This song is FIVE kinds of music in one. A CAPELLA - is this real or fantasy BALLAD - mama just killed a man OPERA - will you let me go ROCK - love me and leave me to die CODA - nothing really matters QUEEN = GENIUSES
@@llddau I personally am not well versed in the study of music but through reading and watching interviews of those that understand music and 'live' in that world I've written what they've said. So it may be an interchangeable word they use to describe a part of a song (like chorus, verse, coda) or describe the kind of music itself (ballad, opera, coda) *especially* if ALL songs don't have a coda. (I don't know) Here comes a cut/paste of a definition: noun MUSIC noun: coda; plural noun: codas the concluding passage of a piece or movement, typically forming an addition to the basic structure. the concluding section of a dance, especially of a pas de deux or the finale of a ballet in which the dancers parade before the audience. a concluding event, remark, or section. And then from Wikipedia: In music, a coda is a passage that brings a piece to an end. Technically, it is an expanded cadence. It may be as simple as a few measures, or as complex as an entire section. Think of it as the denouement from literature. noun the final part of a play, movie, or narrative in which the strands of the plot are drawn together and matters are explained or resolved. The song style/type certainly changes after the ROCK portion and maybe since it is very short and doesn't fit the definition of a ballad (it's not progressing a romantic/sentimental story). Does that help? I hope
Watch the crowd singing bohemian rhapsody at Wembley ...people of all ages singing ...gives you goosebumps..Freddie has the best voice nobody will ever compare... What the press did to him was pure evil
@Darragh O'Shea but that's the point of music ....there is no right answer ...only a matter of opinion...one persons music is another persons noise.. You said it yourself ...in there own way!! It's not just his voice ...his aura his persona and stage presence... Makes him unique ..be a long time before anyone like that comes along again . I was only 18 when he died an my first daughter was born the next day ...my dad brought us up on music... He died a few years later ...sometimes it's not just the song. ....it's the memories that come with it. That makes someone better than anyone else . The guy out of disturbed or Amy lea have amazing voices... Yet you probably like someone else ...
@Darragh O'Shea He had a condition that made his voice unique in a way that can't be matched. There have been studies done on it, it's pretty neat to read about
M 40 Exactly what I came to mention! Wasn’t it a brilliant moment. They rocked the house without even being there. What an achievement to have so many so willing and able to react to your art that way! Singing as a group is one of my favourite things, a special feeling :)
@@llddau yet it wasn't just the greenday gig...you go to the concerts in south American ...asia Australia ...they all sound exactly the same it a little Unfair to say the greenday gig was the best... Every crowd that done this put there heart into it...
When you said they sound so elegant and perfectly synchronised, I smiled a little. The beginning 5 part harmonies are all done by the lead singer Freddie Mercury, even though it shows all band members singing.
Roger Taylor, the drummer sang the tenor/high part of the harmony & Brian May, the amazing guitarist, also sang harmony, their bass player, John Deacon, sang some of the lower parts, but he was not much of a singer, but a great bass player. Freddie sang most of the parts too, but they over dubbed the tape many times to make it sound like a large group singing. They over dubbed the tape 24 times. They almost ruined the tape!!
What genre was Queen? Depends on what song you're listening to: hard rock, metal, prog rock, rockabilly, pop, R&B ... you name it, they did it. Oh, and a few years before his death, Freddie (lead singer), did an opera album.
This song is called a rock Opera.They are the most educated group that ever was.Freddy Mercury,singer,had a degree in art and graphic design Roger Taylor a degree in Biology John Deacon a degree Electronics Brian May a degree in Astrophysics
It's not about a real killing. Well, no one knows 100 % what he's singing about but many, including me, believe he's singing about killing a part of himself and coming to the realization that he was gay.
@@linusromey561 I never said it was fact, did I?? I just said what so many believe. I've seen people close to him have that theory aswell. I don't think it would be do impossible and far off that it's about that. After all it's around the same time he and Mary broke up and he began to explore the gay scene🤷🏻♀️
I tend to think of it as him grappling with his sexuality, especially coming out to Mary Austin, his longtime girlfriend, and the "mama, just killed a man" bit was really about his revelation ending their romantic relationship, as well as him not liking the fallout from his coming out. When the operatic section comes in, it feels like him talking about the pressures he's under as a performer. Scaramouche is a famous stock clown character from 16th century italian comical theatre, and the fandango is a pairs dance, largely a celebratory dance that has a lot to do with trading off of following the steps of the other dancer, so the first part of that is basically society admonishing him "dance for our entertainment and celebrations, clown, follow the steps you're supposed to follow", and his troubles with maintaining that image. The second part of the operatic section feels like him railing against the condemnation of his sexuality, especially with the lyric "will you let me go?" followed by "bismillah, we will not let you go", as bismillah means 'In the name of god', and then followed by "beelzebub has a devil set aside for me" as beelzebub is a classic name for a major demon, if not the Devil himself (various interpretations of such). And finally, when the hard rock section comes in, it feels very much like him saying "screw all of you, you can't condemn me for being me, I'm going to go be myself, no matter what you say". This is a personal interpretation of the song, mind you, as neither Freddie nor any of the other band members have actually said what it's about.
