| rhapsody__87 29.01.2004 17:20 |
Bohemian Rhapsody. I'm sure this is a tired topic, but some idiot guy in my English class keeps saying that Bo Rhap is about the devil. ...Which it's not! Right? I always interpreted it as muuuch different then that. It's kind of annoying, too, when people claim they're HUGE Queen fans, yet they've only listened to the first Greatest Hits albums. Please. :- Oh, by the way... I'm Erica, I'm almost 17 and I'm new here. Thought I'd say hi! :) |
| FriedChicken 29.01.2004 17:24 |
Bohemian Rhapsody isn't about anything at all, Since it's made of 3 totally different songs, The intro, the ballad, and the rock part were supposed to be 3 totally different songs (Useless trivia: The intro of Bohemian Rhapsody was written by Freddie and one of his Wreckage bandmates, as a chorus for one of their songs) |
| rhapsody__87 29.01.2004 17:27 |
That's really interesting! Well... it worked... a song about nothing really because it's so successful. This is why we love Freddie! |
| Virtuoso 29.01.2004 17:34 |
Everybody has their own intepretations,that what's cool about it.Freddie never really said what the song was about,it was more of a personnel thing,you know.What's so great about it is you can associated with any events or emotions(more or less)troughout your life.I think that it's neat in a way that he (or they)kept it a mystery. |
| Flashman 29.01.2004 17:44 |
It's about a tired old wizard and his unquenchable addiction to steak and kidney pies. |
| rhapsody__87 29.01.2004 17:47 |
< Err... rriiiight! Haha... I wouldn't mind a steak right now though. |
| Whatinthewhatthe? 29.01.2004 19:27 |
I was never keen on any "deep meaning" to Bo Rhap -- all I know is that what attracted me to the song was that it was different from anything I'd ever heard before, and the sound of Freddie's voice from the first few bars was and still is heaven... |
| Mr Mercury 29.01.2004 19:36 |
I remember someone on this board argue that the song could have been about Freddie's "coming out". Cant remember who it was by though. |
| rhapsody__87 29.01.2004 19:54 |
<> That's what I interpreted it to be! It makes sense though if you REALLY read the lyrics, right?? |
| iGSM 29.01.2004 22:03 |
Pfft, Bohemian Rhapsody..reallllllllly good song. No.. really. It is. I'm listening to it now. |
| dragonzflame 29.01.2004 22:34 |
Except that I think he was still into the ladies at that point, wasn't he? |
| rhapsody__87 29.01.2004 22:39 |
< I dunno! When I saw that Freddie Mercury documentary (The Untold Story) on Trio in October, Mary said something about when they were together in the 70's, he finally realized that he liked men not women. But I think the Bo Rhap time was when he was with Mary. ... OR I could definitely be talking out of my ass. Which I probably am. Someone correct me, please? haha :) |
| MexQueenFM 29.01.2004 23:57 |
according to Mary he went the gay way in the Sheer Heart Attack Album, so Bo Rhap was written after that |
| Togg 30.01.2004 06:24 |
Can open worms everywhere! Well I guess we will never know, however I personally find it difficult to imagine that he had no meaning in mind during the final composition, and a lot of evidence does point to effectively telling his Mother he was Gay, but then again it could well turn out to be about a guy running a fish and chip van in Watford! |
| FM 30.01.2004 09:09 |
Just because Freddie was still with Mary and "into girls" at the time he wrote BoRap doesn't mean there was no struggle within him regarding his sexuality at that time. More the reason for him to be struggling with it. There is no doubt in my mind that that song is indeed about his sexuality and his coming to terms with it. I believe Brian has even said this. BoRap was Freddie's most personal composition. Also, all my beliefs regarding Freddie in every aspect were confirmed after seeing Mercury, the Afterlife and Times of a Rock God. |
| Sebastian 30.01.2004 09:46 |
> Useless trivia: The intro of Bohemian Rhapsody was written by Freddie and one of his Wreckage bandmates, as a chorus for one of their songs) That's not really true. 'Real Life' apparently is a song Fred wrote in Wreckage that was similar to the intro of Bo Rhap, in the same way Let Your Heart Rule Your Head is similarto '39 but we don't say "Brian wrote 'Let Your Heart' in 1975" |
| Penetration_Guru 30.01.2004 11:38 |
OK< the answer to the original question is a very simple NO. Nobody knows the meaning, and your mate is merely claiming that his rumour is better than your rumour. |
| pouria 31.01.2004 16:17 |
it's the story of a boy who has killed someone because he'd sold his soul to devil and now this is the night before he gets killed because of his crime. then he starts saying the god's name in arabic (bismillah) so he can free his soul from satan and as he's calling God he is in some unconcousness state. and finally he manages to win his soul back. the story is something like Goethe's Faust, justa hint for those of you who have read that book. |
| rhapsody__87 31.01.2004 17:31 |
that's a good interpretation... is it true?? < and finally he manages to win his soul back.>> |
| Penetration_Guru 31.01.2004 18:51 |
Do you believe everything people tell you? If so, you owe me a tenner... |
| *goodco* 01.02.2004 03:30 |
It's the story of ...... Bo. He mean. Raps Ody. Indahead. Ody dies. Or maybe he doesn't. That's why the song is such a mystery. |
| Nightjar_ 01.02.2004 05:48 |
It was me who said it was the story of him coming out..... Mama i just killed a man etc..= Bulsara is dead and so on. This is why Brian and Rog always insist they don't know what the song means, which is bullshit |
| YourValentine 01.02.2004 05:55 |
