Queen, Bohemian Rhapsody - A Classical Musician’s In-Depth Analysis
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- Опубліковано 22 лис 2022
- Brilliant, wild, random, enigmatic, funny… Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody is bafflingly successful - or is it’s success really so mysterious? Far more than just a hodge-podge of smartly-presented musical styles, this song displays a deep instinct for classic form and structure. Freddie Mercury really knew what he was doing!
Here’s the link to the original song by Queen:
• Queen - Bohemian Rhaps...
Liszt’s “Hungarian Rhapsodies” • Franz Liszt Hungaria...
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Amy Shafer, LRSM, FRSM, RYC, is a classical harpist, pianist, and music teacher, Director of Piano Studies and Assistant Director of Harp Studies for The Harp School, Inc., holds multiple degrees in harp and piano performance and teaching, and is active as a solo and collaborative performer. With nearly two decades of teaching experience, she teaches privately, presents masterclasses and coaching sessions, and has performed and taught in Europe and USA.
As usual, please write here your questions only.
Please: react to Dead Kennedys' "Holiday in Cambodia"
Do you think that this would work in telling the story without the lyrics, or if the lyrics were in an unknown language? As long as each "movement" had an appropriate name?
I have limited experience to classical music, but I do like the Romantic period, and I think of... Pictures at an Exhibition, or Peer Gynt Suite. Where I know what is "happening" related to the music and I can feel it. With "Promenade", I feel like I'm wandering the halls of the exhibition, or with "morning mood" I feel that the sun is rising.
I think your description of the moods of the movements in the Bohemian Rhapsody show how the song can tell the story by itself, and the lyrics add to it.
You chose the harp to do the demonstration performance, and it was really lovely to hear that rendition! Did you choose the harp over the piano because the harp is the instrument that is closest you your heart? Or was it because you enjoyed the exercise of transcription, or both? i think harp transcriptions could be a real signature for you, if you wished to take that on.
I apologize for the incommitment.
Since this is the second reaction to the same Rock group, I would like to re-propose a second listening of Pink Floyd.
While this one by Freddie Mercury of '75 is still a song, and a song "with some classic elements" of cultured music, instead in 1970 Pink Floyd (still looking for a "different" identity after the first period influenced by Syd Barret) collaborated with 2 musicians really "cultured" and, above all, engaged in "all other than classical" but avant-garde: Ron Geesin and John Alldis (choirs). Came out the second or third instrumental Suite, this in 6 movements, of the band which, later, produced other Suites, not only instrumentals, and Concept Albums as a constant of their decade of the golden age:
*_ATOM HEART MOTHER_* ua-cam.com/video/omXqp8wjCpU/v-deo.html
Later both David Gilmour and Roger Waters expressed a very negative opinion on that ‘product’. On the contrary, however, there was never any rethinking of Richard Wright, the keyboardist and the only member of the group to have completed music studies and able to read and write scores ... as well as an admirer of Stockhausen as clearly emerges in several points of that work.
If nowadays, in the era of an "interclassist" audience made up of billions of people, it still made sense to ask a few questions about a hypothetical new Bach (who in life _maybe_ reached listeners in the order of a million) ... then _maybe_ this could be a starting point to examine the impact that Pink Floyd music has had on many generations of the last century … and I think even now.
*_Every Genre Pink Floyd Performed Named_* (3 minutes quite complete)
ua-cam.com/video/rAh4Fzmmfdw/v-deo.html
I still apologize, but this is precisely the maximum concision I can ;-)
I'd like to see you experience some David Bowie music. Life on Mars from the album "Hunky Dory" en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Life_on_Mars_(song)
You have raised the bar for reaction videos.
Thank you for the work you put in, and the thoughtful analysis.
Great combination of heart and mind.
Exact same thought Luv the harp version when she plays.
She puts a ton of work in, it's nuts. Though your comment has me wondering when she'll get around to Hemispheres now
Yes she has! She's great!
