How can a grown man, especially a music producer in this day and age, say they’ve never listened to this masterpiece. This is a genuine question that I want answers to
The "making of" explains a lot ... and it was all done without computers, just a lot of "overlaying of many MANY tracks of tape" ... by a perfectionist.
I’ve noticed with ‘Gen Z’ they have a very limited vocabulary. But to have a limited vocabulary about a passion and work you ‘do’ every day seems strange.
Queen leaves another viewer speechless. That's what queen does to everyone they are left speechless. That's the power of queen. R.I.P FREDDIE WE MISS YOU
As a music producer, it surprises me that he was speechless at all! I thought he would break it down or something. I know now. His mind was blown! That's why!
Every single time. I bet there is not one reaction on the internet that says "Hated it. Total Crap." hahahaha Everyone can appreciate it at least one time.
Lots of people call themselves a 'producer' nowadays. Most are just playing around with music apps on their pc, in their bedrooms. Technically they're 'producing' music but they're not really producers, in the professional sense and would be lost in a real studio, or if asked to setup the audio for a recording session. :)
I'm guessing this guy is at most 30. If that's true, he's had about 15 years of truly listening to music (usually about 15 is when you start paying attention and getting into it). Realize that's about when FM radio was going out of style and iPhones/iPods/Streaming/Spotify started. It's very possible he just listened to music he curated himself. We've been listening to FM radio our entire lives while the upcoming generation hasn't. I'm not saying he is or isn't faking it for a reaction, I'm just saying it is plausible that he hasn't heard it in its entirety.
@@specialsause949 you raise a good point, but coming from this generation myself (I am 10 years younger than the guy give or take), I cannot name a single person I have ever interacted with, from my age group, that has not listened to bohemian rhapsody before. Everyone in school knew who Queen were of course, and how good bohemian rhapsody was. I think you're right in saying that theres plausibility behind the fact of him not listening to it before, but I dont necessarily believe it to be an age problem, more of an "ignorant" point of view.
Bohemian Rhapsody brought a significant change in music of the time. The record owners rejected it, but they just pushed on - presenting one of the best and most important pieces of music in history.
"What instrument do you play Freddie?" His reply: "The audience Darling, the Audience!" When you watch the Live Aid concert, you will understand that answer. The crowd wasn't just Queen fans, but the way Freddie gets them to react is one of the most Brilliant things I've ever seen. Please give us your reaction to it. And Welcome to "Queendom!"
I had just moved into a studio apartment and my belongings hadn't arrived, yet. There was a 2nd hand store not far away, so the purchase was a cheap little black and white portable tv on which my sister and I could watch Live Aid. When Freddie came on stage, we both got goose bumps at his performance. Even on that humble little device, we could feel the electricity he generated.
Funny story: apart from the strep throat and his doctor telling him he would never sing again if he sang that show, they didn't have stage monitors when they started their set. If you watch closely, near the end of the first verse of Radio Gaga, you will notice Freddie glance down at the monitors in front of him and simultaneously hear the entire band congeal into one cohesive unit as the techs under the stage found the cables that hadn't been plugged in. One of the most chilling moments of live music history for me. Source: My pro audio engineer friend that loves queen and knows a lot about a lot of things.
Think of it as a rock opera. That’s what it is. Freddie was able to sing operatically with a famous female opera singer before he died. That’s truly the type of singer he always longed to be.
@@Jtr_ceral_killerwhat do you mean by their covers on Highlander? They wrote and recorded all the music for that movie it’s their It’s a Kind of Magic album.
Although it was groundbreaking, it was a flop originally. Radio stations initially wouldn’t play it because it was so long. But over time it grew in popularity and became the classic it is.
The song is structured without a chorus and has 6 main parts to it (including an OPERA section!) It was originally written as 3 separate songs, (by Freddie Mercury ofc) then ingeniously combined together to create 1 masterpiece. All of that combined with incredible harmonies and instrumentals created one of the greatest works of composition the world has, or will ever see! Thank you for coming to my Ted Talk.
I like how you broke down the best Symphonic Rock song ever. This is my number 2. I think you’ll enjoy it. ruclips.net/video/IZSFaFV86eE/видео.htmlsi=TQR2dglcgwjgPXaB
Actually the 3 song thing has been proven false. Late last year when there was an auction of Freddie's belongings one of the things sold was the hand writing of this song. It was all one song.
