Русский (Russian) Bohemian Rhapsody Lyrics Widely considered to be one of the greatest songs of all time , “Bohemian Rhapsody” was the first single released from Queen’s fourth studio album, A Night at the Opera . It became an international success, reaching #1 in seven countries and peaking at #9 in the United States. On December 9, 1991, sixteen years after its initial release, “Bohemian Rhapsody” reclaimed #1 in the UK single charts after it was re-released by Queen as a double A-side single with “These Are the Days of Our Lives” two weeks after Freddie Mercury’s death on November 24, 1991. A year later in 1992, it re-entered the pop charts in the US, peaking at #2 after being featured in the hit movie Wayne’s World . In 2002, the song was listed at #1 in a Guinness World Records poll as Britain’s favourite single of all time—ranking higher than four Beatles tracks and “Imagine” by John Lennon . In 2004, the song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. The song re-entered the Billboard Hot 100, as well as public consciousness, yet again with the release of the Bohemian Rhapsody biopic in November of 2018. The movie grossed about $910.8 million worldwide, and made the song “the most streamed song of the 20th century” with over 1.6 billion downloads across all major streaming services. And on March 25, 2021, The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) certified Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” diamond. Complex and operatic both musically and lyrically, “Bohemian Rhapsody” (like Led Zeppelin ’s “Stairway to Heaven” and The Eagles ‘ “Hotel California” ) has attracted endless fan theories and commentary. The surviving band members have claimed that the narrative is based on the Faust legend ; critics have found possible sources in opera and Freddie Mercury’s personal biography; but like any good piece of art, it’s open to interpretation. The word “Bohemian” seems to refer to a group of artists and musicians from the 19th century, known for defying convention and living with disregard for standards; as opposed to the region of Bohemia in the Czech Republic. Meanwhile the term “rhapsody” (derived from the Greek: ῥαψῳδός or rhapsōidos for a reciter of epic poetry, or a rhapsodist) is a piece of classical music with distinct sections that are played as one movement. Rhapsodies often feature dense themes or narratives. “Bohemian Rhapsody” has got a very diverse song structure. It includes: • Intro (0:00-0:49) • Ballad section (0:49-2:37) • Brian May‘s guitar solo (2:37-3:05) • Operatic verse (3:05-4:07) • Hard-rock verse (4:07-4:54) • Coda (4:54-5:55) Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning A “bohemian” is an unconventional artistic free spirit who lacks anything tying them down. It can also refer to the Kingdom of Bohemia, now part of Czechia. It became associated with that sort of lifestyle because the French thought that was where travelling Romani communities came from. “Objection, your Honor: context!” Re-phrase: In late 1975, when Bo Rap’s thunderbolts and lightning cast Queen as rock-gods, was Mercury struck as very, very openly gay? To “be gay”, or “not to be gay”, in mid-1970’s England, was that a question of psychiatric, legal, and/or religious ramifications? Mamma mia; “Spare him his life from” such monstrosities", right? Bo-Rap is a thrill ride shape-shifter, from tragic tear-jerk-trigger-pulling proportions to the comedically scary mock-opera trial parts. It took “Wayne’s World” to push on the gas of the thrill ride back up the U.S. charts to not-quite-#1. Before the snooty over-analysis to follow, let’s get one thing straight: this song has plenty of Bohemian comedy, so line up your opera spectacles (is “opera” gay?). And let’s not forget the B-side: Roger’s “ I’m in Love With My Car ”. Was he, then, motorosexual? Metrosexual? It’s all dripping in the metaphorical. Words, words, words, must be carefully chosen: ask Oscar Wilde or anyone accused of being heretical by the Papacy (scarier than reigning Queens, like certain … nevermind). Was Galileo imprisoned for his heliocentrism? Galileo Galilei was a Sheer Heretic , no? And if Dr. Brian May played the role of the 17th Century Astronomer, then who is Figaro, and were THEY straight? Was the earth flat? “Objection, your Honor!” Sustained; irreverent. Scaramouche, re-direct the “gay connotations” rotation annotation to the 20th to 21st century. Proceed: Many folks interpret Bo Rap’s lyrics as Mercury’s metaphoric struggle with his sexuality; Brian May and Roger Taylor have hinted at the viability of this “rap” regarding Freddie’s Bohemia. Mercury let these lyrics “be” open to interpretation. The song was a seedling as “The Cowboy Song”. That theme bit the dust ahead of time, but apparently left a smoking gun, anyway the wind blew pipes into Queen’s three singing members in mock-opera splendor, the antithesis of a “mute” court. Or was it an operatic jury from Hell passing judgment on the “love” that dare not speak its name? Freddie did say the song was about “relationships”; everyone can relate to that, regardless of “sexual preferences”.

Sheila Whiteley co-authored a 2006 “book” of 19 essays about sexuality in popular music, “Queering the Popular Pitch” (Eds. Sheila Whiteley and Jennifer Rycenga, published by Routledge). Whiteley’s essay “Popular Music and the Dynamics of Desire” on page 252 provides an informative summary, albeit with a lyrical stretch , The heightened sense of urgency seems to resonate with Mercury’s inner turmoil, leaving the security of Mary Austin (who …remained a close friend throughout his life) coming to terms with gay life (“Easy come, easy go”), and living with a man (“So you think you can stone me and spit in my eye”). Mary was, however, more perceptive than the song implies. At the time, Freddie had asked her if she thought he was bisexual. Her reply—“I don’t think you’re bisexual. I think you’re gay” provides an insight into their relationship and her continuing support. When Queen’s gravitational pull grounded their megastardom around the globe, Freddie was not openly gay, i.e., he was not “out-of-the-closet” in a public way. An openly gay rock star, especially in the United States, would have been the kiss-of-death if the fate of New York City’s glam-rock overtly gay artist Jobriath gives any clue. Mary Austin was Freddie’s dearest friend and family-member, by default and design. His death is literally a testament to this. The Vintage News notes : Freddie Mercury’s will dictated that Mary was left with the better part of his wealth, more than $10 million, as well as his large mansion. His mother reportedly approved his decision, stating that Mary was like a family to her. Queen’s monetary health (especially Freddie’s) began with the success of Bo-Rap and their fourth album, “A Night at the Opera”. Such artistic and commercial acclaim made all of Queen’s men quite merry and GAY, and not merely because of the ensuing fame and pay, nor from relief at having severed the strings from their prior managers' greed, who allegedly swindled the band, so badly it spawned Mercury’s wrath on “A Night at the Opera”’s opening track, “ Death on Two Legs (Dedicated to…) ”. So was Freddie Mercury “gay”? Or was he “bi-sexual”? Is “Bohemian Rhapsody” his obvious “coming out” song? Did his “personal inclinations” have a creative impact on Queen’s music and performances for better or for worse? “Objection your honor!” Sustained. Queen still rules; Freddie sang his heart out for his fans, as much as he physically could, until the day he died. In the age of Freddie A.D., the records have been set straight: Queen’s crown as the people’s band is legendary, transcending race, creed, identity, and the crazy little thing dubbed as a “rhapsody”? Labels. EMI (and Elektra?) didn’t approve of its release. But that’s a different story, and Freddie’s sexual “label” was a private, family matter to him, released or hidden in a metaphorical artistic sense? 1. Death on Two Legs (Dedicated to...) 2. Lazing on a Sunday Afternoon 3. I’m in Love with My Car 4. You’re My Best Friend 7. Seaside Rendezvous 8. The Prophet’s Song 9. Love of My Life 10. Good Company 11. Bohemian Rhapsody 12. God Save the Queen