...one of THE most popular rock songs of all time? I look at some of the accolades, now, that Bohemian Rhapsody receives, and, really can't recall it being considered so in the time before Freddie died. Perhaps I was just not as aware, and, didn't pay attention.
I came home from a hard day at the office, and, just listened to Bo Rhap, and, really paid attention. I tried to experience it as if I had never heard it. Tried to listen with fresh ears, and, truly, it IS an amazing composition.
The beauty of it got me to wondering if Freddie ever really knew just what he had done.
That's a good question and I happen to believe that Freddie Mercury did know what he had done. He must have known that Bohemian Rhapsody redefined rock and roll to a certain extant. What he'll never know is just how much of an impact it still has even to this day.
Yeah, while he was alive, he obviously knew Bohemian Rhapsody was something special to everyone everywhere. He seemed though, in some interviews I've seen, that he gets "pissed off" easily if you mention Boh Rhap and what was it written about.
Which I can perfectly understand his reasons not to discuss about it.
I just think he was "sick" of the song after being so much overrated in his eyes?
I hope that he did. I recall seeing an interview with Brian, after Freddie's death, discussing the making of Bo Rhap. He described how the guitar bits, including the solo, were actually Freddie's, as well, and, that Freddie struggled to communicate what was in his mind for Brian via the piano. It struck me just how much of Freddie is in this song.
I imagine discussions about this song are redundant, here on Queenzone, however, I am new here, and, though I did a few searches, couldn't locate the thread that answered my question. So, I do apologize to all who likely find this subject tiresome.
That being said, I always assumed the song stemmed from a dream. Ever had one of those freakish dreams, whereby you do something so completely out of character, and, wonder how on earth you managed to dream such a thing in such tremendous detail? I imagine him waking up from such a dream, horrified by the visions so fresh in his mind, and, beginning to write...
However, that is purely speculation. Honestly, I don't really care what, if anything, the song is about. I only know that it is a powerful musical composition. I may have been happy had the lyrics been, simply, "Lalalala," with an occasional, "Mama mia," thrown in...
I reckon he was somewhat aware (they won that award in '77 as "the best song of last 25 years", an Ivor Nevello?), but after a certain amount of time, an iconic song like BoRap can take on a life of it's own and I'll bet it becomes almost like a albatross around your neck. You have to play it every night, but any worthwhile artist wants to continue to grow and try new things, yet every night you have to play it over and over again-no matter how much you enjoyed creating it and liked the final product, I'll bet it becomes a love/hate thing.
Bob-Plant wrote: but after a certain amount of time, an iconic song like BoRap can take on a life of it's own and I'll bet it becomes almost like a albatross around your neck. You have to play it every night, but any worthwhile artist wants to continue to grow and try new things, yet every night you have to play it over and over again-no matter how much you enjoyed creating it and liked the final product, I'll bet it becomes a love/hate thing.
That was exactly the reason that Led Zep stopped playing "Stairway To Heaven". It was fast becoming their albatross. In order for Queen to get away with not playing Bo Rhap live, they would have had to do the same and maybe dropped it after the first 3 tours or so.
I think it was rather obvious that this song (and others like 'Under Pressure') would become more famous after Freddie died.
Lest Brian pop his clogs, I'm sure his tracks will become more famous too. And of course, Roger will tour with Ed O'Brien claiming that he was Bri's favourite guitarist.
I suppose what I do recall is that Bo Rhap became huuuuuge with the release of the Wayne's World film. What I don't know is if it had always been that huge, and, I had simply forgotten, or, if the film forced rock critics to revisit it.
And, I have a feeling that Freddie would have gotten a kick out of Wayne and Garth rocking out to his little ditty in a Pacer.