I think that all may go over the head of this “ Producer / Songwriter” I have heard teenagers discussing this with more knowledge and passion than this “ person”
Queenie here, along with the others below. We could write a book about this song alone... but I will (try) to make it short. The first chorus of "harmonies" is Freddie Mercury harmonizing with himself. Remember, this was all on tape... no computer, no cut and paste, just tape. No autotune, no Melodyne. The guitarist is Dr. Sir Brian May (an astrophysicist), a songwriter and amazing vocalist as well, providing harmonies for the rest of BoRhap and the rest of their library he is often rated in the top 10 of best guitarests ever. Roger Taylor, the drummer with the high cymbals is one of the top drummers in history, a songwriter as well, and has the _really_ high falsetto you hear on many songs, including BoRhap. "Somebody to Love" Montreal 81 is a great example of his incredible counter-tenor (in the 70s). Roger and Brian also have solo albums. John Deacon, the fantastic bassist who created the riff in "Under Pressure" (stolen by Vanilla Ice decades later and now it's called a "sample.") and wrote "Another One Bites the Dust." John is the quiet member who, after Freddie died of AIDS in 1991, retired after all Queen songs made with Freddie's voice ("Made in Heaven") and the Tribute concert (1992) and one tribute song (No-One But You [Only the Good Die Young]") in 1997 with Roger and Brian were finished. John created the Deacy amp that creates the unique sounds Brian's homemade guitar, the Red Special, makes. John has a degree in Electrical Engineering. Freddie had an art degree. Roger had a Biology degree. Smart guys, all! All 4 are in the Songwriters Hall of Fame, the first to be inducted as the single members of a band all at one time. I think that's a decent start. You hit THE rabbit hole, my friend!! Oh, and you play Queen and the Queenies will come in droves!
Oh please. God, The Universe, or whatever it is you think dishes out talent did not just stop somewhere back in the eighties and decide "That's it. No more." The absolute arrogance of thinking there is no actual talent these days is astonishing. I grew up in the fifties and sixties. Guess what the "old folks" said about the music we listened to. It was horrible. No talent. Blah blah blah. Nothing but noise." The only reason they didn't like it was because it wasn't written for them, just like today's music isn't written for you. If you don't like it, sorry, but you let yourself get old. There is some excellent music being written and performed today. Personally, I particularly like Joe Bonamassa and Beth Hart, both individually and together. Oddly, I am also quite fond of Deadmau5.
@@TheBarkinFrog Thank you! Everyone forgets that every decade had its hits and shits. Looking back we remember the best and can cherry pick all the good from the bad with relative ease. New good music is arguably more prevalent today than ever before with the internet!
I was 9 when this was released. I absolutely loved it immediately.....i can still see me in my bedroom playing air guitar and pretending to be Freddie......9 years old and appreciating the work of art music of a group Ive been a fan of ever since
A music producer who: 1) Hasn’t heard this song before 2) Has no thoughts about the production, arrangement, or songwriting. Fascinating. Have fun on your journey, buddy.
I can name one -- ONE -- song by Taylor Swift. It sucks, and I know she insists on looking like a tralk on stage. I'm as illiterate about TS as he claims to be about Queen. Not everyone knows everyone's music, regardless of how famous they may be. P.S. - The one song I do know by Taylor Swift was done far better by another band as a cover.
@@dougrebertus1992 But TS’ music hasn’t yet endured the crucible of time. My main point was that he advertised a music producer reacting to this classic for the first time, but didn’t make any comment to the craft used in getting this arrangement recorded.
People- is it a crime to listen and react to the song and band quality and not to the (fantastic) production when it’s your first time listening to the song? Goodness, relax.
@@kathleenflick6041 The first-ever music video is considered to be “The Little Lost Child” by Edward B. Marks and Joe Stern from 1894, which was an illustrated song with still images and live music.
I'm sorry for 'the old' that stopped listening to modern music because their 60-70-80s music 'was so good' It was, I can't deny it, especially because if this song, but come on! Saying that everything in your younger days was better, makes you sound like your parents! And you don't want that, do you? Keep an open mind and visit a modern concert every now and then!
@@prittykitty- bold of you to assume that we all stopped listening to music. I'm mainly a BTS Army, but I also love Chase & Status, Taylor Swift & Bring Me The Horizon, I love dance (EDM) music and I'm very much enjoying the drum & bass revival that is taking place right now. But I do know that none of these artists are on the same level as those of the past. And they probably know it too.
"We are in a golden age of music. There will be a time when technology becomes so advanced that we'll rely on it to make music rather than raw talent..... and music will lose its soul." Freddie Mercury Taken from the book: "A Life, In His Own Words" Maybe something to think about for all "music producers".
If you want to hear how beloved this song is, and how much power Freddie Mercury had, look up "Green Day crowd Bohemian Rhapsody", and witness how Freddie can control a crowd _35 years_ after he died. It's utterly awesome.
Thanks - I'd never seen that before and it was AWESOME!!! I've been to concerts where the crowd would just take over a song from the band, but I've never seen a crowd just perform a song (and what a song, eh?!!) just from the warm-up music before. Now I have a new favorite! Again, my thanks!
