRhap. It’s a two-parter and well worth the time.
Je suis d'accord. Cette chaîne est parfaite pour bien comprendre ce chef-d'œuvre. Cette chanson n'est pas un assemblage de trois chansons... Cette déclaration de Freddie fait partie des boutades qu'il pouvait utiliser car il n'explicait jamais le sens de ses chansons.
You need to watch the official video for this it's AWESOME!
Freddie was in his twenties when he composed this masterpiece-. Please- watch the video-. I love your face/ your expressions are so noteworthy of the music you are appreciating-
Glad to see the headphones for this. The stereo effects definitely best appreciated that way.
One of the great musical compositions of the era imo.
Your journey down the Queen path cannot be complete without Bohemian Rhapsody. In fact, your journey into great music of the past cannot be complete without Bohemian Rhapsody!
Bohemian Rhapsody, was released in 1975 on the album "A Night at the Opera" which does give a hint as to the musical genre. Freddie Mercury was a huge fan of opera so this song was written as an operatic suite consisting of five distinct parts: an a capella intro, a ballad segment, an operatic passage, a hard rock section, and a reflective coda. Generally it is classified as rock-and-roll, but specifically as a "rock opera" and "progressive rock." Truth is, labeling any Queen song, or Queen the band, is next to impossible!
"Bohemian" describes an unconventional, artistic style with freedom and individuality as key elements. "Rhapsody" in musical composition refers to a single work comprised of episodic, diverse pieces arranged into a free-flowing structure designed to heighten emotions. This song came to be because Freddie had pieces of songs he never completed, so he put them together, each section totally different yet masterfully blended into a truly epic masterpiece. It is the band's magnum opus, and is unanimously considered one of the best songs ever written.
As for the meaning of Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody", Freddie was purposefully vague. As with most of the greatest songs, the lyrics are poetic and mysterious. The meaning is open to interpretation for each listener to decide, based on how the music and lyrics touched them.
Thank you for the description of how the song was developed. I never really knew.
This song is known as The greatest song in the worlds history around the world .
It’s also Freddie’s coming out song. Three parts of Freddie’s life, but he always told the public it was from three songs he had written.
Thanks for reaction. This was always one song, never three. That idea always comes from outside the band. Whether Freddie meant to or not, he puts the heroes journey into a 5 min song. It's the same journey Luke Skywalker and Frodo Baggins took us on. The protagonist is forced to go on a reluctant journey (opening ballad) goes through a trail of self discovery (Opera section) comes out stronger and triumphant (rock section) to return home and set things right or change for the better. It's the type of story that breaks cultural and generational boundaries. Awesome 😎
That's what's known in literature as "bildungsroman" - a journey to self-discovery. And this song does it better than almost any other piece of rock music.
I love the vids were the audience sings the entire song whilst waiting for a band to play. Worth a look.
This song was a parody of opera. It is brilliant.
Love your honest reaction!
I started watching reaction videos when I saw a reactor who had never heard Bohemian Rhapsody. Polled my office. One middle aged lady and on 30 something lady had never heard this song. Was so shocked!
You should watch a video which shows a 'Green Day' concert in Hyde Park where they were delayed and this song was played over the loud speakers and the whole crowd sang the words with the instrument parts as well.
As someone who likes pretty much all categories of music (yes even poppy hip-hop sometimes - I am a big fan of "Rihanna - Cheers" for some reason.) there's always a soft spot for the classics. Songs I can listen to over and over again and won't get old. This fits that category.
Other examples of popular prog rock songs from the 70's that I loved in my teens when they first came out, off the top of my head - Carry On My Wayward Son by Kansas, Don't Fear The Reaper by Blue Oyster Cult, and possibly Led Zep's Stairway To Heaven. Some may disagree with the classifying them as prog rock, but I think of them that way.
@Salvo_G , 'Bohemian Rhapsody' official video might help you to enjoy this intense, complex song best! I believe you have a good pair of headphones for Queen's mixing and arrangement of this song. Do yourself a favor and experience the official video that was recorded for a BBC broadcast simply because the band would be on tour and unable to perform on that broadcast. 'Bohemian Rhapsody' is considered the first music video. Again, thank you Salvo G!!!
Freddie's last song before he pasted will knock you out - "These Are the Days of Our Lives". You really need to watch the LIVE AID 20 best minutes of music, EVER, featuring Queen. When Bohemian Rhapsody came out it was considered too long for the public air waves. Songs at the time were very limited to 3 minutes or so.
There is a short documentary called “ Why is Bohemian Rhapsody the greatest song of all Time “ It’s very interesting and only about 3 mins long.
You needed to see the amazing video… a true classic! The Most Streamed song of the 20 th century. 👑
He was advised not to do the concert by his doctors. He went against their advice and did it anyway. Now considered the best live performance ever.
Não é atoa que essa música foi o bebê de Freddie, é genial! 🇧🇷❤️
1.6 Billion Views! Your words about Freddie and the meaning of the song were very kind! Freddie was complicated but so talented! Thanks
I saw them perform this song live a few times and it is indescribable.