Freddie never shared what he was thinking about when he wrote this song but did admit that "Bohemian Rhapsody" was composed of three separate songs that he had been working on but could not seem to finish. So he decided to mash them together, adding some transitions and bridges, and created "Bohemian Rhapsody".
Part I is the "Into". The video image shows the four members of Queen singing and harmonizing the lyrics of the "Intro" in A cappella. In reality, it is only Freddie's voice you hear on the recording. Freddie laid down 5 separate tracks of himself singing and harmonizing with himself. (FYI - multi-tracking and overdubbing runs rampant in Bohemian Rhapsody.)
Next is the "Ballad" portion of the song ('Mama, just killed a man'). Freddie had worked on it for years but the song never had a name. The other members of Queen tentatively titled it "Freddie's Cowboy Song". The lyricist Tim Rice (who wrote the lyrics for "Jesus Christ, Superstar", "Evita", "Aladdin", "The Lion King", ...) was a close friend of Freddie's and he believes this portion of the song’s lyrics were about Mercury confessing to his fans that he was gay.
The third section is the guitar solo. This is the only part of Bohemian Rhapsody not written by Freddie. Freddie told Brian that he wanted a guitar solo in the song and where he wanted it to fit into the song but left it to Brian to create. Brian wanted to have his guitar effectively sing a verse that would inject a different melody. He heard something in his head. He said that he could hear this melody and had no idea where it came from. That melody isn’t anywhere else in the song, but it’s on a familiar chord sequence, so it dovetails in quite nicely.
The guitar solo leads to the fourth section which is the "Operatic" section. Freddie not only loved Rock but he loved Opera. He was always fascinated with the idea of combining rock and opera. It took 3 weeks to record "Bohemian Rhapsody" and the "Operatic" section was much smaller when they began recording but Freddie kept adding to it.
Various lyrics in the "Operatic" section seem to refer to the band...
* Freddie casts himself as Scaramouch, a stock clown of 16th-century Italian literature.
* Galileo who was an Italian astronomer, physicist, and engineer definitely refers to Brian (Queen's lead guitarist) who in real life is Dr. Brian May, who has a Ph.D.in Astrophysics.
* Figaro refers to the Mozart opera, "The Marriage of Figaro" and it is a subtle way to reference Roger Taylor (Queen's drummer) who has a four-range vocal span (E2-E6) and was even frequently cited as hitting E5 in live performances. Freddie compared Roger's voice to a dog whistle.
* The final reference of Magnifico is John Deacon (Queen's bass guitarist), who has not just a BSc but a First Class Honors Degree in Electronics. John is the creator of the "Deacy Amp". When Brian's homemade electric guitar (dubbed The Red Special) was connected through a treble-booster (an effects unit used by guitarists to increase the high end of their tonal spectrum) to the "Deacy Amp", Brian could produce sounds reminiscent of various orchestral instruments, such as violin, cello, trombone, clarinet, or even vocals from his guitar.
It is hard to realize that it is only Freddie, Brian, and Roger singing in the "Operatic" section (John never sang on the records). This was 1975, well before digital recordings and they were using 24-track analog tape. This made it necessary for the three to overdub themselves many times and "bounce" these down to successive sub-mixes. Some sections feature 180 separate overdubs!
The fifth section is the "Hard Rock" portion. In this section, Freddie sings angry lyrics addressed to an unspecified "you", accusing them of betrayal and abuse and insisting "can't do this to me, baby", before the final lines conclude with him singing, "just gotta get right outta here".
(FYI - the "Operatic" and the "Hard Rock" sections of BoRap were featured in a scene in the 1992 film Wayne's World, in which the main character and his friends head bang in a car to the rock part.)
In the sixth and final section, the "Outré", returns to the "Ballad" to close the circle of the song and ends with the sound of a Chinese gong.
Thank you from a Queen Fan since 43 years.
Greetings from northern germany ♥️
Dear Amy, as you learn to listen to, understand, and appreciate rock music, you are educating us rock fans along with you in the process. That's the wonder of it all. Thank you very much.
Well said, I agree.
I'd like her to do "Diary of a Madman."
Her insight into music is phenomenal.