Queen was actually considered heavy metal back in the day (the term has changed meaning over time). They're in general a classic rock group, but they were definitely not confined to one genre. Thrash metal, punk, hard rock, pop rock, rockabilly, gospel, they could do anything.
I know a lot of people are going to suggest Somebody To Love live at Montreal '81 and rightly so, it's a great performance, well worth watching. If you like songs with vibe however, may I suggest White Queen live at Hammersmith Odeon '75. The musical interlude in it is spine tingling, the way Brians guitar and Freddies piano battle it out, but also intertwine gets to me everytime. Also a personal favourite of mine is Death On Two Legs, a diss track aimed at their former manager who was ripping the band off. Usually I recommend live performances for Queen as they were so amazing live, but for Death On Two Legs I recommend the studio/lyric version as it really shows off the venom in Freddies voice.
Obviously any Queen performance will blow you away but I'd like to put in another vote for Death on Two Legs. It's always great to watch people hearing that track for the first time 😂
A little background on the members of Queen: All are/were college educated. --Freddie had a degree in Graphic Arts and designed Queen's crest, which is made from the member's astrological signs; two lions for Leos for John Deacon and Roger Taylor, a crab for Cancer Brian May and two fairies for Scorpio Mercury. Freddie was born Farrokh Bulsara in Zanzibar, but his family fled the country due to violence against the Sultan of Zanzibar and settled in Middlesex, England. --Brian May (lead guitar, striped shirt), has a PhD in Astrophysics, making him Dr. Brian May. Built his Red Special guitar (what you see in the video) with his father in the early 1960s. May is a huge animal rights activist; he is especially against badger culling in his native England, has an asteroid named after him and has worked with NASA. May, IMO, is a very interesting guy. He's on IG if you want to follow him. --Roger Taylor (drums) has a degree in biology after switching from dentistry, after finding the latter "boring" (his word). Has a higher vocal range than Freddie. You can hear his range in this song, Somebody To Love (especially Montreal '81) and Under Pressure (Live @ Wembley '86). --John Deacon (bass guitar) has a background in electrical engineering. This proved very handy when he built the Deacy (pronounced Deeky; Deaky was Deacon's nickname in the band) amp in 1972 to work specifically for May's Red Special. The Deacy Amp is the only one of its kind (other than a May and Deacon signed-off-on replica) in the world. May and Taylor were members of the band Smile in the late 60s and when their lead singer quit to join a different band, Mercury (a huge fan of Smile) joined the band and changed their name to Queen in 1970. Deacon rounded out the quartet the following year. Deacon was hit the hardest by Freddie's passing. Deacon played with Queen just three more times. most notably at the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert in 1992, then retired after the video for No One But You (Only The Good Die Young) in 1998. Over the past twenty-one years, Deacon has lived quietly in the London area with his wife of 40+ years, has refused all interviews, did not attended Queen's induction into the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame, had no input on Bohemian Rapsody (May and Taylor were advisers) and outside of Queen finances, has little to no contact with May and Taylor. Sorry that this is long, but I thought I'd give you a jumping off point for the guys. As for videos to check out, man...so many, but some of my faves are the aforementioned Somebody To Love and Under Pressure, I Want To Break Free, Stone Cold Crazy (Live @ The Rainbow), Killer Queen, The Show Must Go On, Fat Bottom Girls, Dragon Attack (Montreal '81) and Spread Your Wings. If you ever get bored, head over to Queen's YT channel and walk around for a while.
@@eleven-hopper No - not if you ask the listeners. Queen has just been voted no. 1 with Beatles no 2. now in 2022. But we don't necessarily agree with the results of such polls- I have always been a big fan of the Beatles - I'm 71 - But the more I listen to Queen I love their ability to excel in many genres - and they were all songwriters with #1 in the charts - and very different from one another wich made them strong - and they stayed together for more than 20 years - no other band has managed to do that - -
Queen is simply Queen. No genre, no labels, just Queen. Freddie Mercury is a master! Check more of their songs out. I Want It All is amazing and Don't Stop Me Now is fire!!
Ok, Freddie said in an interviewe back in the late 80's that this song is NOT about him being bisexual. He said does not know if there is a meaning to it, if there is he has no idea what it is.... RIP Freddie! Love you always...
Queen is rock Queen is pop Queen is metal Queen is rockabilly Queen is funk Queen is opera Queen is progressive rock Queen is RnB soul Queen is synth pop Queen is disco Queen is jazz Queen is blues Queen is all of the above or a mixture of everything else.
I had to subscribe just because of your reaction to this. Bohemian Rhapsody isn't just a song it is an experience. Queen is its own genre. They do a little bit of everything. Classic rock, heavy metal, progressive rock, pop, Stadium Rock basically if it's music they can and have done it. You need to keep exploring Queen. Start with Somebody To Love Don't Stop Me Now & Death On Two Legs They have a catalog of over 700 songs. The best group ever with the absolute best front man ever. Nobody is better than Freddie.
This song is whatever the listener wants it to be. It is a epic poem that Freddie and the rest of Queen didn't explain. It is the mystic that makes an unbelievable song even more untouchable. I have my own idea what it is but it's mine as it should be for all listener!!! Loved it from the first moment I heard it when I was a kid back in the day!!!