"There is no doubt in my mind that that song is indeed about his sexuality and his coming to terms with it. I believe Brian has even said this." Could you please direct me to the interview or whatever quote where Brian said the song is about Freddie's sexuality? I have serious doubts he said that. |
| FM 01.02.2004 08:57 |
YourValentine: In one of my videos, there are interviews with everyone and in these interviews talking about Freddie and BoRap Brian does say something along the lines that BoRap is clearly about Freddie coming to terms with himself. Also Roy Thomas Baker says the same thing--how Freddie was very torn at that time of his life regarding his sexuality. As I'm sure you have all the same videos as I do, just go through them all and look and listen for yourself. As I said, there has never been any doubt in my mind. |
| YourValentine 01.02.2004 09:44 |
I don't mind what you think about the lyrics of BoRhap, Malina - I think everybody can read the song as they want and your guess is as good as anyone else's. My question is about Brian's comment and I really would like to know where he made this statement. I have over 200 Queen related Video CDs with TV features, interviews etc and each and every officially released Queen Video document and I never saw this comment, so please give me a hint where he made that connection between Fredde's sexuality and the BoRhap lyrics, that would be really interesting. I also think you should ask yourself the following question: if you knew nothing about Freddie Mercury, if you had never seen a picture or heard any details about the person and you would hear Bohemian Rhapsody for the first time, would you say - hey, that is clearly a song by a gay man in the closet who tries to come to term with his sexual orientation, there is no doubt about that? - What I am trying to say is that a song (poem) has its own life independent from the author and it's meaning is up to every listener/reader. I would be very surprised to learn that Brian made a connection between song lyrics and Freddie's personal life at the time. He can do that for his own lyrics if he wants but not with his friend's song. |
| Mr Mercury 01.02.2004 10:11 |
Nightjar, thanks for reminding me - I honestly couldnt remember who said it. No matter what you think the song is about it is still a great song. Cheers |
| MercuryArts 01.02.2004 10:20 |
I always thought the song was about 5 min. & 55 sec. |
| Sebastian 01.02.2004 10:52 |
very good answer |
| FM 01.02.2004 11:18 |
Your Valentine: You seem to want to debate/argue every point/statement I have to say. Brian made this statement--I don't know what video it is on, as I too have many, many videos and every offically released ones as well, and I don't intend to now go back for your benefit and find the one in which it is. If you would like to know, then you can look at each of them and find it yourself. Brian did not say that he knew at the time that Freddie wrote the song what the song represented; we are talking about an interview with Brian years after Freddie's death looking back in retrospect. No, I have never had the pleasure of personally meeting Freddie, but can say with all honesty that I too looking back now in retrospect can see the meaning in that song. If you want to disagree, that's fine. We're all entitled to our opinions. But, I ask you, do you really listen to these videos you have? I do, especially when they speak of Freddie. |
| rhapsody__87 01.02.2004 11:34 |
My GOD... I didn't know this is a who's-got-what contest... can't we all just get along? I didn't think that my question would spark a little argument between you two! :-( |
| YourValentine 01.02.2004 11:54 |
Don't worry, it's just a discussion, rhapsody__87 :) Malina, I thought I made it clear that I don't mind your opinion at all, it's your opinion and that's perfectly okay. It's just when you back up your point with a quote it's all right for me to ask for the quote. Yes, I DO watch my videos and that is the reason why I asked. I never came across such a comment by Brian May (and I would have found it weird if he made such a statement), so I don't see why you are so offended. |
| FM 01.02.2004 14:31 |
YourValentine: I merely told you to re-watch your videos and really listen to them. As my main interest in Queen (besides the music) is Freddie, I pay very close attention to any comment said about him or from him. |
| Daburcor? 01.02.2004 14:35 |
"I'm sure this is a tired topic, but some idiot guy in my English class keeps saying that Bo Rhap is about the devil. ...Which it's not!" Seems to be the popular opinion with the moronic. My Dad thinks the same thing. If it says Beelzebub, Then it is about the devil. End of story. |
| MamaQueen 01.02.2004 18:20 |
I think Brian mentions something about Freddie going through a difficult time regarding his identity, when he made Bohemian Rapsody, in the Greatest Hits I video where he explains how the song was arranged and recorded. I'm not 100% sure. I'm at work, otherwise I would go and check. I've seen only two interviews, the one in Greatest Hits I and another one with Brian, Roger, John, Mary, Peter, Elton Johns, the woman costumes designer in the 70's and others talk about Freddie and Queen.(I'm of great help, am I not?). Well, Brian's comment inclines me to think that the song has something to do with Freddie's difficult time in recognizing that he was gay, leaving Mary, and the pain his parents would feel if they knew. It's impossible to say point by point, this is what he ment here, or that's what he ment there. The song is a whole big metaphore, but feelings of anguish and pain come through clearly, more so than in other songs. I deffinitly don't believe this is a song about "nothing". As you can see we can argue about the meaning of this song, but settle the argument? I doubt it. |