Am so jealous of people hearing this for the first time! There has never been a song released that can equate to the originality of this masterpiece. RIP FM
How can a music producer/composer not know what a rhapsody is? This is one of the greatest songs ever. Those of us that grew up in the 60's and 70's experienced some of the most amazing music ever recorded. You missed out on what true talent really was...no autotune.
its good that you commented because theres 250 answers to the 1st comment of this kind and im impatient theres a prize for reading this I think some people call themselves things they are not and i dont mean " i won photographer of the month 4 times in a row so im a multi award winning photographer " i mean " i recorded some stuff off the radio and my mum says that makes me a producer ... he doesnt have the thousand yard stare of a real producer who has to keep telling guitarists to turn the volume down on the instrument before leaening it against a live vintage amp instead of using one of the many stands provided ...^_^ ... theres a dude who i will find who exposes the " fakery" ... its not ... its just insurance but yes it is also fakery found it ... here is your prize ruclips.net/video/YHJ4pL7U0Po/видео.html
How TF do you mix and produce music and not be entirely familiar with 60s and 70s like Beatles and Pink Floyd. That is not exactly a question, that is a statement indicating that there is something wrong with your situation, those you have interacted with, etc., how do you even survive in the business and not be fully aware of all the fundamental innovations [including technical, practical, and artistically] that were made in the 60s and 70s which have effected and proliferated every single aspect of all modern music. Again, not necessarily a question as much as a statement to a state of being. Something was clearly wrong with your upbringing to be so sheltered from something that so fundamentally established not just our music, but American culture that proliferates every aspect of American life. It is baffling, did you grow up in a cult or something? It seems you have a lot of listening and learning to do to catch up with the rest of the world.
Actually this was his "coming out" song. Listen carefully to the words, and you'll see that the "man" he killed was himself. He had a fiance who he'd cheated on with a MAN he met in a men's room. The "save his life from this monstrosity" was the monstrosity of his sexuality. "Beelzebub has a devil put aside for me" is in reference to his religious condemnation. "So you think you can stone me and spit in my eye" was a punishment used by his religion for being gay. "Because I'm easy come easy go" and "Any way the wind blows" is in reference to 'taking it how he can get it'. "I have to leave you all behind to face the truth" the truth that he likes men. "Gotta leave you all behind to face the truth" the truth that his pending marriage to a woman wasn't going to happen. He had to leave HER to face what he really was. "I don't want to die" is in reference to his FEAR that he's not a man (remember that at the time even those who were gay felt it was VERY WRONG). Even Bismillah is in reference to his religious upbringing and his mental conflict with what he'd become. It was INGENIOUSLY written to blur the meaning so the listener could interpret things that it wasn't meant to imply, and put subtle hints inside to expose the real meaning.
@@mikeh8416thanks, I’d never heard of or thought of that explanation, it’s very enlightening. And hopefully you meant “ingeniously“ rather than “ingenuously.”
This is my 1st reaction to your channel, & quite enjoyed your confusion & questions, because that is how all of us felt when we first heard this back in 1975 😊 We called this song, under the genre Rock Opera, and was really quite groundbreaking at the time, and being that you appear quite young to me, I don't question that you never heard this whole song, it is just a pity, you are only hearing it now!!! I went to a QUEEN concert, & is definitely one of my favorite rock bands, & Freddie Mercury, my number one front man, never to be duplicated! I hope Queen has revitalized your curiosity & enjoyment in music again, & please keep checking out QUEEN music, they are amazing 💖💖💖
Don’t it believe it for a sec....he’s heard it before......it starts off and he’s interrupting already....that’s a sign...people usually are engaged in listening to it if they’ve never heard it before...I’m off...I’ve heard more than enough😉
@josephinemonahan915 it's quite possible. I first really heard it quite late in my life, I'm 50 and still discover classic songs for the first time as of today.
remeber this : the pruducer/ record label back in the days said NO, never will anybody hear this song.. to long, opera ? to crazy .. and then BOOM .. we still hear that song today. Thank you
If I'm ever having a bad day, and I need cheering up, I always come to YT and find someone who has never heard Bohemian Rhapsody. Instantly cheers me up. Great video.
The drummer is Roger Taylor. Mercury has stated that the inspiration behind Bohemian Rapsody was to create a "Rock Opera", and if you listen along with the lyrics, you can hear three distinct acts that make up the story being told. The record label pushed against it hard believing that no one would listen to a song that long, but lo and behold, it's one of the most famous rocks song in history. Fun fact: Brian May, the lead guitarist, graduated university in 1968 with a BS in physics and later got his PhD in astrophysics 2007. Seriously smart dude.