4 extraordinary professional educated genious musicians that founded a rock music band . They all wrote songs that are considered as " classical" and they mixed so much different types of music so that becomes their special style ! They even brought art music into their songs and they were very successful with their music ! freddy died but his and his fellows music will never die !
James, saw your video and loved it! Take it from an old man that was the first kid in Moline IL to play Queen for his friends, driving around smoking joints in my VW Bettle (1974)! Freddie never told anyone what the song was about but most friends of his and I believe it is his coming out song. The man he killed was not another man, it was the straight persona and he was killing it off b/c he couldn't deny he was really another man interested in other men (Freddie was bisexual like me). He is grieving over what his mother, of the Zoroastrian from Zanzibar would believe to be tantamount to playing with the devil (hence the references to belizibob). In the chorus, he tributes gay men from the middle ages (Galileo and Figaro). He knows by coming out he is staring down at friends and family abandoning and disowning him and shaming him; sometimes beating him senseless. Also, at the time in England and the US, being Gay or Bi was illegal. Trust me, it was not a good time to be queer back in the day! And since Freddie never told anyone the song's meaning, it is all IMHO.
I wish people who do these reactions would save their extensive comments for AFTER the song. There's not 24 people in Queen lol. It's the effects of the video. Thanks for your reaction.
We don’t know what the real meaning of the song is. Freddie never told anyone what it really meant so the audience can interpret the song their own way. Not even Brian, Roger, and John know what it means
The "killing a man , put a gun against his head and pull the trigger" is a reference to him being openly gay, HiV positive and suicide thought. The Confession to his mother is somewhat his coming-out and the back and forth on the "Galileo part" is the inner fight between his personas of public life and personal life aswell as the pro and contra on homosexuality during his life. Take it with a grain of salt as many people interpretate these lyrics differently - this is just from hear-say and what i made my mind of while thinking of it.
Nothing to do with HIV as this is a 70s song and Freddie did not have HIV until the mid 80s but the rest who actually knew apart from Freddie as he told nobody what this all meant lol
@@The1queencollector "Take it with a grain of salt as many people interpretate these lyrics differently - this is just from hear-say and what i made my mind of while thinking of it." -.^
@@ludwigelzawahry277 I think that's why Freddie purposely did not give a meaning so you can interperat the song how you want, it was originally called the "Cow bell song" as a working title.
i always remember after hear Queen that the world missed out on a mid 80s Queen/ Micheal Jackson collaboration because of scheduling conflicts. the idea just gives me chills.
I watch a lot of these reaction video's & you are one of the very few, that I believe your reaction is real !!! I will definitely be back ❤️ QUEEN is beyond amazing & I hope you continue on this journey, you won't be disappointed!!! Oh, & also, love your air guitar solo 😂
This song actually doesn't mean anything. When asked, Freddie said he had 3 songs he was working on and couldn't finish them, so he smooshed them together, which is why he did not want to shorten it for radio, because he worked too hard to create it. There is a lot of speculation that it is about him coming out, but he was never closeted.
The floodgates have opened! Maybe you heard a bit of this from Suicide Squad or Wayne's world. the best part of Queen is they don't have just one genre, they don't mean one thing: they are timeless, cross genres and even now their music is a breath air because of their pure talent. In case your wondering, the band rarely if ever told people what their songs were about, they rather let the individuals interpret it for themselves. A popular interpretation of the "mama just killed a man" part is the lead singer, Freddie Mercury as coming out as gay and that his old straight self is dead, thats just one of them. Poetry and music doesn't always have to make sense, just enjoy it for its own sake. You are in for a wild ride! I highly recommend White Queen live at the odeon, Seven Seas of Rye live at the rainbow, another one bites the dust, and Princes of the Universe. enjoy the journey!
Queen identity’s as all categories of music, Queen is who ever they say they are, nothing’s holds them back and even today though they may not all be together there still “four ol ladies still rockin away” -Freddie Mercury
Freddie Mercury, one of the best lead singers ever. No autotune. Brian May - lead guitar has a doctorate in astrophysics. Was on the team that decided Pluto was not a planet. Roger Taylor - drums, degree in science. John Deacon - bass guitar also had a degree. You're in for a phenomenal journey. Best rock band EVER.
He is talking about his old self when he was hidding the fact that he was gay and how he finally came out to everyone. That line in the song about him killing someone meant that he killed his old self and became a new person.
This group is classic rock. All 4 guys used as many tracks of their own voices as the technology would allow for the operatic section. Go back and listen again for the really high note Freddy hits at the end of that operatic section. His range is ridiculous.
QUEEN = GOAT. Period. 💯💯 And ALL ages LOVE them!! They're TIMELESS!! My 12 year old son LOVES this song & knows EVERY single word. RIP FREDDIE MERCURY. 🙏🙏
You're having about the same reaction I did to this song when I first heard it years ago. The beauty, complexity and the seemless transitions and vocals just floored me.
"... just killed a man..." - > Freddie coming to terms with not being straight, "killing" the persona he played/pretended to be for years, because there was no going back into that closet for him.
