Queen – Bohemian Rhapsody

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  My Interpretation:I heard somewhere that, when asked what this song was about, Freddy Mercury said he didn't know what it was about, which I think means that they were kind of fantastical lyrics that represent a surreal kind of life. It doesn't necessarily mean it's about how he had AIDS. It could be just me, but FM should be remembered by being in one of the best bands ever (in my opinion), instead of dying of AIDS.
  
  No matter what it means though I like the melody and the singing. Good song!

  Flag giftofsongon May 14, 2013   Link

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  General Comment:I agree that the AIDs interpretation is bull. However, I've long wondered if this song were a metaphor for being gay and coming out. Even to this day, coming out as gay could be a death sentence, both literally and figuratively. Homosexuals have often been considered dead in eyes of their families. And of course, in many countries gay people are murdered or even executed. I have no idea if Freddie Mercury had this intent or not. Probably not. But it is an interesting twist. Thinking of it in this light alters the tone of the lyrics from whimsical melodrama into real tragedy.
  
  But yeah, the AIDs interpretation is completely bogus.

  Flag turantualon May 13, 2013   Link

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  General Comment:I think the song is about a man who's killed someone and is getting trialed then executed

  Flagged spider486on May 04, 2013   Link

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  My Interpretation:I feel like the song is about suicidal thoughts. when it says "is this the real life?" it makes me think of the different emotions that a conflicted and suicidal person could be experiencing. the man he just killed is himself, and he's telling his mother that he won't be back. the song changes very quickly from a sad theme to an upbeat chant-like thing. This swing in emotion has been found in some people with suicidal thoughts. also "he's just a poor boy from a poor family, sparing his life from this monstrosity" makes me think the song is about being sick of this world, and ending your life. this song is beautiful. and for me, it opened my eyes to this screwed up world we live in.

  Flag anana220on April 19, 2013   Link

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  My Opinion:Simple - I think this is an inner conflict on doing a crime
  So, i sugest not to do any crime, because u'll singing this rhapsody . . .
  *love u queen

  Flag GBimaN7on March 25, 2013   Link

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  General Comment:Could this maybe have been a confession to a crime and a final letter because he knew he would die from his illness? Could Freddy Mercury have learned about his terminal illness, Aids, and killed the lover who gave it to him and then wrote a song to say, "Goodbye," and ask for forgiveness from his mother? Just asking.

  Flag celeste1on March 16, 2013   Link

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    +1

    This song was written before HIV and AIDS was even existed, so the answer to your question is absolutely not.

    Flag Karnenyenon March 19, 2013  

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    This was one of the early songs so he had no idea he was sick.

    Flag sangsueon April 05, 2013  
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  General Comment:Very well the best instance of opera rock, at first they weren't sure if the they should do something like this, but it turned out to be Queen's masterpiece.

  Flag CrimsnEdgeon March 14, 2013   Link

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• +1
  General Comment:I haven't read all (nearly 1,000) of the comments on the meaning of this song, so 1 or more people may have already mentioned what I have to say. FM would never discuss the song's meaning himself or offer an interpretation. And since the other members of the band seemed to feel that the lyrics related to FM's personal experiences, they never really offered interpretations either. But of all the possible ways to view the lyrics that I've seen, my favorite two are pasted below, for what they're worth.
  
  This was from a BBC piece on the band: "When the band released a Greatest Hits cassette in Iran, a leaflet in Persian was included with translation and explanations. In the explanation, Queen states that "Bohemian Rhapsody" is about a young man who has accidentally killed someone and, like Faust, sold his soul to the devil. On the night before his execution, he calls for God in Arabic, "Bismillah," and with the help of angels, regains his soul from Shaitan."
  
  And here's the only direct comment I've ever seen that Freddie personally offered about the lyrics: “It’s one of those songs which has such a fantasy feel about it. I think people should just listen to it, think about it, and then make up their own minds as to what it says to them … Bohemian Rhapsody didn’t just come out of thin air. I did a bit of research although it was tongue-in-cheek and mock opera. Why not?” – Freddie Mercury [Davis, Andy (1993). "Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody". Record Collector (167): 20]
  
  FYI.

  Flag CinCmcon February 22, 2013   Link

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  General Comment:I think this song is about a guy, he knows he is gonna die soon, and he is confused about weather he is going to Heaven, or hell. Just my opinion.

  Flag ShooFlyPieon February 02, 2013   Link

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• +2
  My Interpretation:this song starts as a kind of vague question, as the singer has found himself caught in an unescapable series of events and can't believe it's actually happening.
  he tries to kid himself that he doesn't really care
  next we move to his prison cell where he's explaining to his distraught mother that he has killed someone and as a result, thrown his own young life away, as he is going to be executed within 24 hours.
  he then explains that it's too late for any kind of reprieve, and that he feels physically sick at the thought of what is about to happen. he cries that he doesnt want to die and wishes he'd never even been born
  then the interesting bit:
  he goes into a kind of daydream, reverie, whatever where a kind of operatic drama is taking place in his head between him, the poor boy who has got himself into a terrible situation in a moment of madness, the chorus who are pleading for clemency, and the authorities who are legally bound to execute him. there's lots of cod-italian images, which i think is Freddie having a really good time writing.
  at the end of this bit he pleads to be released as he feels that the devil, beelzebub is going to punish him enough.
  we then move into the hard rock bit where his mood changes and he starts to feel angry that anyone has the right to do this to him and is despeately looking around for a way to get out, no matter what.
  this doesn't last long, however, and he soon runs out of energy and lapses into acceptance of the unchangeable situation.
  
  i believe this is the greatest song ever written. it's like the mount everest of popular music, as beethoven 5 is the everest of the classics. mercury was known as a great showman, but people forget that he was a great musician and composer. up there with lennon mcartney, buddy, dylan, hendrix, sting etc etc.
  the role of the rest of the band is undeniable, notably brian may's amazing guitar. second only to hendrix and the equal or better of knoplfler, clapton, gilmour, beck etc IMHO.
  there is just so much attention to detail it feels like it must have taken years to compose and execute
  some songs just cannot be topped, good vibrations, whiter shade of pale, i'm not in love, i will survive, numerous beatles come close but this is is perfection!

  Flagged musicAlgarveon January 29, 2013   Link

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