Queen is a British rock band that was formed in 1970 and was comprised of: Freddie Mercury - Lead vocals and piano Roger Taylor - Drummer and vocals Brian May - Lead guitar and vocals John Deacon - Bass guitar Queen has released 15 studio albums, 10 live albums, 16 compilation albums, two soundtrack albums, 2 extended plays, 73 singles, and seven promotional singles. "Bohemian Rhapsody", which was released originally in 1975, is the creation of Freddie but he never told anyone what he was thinking when he wrote the lyrics. Freddie tended to write in metaphors and this is one of them. He wanted listeners to be able to apply to the song whatever meaning it had to them personally. Not what it meant to him. BTW - Freddie did admit that "Bohemian Rhapsody" was composed of three separate songs that he had been working on but could not seem to finish. So he decided to mash them together, adding some transitions and bridges, and created "Bohemian Rhapsody". "Bohemian Rhapsody" can be broken down into 6 parts: Part I is the "Into". The video image shows the four members of Queen singing and harmonizing the lyrics of the "Intro" in A cappella. In reality, it is only Freddie's voice you hear on the recording. Freddie laid down 5 separate tracks of himself singing and harmonizing with himself. (FYI - multi-tracking and overdubbing runs rampant in Bohemian Rhapsody.) Next is the "Ballad" portion of the song ('Mama, just killed a man'). Freddie had worked on it for years but the song never had a name. The other members of Queen tentatively titled it "Freddie's Cowboy Song". The lyricist Tim Rice (who wrote the lyrics for "Jesus Christ, Superstar", "Evita", "Aladdin", "The Lion King", ...) was a close friend of Freddie's and he believes this portion of the song’s lyrics were about Mercury confessing to his fans that he was gay. The third section is the guitar solo. This is the only part of Bohemian Rhapsody not written by Freddie. Freddie told Brian that he wanted a guitar solo in the song and where he wanted it to fit into the song but left it to Brian to create. Brian wanted to have his guitar effectively sing a verse that would inject a different melody. He heard something in his head. He said that he could hear this melody and had no idea where it came from. That melody isn’t anywhere else in the song, but it’s on a familiar chord sequence, so it dovetails in quite nicely. The guitar solo leads to the fourth section which is the "Operatic" section. Freddie not only loved Rock but he loved Opera. He was always fascinated with the idea of combining rock and opera. It took an accumulation of 3 weeks at 6 different studios to record "Bohemian Rhapsody" and the "Operatic" section was much smaller when they began recording but Freddie kept adding to it. Various lyrics in the "Operatic" section seem to refer to the band... * Freddie casts himself as Scaramouch, a stock clown of 16th-century Italian literature. *.Galileo refers to Brian with his BSc degree in physics and later his Ph.D.in Astrophysics. * Figaro refers to the Mozart opera, "The Marriage of Figaro" and it is a subtle way to reference Roger who has a four-range vocal span (E2-E6) and was even frequently cited as hitting E5 in live performances. Freddie compared Roger's voice to a dog whistle. * The final reference of Magnifico is John who has not just a BSc but a First Class Honors Degree in Electronics. It is hard to realize that it is only Freddie, Brian, and Roger singing in the "Operatic" section (John never sang on the records). This was 1975, well before digital recordings and they were using 24-track analog tape. This made it necessary for the three to overdub themselves many times and "bounce" these down to successive sub-mixes. Some sections feature 180 separate overdubs! The fifth section is the "Hard Rock" portion. In this section, Freddie sings angry lyrics addressed to an unspecified "you", accusing them of betrayal and abuse and insisting "Can't do this to me, baby", before the final lines conclude with him singing, "Just gotta get right outta here". FYI - the "Operatic" and the "Hard Rock" sections of BoRap were featured in a scene in the 1992 film Wayne's World, in which the main character and his friends headbang in a car to the rock part. In the sixth and final section, the "Outré", returns to the "Ballad" to close the circle of the song and ends with the sound of a Chinese gong.
Not everyone, as a matter of fact almost no one agrees on the meaning of the lyrics. And this is the way Freddie wanted it. Otherwise, good information.
I am glad you broke this down all in one post, all of these factual gems of information would assist him in understanding what he just reacted to, how it was possible to bring this masterpiece to life!
Roger Taylor is one of the most underrated vocalists of all time. And it is even harder when you consider that he is playing drums at the same time. It takes a master to maintain constant air pressure in your note while hitting drums.
Thank you so much for all the information on this amazing band and the song. It's such a great pity indeed that we lost Freddie. He was wonderful. We will meet him one day, please God. ❤
Freddie Mercury was an opera fan, hence Bohemian Rhapsody. Listen to that song three times and you'll understand why it is voted the best pop song in history in a thousand polls worldwide
Loved when he did Barcelona with Montserat Caballe, an amazing opera singer now longer with us just like Freddie. They are serenading God and the Angels in Heaven. Issac should give that a listen and all other Queen tracks with videos. Wonder what he will make of I Want To Break Free with Freddie dressed up as mum doing the hoovering, the gorgeous Roger Taylor as his daughter, John Deacon as Granny, and Brian May in curlers and dressing gown. Loved that video.
You mean, like hiring a builder to build a typical American wood-framed single-family home who has never analysed the genius construction of European cathedrals? Those really must be hard to come by, I guess... /S
How TF do you mix and produce music and not be entirely familiar with 60s and 70s like Beatles and Pink Floyd. That is not exactly a question, that is a statement indicating that there is something wrong with your situation, those you have interacted with, etc., how do you even survive in the business and not be fully aware of all the fundamental innovations [including technical, practical, and artistically] that were made in the 60s and 70s which have effected and proliferated every single aspect of all modern music. Again, not necessarily a question as much as a statement to a state of being. Something was clearly wrong with your upbringing to be so sheltered from something that so fundamentally established not just our music, but American culture that proliferates every aspect of American life. It is baffling, did you grow up in a cult or something? It seems you have a lot of listening and learning to do to catch up with the rest of the world.