Has been so long since an intelligent person uses YT to teach all of us all the while she herself is learning about the music we love. Thanks for being an example of what content creators should be.
Someone commented on this. The power of this song lives on and on. Green Day Crowd singing Bohemian Rhapsody before the concert. 65000+ people listening to overhead speakers prior to the concert when the song started. The entire song was sung perfectly by the 65000+ people in its entirety on July 3 , 2017.
This has been repeated at many Green Day concerts around the world.
AMY and RICK BEATO!!! PLEASE!!
This is the finest, most in depth breakdown of this piece I have ever encountered. Very impressed with your journey from first listen and observations, on through to your research findings, final conclusions and possible interpretations. Quite fascinating. If it's possible, I appreciate the song even more now. Thank you. 😊
I would love it if you could do something similar with some of the songs of the band Yes. In particular the song Close to the Edge or possibly even that whole album. There are many other great songs of theirs for you to breakdown, that are all terrific and more popular/ commercially successful that others will no doubt recommend. I agree and look forward to those as well, but I am particularly interested in your thoughts on Close to the Edge. As well as the songs: And You and I, Heart of the Sunrise and Awaken. Thank you so much. Love your channel. As for what's next with Queen something from near the end of Freddie's musical journey might be an interesting contrast at this point. The album and song, Innuendo, as well as the songs: These Were the Days of Our Lives, and the Show Must Go On. Lastly, can't wait (but I will) for you to progress your way to some pieces from the band Opeth.
I'd like to hear her evaluation, comment's on tales of topographical oceans.
Very well formulated. I agree.
It is so hard to resist singing along to this song! On a cold, dark evening a few Novembers ago, my wife and I were walking along 10th Ave in Vancouver when we heard a couple of voices behind us getting closer and louder as they sang, "Oh, mamma mia, mamma mia mamma mia, let me go!" It was a twenty-something couple on bicycles racing down the center of the road and singing Bohemian Rhapsody as a duet. As they reached us, my wife and I both spontaneously belted out, "Beelzebub has a devil put aside for me, for me, for me!" along with them before they raced out of earshot. Not something we would normally do, but couldn't help it!
LOVE THIS !!!!
**Huge standing ovation (silently in my mind as others in the house are sleeping) for this wonderful analysis of this classic Queen song!! I always feel 10 IQ points higher after watching one of your videos! Thank you,
I don't know what to say but thank you. Again, I nearly cried while your analyisis. The way you honor and appreciate the work of Freddie and Queen is so wonderful. I am very sure, Freddie would have loved having a conversation and play music with you.
Greetings from Germany
I enjoy your "conversion" to a Queen fan. A remarkable band with a remarkable breadth of music style while still remaining uniquely "Queen."
12:43 I have to say as a sometimes violist and all the time music fan.. baroque, classical and metalhead.. that was absolutely haunting transposed on harp. Nicely done.
Rick Beato has a hour long interview with Brian May (the guitarist) with a big chunk about the making of the song on his second channel.
Should you ever choose to do a complete harp cover of this song, i would greatly appreciate that. That sounded really good!
Watch the analysis by Rick Beato of Bohemian Rhapsody. This will give you a great insight into the recording, composition and production of this masterpiece. Thank you, I loved your analysis.
I really want to see her do a podcast or something with Rick - would REALLY love to hear them nerd out LOL
@@RyTrapp0 That would be awesome!
These two are the absolute best! I learn so much from them and as such appreciate it so much more. I truly hope they will collaborate at some time.
Came here to say this: ua-cam.com/video/3Ym7X_wCsPQ/v-deo.html
Been a Queen devotee since 1974, and between Amy and Rick, I’ve learned more about the intricacies and creative effort on the part of the band in writing, recording, and producing BR. Yes, I’ve loved this song, but now I can intellectually appreciate the sheer genius of it. Thanks Amy (and Rick).
Really beautiful on the harp. He probably would have gotten a kick out of that.
I miss Freddie but was lucky enough to see him live at the Glasgow Apollo in 1979. There was and is no one comparable.
