One of the biggest and the most influential rock songs of all time is Bohemian Rhapsody. And it is proof of the genius of Queen’s lead singer – Freddie Mercury.

The original idea behind the song is still not confirmed by any of the band members.

‘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.

Another popular interpretation of this song can be about his sexuality – it was around this time that he was starting to come to terms with his bisexuality, and his relationship with Mary Austin was going downhill.

After Mercury’s death, Jim Hutton went on record to say that the song was, in fact, Mercury’s confession that he was gay. 

“Mama, I just killed a man”

He’s killed the old Freddie he was trying to be. The former image.

“Put a gun against his head, pulled my trigger, now he’s dead” 

He’s dead, the straight person he was originally. He’s destroyed the man he was trying to be, and now this is him, trying to live with the new Freddie.

“I see a little silhouetto of a man” 

That’s him, still being haunted by what he’s done and what he is.

The absurd use of the word Galileo in the song has a purpose.

Mercury may have written “Galileo” into the lyrics for the benefit of Brian May, who is an astronomy buff. Mercury wanted to show his affection for Brian and what better way to do it than using a reference that he loved in one of his songs.

Mercury apparently wrote this song on different pieces of paper and brought everything together only during the recording sessions. There are reports which suggest that he wrote the entire song under the influence of LSD. 

Brian May recalled recording “Bohemian Rhapsody” in Q Magazine March 2008: 

“That was a great moment, but the biggest thrill for us was actually creating the music in the first place. I remember Freddie coming in with loads of bits of paper from his dad’s work, like Post-it notes, and pounding on the piano. He played the piano like most people play the drums. And this song he had was full of gaps where he explained that something operatic would happen here and so on. He’d worked out the harmonies in his head.”

Freddie Mercury got this song absolutely spot on, be it the singing or the lyrics or the name.

The name “Bohemian” in the song title seems to refer not to the region in the Czech republic, but to a group of artists and musicians living roughly 100 years ago, known for defying convention and living with disregard for standards. A “Rhapsody” is a piece of Classical music with distinct sections that is played as one movement.

“Bohemian” is an adjective for something unusual or against the ‘norm’, and the song is precisely that. That adds another layer to the song itself.

Freddie Mercury’s status as one of the greatest singers in rock history is unquestioned. His immense vocal range and frantic energy made him unlike anyone else. And Bohemian Rhapsody is a testament of that fact. His vocals are absolutely amazing in this one.

Even according to a scientific research, Freddie was found to be the best singer of all time. Falling somewhere between a baritone and a tenor, the voice of Queen’s lead singer still makes us groove.

Bohemian Rhapsody is a cultural phenomenon that makes anything and everything great.

Bohemian Rhapsody is a pop-culture staple now. According to internet lore, if a person doesn’t sing along to the legendary rock song, he or she is probably dead inside. Wayne’s World did a fantastic job of placing the song in the context of the movie and the scene is now for the ages. 

Even when Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice wasn’t received well by the critics and fans were apprehensive about Suicide Squad, a Bohemian Rhapsody trailer won our hearts.

Mercury cannot be imitated with practice. There will only be one Freddie Mercury. We’re glad that the legendary singer gave us a cultural phenomenon in the form of Bohemian Rhapsody.

Amazing designs by Rohit Jakhu.