@@HenryLoenwind Not quite a fitting analogy. It'd be more like hiring an architect who hasn't learned about cathedrals in college. Why are they important? Because they marked and exemplify the development of many advancements, like pointed arches and vaults.
Can you imagine how my generation felt listening to this for the first time? It still stirs me. I'm happy to see it is still inspiring new generations, and you are right. This was a time when you had to know how to sing in order to perform.
WOW!!!!! You have to be the only one in the world who hasn’t heard . This song is known in every country in the entire world as A Masterpiece. They received an award for contributing to greatest music in British history 💕
I love the fact he had never heard it before. Why, or how doesn't matter. The fact that this track is still blowing peoples minds. And will continue to do so. God save Queen 🇬🇧
What are you laughing at? No words? NO WORDS?? Heres 2, SHEAR BRILLIANCE. And your a producer?? What!! First part crime commited and regret, second part trial and jury, defence begging for leaniency. Third part time served taking whats given in society but getting through it. Listen to it, FANTASTIC. Number 1 twice, first release and after Freddie Mercury's death. (He's the singer and composer)
Sometimes your mind gets blown in a good way and the only response is to laugh with joy. He had me at first with the laugh, but he was so full of good He could only laughing response. Like me he will have to listen a couple of more times to get past the surprise of the whole song to be able to grasp the parts that make it a GOAT.
i just saw you watch bohemian rhapsody ... I loved your reaction ..still laughing... yes amazing ..i loved when you said back when singers could sing. I'm 62 and a total Bowie freak... Music was about telling a story ..like Elton.. Rod and the faces.. joe cocker and of course the sweet soul of JANIS..the young ones have no idea ..im aussie ever hear little river band ..early stuff with Glen Shorrock. Before John Farnham was front man..aussie 70s music is awesome ..rock..pub rock
Don't know if anyone else told you yet, but the opening harmony, despite showing the band, is all Freddie Mercury. He did the opening multiple times, then they spliced it all together to create that amazing harmony. That's the versatility of his voice.
There is so much music out there and we all have our favorite genres. Makes sense if parents weren't into that music you wouldn't have heard it before. There are a lot of musical styles I am not a fan of either. Loving music doesn't mean loving every song ever made. Glad you finally got to hear this awesome song.
My sister was married to an older guy who listened only to Oldies. For years that was all they listened to in the car. at home, etc. DIVORCE. She drives to my house pulls in and doesn't get out of the car. At least five minutes pass. Then she emerges from the car as if in a trance. When she entered the house she looked at me and asked "Have you ever heard of a band called Queen?" I replied with an eye-roll, "Oh, you just heard Bohemian Rhapsody for the first time."
Always fun to watch people discover Bohemian Rhapsody isn't just a song. It's what you get when 5 mini songs come together to make a super song. By their powers combined, that is Bohemian Rhapsody. I know of no competition in the "a capella + ballad + opera + hard rock + reflective coda" genre
Love “Somebody to Love” in Montreal 81… but as this guy is a music producer, I think he should perhaps first listen to the studio version, THEN hear how they changed it up to perform live.
@@IDBARTLETT For the views and likes ofc. "I listen to Bohemian Rhapsody for the 100th time, because you're an idiot if you think i haven't heard this before" doesn't have the same ring to it.
This song is a very clever spoof of the over the top, bombastic drama shared by heavy metal and opera. A lot of Queen’s music was done with a wink like this. Brilliant, terrific musicianship. No one had ever heard anything like this before.
I don’t for a fact. No connection to the band other than as a fan (like you, I would guess). I saw them live twice at their peak (late ‘70’s). Freddie’s manner on stage was very playful in both shows I saw. You can see that in the Live Aid show with the way he plays with the audience. Read through the rest of these comments. Freddie apparently said in interviews that this song had its roots in opera. Other comments describe all four guys in the group as smart, academically successful as well as talented musicians. Smart guys like that usually have good senses of humor. Both live shows as well as the liner notes on their albums suggested they were committed to playing high quality music that stretched boundaries and was also fun to play. Short answer to your question is just an impression.
I appreciated the way you reviewed this masterpiece. You didn't talk all over it. You didn't stop and start. And, your comments were brief, but to the point. Thanks for that.
Best line I've ever heard from someone in his generation: "Back in the day when singers could really sing." All of us boomers have known this for decades!
Congratulations! You have just listened to a MASTERPIECE of our time! "Man, back in the day when singers could actually sing" for this band, yes, each member could also play their own instruments and each member could WRITE their own songs and create hits with them too. That is what Queen has done, you'll find out later when you react to more of their catalog of music! Roger Taylor (Drums and vocals, a falsetto singer too when it is required) Brian May (Guitarist) John Deacon (Bass) and Freddie Mercury, (Lead Vocals)
That used to be what a band was...like the Eagles, too...no auto tune, played at least one instrument to get in the band, wrote songs, sang them live...now it's autotune and lip sync.