Great analysis. Something that has always struck me is that he sings "pulled MY trigger" and not "pulled THE trigger". It's subtle but the meaning to me is completely different.
Good point.
Wonderful analysis. I've listened to this classic since it came out 47 years ago. Never grows old, quite the opposite. Many musicians react to this piece, but nobody have done it in such profound and complete way as you. As a hardcore Queen fan I really appreciate your work and dedication. Thank you!
I'm not native English speaker and at the time I discovered that song my understanding of English was not enough to really understand the lyrics.
Having your review here grants me another perspective on the song.
À great thank you...
Amy, you’ve outdone yourself here …and that is saying ALLOT. I listened with rapt attention and pleasure…. As though I were listening to a wonderful music teacher….which you actually are!
Not only did you bring in the actual musical meaning of the Rhapsody form (and mention Liszt’s wonderful Hungarian Rhapsody) but you also brought in Jungian psychology and the foundational “Hero’s Journey” trope of cultural mythology a la Joseph Campbell. Finishing it off with an explanation of the oftentimes tenuous place that true artists hold in society. holy Cow!
NAGNIFICENT! Wow! You could put together a course of the artists role in society and I would sign up immediately.
And your harp playing was so beautiful.
Thank you so much! You made my day
Well said, you picked up on a lot of the deeper types of things that I always love to find sprinkled in many of Amy's analysis videos. She often has great insights and pearls of wisdom that go beyond just a simple analysis of the musical elements and forms.
Bohemian Rhapsody on harp: Magnificooooo !!!
Seeing Queen live was life changing for me and many of my generation. You could feel a sense of oneness and intimacy in the shared experience. It was exhilarating. I still love listening to Freddie and Queen.
I've always viewed this song as akin to a Greek Tragedy more than a Hero's Journey, but I'm guessing the many ways to interpret this piece is one of the reasons it has resonated with so many people for so long.
Fascinating analysis, and, of course, gorgeous harp rendition.
The time and effort you give to your research; the generosity you give to an entirely different musical expression; the thought and intelligence of your analyses; all this and more really set your channel apart. This is the very best of youtube. Thank you.
As always, an excellent and insightful analysis. Your rendition on the harp sounded beautiful, and you are right it really does work well on the harp. You might want to do a separate video that features your rendition only. You could title it 'Bohemian Rhapsody on the Harp.' I have a feeling that it might go viral, and be one of those million plus view videos.😀
Something along the lines of what “Forty Fingers” did with it.
@@waynemosca2277 I just checked out the official Forty Fingers version. They are really good, I hadn't seen/heard them before. At first I thought it might have been another harpist you were referring to, but I guess 40 is 7 strings short of the 47 on a harp. I just did a UA-cam search of Bohemian Rhapsody on harp, and there are several videos. Amy probably knows some of these harpists. I would still love for her to put her version out though.
I love this channel. But this is the best one so far. After so many years as a Queen fan, finally I see someone tackle the deep significance of Bohemian Rhapsody, which is deeply musical , and then the lyrical struggling battle of the main character , wherever is the take we want to have about the significance of the song.
Thank you very much. This is just wonderful.
That harpe brought tears to my eyes. That was so beautiful❤ Thanks Amy🙏
Your use of the harp to illustrate the musical point was sublime, and a wonderfully dreamy experience. And it was just a cherry on top of the most illuminating discussion of the interplay between music, lyrics and structure. Bravo! I'm going back to listen to that harp again...
You have indeed raised the bar on reaction videos, excellent professionalism and knowledge of music, straight down to its core.
When you play it’s as if it was written for harp. Beautiful interpretation. ❤️👍
Al I can say is thank you! I adore this series. You've absolutely nailed the 'Faust meets Gilbert and Sullivan' operetta thematics, the underlying commentary on the complexities of Freddie the man, and that exquisite interpretation on the harp. This is some of the best stuff I've ever watched on UA-cam.
My respect for Mr. Mercury just continues to grow.
