Essential Listening #51: Bohemian Rhapsody

My Comments

I think we have all heard this song. Haven’t we? Rock meets Opera. Nobody does it like Queen. Multi-tracking vocals and an incredible sounding home made guitar by Brian May.

Details

“Bohemian Rhapsody” is one of the most iconic and celebrated songs in rock music history. Written by Freddie Mercury for Queen’s 1975 album A Night at the Opera, the song is known for its unique structure, elaborate production, and theatrical style. Here’s a detailed look at “Bohemian Rhapsody”:

Background and Composition

• Release: The song was released on October 31, 1975, as the lead single from A Night at the Opera.
• Songwriter: Freddie Mercury, the lead vocalist and pianist of Queen, wrote the entire song.
• Recording: The recording of the song took place at various studios, including Rockfield Studio 1 in Monmouth, Wales, during August and September 1975. The production was highly complex, involving over 180 separate overdubs.

Structure and Style

“Bohemian Rhapsody” is notable for its unconventional structure, which includes multiple sections:

1. Introduction (Ballad Section):
   • The song begins with an a cappella introduction featuring multi-tracked harmonies.
   • Mercury’s piano and vocal lead the ballad section, telling a story of a young man who confesses to a crime.
2. Opera Section:
   • This section is characterized by elaborate operatic vocal harmonies, theatrical lyrics, and a choral arrangement.
   • The lyrics include references to Scaramouche, Galileo, Figaro, and Beelzebub, blending fantasy and drama.
3. Hard Rock Section:
   • The song transitions into a powerful hard rock segment with a guitar solo by Brian May.
   • This part is aggressive and dynamic, contrasting with the operatic section.
4. Reflective Coda (Ballad Reprise):
   • The song returns to a softer ballad style with Mercury’s reflective vocals and piano.
   • The final line, “Nothing really matters,” underscores the song’s existential themes.

Themes and Lyrics

• Themes: The song’s lyrics are open to interpretation, but they often explore themes of guilt, existentialism, and redemption. Mercury never explicitly explained the song’s meaning, leaving it up to the listener’s interpretation.
• Influences: The song draws on various musical influences, including classical opera, progressive rock, and hard rock.

Production and Innovation

• Overdubbing: The song features extensive overdubbing, particularly in the operatic section, where Mercury, May, and Taylor recorded their vocals multiple times to create a choir effect.
• Instrumentation: Freddie Mercury played piano, Brian May played electric guitar, John Deacon played bass guitar, and Roger Taylor played drums. The band utilized innovative studio techniques to achieve the song’s complex sound.

Reception and Impact

• Chart Performance: “Bohemian Rhapsody” was a commercial success, reaching number one on the UK Singles Chart, where it stayed for nine weeks. It also topped the charts in multiple countries and reached number nine on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States.
• Critical Acclaim: The song is frequently cited as one of the greatest rock songs of all time, praised for its originality, complexity, and execution.
• Awards and Recognition: In 1992, following its inclusion in the film Wayne’s World, the song re-entered the charts and reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100. It won numerous awards and is included in several “greatest songs” lists by various publications.

Music Video

• Innovation: The music video for “Bohemian Rhapsody” is often credited as one of the first true promotional music videos. Directed by Bruce Gowers, it features the band performing the song, with visual effects that match the song’s theatrical nature.
• Impact: The video helped popularize the music video format, paving the way for future artists in the MTV era.

Legacy

• Cultural Impact: “Bohemian Rhapsody” has had a lasting impact on music and popular culture. It has been covered and parodied by numerous artists and has appeared in various films, television shows, and commercials.
• Biographical Film: The 2018 biographical film Bohemian Rhapsody, which tells the story of Freddie Mercury and Queen, further cemented the song’s legacy, introducing it to new generations.

Live Performances

• Queen’s Live Performances: The song was a staple of Queen’s live shows, although the band often used a recording for the operatic section due to its complexity. It was famously performed at the Live Aid concert in 1985, which is considered one of the greatest live performances in rock history.