@@ConspiracySmurf I agree with you, singing beautifully in harmony, playing instruments, writing wonderful lyrics to make epic songs takes skills. We don't see too much of that nowadays. Sadly, it seems musicianship may become a thing of the past.
Th acapella intro is all just Freddie multitracked harmony, after that all the harmonies are Freddie (lead vocal piano), Brian (guitar) and Roger(drums/high notes/harmonies). John (bass) rarely sings because he doesn't like to. There is another Queen song that Freddie wrote before this one where you can hear the seeds of Bohemian Rhapsody germinating in Freddie's mind; it is called March Of The Black Queen. If you listen to that song, you need to listen to the studio version because like this song the multitracking is not able to be reproduced live with just the three vocals. Later Freddie wrote another song called Innuendo which is the other bookend to Bohemian Rhapsody. To me they are a trillogy of Freddie's creativity. In between there are hundreds of songs written by Freddie and Brian and some by John and Roger as well that were hits and some outstanding hidden gems. If you want to see the dynamics of Freddie's voice, you need to listen to Somebody To Love live at Montreal 1981 (great video quality because it was filmed on 8mm film). If you want to see the depth of Brian's guitar skills as well as Freddie's piano skills, you must listen to White Queen live at Odeon, Hammersmith 1975. You will see why Queen was so amazing live and why they attracted crowds of up to around 300,000 for their shows. There is a lot to unpack with Bohemian Rhapsody, particularly from a producer's point of view. Bear in mind, this song was recorded on 24 track tape so the dynamics needed to create the sound of a 100 voice choir in this song are mind boggling. Thank you for your reaction. You were properly impressed.
I'm 33. My dad played queen alot and other 80s music. I always loved bohemian rhapsody. I'm happy to see u enjoyed what music I did as a kid who was raised by 80s kids/parents. The most incredible part is they made that song without a ton of the equipment voice stuff like we have today. They recorded over n over again their own music to get the musical affects. They were ahead of their time in the music industry
RE THOSE OPENING HARMONIES: That is ALL JUST FREDDIE MERCURY 🙀 (Even tho the video shows all four band members lip syncing) Freddie recorded himself singing FIVE different harmonies, then overlaid them. In the middle operatic section: That’s Freddie Mercury, drummer Roger Taylor, and guitarist Brian May singing (bass player John Deacon didn’t usually sing)… They “overlaid” (IDK the right term?) their voices 180 TIMES to get that big sound… Apparently, the master tape was practically see-through. If you’re interested: There’s a short mini documentary on YT titled: The Making Of “Bohemian Rhapsody”🖖
Theres another great video about BR on a YT channel called nick beato. He goes through the song almost pretty much note by note explaining what was going on. The video its self is called 'what makes this song great' (pretty sure thats the title, its been a while since i've seen it)
And IIRC, they've overused the tape, so that it almost dissolved! They had to reproduce and copy multiple tracks for many times. Real story, but also in the movie "Bohemian Rhapsody".
Bohemian Rhapsody has been my favorite song for decades. Freddie had such an amazing voice and was a musical genius. There will never be anyone like him again.
Well done. I’m a black guy from Los Angeles in 1971. I was in the Army in Hawaii piecing a Southern rock band together. Our friends in a nearby building invited us over to hear them playing their type of music. Blew our minds. It was a magical time. And the cross pollenization continues.
Yup, and I’m the dad who sheltered him 😂😂😂😂. But we did listen to a ton of broadway, Disney, and other great stuff. Honestly I just can’t stand classic rock so we would never play any of it around the house. That’s simple.
I really appreciate that you played the whole thing through, so many reactors start/stop and ruin the flow. I hate when I know that people aren't getting the best from a song.
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I think it's quite possible he's never listened to the whole song, only bits of it.
Literally what I said in the intro
@@becauseisaac but it’s a classic
exactly
@@becauseisaac Shame.
Shame.
Shame.
Shame.
Shame.
Shame.
Errr so no analysis other than 'I can’t do this it’s to crazy' Deep !
How can a grown man, especially a music producer in this day and age, say they’ve never listened to this masterpiece. This is a genuine question that I want answers to
was thinking the same thing, surely he would have wanted to ages ago?
Yeah, I don’t buy it.
lots of emotion baiting going on in music reaction vids - just par 4 the course :(
@@brianlafrazia8237
Same here
I'm soo glad I wasn't the one to say that! LOL... I was sooo closeee....lol
"I don't know what to do with this"
Advice from someone who grew up with it. Listen to it again. And again. And again. Keep listening.
Preach it!
The "making of" explains a lot ... and it was all done without computers, just a lot of "overlaying of many MANY tracks of tape" ... by a perfectionist.
I’ve noticed with ‘Gen Z’ they have a very limited vocabulary. But to have a limited vocabulary about a passion and work you ‘do’ every day seems strange.