Love your commentary. One part I always interpreted differently was the ending. To me, it's melancholy rather than triumphant. Sure, he's accepted who he is, but he's also accepted what he's done and that there are consequences he can't escape from.
Well, that harp performance hit me like a truck. It brought me to tears. I was not expecting that from a single instrument. I'm going to take a break and watch the second half later.
I do hope Amy re-releases the harp performance as a stand alone video.
One night , in 1975 , as a teenager listening under the bed covers to Radio Luxembourg, this song was played. I literally sat up in bed , startled, amazed and mystified ; what HAD I just heard? I cannot count the number of times I've listened to this since then and NEVER tired of hearing it.I thought . then , that I had a basic idea of what the song was about, namely Freddie's internal conflict with regard to his sexuality, his relationship with Mary etc.But this analysis is so cogent and insightful , it has added a wonderful new perspective on a song that , like I said, I have listened to countless times.Thank you for this brilliant analysis , so perceptive and incisive.I look forward to hearing further comments and analysis about Queen's music.Bravo!
Tusen Takk!
I grew up listening to Queen and Beatles, etc, formed my taste of music. You are intelligent, knowledgeable and interesting... and fascinating & entertaining to learn from.
Great, thanks! So glad I've discovered your channel! Your use of language is as delightful as your understanding of classical music. Thank you for diving in to uncharted waters!
Great in-depth analysis Amy! You are really in your element. There is so much there for you to apply your considerable knowledge to. The harp rendition was beautiful! I think the members of Queen would love to hear you play.
Dang Amy you did it again. I've been a fan of Queen for about 50 years and hearing BR in my 20's was a hoot. Now after listening to your amazing analysis I have an even greater appreciation of this song. Thank you.
It’s his struggle with homosexuality. Behsmil is translated literally into praise be to allah.
The man he kills ( put my gun against his head.) reference to killing the man he grew into with his religion parents. The disappointment his mother will feel with his coming out is unknown.
Any way the wind blows what happens happens
Hi 🙂. BR was the song of my teens, singing in my bedroom.. I am loving this reaction and the comments. Too tired to say much other than,,, find Dimash Qudaibergen on UA-cam..
@@jays361 I thought it was spelled Bismillah? Could be a bad translation that I saw...
@@ericdotd69 I would LOVE to see her react to some Dimash. Some people spell his last name Kundaiburgen. It makes it harder to search on UA-cam with inconsistent spellings, but I suspect that if you search 'Dimash' you're only going to get ONE amazing vocalist -- great suggestion!!
@@leslieholland7843
I think you are right Leslie.
I wasn’t sure of exact spelling.
Same meaning though.
Fun fact his family practices the oldest form of the Muslim faith.
They were persecuted and moved to England.
The band said that song meant a lot to Freddie. They way he sings it you can tell they were correct.
Thank you for the correction. It was disrespectful for me not to make sure.
She explains things so well.... I love listening to her teach... this is definitely one of my favorite videos she's done...
This is the best analysis I've heard. Freddie was a musical genius imho, and would love for you to do more queen.
I've always thought that when he sings, 'nothing really matters, anyone can see, nothing really matters... nothing really matters to me..." that he's trying to convince himself that nothing really matters, when he knows that it really does matter and not in a good way. The hesitancy and repetition seems to reinforce this notion. Love your analysis btw! :)
I dare say, I enjoyed this reaction more than any other you have done. The analysis was spot on - the listener must determine the meaning according to their unique experiences. Yes, that Gilbert and Sullivan opera section is about facing your own demons. I never associated the rock section with triumph over them, even after years of listening. You do not have to expose yourself to music that is random modified noise - there is so much more!
What an amazing analysis and commentary on this song. And the harp... beautiful! Thank you so much!
This deep dive into the music rather than the lyrics was both revealing and understandable, Freddie was (as all true Queenies know) a great fan of opera and a trained pianist, and would no doubt have picked up on composers methods of giving meaning and emotion through their music.
Thank you for explaining why the world loves this song, for many years I just thought it was because it was so different and full of the unexpected.
Your so talented .Your version on the harp was so beautiful.