You should be on radio. Your voice is awesome! 4:17-"This is a wild song but it sounds great!" (Just wait...) While it sounds like several different songs, it's only one story. 6:18-"I was not expecting the switch up." (Nobody ever does on the first listen!) 7:55-"They're more of a classic rock group." (Sometimes, yes.)
This is the first music video ever 1975. They all wrote #1 songs. They all have degrees Freddie Mercury piano & lead vocals graphic design, Dr. Brian May lead guitar & vocals, PHD in astrophysics works with NASA , Roger Taylor drummer & vocals biology study to be a dentist, John Deacon bass guitar, electronics engineer. Try some older Queen then go to the newer songs. They are a great live band no auto tune or backing tracks. Try White Queen at Hammersmith 75 the piano & guitar sing to each other. 🎸Then try Somebody to Love, Dragon Attack , I’m in love with my car same concert 1981 Montreal. They do all types of music. Enjoy your Queen journey. 👑🔥🔥
I dont know, if anybody did a comment about it, but... This was actually the FIRST "real" music video ever done. In 1975 B4 that, there have been videos recorded and music tuned in, but Bohemian Rhapsody was the first Video to promote a song.
Two late FYI's, the guitarist in the striped shirt is Dr Brian May PhD, Astrophysics. Secondly, the album is called "A Night at the Opera", if you listen to the entire album it covers an entire story covering scifi, loss, romance, unrequited love and other themes. A masterpiece.
It is a six-minute suite,[1] consisting of several sections without a chorus: an intro, a ballad segment, an operatic passage, a hard rock part and a reflective coda.[2] The song is a more accessible take on the 1970s progressive rock genre
It should be considered a crime to pause this song.
Just play the music man, then comment on it!
STOP PAUSING THIS CLASSIC, HAVE SOME RESPECT!
Yes, tell us about your ice cream another time. Also don’t make so much noise during the song.
Agreed
Yeah
"That was the most elegant confessional ever heard in my life!"
That's a perfect description
This song is FIVE kinds of music in one.
A CAPELLA - is this real or fantasy
BALLAD - mama just killed a man
OPERA - will you let me go
ROCK - love me and leave me to die
CODA - nothing really matters
QUEEN = GENIUSES
Mama just killed a man*
Love me and leave me to die*
Thank you Sailor Gallifrey, I corrected my words. I wrote me comment on the fly.
How is coda a type of music???
@@llddau I personally am not well versed in the study of music but through reading and watching interviews of those that understand music and 'live' in that world I've written what they've said. So it may be an interchangeable word they use to describe a part of a song (like chorus, verse, coda) or describe the kind of music itself (ballad, opera, coda) *especially* if ALL songs don't have a coda. (I don't know) Here comes a cut/paste of a definition:
noun
MUSIC
noun: coda; plural noun: codas
the concluding passage of a piece or movement, typically forming an addition to the basic structure.
the concluding section of a dance, especially of a pas de deux or the finale of a ballet in which the dancers parade before the audience.
a concluding event, remark, or section.
And then from Wikipedia:
In music, a coda is a passage that brings a piece to an end. Technically, it is an expanded cadence. It may be as simple as a few measures, or as complex as an entire section.
Think of it as the denouement from literature.
noun
the final part of a play, movie, or narrative in which the strands of the plot are drawn together and matters are explained or resolved.
The song style/type certainly changes after the ROCK portion and maybe since it is very short and doesn't fit the definition of a ballad (it's not progressing a romantic/sentimental story).
Does that help? I hope
Watch the crowd singing bohemian rhapsody at Wembley ...people of all ages singing ...gives you goosebumps..Freddie has the best voice nobody will ever compare... What the press did to him was pure evil
@M 40I've seen it... I wasn't talking about a queen concert ....there is many different crowds singing a long... Just like at the greenday concert...
@Darragh O'Shea but that's the point of music ....there is no right answer ...only a matter of opinion...one persons music is another persons noise.. You said it yourself ...in there own way!! It's not just his voice ...his aura his persona and stage presence... Makes him unique ..be a long time before anyone like that comes along again . I was only 18 when he died an my first daughter was born the next day ...my dad brought us up on music... He died a few years later ...sometimes it's not just the song. ....it's the memories that come with it. That makes someone better than anyone else . The guy out of disturbed or Amy lea have amazing voices... Yet you probably like someone else ...
@Darragh O'Shea He had a condition that made his voice unique in a way that can't be matched. There have been studies done on it, it's pretty neat to read about
M 40 Exactly what I came to mention! Wasn’t it a brilliant moment. They rocked the house without even being there. What an achievement to have so many so willing and able to react to your art that way! Singing as a group is one of my favourite things, a special feeling :)
@@llddau yet it wasn't just the greenday gig...you go to the concerts in south American ...asia Australia ...they all sound exactly the same it a little Unfair to say the greenday gig was the best... Every crowd that done this put there heart into it...
When you said they sound so elegant and perfectly synchronised, I smiled a little. The beginning 5 part harmonies are all done by the lead singer Freddie Mercury, even though it shows all band members singing.
Roger Taylor, the drummer sang the tenor/high part of the harmony & Brian May, the amazing guitarist, also sang harmony, their bass player, John Deacon, sang some of the lower parts, but he was not much of a singer, but a great bass player. Freddie sang most of the parts too, but they over dubbed the tape many times to make it sound like a large group singing. They over dubbed the tape 24 times. They almost ruined the tape!!