100%
Listen on a. Lifetime loop ....❤
Bohemian Rhapsody is not "crazy", "nuts", "insane" etc.
It's just brilliant.
It's also not new, also @ 2:40 playing real instruments. Pop especially has gotten electric synths and backing tracks lazy these dayz
@@toring61_52 Can you play a single instrument? If not, shut the fuck up.
Its a fuzzy line
It's almost perfect. 😊❤
it is all 4 of those things
The only music producer in the world living under a rock.
this dude is a joke he should work at a hot dog vendor
He should try the Beatles, popular back in the day, though nobody knows about them any more.
Nailed it
He's a Pratt as well.
Peasant!
I'm a mathematician. Imagine my surprise when i found out there was a number three. Never come across it before.
Actually the best comment 😂
Well said mate
I agree, he must have heard it before
And everything he says is utterly generic......joke. if this is a Music Producer from this generation. Im glad im 66...😂😂😂😂😂
@@Aoife24601They don't make them like that anymore in fact no one has made anything like this past or present.
Queen leaves another viewer speechless. That's what queen does to everyone they are left speechless. That's the power of queen.
R.I.P FREDDIE WE MISS YOU
As a music producer, it surprises me that he was speechless at all! I thought he would break it down or something. I know now. His mind was blown! That's why!
Every single time. I bet there is not one reaction on the internet that says "Hated it. Total Crap." hahahaha Everyone can appreciate it at least one time.
Other amazing hits by Queen - We Will Rock You/We Are the Champions, Killer Queen, Somebody to Love, Don't Stop me Now.
@@LadyIarConnacht those are mainstream media hits; try the March of the Black Queen, Innuendo, You and I, Ride the Wild Wind. Thee songs are amazing!
@@ConspiracySmurfYes, one time; maybe more.
After the millionth time, it loses some of its charm…
I just don't understand how a music producer hasn't heard this before.
exactly
Either you’ve heard this or you’re no “music producer”
Just needs likes.
It's impossible!
Lots of people call themselves a 'producer' nowadays. Most are just playing around with music apps on their pc, in their bedrooms. Technically they're 'producing' music but they're not really producers, in the professional sense and would be lost in a real studio, or if asked to setup the audio for a recording session. :)
It’s depressing that a so-called music professional doesn’t know this masterpiece. No excuses.
I'm guessing this guy is at most 30. If that's true, he's had about 15 years of truly listening to music (usually about 15 is when you start paying attention and getting into it). Realize that's about when FM radio was going out of style and iPhones/iPods/Streaming/Spotify started. It's very possible he just listened to music he curated himself. We've been listening to FM radio our entire lives while the upcoming generation hasn't.
I'm not saying he is or isn't faking it for a reaction, I'm just saying it is plausible that he hasn't heard it in its entirety.
@@specialsause949 you raise a good point, but coming from this generation myself (I am 10 years younger than the guy give or take), I cannot name a single person I have ever interacted with, from my age group, that has not listened to bohemian rhapsody before. Everyone in school knew who Queen were of course, and how good bohemian rhapsody was. I think you're right in saying that theres plausibility behind the fact of him not listening to it before, but I dont necessarily believe it to be an age problem, more of an "ignorant" point of view.
@@JuicyJuno Exactly
agreed
I'm surprised that other 'producers/writers' that do reaction videos struggle to actually know the difference between guitars, synths and trumpets!!
Bohemian Rhapsody brought a significant change in music of the time. The record owners rejected it, but they just pushed on - presenting one of the best and most important pieces of music in history.
Thank Kenny Everett for playing it on Radio 1.
Yeah they rejected it becoz it’s too long for radio play. Seriously wth!
@@RosieLee777radio one likes it because studio to toilets and back was 6 minutes.
My daughter was the only one in her high school to know this song because she was born to older parents and suddenly we were cool.
At the risk of feeling stone-aged but what age is considered "older parents"?
@@DaniLoreas an elder millennial (or a Xenial) dad, I think I prefer not to know the answer
@@merchillio Never heard xenial but that would be me too, and I am guessing we are ancient lol
Criminey! You can’t go to a football game without hearing this or another one bites the dust!
Hope she isn't a producer ;)
"What instrument do you play Freddie?" His reply: "The audience Darling, the Audience!"
When you watch the Live Aid concert, you will understand that answer. The crowd wasn't just Queen fans, but the way Freddie gets them to react is one of the most Brilliant things I've ever seen.
Please give us your reaction to it.
And Welcome to "Queendom!"
The stage presence on that man. 😊❤
OMG! Yes! Live Aid!!! He played that audience like a master!!
I had just moved into a studio apartment and my belongings hadn't arrived, yet. There was a 2nd hand store not far away, so the purchase was a cheap little black and white portable tv on which my sister and I could watch Live Aid. When Freddie came on stage, we both got goose bumps at his performance. Even on that humble little device, we could feel the electricity he generated.
@@karenlobosco9646 Just that audience? That audience was most of the world. He still draws people to his singing after his death!