I think this analysis and Rick Beato's analysis of this are the best
The emotions the harp rendition brought to me were a suprise. Thank you for that bit of beauty.
I love your interpretation on the harp. It reminds me that another influence on the whole "A Night at the Opera" album was the Marx Brothers film of the same name. Harpo is of course featured with his harp. No coincidence that harp features prominently in "Love of My Life" from the same album. Also other vaudeville inspired songs lean on the movie inspiration.
You make it sound like it was written for the harp, outstanding
I am almost without words on your reaction(s) to this amazing masterpiece. I will never again listen to this song in the same way again. I am grateful for this. The harp version is beautiful.
I am blown away by your analysis!! This brings reaction channels to a greater height. (By the way, Queen was my first concert ever! Nobody has come close!) Queen was such an amazing band.
I've always thought of it as a musical expression of the five stages of grief - denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance. This person who has committed a terrible act and is facing the consequence, and their internal journey as they process that.
That was so interesting. Thank you. If Freddie Mercury were still with us I bet he would have absolutely delighted in your analysis.
Strangely I was thinking this exactly when I heard Amy listening to it for the first time. And I'd never considered that before.
Sorry, this is not a question : ( But, I had to tell you what a sublime joy your analysis was. As others, after listening to this song for decades, you significantly enhanced my enjoyment of it. Additionally, your harp rendition was staggering. If you released it as stand-alone video, I would listen to it repeatedly. THANK YOU!
YOU NAILED IT!! The song is filled with Freddie’s sense of humor! And Brian’s OCD…
Love your channel!
Freddie Mercury and Montserrat Caballe....Ensueno.......Beautiful
There is one additional Freddie song to which you should definitely react because it is so musically complex and baroque - March of the Black Queen. I think you would shed a lot of light on this song that is so confusing to so many.
isn't that a song about his relationship with a Dominatrix?
Your instincts and feeling for music are amazing
When you said that Liszt's Hungarian Rhapsody had been used in cartoons my mind went straight to the Tom and Jerry's episode Cat Concerto, one of my first introductions to classical music.
Great analysis as ever!
I remember that! Classic Tom and Jerry from its best era.
The best and most profound analysis of the best piece of music ever written.
If you look at the original video you see the four members their faces coming on and on again depicting the amount of overlaid vocals. Your explanation is truly wonderful and I hope many will see this to understand this peace more and more. The music of Queen goes very deep, it's not only four members jamming and find a new music piece wich could be a hit. They sometimes even argued about a particular note. And the lyrics always has a deeper meening to it. I hope you do more Queen. Thanks.
Whoa. She is really good at this. Amazing song and amazing analysis and celebration of a timeless song! 💚🙏
You have it, your analysis is spot on. I started studying this song when it came out and you're the first person I've heard who actually got it. Yes the music tells the emotions and words tells the story, and the story was Freddie's life and torment he felt at the time. His family was very important to him, and he didn't want to hurt his mother. His family were Zoroastrian very religious, so he was concerned. But they loved him, he never discussed his sexuality with them, but his sister said they knew and they loved him.
The beauty and emotion in the piano part really came out in the harp.
You look to be in your element while playing the harp. Beautiful.
This is the best explanation of the song!
I love your analysis from both the musical and the literary perspectives!
I would love to see a similar analysis of the song Freddie was most proud of: Somebody To Love.
He was inspired by Aretha Franklin and wanted to capture the gospel feel.
I would really love to see your analysis of the lyrics.
When you search for the meaning of the lyrics, you get the predictable commentaries saying it is a lament about being alone and needing someone you can share your love with.
There is what I will call a "fan theory" I saw in another You Tuber's video that suggests another meaning.
Is it a plea for someone to find (procure) somebody he can love, or is it a wish that somebody will find (consider) him worth loving?
After hearing this alternate premise, I have never heard the song the same again. If you consider it as an examination of self worth, the remainder of the lyrics make a lot more sense.
I have been unable to find any source information to support this alternate premise, but I think it is just like something Freddie would do. He was clever enough to craft lyrics which could mean either. I imagine him with an amused smile to know that someone finely figured it out.
