2007-01-07 06:24:48 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Entertainment & Music ➔ Music
Freddie Mercury wrote the lyrics, and there has been a lot of speculation as to their meaning. Mercury's parents were deeply involved in Zoroastrianism, and words like "Bismillah" do have a meaning in that religion. His family grew up in Zanzibar, but was forced out by government upheaval in 1964, and they moved to England. Some of the lyrics could be about leaving his homeland behind. Mercury claimed the lyrics were nothing more than "Random rhyming nonsense" when asked about it by his friend Kenny Everett. (thanks, Jonathon - Clermont, FL)
Mercury may have written "Galileo" into the lyrics for the benefit of Brian May, who is an astronomy buff. Galileo is a famous astronomer known for being the first to use a refracting telescope.
The backing track came together quickly, but they spent days overdubbing the vocals in the studio using a 24 track tape machine. By the time they were done, about 120 vocal tracks were layered together. According to Rolling Stone magazine in their list of the top 500 songs, Brian May said that everyone in the band was bewildered when Mercury brought them a draft of this four-part suite - even before he told them, "That's where the operatic bits come in!" Recording technology was so taxed by the song's multitracked scaramouches and fandangos that some tapes became virtually transparent from being overdubbed so many times. At one point, the tape reels began to smoke slightly and had almost worn right down to the breaking point because of how much dubbing they had done - they almost lost one of their greatest hits, and one that would not be easy to reproduce. (thanks, James - Vancouver, Canada)
2007-01-07 06:38:52 · answer #1 · answered by claireh3635 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
From the time "Bohemian Rhapsody" was released to the public, there has been speculation regarding the meaning behind the song's lyrics. Some believe the lyrics depict the events just preceding an execution, pointing to Albert Camus's novel The Stranger as a probable source of inspiration. Others believe the song is about a draftee in the Vietnam war, his personal struggles and the ongoing protests at home. Still others believe the lyrics were only written to fit with the music, and have no meaning at all. As evidence, DJ Everett quoted Mercury as claiming the lyrics were simply "random rhyming nonsense."
Mercury was famously evasive when asked about the song's meaning. Unlike the other members of Queen, who often talked about the inspiration behind the songs they had written, Mercury disliked too much analysis into his material, and preferred listeners to construct their own personal interpretations. What's known for sure is that the song had an especially personal connection for Mercury, which was confirmed by the band's other members. Following the single's release, Mercury was quoted as saying, "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?"
2007-01-07 06:27:19 · answer #2 · answered by star123 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Bohemian - a person, as an artist or writer, who lives and acts free of regard for conventional rules and practices.
pertaining to or characteristic of the unconventional life of a bohemian.
Rhapsody - Music. an instrumental composition irregular in form and suggestive of improvisation.
an ecstatic expression of feeling or enthusiasm.
an epic poem, or a part of such a poem, as a book of the Iliad, suitable for recitation at one time.
a similar piece of modern literature.
an unusually intense or irregular poem or piece of prose.
Archaic. a miscellaneous collection; jumble.
Meaning it is a crazy, exciting, beautiful, excellent song.
2007-01-07 06:30:07 · answer #3 · answered by Rhapsody 5 · 1⤊ 3⤋
its a definition on a rhapsody that Solomons invites the bohemians
2007-01-07 06:28:25 · answer #4 · answered by star ray 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
It is very possible that this song has nothing to do with AIDS since it has been noted that at the time of the songs release in
Oct. 1975. AIDS was not not known about. AIDS cases began in the early eighties.
2007-01-07 06:35:18 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
its about some bohemian whos in rhapsody i think?
2007-01-07 06:28:52 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
I think its about a man who kills somebody, then realises and feels guilt for what he has done. He's telling his mother about what happened "Mama, just killed a man" and he's waiting to be executed. He isn't going to be released, "We will not let you go" and he thinks he is going straight to hell, hence all the Beelzebub references.
Thats what I think anyway. :)
2007-01-07 06:44:30 · answer #7 · answered by Caroline. 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I've always interpreted it to be about suicide. Listen to the lyrics with this in mind and it all makes perfect sense.
2007-01-07 06:27:16 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
It's about Beelzebub having a devil of a sideboard.
Or something.
2007-01-07 06:27:20 · answer #9 · answered by mickyrisk 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
About 5 or 6 minutes, I should think.
2007-01-07 06:27:32 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 5⤋