Wow ❤ beautiful sweet Freddie ❤️ we still love you Freddie 🎉
This is a song that you really don’t take everything so seriously. It’s a song that you listen to the music and just jam too. Don’t go so deep. Just enjoy.
I was just thinking, "Man, you're reading waaaay too much into the song" lol
The most brilliant rock opus ever. Incredible always. Queen had such geniuses! Love to watch you react to them. Thanks!
To understand it’s popularity watch the Green Day concert audience singing this in unison while waiting for that band to go on
It is hard for a 58yo dude like me to believe there is anyone who has not heard this song. Lol. I’m old. Love your reactions. 👍🏻
I always tell people who have only heard bohemian rhapsody that they need to listen to the entire album front to back. Night at the Opera is, i feel, meant to be listened to as a whole. It is an adventure!
I love that you listened to the whole song before making any comments.
I have so much respect for you not stopping the song to share your thoughts. No one cares what you think about the song, we just want to watch for your reaction to certain parts, so we can feel like we are superior for a moment.
This song first played on the radio in late 1975 and 1976 - about the same year as Boston’s debut album. And “Leftoverture” from Kansas (“Carry On Wayward Son”). And “Hotel California” by the Eagles. Yeah - that’s the way it was back then. A wealth of riches and styles. Compare that to today. ‘Nuff said.
You can't hear this without seeing the video 🤦♀️ it's iconic
Progressive rock had a much smaller fan base than the normal "Classic rock" from the 70s. Jethro Tull had a few songs, aqualung, and some others that got tons of radio play for many years. Some songs that only got to the top 30ish, remained staples for radio, whilst some #1 hits got over played and just keep a nostalgic edge.
I remember when this was first released in 1975. We were amazed by the song and the video, both were ground breaking and I've been a huge Queen fan ever since. You should look at the video, it introduces a whole new perspective on the song.
There was no video in '75. Just sayin. . . . . . 😉
@@d.j.starling3559 quote - Bohemian Rhapsody" is sometimes incorrectly stated as the first music video. It wasn't. Artists such as The Beatles, Bob Dylan, David Bowie and ABBA had already made videos to their songs before this was released. However, the video was groundbreaking, as rock historian Paul Fowles stated the song is "widely credited as the first global hit single for which an accompanying video was central to the marketing strategy".
@@daveloboda1769 Perhaps they made so-called videos, but there was no place to watch them, other than a TV 'appearance.' The Beatles 'videos,' long before Queen, were shown on The Ed Sullivan Show & other shows like it.
@@d.j.starling3559 I am quite aware of the state of "videos" in the 70s, I was there! The statement stands, the "video" associated with Bohemian Rhapsody was a milestone in modern music.
Love this song, it's quite an experience.
I can’t remember the first time I heard this song. My mum was a massive Queen fan, myself and my brothers were musically brought up on Queen, The Beatles, Mike Oldfield and Jeff Wayne’s War Of The Worlds. All 5 of us own at least one copy of an album by each artist.
It’s fantastic when listening via really good quality headphones. This song actually peaked my interest in studio recording techniques, the spacing of instruments and vocals inspired me.
Another song that creates similar imagery musically speaking is Innuendo. The album is also very expressive. My mum had guessed he was sick and was going to die after hearing the album in full. The themes and clues were there.
This song is so technical it cannot be played live without pre- recorded parts. It sits along side of Stairway To Heaven in greatness and I'm Not In Love for technical brilliance. Stop reading into the meaning of the song and enjoy the how good Queen were. They were decades ahead of their time here.
Emotionally visceral reactions is what I'm here for dude!
Thank you for another great reaction✌️🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 The video to this song is spectacular!
I’m surprised and sad you didn’t experience the official video. You’d get such a kick out of it!
This is the only song to ever get to No 1 in the UK in 4 separate years, it was at the top for 9 weeks over 1975/76 and then again when Freddie died it was No 1 for 5 weeks over 1991/92.
If you haven't seen Freddy Mercury and Queen at Live Aid concert you are missing one of the most amazing performances of all time.
This is the best song, EVER!!!!
Salvo, this was nuts to all of us in 1975. It took awhile to truly appreciate it. You need to explore MORE! The video is a masterpiece. It enhances the experience. Maybe as a part 2 watch the video. If you like a song on first listen it is often, but not always, shallow. It’s the ones that challenge you that take repeated listening, because they still intrigue you and make you keep trying to get it, that are most rewarding. Keep going, you got this.
Very well-said!
You ABSOLUTELY HAVE TO watch the official video of this song! It just adds another dimension to the music! 😮 Probably most of us heard this like this -- on the radio -- but seeing the video is otherworldly! ❤
I was in high school (in the late 70s) when I was first heard of this song. A friend was trying to explain the song to me (remember no phones to download music). She got to "and then he sings opera" and I gave up trying to understand what she was talking about. When I finally heard it for myself, I said, "Ohhh" & loved it. And you should try to find the original video - it's excellent.