Whoever hid Bohemian Rhapsody from you belongs in Rock n Roll jail
That 'perfectly synchronized' beginning was all Freddie Mercury. He did all the vocals for that part.
Telynn S WHHHHAATTTTTTT!?!?!? That’s insane!!!!
@@JamesBray3 The entire band was incredibly talented, but Freddy Mercury was even beyond that. RIP Died of aids in 91.
It's all Freddie the intro. Try to look bohrap recording session you will get gossies.. how Freddie is now the best vocal of all time.damn
What genre was Queen? Depends on what song you're listening to: hard rock, metal, prog rock, rockabilly, pop, R&B ... you name it, they did it. Oh, and a few years before his death, Freddie (lead singer), did an opera album.
They went off on different tangents quite a bit but Hard Rock is what they were best sized up as back then.
Their versatility and Freddie's voice and stage presence are what make Queen the best band in rock history
Their kind of a precursor to glam rock.
And didn’t they invent thrash metal with “Stone Cold Crazy”? 😉
Queen transcends mortal limitations of genre.
More Queen, pls, it will change your life, trust me.
yes!!
More like "Jailhouse Rock"
AMEN
This song is called a rock Opera.They are the most educated group that ever was.Freddy Mercury,singer,had a degree in art and graphic design
Roger Taylor a degree in Biology
John Deacon a degree Electronics
Brian May a degree in Astrophysics
Massive GREATNESS
Brian May has a PhD in Astrophysics! Dr. May on guitar!
It's not about a real killing. Well, no one knows 100 % what he's singing about but many, including me, believe he's singing about killing a part of himself and coming to the realization that he was gay.
Yep ! That's a confession about his homosexuality, and being himself.
That seems to be one rumor which just won't die. Freddie refused to ever say what the song was about.
@@linusromey561 I never said it was fact, did I?? I just said what so many believe. I've seen people close to him have that theory aswell. I don't think it would be do impossible and far off that it's about that. After all it's around the same time he and Mary broke up and he began to explore the gay scene🤷🏻♀️
I tend to think of it as him grappling with his sexuality, especially coming out to Mary Austin, his longtime girlfriend, and the "mama, just killed a man" bit was really about his revelation ending their romantic relationship, as well as him not liking the fallout from his coming out. When the operatic section comes in, it feels like him talking about the pressures he's under as a performer. Scaramouche is a famous stock clown character from 16th century italian comical theatre, and the fandango is a pairs dance, largely a celebratory dance that has a lot to do with trading off of following the steps of the other dancer, so the first part of that is basically society admonishing him "dance for our entertainment and celebrations, clown, follow the steps you're supposed to follow", and his troubles with maintaining that image. The second part of the operatic section feels like him railing against the condemnation of his sexuality, especially with the lyric "will you let me go?" followed by "bismillah, we will not let you go", as bismillah means 'In the name of god', and then followed by "beelzebub has a devil set aside for me" as beelzebub is a classic name for a major demon, if not the Devil himself (various interpretations of such). And finally, when the hard rock section comes in, it feels very much like him saying "screw all of you, you can't condemn me for being me, I'm going to go be myself, no matter what you say". This is a personal interpretation of the song, mind you, as neither Freddie nor any of the other band members have actually said what it's about.
It's about his first HIV diagnosis which at that time was considered a death sentence plus passing it on to lovers.
This style would be classified as rock opera,which was invented by Queen. Totally epic.
Please react to Somebody to Love Live Montreal 1981
Queen was actually considered heavy metal back in the day (the term has changed meaning over time). They're in general a classic rock group, but they were definitely not confined to one genre. Thrash metal, punk, hard rock, pop rock, rockabilly, gospel, they could do anything.
I know a lot of people are going to suggest Somebody To Love live at Montreal '81 and rightly so, it's a great performance, well worth watching. If you like songs with vibe however, may I suggest White Queen live at Hammersmith Odeon '75. The musical interlude in it is spine tingling, the way Brians guitar and Freddies piano battle it out, but also intertwine gets to me everytime. Also a personal favourite of mine is Death On Two Legs, a diss track aimed at their former manager who was ripping the band off. Usually I recommend live performances for Queen as they were so amazing live, but for Death On Two Legs I recommend the studio/lyric version as it really shows off the venom in Freddies voice.
Obviously any Queen performance will blow you away but I'd like to put in another vote for Death on Two Legs. It's always great to watch people hearing that track for the first time 😂
Agree!
Love what you said about White Queen. It IS spine tingling. That's what I call musical emotional drama.
A little background on the members of Queen:
All are/were college educated.
--Freddie had a degree in Graphic Arts and designed Queen's crest, which is made from the member's astrological signs; two lions for Leos for John Deacon and Roger Taylor, a crab for Cancer Brian May and two fairies for Scorpio Mercury. Freddie was born Farrokh Bulsara in Zanzibar, but his family fled the country due to violence against the Sultan of Zanzibar and settled in Middlesex, England.
