On this date in 1975, one of the unlikeliest of hit songs was released. It was a song without a chorus. It had an entire operatic section, a genre of music as far removed from pop or rock audiences as one could find. The title of the song didn’t appear in any of the lyrics. In fact, the lyrics made no sense unless you were familiar with a play written in the late 1700’s by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. Not your normal ingredients for a hit.
But, in defiance of all the odds, Bohemian Rhapsody was a hit single in 1975-6. And an even bigger hit single in 1992 thanks to Wayne’s World. And then, an even BIGGER hit in 2016. It remains the third best-selling single of all time in the UK and is THE most streamed song of all time from the 20th century.
There are various theories about the meaning of the lyrics. Freddie Mercury, who wrote the entire song, never revealed exactly what the song meant so I will leave that up to you, the reader, to decide. Regardless of its meaning (or meanings), it truly is an astounding feat of music and production, taking more than seventy hours to complete including 120 separate vocal tracks. The only song I can think of that can compare, coincidentally also from 1975, is I’m Not in Love by 10CC. (Watch the video of it to be amazed.)
Go on, play the lead in your head while head banging. “So you think you can stone me and spit in my eye! So you think you can love me, then leave me to die!”
Classic.
