About the song
“Bohemian Rhapsody,” a groundbreaking track by the British rock band Queen, stands as one of the most iconic and ambitious songs in the history of popular music. Released as the lead single from their fourth studio album, *A Night at the Opera*, in 1975, this six-minute opus defies conventional songwriting with its unconventional structure and eclectic mix of genres. Penned by Freddie Mercury, the band’s flamboyant lead singer, “Bohemian Rhapsody” is renowned for its innovative blend of rock, opera, and ballad elements, making it a landmark in the progressive rock genre.
The song unfolds in five distinct segments: an a cappella introduction, a poignant ballad section, a dramatic operatic passage, a powerful hard rock interlude, and a reflective coda. Its unique format eschews the traditional verse-chorus structure, instead weaving together disparate musical styles and themes. Mercury himself described it as a “mock opera,” a playful nod to classical opera while subverting its conventions with a dose of satire and theatrical flair. The lyrics of “Bohemian Rhapsody” are a cryptic narrative filled with references to historical and literary figures such as Scaramouche, Galileo, and Beelzebub, punctuated by dramatic exclamations like “Bismillah!”
The recording process for “Bohemian Rhapsody” was as unconventional as the song itself. The band and their producer, Roy Thomas Baker, utilized five studios and an elaborate multitrack recording technique, layering nearly 200 tracks to achieve the song’s rich, complex sound. The operatic section alone required extensive overdubbing and splicing of tape, reflecting the band’s dedication to crafting a piece that was both sonically and technically groundbreaking.
Despite a mixed initial reception, “Bohemian Rhapsody” has since been hailed as one of the greatest songs of all time. It topped the UK Singles Chart for nine weeks and achieved remarkable success globally, selling over six million copies and charting prominently in countries like Canada, Australia, and the United States. The song’s influence extends beyond music, as its innovative promotional video played a crucial role in the evolution of the music video industry.
In recognition of its enduring impact, “Bohemian Rhapsody” was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2004 and remains a quintessential piece of rock history. Its legacy continues to captivate new generations, underscoring the timeless brilliance of Freddie Mercury’s vision and the unparalleled artistry of Queen.
Video
Lyrics
Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy?
Caught in a landslide, no escape from reality
Open your eyes, look up to the skies and see
I’m just a poor boy, I need no sympathy
Because I’m easy come, easy go
Little high, little low
Any way the wind blows doesn’t really matter to me, to me
Mama, just killed a man
Put a gun against his head, pulled my trigger, now he’s dead
Mama, life had just begun
But now I’ve gone and thrown it all away
Mama, ooh, didn’t mean to make you cry
If I’m not back again this time tomorrow
Carry on, carry on as if nothing really matters
Too late, my time has come
Sends shivers down my spine, body’s aching all the time
Goodbye, everybody, I’ve got to go
Gotta leave you all behind and face the truth
Mama, ooh (any way the wind blows)
I don’t wanna die
I sometimes wish I’d never been born at all
I see a little silhouetto of a man
Scaramouche, Scaramouche, will you do the Fandango?
Thunderbolt and lightning, very, very frightening me
(Galileo) Galileo, (Galileo) Galileo, Galileo Figaro, magnifico
But I’m just a poor boy, nobody loves me
He’s just a poor boy from a poor family
Spare him his life from this monstrosity
Easy come, easy go, will you let me go?
No, we will not let you go (let him go)
We will not let you go (let him go)
We will not let you go (let me go)
Will not let you go (let me go)
Will not let you go (never, never, never, never let me go)
No, no, no, no, no, no, no
Oh, mamma mia, mamma mia
Mamma mia, let me go
Beelzebub has a devil put aside for me, for me, for me
So you think you can stone me and spit in my eye?
So you think you can love me and leave me to die?
Oh, baby, can’t do this to me, baby
Just gotta get out, just gotta get right outta here
Ooh
Ooh, yeah, ooh, yeah
Nothing really matters, anyone can see
Nothing really matters
Nothing really matters to me