Please do check it out.
This song means so much to me. I first came across it in 8th grade playing clarinet in a concert band rendition of it, I went home and listened to the original and then just couldn't get it out of my head. It very quickly became my all time favourite song and I became absolutely enamoured by all things Queen. I eventually also started learning to play it on the piano and to this day I still play it sometimes. I no longer listen to Queen as often as I used to but I will always have a deep appreciation for everything they are and Freddie was, and for how much they have shaped my taste in music today.
Wow. The harp is a great matchup with this piece of music. Love your arrangement.
Omgoodness this was a brilliant reaction. I have been a huge Freddie fan since the beginning of time. I have most of all their albums on vinyl still. I remember where I was the very first time I heard this on the radio. I was blown away. Thank you for this wonderful reaction. 💐
I've listened to this song hundreds of times and watched several reactions. I thought I'd learned everything there is to know about this song. However, your analysis was completely eye-opening and insightful. Thank you!
The fact that this song can be interpreted so beautifully on the harp, is a testament to its compositional quality, melodically and harmonically. I don't think the same can be said for most of today's popular songs.
This harp interpretation of BR absolutely transported me. Simply wonderful
By Freddie , I think she’s got it!
Best Take Award 🥇
👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
WOW that harp version of bohemian rhapsody was beautiful. Bet Freddy would loved it
I think one of the keys to success for Queen is how atypical it was/is for modern music, that many wanted to listen to again (and again) just to figure what in the world is we just heard. By the time most of us figure it out, we have become familiar with it. Familiarity creates the impression of "like" or liking. Before we know it ... we are hooked.
There is so much to explore regarding Bohemian Rhapsody and so many ways to interprete it. Now there is one more :-)
your comment on this superb piece of music is so far the best and most revealing statement i‘ve heard. all your thoughts make perfectly sense. thank you. after years of puzzling over it.........
This breakdown is the best I have ever seen for this piece. Thank you so much! Bohemian Raphsody is one of those pieces that demand our surrender from beginning to end with its swelling emotional transitions.
I agree. She's unreal with her analysis . . .
ABBA and ' Chiquitita ' is gold 😄
Its about time we get Abba analysed by a quality reactor from the musical perspective.
@@altair8598 yes iv asked 3 times now lol Chiquitita
You leave no space for questions - you leave a lot of answers - thank you.
Good Lord, Friend!! This is beyond incredible, so much work was put into the video, i bow down to such dedication and love, all i can say is Thank you so much for sharing this, though words seem meek in the face of your wonderfulness…
That sounded so good on a harp - I could listen to that over and over again.
This is such a fascinating and in-depth analysis - I’d never considered the Hero’s Journey aspect before but it makes total sense, great work! X
What a wonderful contribution you have contributed the this piece. As I was processing this incredibly interesting analysis, my reoccurring thought was: Art.
Freddy Mercury.
I've had many music teachers over the years. They'll tell me/us "really emphasize this section" or how to do it in a technical way. But not WHY. I don't know how reactive I would've been to the approach as a teenager. Maybe I would have. I like "Why". I think if my teachers spent time in the beginning of a big piece just talking about the music, it might have touched us more deeply to understand ourselves how to play the music ourselves. And as teenagers, maybe come up with some ideas completely out of left-field to make the piece not only better, but have more ownership of it by making it more 'ours'.
I'm going to spend so much time watching this channel. Thank you!
I am happy to hear that you watched the movie Bohemian Rhapsody. I didn't think you would for fear of being spoiled on other Queen songs. It has been a long time since I have watched it, and I generally have a terrible memory when it comes to movies, so hopefully any of the other Queen songs were just short fragments so your future reactions won't be spoiled. I personally don't mind when reactors have heard songs before, but I know some people want their reactions to truly be the first time the reactor has heard it.
I have mixed feelings because as a long-term Queen fan I didn't like the movie. Mostly because big parts of the movie are just fiction and not real facts. It was too much for me. It was also very visible that Brian May (especially) and Roger Taylor had influence on the script and it didn't help.