EPIC! heartbreaking. perfect. genius.
I’m with you , Salvo . I’ve go no clue what he’s talking about but i love it !
The lyrics speak about himmselve. "Killing" the old Freddy and revealing his true sexuality, freeing himself from what he pretended to be.
Now listen again and see if it doesn't make sense.
Not bad for a first time listen. As with any masterpiece your appreciation for this song with deepen and grow as you relisten over time. The official music video is the best next step. Worth a second reaction and post.
The super high vocals in this and most Queen songs is drummer Roger Taylor, he just happens to possess the range, the very talented John Deacon on bass/vocals, the incredible Brian May on guitar/vocals and Freddie on keys /lead vocals A wide range of musical styles in Queen. Enjoy the rabbit hole
As I recall, this song was pretty popular hit both on the radio as well as at Queen's concerts. The song did hit the Top 10 in the US in 1975 which means people were shelling out money to buy it. Top 10 is a hit song. Then it was a HUGE, even bigger, hit again after it appeared in the movie "Wayne's World" in 1992. Then, it became a big hit again in the 2010s after young people discovered it on UA-cam and in the 2018 movie "Bohemian Rhapsody". A "rhapsody" is a song with several different movements or components such as most famously done in Gershwin's much beloved "Rhapsody In Blue" (worth a listen).
I think young people are very focused on lyrics today because in Hip Hop, with it's less emphasis on the music unless they sample other people's music, lyrics ARE the song. In Rock, lyrics are one dimension of a multi-dimensional song. The band's music was just as important. In addition to lead singers, many people knew the drummers, guitarists, bass players, sax players, of their favorite bands.
As for understanding the song, most of us had no idea what many of the lyrics were and we didn't really care. I still don't really know what the hell a Scaramouche is, but it doesn't matter. Back in the 70s, it wasn't easy to track down the lyrics to a song if they weren't printed on the album sleeve (which meant you or a friend had to buy the album first). This is true of many songs as I myself am still discovering the lyrics to songs I love back then, which just makes me love them more and I can sing along with them correctly.
We understood enough of Bohemian Rhapsody to make the song appeal to teenage angst kids everywhere:
"Life had just begun and now I've gone and thrown it all away",
"Sometimes i wish I had never been born at all",
"nothing really matters, anyone can see, nothing really matters to me". Teen angst gold!
I understand wanting to understand the lyrics, but it's important not to let them hold you back from appreciating or loving a song, We didn't. " Blinded by the light, wrapped up like a douche another roller in the night" is an example of a much loved song that nobody understood what it said and it didn't matter. There are lots of Rock & Roll songs that nobody knew all the words to, but we loved them anyways. It was the "feel" and "emotion" and the "jist" of the overall song and the killer refrain, that really mattered.
"Revved up like a Deuce", as in Deuce Coup. Not "wrapped up like a douche". Those of us with functioning ears got it. I never understood the 'mishearing' on that one.
THIS! It was the music, not so much the meaning of the song.
You mentioned Jethro Tull - The London Symphony did an album? (I had the CD, so I'm not sure whether to call it an album or not) of some of Jethro Tull's more popular hits. Ian Anderson was featured playing his flute, of course. If I remember correctly, it was called something like A Classic Case. It was awesome to turn the speakers up in the car on a long drive... except I just kept driving faster and faster. 🙂
Incidentally, studying songs like there’s going to be a test later is how ZERO people listen to music. Stop trying to figure it out and just drink a warm beer, take a couple puffs and crank it up. It’s rock.
Salvo, man, your honest opinion of this tune that you were a bit confused as to its meaning is refreshing. A few more listens to it and you will be singing along at the top of your lungs like the rest of us who grew up with the tune. As for Prog(ressive) Rock I suggest you check out some of the vast catalogue of Genesis. I think you have reacted to some of the drummer's (Phil Collins) solo stuff but the early Genesis (through the seventies) is the best IMO. My favourite album of theirs is "Selling England By The Pound". Every song on it is magnificent. I suggest you start with "Firth Of Fifth".
I'm not trying to be rude. My son is 43 and I had him listening to everything from the time he was about three years old. Music is part of the Soul
A lot of notoriety for this song came from it's use in the movie Wayne's World (a Saturday Night Live tie-in when those were still a thing), which gave it a second life.
That's when I came to it and its stayed with me every since.
I don't understand how any adult or maybe even teenager right now can say that they have never heard Bohemian Rhapsody! Haven't you ever watched the movie Wayne's World? The scene in the car where they are rocking out to Bohemian Rhapsody is what introduced me to this song back in 1992 when I was in middle school.
Knowing that you also react to Pentatonix, you need to watch the official Queen music video, then watch the PTX version official video.
Brian May - lead guitar for Queen - shared the PTX video with the comment "Enjoy""
this is classified as the best rock song ever, it's number 1 dude, that says alot, because nobody has done anything like this song, but Freddie.
You need to watch this on the correct video to get the full experience 1.6 billion for a reason, it’s such a great song/video