--Brian May (lead guitar, striped shirt), has a PhD in Astrophysics, making him Dr. Brian May. Built his Red Special guitar (what you see in the video) with his father in the early 1960s. May is a huge animal rights activist; he is especially against badger culling in his native England, has an asteroid named after him and has worked with NASA. May, IMO, is a very interesting guy. He's on IG if you want to follow him.
--Roger Taylor (drums) has a degree in biology after switching from dentistry, after finding the latter "boring" (his word). Has a higher vocal range than Freddie. You can hear his range in this song, Somebody To Love (especially Montreal '81) and Under Pressure (Live @ Wembley '86).
--John Deacon (bass guitar) has a background in electrical engineering. This proved very handy when he built the Deacy (pronounced Deeky; Deaky was Deacon's nickname in the band) amp in 1972 to work specifically for May's Red Special. The Deacy Amp is the only one of its kind (other than a May and Deacon signed-off-on replica) in the world.
May and Taylor were members of the band Smile in the late 60s and when their lead singer quit to join a different band, Mercury (a huge fan of Smile) joined the band and changed their name to Queen in 1970. Deacon rounded out the quartet the following year.
Deacon was hit the hardest by Freddie's passing. Deacon played with Queen just three more times. most notably at the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert in 1992, then retired after the video for No One But You (Only The Good Die Young) in 1998. Over the past twenty-one years, Deacon has lived quietly in the London area with his wife of 40+ years, has refused all interviews, did not attended Queen's induction into the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame, had no input on Bohemian Rapsody (May and Taylor were advisers) and outside of Queen finances, has little to no contact with May and Taylor.
Sorry that this is long, but I thought I'd give you a jumping off point for the guys. As for videos to check out, man...so many, but some of my faves are the aforementioned Somebody To Love and Under Pressure, I Want To Break Free, Stone Cold Crazy (Live @ The Rainbow), Killer Queen, The Show Must Go On, Fat Bottom Girls, Dragon Attack (Montreal '81) and Spread Your Wings. If you ever get bored, head over to Queen's YT channel and walk around for a while.
Queen is EVERYTHING! From Disco over Opera to Metal, you name it, Queen has it
Best band ever and best vocalist of all time 🙌🏻♥️
best vocalist but the best band is the beatles
@@eleven-hopper yeah hey jude
@@eleven-hopper No - not if you ask the listeners. Queen has just been voted no. 1 with Beatles no 2. now in 2022. But we don't necessarily agree with the results of such polls- I have always been a big fan of the Beatles - I'm 71 - But the more I listen to Queen I love their ability to excel in many genres - and they were all songwriters with #1 in the charts - and very different from one another wich made them strong - and they stayed together for more than 20 years - no other band has managed to do that - -
Freddie we miss you 🌹 the Legend never die 🌺 R.I.P. 🙏🏻
I’m not sure you can put “Queen “ in any one particular category of music. Their repertoire spans many genres. I would say that they are originals
Queen is simply Queen. No genre, no labels, just Queen. Freddie Mercury is a master! Check more of their songs out. I Want It All is amazing and Don't Stop Me Now is fire!!
React to Queens Live Aid 1985 its Amazing 👌👌
Ok, Freddie said in an interviewe back in the late 80's that this song is NOT about him being bisexual. He said does not know if there is a meaning to it, if there is he has no idea what it is.... RIP Freddie! Love you always...
Freddie said many things, including he had no idea what it meant. Roger Taylor said the meaning is obvious.
I can't believe that there are people out there who have never heard this song before.
Queen is in a class of their own. Adam Lambert has recently done a tour with the remaining band members and did a decent job. Queen forever!
Queen is a genre all its own
Please do not stop this song. It is meant to be heard as a whole. It means something different to everyone.
Queen is rock
Queen is pop
Queen is metal
Queen is rockabilly
Queen is funk
Queen is opera
Queen is progressive rock
Queen is RnB soul
Queen is synth pop
Queen is disco
Queen is jazz
Queen is blues
Queen is all of the above or a mixture of everything else.
Ridzuan Md Nazir it’s simpler to say Queen is Queen.
@@imweakfordeaky Well said! :D
Actually no one knows what this song is about. Freddie always said even he doesn't have a clue
Many believe it's about him coming out, killing the "straight" him
@@michadepater2082 could be
"This song is wild" body's aching all the time part
YOU AINT SEEN NOTHING YET DUUUUUDE
Freddie Mercury looks like Johnny Depp...???
By Far & in the dark !!!
🤣😅😂🤣😅😂🤣😅😂
Johnny Depp ! Go to Specsavers !
Its blasphemy!
I haven't laughed that loud in a long time I love Freddie but he is definitely not a Johnny Depp type of persons😆
Watch Queen at live aid.... Best performance ever I believe
i believe "mama, just killed a man" means the old freddie is gone, he's admitting that he is gay
I had to subscribe just because of your reaction to this. Bohemian Rhapsody isn't just a song it is an experience. Queen is its own genre. They do a little bit of everything. Classic rock, heavy metal, progressive rock, pop, Stadium Rock basically if it's music they can and have done it. You need to keep exploring Queen. Start with Somebody To Love Don't Stop Me Now & Death On Two Legs
They have a catalog of over 700 songs. The best group ever with the absolute best front man ever. Nobody is better than Freddie.