I think that there are much better sources of information than this movie.
@@konradtomala3580 Yeah, as I said my memory of the movie is pretty vague, but being inaccurate is usually the case with most Hollywood productions, unless they are true documentaries. And even documentaries are generally just one persons view on things. I haven't personally done much research into the backstory, other than briefly skimming the Wikipedia article. Of course Wikipedia is also notorious for getting things wrong.
Watched a few life performances on tv, and well ... I refuse to spoil these impressions with an impersonation of Freddy ... will never watch that movie ...
Well, they did spend the last 20 minutes on a full remake of the legendary Live Aid set. So, she's definitely heard full versions of some of their biggest hits.
@@ryandean3162 Yeah, I have now watched it again since I originally posted this, and I thought the same thing once I got to the Live Aid part at the end. There were also lots of other Queen songs sprinkled throughout, that she at least would have heard the main hooks to these songs. Oh well, I'm sure she wasn't in analysis mode, so they may not stick with her.
I was tickled to pieces to watch you grow warmer to Franz Liszt
My grandmother taught music and literature in college and I find it fascinating to listen to people, like her, who could analyze something worthwhile that hasn't been thought of before
Wow, I knew the lyrics of this piece, but it is just amazing how you put it into context and gave it the meaning it clearly has, but I didn't realize.
Thank you.
Wonderful analysis, one of those that make me love the song even more after watching it. 🖤
Agreed. And now I want to go back and watch the movie, because I haven't seen it since it came out in 2018. Although probably only for entertainment purposes, since Hollywood movies are notorious for getting the actual facts wrong.
@@LeeKennison I watched it few years ago and didn't like it. I don't know why. Maybe just because I am, generally, very complicated when it comes to movies (I guess I am complicated about everything 😂). Or maybe because I am not a fan of Queen and I just watched it out of curiosity. Don't know, really... 🤔
@@jovana_r I just finished watching it for the first time since 2018. I enjoyed it, which is saying something, since I hardly ever watch movies anymore. I find most big budget Hollywood movies very predictable, and are therefore boring to me. But since I really like Queen, I enjoyed hearing their songs, in the context of the movie and story. I did check first to see where they deviated from the true story first, which was a lot, but mostly little things that the general public wouldn't care about, but the hardcore Queen fans probably would get upset over.
Even though I've been familiar with the song for years, your analysis made me think of it in new ways and rediscover it in a way. Thanks a lot for sharing!
I imagine Freddie could be smiling in Heaven listening to your analysis: 'she got it!'. Really wonderful job on this Amy.
This channel is so valuable
I now have a much greater appreciation of the Harp as an instrument
Thank you for this immersive review
Your understanding of this piece of music is astounding
Wow even the lyrics analysis is spot on
You just described the perfect coming-out song of all times in the most pristine and perfect way! Thank you.
It is very unusual that I subscribe after a reviewer's first video that I view. You are one of maybe three, and I watch about 12 different reviewing channels. I am a long-time Queen fan. You covered Freddie's masterpiece in a depth that is rare. Thank you for that. I would be interested to hear you cover his duet with the opera star (oh wow, I've forgotten her name, it was in Monserrat?) Sorry, it's 6:30 AM and I haven't slept yet. Thank you for your starting in the beginning, "A very good place to start" I appreciate every Julie Andrews/Sound of Music quote I can get! Very clever of you, and almost as good as a quote from the Princess Bride movie.
As you wish …
1:19... "doesn't have more people commenting on the musical design... One of the reasons I love your channel is that I know nothing about musical design. All I know is that when a piece is designed well it resonates with me on certain levels even if I don't know what those levels are. Does that make sense? I just know it's good, I don't know WHY it's good. Then you come along and explain it to me. Even though I don't understand all the nuances I still come away with a greater appreciation for the song/music and the people that created it. For this I thank you!
You are a highly intelligent, unique woman!! You brought reaction videos to much higher standards
Your harp playing is absolute. Thank you for making my day.