tomchristie22 17.07.2015 08:39 |
This is such a commonly held and almost entirely unquestioned idea, but is there actually any substance to it? Where did it originate? Did Mary Austin actually leave Freddie's life (or consider doing so), as the song's lyrics describe, after his coming out and their breakup? It seems to me that the association has come from the fact that Freddie later referred to her as the love of his life (whether in those exact words or just by implication), when really there doesn't seem to be much evidence that there's any resemblance between the song's lyrics and the end of their relationship in 1976. I'm happy to be proven wrong by people who know more details on the matter, though. |
Sebastian 17.07.2015 08:47 |
Considering he didn't really explain his lyrics, let alone publicly, I really doubt there's any direct statement from him claiming so, although I'm obviously willing to stand corrected if that's the case. I agree with the reasons you've mentioned: she was his girlfriend at the time, so people naturally assume it was about her, though not necessarily. For all we know, he could've simply been writing some nice words without them necessarily relating to his own life. He did write a lot of fiction anyway, so he could've created a character, like he did with 'Great King Rat' or 'Hangman.' |
soxtalon 17.07.2015 19:07 |
This may not add much to the discussion - but for shits and giggles, I do remember an interview with Freddie where he called Mary the love of his life - around the same time as the none of my lovers have ever measured up to Mary bit.... Now Queen was still actively performing the song at the time... SO...nothing definitive but could be seen as possibly being indicative. |
oligneisti 18.07.2015 14:41 |
Mary yes. But. If you think of the roles they each play in the song I would say it is written from Mary's point of view. |
tomchristie22 18.07.2015 20:39 |
oligneisti wrote: Mary yes. But. If you think of the roles they each play in the song I would say it is written from Mary's point of view.Ah, that's an interesting idea. That would make sense, too, in that it'd explain inaccuracies and exaggerations which may have resulted from him imagining how she was going to feel (or how she did feel - I'm not sure if he'd come out by that point). |
master marathon runner 19.07.2015 01:18 |
Well, she was the main beneficiary of his will and for a host of other reasons....yay. |
pittrek 19.07.2015 04:25 |
oligneisti wrote: Mary yes. But. If you think of the roles they each play in the song I would say it is written from Mary's point of view.That's exactly how I understand the song. |
matt z 19.07.2015 06:46 |
Considering the references to her ive always figured its a composite of things. Freddie loved her. She loved Freddie. Freddie was a homo and "that sort of relationship" couldn't continue with others involved. Freddie didn't want to lose her in his life *(a very girly thing to do). And Freddie wrote the song with his reverence for sad love songs. Imo. It's partly his own pain and partly electing to be dramatic, partly wishing for Mary's feelings that way as well. But also hopeful that he can encourage her with a beautiful song to stay around. Of course that's purely speculation. Of course Freddie owned up to the "when I grow older. .." bit. Financially and other. |
Mr.QueenFan 19.07.2015 16:19 |
oligneisti wrote: Mary yes. But. If you think of the roles they each play in the song I would say it is written from Mary's point of view.That's a very good observation! The song makes sense from Mary's point of view, and becomes very prophetic too, because Freddie never got old, but Mary stayed at this side and reminded him how much she loved him- until the end! Freddie was a very lucky man, because Mary really loved him. Uncondicional love! |
Sponge Caves 29.09.2017 14:13 |
Old post yes, but I am adding to it, because I've seen several articles this week claiming he wrote a love song for a woman, and how Mary was his "beautiful muse" *barf* (sorry, I'm not romantic!) I agree with the song only making sense if it's told from her POV. But what I can't get past is the fact it was recorded some time in the Summer of 1975. Freddie didn't actually come out fully to her until 1976, and they didn't actually part ways til the end of 1976. How can it be a breakup song if it was written over a year before they actually split? Personally I don't think it's about anyone in particular, because it doesn't fit with the timeline of his life events / dates on recording boxes. Also Freddie was having an affair with David Minns commencing in Summer 1975, so it seems unlikely that he would pen a ballad about his undying love to a woman he was cheating on. A further point to make is that Mary herself admitted he was avoiding her and uncomfortable with himself at this time. Why would he write a love song for someone he's not even bothering to come home to at night anymore? John Reid said he thinks the song was about David Minns but my opinion is that it's not about anyone in particular, it's just a love song. Just like he sang Somebody to Love when he definitely DID have somebody to love. I think it's just gone down as one of the Queen legends because he referred to her as the love of his life much later, in one of his melodramatic "I don't have any friends" interviews. |
The Real Wizard 29.09.2017 15:13 |
oligneisti wrote: Mary yes. But. If you think of the roles they each play in the song I would say it is written from Mary's point of view.Yep, this. And furthermore - I see Save Me as Brian's song written for Freddie towards Mary, as his lifestyle was starting to get a bit too hedonistic around then. |
c.jory 29.09.2017 15:41 |
I thought Brian said he wrote Save Me about his friends whose relationship broke down. That one is definitely from a girl's perspective |
Sebastian 29.09.2017 16:51 |
captainjory wrote: I thought Brian said he wrote Save Me about his friends whose relationship broke down.That friend could've very well been Frederick... or Mary. By the way, Frederick told Stephen Ford this around May 1976: Frederick Mercury said: I suppose I do write a lot of sad songs, but that doesn't mean I feel that way myself. I really enjoy writing those songs but, again, there isn't necessarily any connexion between the music and my life. Love of My Life, for instance, I simply made up. There's nothing personal about it. Am I making sense? What I mean is, writing those sad songs makes me happy. To me, they're fun, so it all fits in. I just happen to like that kind of music. |
Invisible Woman 29.09.2017 17:26 |
I don't think so. From her perspective maybe. I always think about song Somebody To Love as some sort of Freddie's desire to get rid of such a relationship with Mary,that he obviously wasn't happy in that relationship. Maybe I'm wrong, but it seems to me so. |
Sponge Caves 29.09.2017 18:14 |
Sebastian wrote:That quote is really interesting, thanks. I want to find the source now.captainjory wrote: I thought Brian said he wrote Save Me about his friends whose relationship broke down.That friend could've very well been Frederick... or Mary. By the way, Frederick told Stephen Ford this around May 1976:Frederick Mercury said: I suppose I do write a lot of sad songs, but that doesn't mean I feel that way myself. I really enjoy writing those songs but, again, there isn't necessarily any connexion between the music and my life. Love of My Life, for instance, I simply made up. There's nothing personal about it. Am I making sense? What I mean is, writing those sad songs makes me happy. To me, they're fun, so it all fits in. I just happen to like that kind of music. |
Sponge Caves 29.09.2017 18:16 |
Invisible Woman wrote: I don't think so. From her perspective maybe. I always think about song Somebody To Love as some sort of Freddie's desire to get rid of such a relationship with Mary,that he obviously wasn't happy in that relationship. Maybe I'm wrong, but it seems to me so.It could be yeah, but he was also with David Minns at that time too. So it's either a general song or he wanted even more love lol |
mooghead 29.09.2017 19:28 |
It might just may have been some words to a song he wrote. It actually might just be something he did. Without thinking about what people 40+ years later might be speculating about. |
Sebastian 30.09.2017 14:23 |
Sponge Caves wrote: That quote is really interesting, thanks. I want to find the source now. |
Dr Magus 30.09.2017 17:58 |
Love Of My Life is about Adam Lambert. Freddie's favourite karaoke singer. |
Sponge Caves 30.09.2017 18:41 |
Sebastian wrote:Thanks Sebastian! I spent so long searching!Sponge Caves wrote: That quote is really interesting, thanks. I want to find the source now. |