This song is whatever the listener wants it to be. It is a epic poem that Freddie and the rest of Queen didn't explain. It is the mystic that makes an unbelievable song even more untouchable. I have my own idea what it is but it's mine as it should be for all listener!!! Loved it from the first moment I heard it when I was a kid back in the day!!!
If you haven’t heard this song you have been living under a rock
Should we tell him that the A Capella part is only Freddie's voice in different tracks?
4 extraordinary professional educated genious musicians that founded a rock music band . They all wrote songs that are considered as " classical" and they mixed so much different types of music so that becomes their special style ! They even brought art music into their songs and they were very successful with their music ! freddy died but his and his fellows music will never die !
James, saw your video and loved it! Take it from an old man that was the first kid in Moline IL to play Queen for his friends, driving around smoking joints in my VW Bettle (1974)! Freddie never told anyone what the song was about but most friends of his and I believe it is his coming out song. The man he killed was not another man, it was the straight persona and he was killing it off b/c he couldn't deny he was really another man interested in other men (Freddie was bisexual like me). He is grieving over what his mother, of the Zoroastrian from Zanzibar would believe to be tantamount to playing with the devil (hence the references to belizibob). In the chorus, he tributes gay men from the middle ages (Galileo and Figaro). He knows by coming out he is staring down at friends and family abandoning and disowning him and shaming him; sometimes beating him senseless. Also, at the time in England and the US, being Gay or Bi was illegal. Trust me, it was not a good time to be queer back in the day! And since Freddie never told anyone the song's meaning, it is all IMHO.
Never get tired of this song 🤘🏼 RIP Freddie ☹️
You’re right, this is beautiful! ♥️ More Queen!
It's QUEEN, they are their on class!!!
3:31 he more famous than jonny depp 🔥🔥🔥
I wish people who do these reactions would save their extensive comments for AFTER the song. There's not 24 people in Queen lol. It's the effects of the video. Thanks for your reaction.
"Killing" refers to Freddie coming out to his mom specifically - so he essentially "Killed " the illusion that he was straight.
actually, he NEVER came out
They described themselves as the best damn rock group in the world. Who am I to argue?
the song isnt about killing someone it's about killing himself
It's about becoming a gay.....so......ya know
STILL LOVE FREDDIE#nohomo
We don’t know what the real meaning of the song is. Freddie never told anyone what it really meant so the audience can interpret the song their own way. Not even Brian, Roger, and John know what it means
The "killing a man , put a gun against his head and pull the trigger" is a reference to him being openly gay, HiV positive and suicide thought. The Confession to his mother is somewhat his coming-out and the back and forth on the "Galileo part" is the inner fight between his personas of public life and personal life aswell as the pro and contra on homosexuality during his life. Take it with a grain of salt as many people interpretate these lyrics differently - this is just from hear-say and what i made my mind of while thinking of it.
Nothing to do with HIV as this is a 70s song and Freddie did not have HIV until the mid 80s but the rest who actually knew apart from Freddie as he told nobody what this all meant lol
@@The1queencollector "Take it with a grain of salt as many people interpretate these lyrics differently - this is just from hear-say and what i made my mind of while thinking of it." -.^
@@ludwigelzawahry277 I think that's why Freddie purposely did not give a meaning so you can interperat the song how you want, it was originally called the "Cow bell song" as a working title.
Greatest
please react to 1) "somebody to love" live in montreal 1981 2) "live at live aid" 1985, full
Stone Cold Crazy.
You know :o
There are so many amazing Queen songs. Try White Queen live at Hammersmith Odeon. Awesome performance!
There is a video with Brian May, the guitarist, on the making of the song. It's s good watch.
i always remember after hear Queen that the world missed out on a mid 80s Queen/ Micheal Jackson collaboration because of scheduling conflicts. the idea just gives me chills.
Aside from being a superb piece of music, this is also widely regarded as being the first purposely recorded music promo-video.
Greatest song in rock history.
Can you also react to somebody to love live at Montreal 1981 please?
Then watch George Michael sing it for the memorial concert. Had the next best voice after Freddie
th-cam.com/video/5703Rrk1wr4/w-d-xo.html
I watch a lot of these reaction video's & you are one of the very few, that I believe your reaction is real !!! I will definitely be back ❤️ QUEEN is beyond amazing & I hope you continue on this journey, you won't be disappointed!!! Oh, & also, love your air guitar solo 😂
This song actually doesn't mean anything. When asked, Freddie said he had 3 songs he was working on and couldn't finish them, so he smooshed them together, which is why he did not want to shorten it for radio, because he worked too hard to create it. There is a lot of speculation that it is about him coming out, but he was never closeted.
When he says this is a wild song I think to myself it’s about to get wilder
The floodgates have opened! Maybe you heard a bit of this from Suicide Squad or Wayne's world. the best part of Queen is they don't have just one genre, they don't mean one thing: they are timeless, cross genres and even now their music is a breath air because of their pure talent. In case your wondering, the band rarely if ever told people what their songs were about, they rather let the individuals interpret it for themselves. A popular interpretation of the "mama just killed a man" part is the lead singer, Freddie Mercury as coming out as gay and that his old straight self is dead, thats just one of them. Poetry and music doesn't always have to make sense, just enjoy it for its own sake. You are in for a wild ride! I highly recommend White Queen live at the odeon, Seven Seas of Rye live at the rainbow, another one bites the dust, and Princes of the Universe. enjoy the journey!
React to QUEEN's LIVE AID performance which is the best performance ever.....
Queen identity’s as all categories of music, Queen is who ever they say they are, nothing’s holds them back and even today though they may not all be together there still
“four ol ladies still rockin away” -Freddie Mercury
Freddie Mercury, one of the best lead singers ever. No autotune.
Brian May - lead guitar has a doctorate in astrophysics. Was on the team that decided Pluto was not a planet.
Roger Taylor - drums, degree in science.
John Deacon - bass guitar also had a degree.
You're in for a phenomenal journey. Best rock band EVER.
After you have heard other Queen songs and know the story of Freddie Mercury, you will understand this song.
He is talking about his old self when he was hidding the fact that he was gay and how he finally came out to everyone. That line in the song about him killing someone meant that he killed his old self and became a new person.
honestly wish i can experience hearing queen for the first time
It's in the classic rock category now when it came out 1979-80 it was just rock.
This group is classic rock. All 4 guys used as many tracks of their own voices as the technology would allow for the operatic section.
Go back and listen again for the really high note Freddy hits at the end of that operatic section.
His range is ridiculous.
You need to watch more Freddie Mercury and Queen!!!!
Please react to Somebody To Love live from Milton Keynes. Best live version of this song
Classic Rock.
Nope like every sort
@@lommedegroote6262 True 😄
QUEEN = GOAT. Period. 💯💯 And ALL ages LOVE them!! They're TIMELESS!! My 12 year old son LOVES this song & knows EVERY single word. RIP FREDDIE MERCURY. 🙏🙏
Courtesy “From the brain of Fred.”
~Roger Taylor
You're having about the same reaction I did to this song when I first heard it years ago. The beauty, complexity and the seemless transitions and vocals just floored me.
I eould classify it a Masterpiece!!! It,'s a classic. Good choice. Loved your reaction!!!
"... just killed a man..." - > Freddie coming to terms with not being straight, "killing" the persona he played/pretended to be for years, because there was no going back into that closet for him.
YES YES YES YES
Love watching first timers enjoy this masterpiece
Genre: everything!
You should be on radio. Your voice is awesome! 4:17-"This is a wild song but it sounds great!" (Just wait...) While it sounds like several different songs, it's only one story. 6:18-"I was not expecting the switch up." (Nobody ever does on the first listen!) 7:55-"They're more of a classic rock group." (Sometimes, yes.)
Never heard it before... RIIIIIIIIGHT. There are tribes of natives in the Amazon who know Bo Rap
Exactly
Is cute to see young people reacting to bands who actually play their instruments and dont sing with autotune, AND write their own music
Best rock song 👌
Neighbors called the cops bc I played this song out loud at night
My neighbors got arrested instead
yes definitely a classic rock song..and this was his coming out song
When he said, 'this is a wild song' I was like, *this is only the beginning my son*
That is not 24 individuals.They are 4 individuals singing together.Look closely and carefully.
Mustapha Ibrahim fuckin awesome very unique fits to Freddie
Queen is the best band that ever lived. R.I.P Freddie Mercury. Love Bohemian Rhapsody ❤
This is the first music video ever 1975. They all wrote #1 songs. They all have degrees Freddie Mercury piano & lead vocals graphic design, Dr. Brian May lead guitar & vocals, PHD in astrophysics works with NASA , Roger Taylor drummer & vocals biology study to be a dentist, John Deacon bass guitar, electronics engineer. Try some older Queen then go to the newer songs. They are a great live band no auto tune or backing tracks. Try White Queen at Hammersmith 75 the piano & guitar sing to each other. 🎸Then try Somebody to Love, Dragon Attack , I’m in love with my car same concert 1981 Montreal. They do all types of music. Enjoy your Queen journey. 👑🔥🔥
So right about White Queen! Pure awesome musical drama! Plus Freddie at his most beautiful. What's not to love?
I totally agree🔥
I dont know, if anybody did a comment about it, but...
This was actually the FIRST "real" music video ever done. In 1975
B4 that, there have been videos recorded and music tuned in, but Bohemian Rhapsody was the first Video to promote a song.
Metaphor is a thing, dude. I don’t think you’re getting it.
Do anything u can do with my music but don't make it boring
-Freddie mercury
Should NEVER pause the greatest song ever made!!
Two late FYI's, the guitarist in the striped shirt is Dr Brian May PhD, Astrophysics. Secondly, the album is called "A Night at the Opera", if you listen to the entire album it covers an entire story covering scifi, loss, romance, unrequited love and other themes.
A masterpiece.
It is a six-minute suite,[1] consisting of several sections without a chorus: an intro, a ballad segment, an operatic passage, a hard rock part and a reflective coda.[2] The song is a more accessible take on the 1970s progressive rock genre
Imagine never hearing bohemian rhapsody until now
He had the greatest voice i've ever heard... Dope Chanel. Greetings from Berlin
Live👏Aid👏Full👏Performance 👏