Funny story: apart from the strep throat and his doctor telling him he would never sing again if he sang that show, they didn't have stage monitors when they started their set. If you watch closely, near the end of the first verse of Radio Gaga, you will notice Freddie glance down at the monitors in front of him and simultaneously hear the entire band congeal into one cohesive unit as the techs under the stage found the cables that hadn't been plugged in. One of the most chilling moments of live music history for me.
Source: My pro audio engineer friend that loves queen and knows a lot about a lot of things.
Nobody does this anymore. This is what you should be aiming for. Creativity, power, subtlety, musicianship, talent, all in one song.
Nightwish has a similar splitting into acts for some of their longer songs. Highly recommend
Think of it as a rock opera. That’s what it is.
Freddie was able to sing operatically with a famous female opera singer before he died. That’s truly the type of singer he always longed to be.
Montsserat Caballe.
Lady Montserrat Caballé
Best rock opera is FLASH GORDON. Their covers in Highlander are also great.
@@Jtr_ceral_killerwhat do you mean by their covers on Highlander? They wrote and recorded all the music for that movie it’s their It’s a Kind of Magic album.
@@gabrieldee345don5 yes and the song is called barcelona. Obviously brilliant
AND that was tracked on tape, mate. 200 overdubs. The harmonies with modulation, the crisp guitar tone, the dynamics. This has it all.
The simple brilliance of Old School tech. You do all the hard math before a single note is sung or played.
Overdubbed so often the tape literally wore through until it was see-through. They made a copy as a matter of extreme urgency!
Thank you for pointing out the incredible craftsmanship of tape recordings. My dad used to work for Capital Records before it went to stereo.
And no computers
True but represented by them well live too!
Bohemian Rhapsody was voted internationally as the No 1 popular song of the entire 20th Century. No 1. It was groundbreaking.
Internationally 😂
And not only of the 20th Century. No. 1 ever recorded.
Although it was groundbreaking, it was a flop originally. Radio stations initially wouldn’t play it because it was so long. But over time it grew in popularity and became the classic it is.
I'm a Millennial, so my first time hearing it was in the Wayne's World movie 🙂
@@Demetri450, Universally. Stay blissful 😊
Queen is SO talented. Freddie was a stunning writer and vocalist. And May is a superb guitarist who just happens to have a PHD in astrophysics. Dang!
He’s also a Knight of the Realm. Sir Brian May!!!
The song is structured without a chorus and has 6 main parts to it (including an OPERA section!) It was originally written as 3 separate songs, (by Freddie Mercury ofc) then ingeniously combined together to create 1 masterpiece. All of that combined with incredible harmonies and instrumentals created one of the greatest works of composition the world has, or will ever see! Thank you for coming to my Ted Talk.
The lack of repeat is, indeed, what makes it a genuine rhapsody.
I like how you broke down the best Symphonic Rock song ever. This is my number 2. I think you’ll enjoy it. ruclips.net/video/IZSFaFV86eE/видео.htmlsi=TQR2dglcgwjgPXaB
I never knew that but it makes perfect sense, thank you.
Actually the 3 song thing has been proven false. Late last year when there was an auction of Freddie's belongings one of the things sold was the hand writing of this song. It was all one song.
I think that all may go over the head of this “ Producer / Songwriter”
I have heard teenagers discussing this with more knowledge and passion than this “ person”
Queenie here, along with the others below. We could write a book about this song alone... but I will (try) to make it short. The first chorus of "harmonies" is Freddie Mercury harmonizing with himself. Remember, this was all on tape... no computer, no cut and paste, just tape. No autotune, no Melodyne. The guitarist is Dr. Sir Brian May (an astrophysicist), a songwriter and amazing vocalist as well, providing harmonies for the rest of BoRhap and the rest of their library he is often rated in the top 10 of best guitarests ever. Roger Taylor, the drummer with the high cymbals is one of the top drummers in history, a songwriter as well, and has the _really_ high falsetto you hear on many songs, including BoRhap. "Somebody to Love" Montreal 81 is a great example of his incredible counter-tenor (in the 70s). Roger and Brian also have solo albums. John Deacon, the fantastic bassist who created the riff in "Under Pressure" (stolen by Vanilla Ice decades later and now it's called a "sample.") and wrote "Another One Bites the Dust." John is the quiet member who, after Freddie died of AIDS in 1991, retired after all Queen songs made with Freddie's voice ("Made in Heaven") and the Tribute concert (1992) and one tribute song (No-One But You [Only the Good Die Young]") in 1997 with Roger and Brian were finished. John created the Deacy amp that creates the unique sounds Brian's homemade guitar, the Red Special, makes. John has a degree in Electrical Engineering. Freddie had an art degree. Roger had a Biology degree. Smart guys, all! All 4 are in the Songwriters Hall of Fame, the first to be inducted as the single members of a band all at one time. I think that's a decent start. You hit THE rabbit hole, my friend!! Oh, and you play Queen and the Queenies will come in droves!
Spot on synopsis, Queenie.
I salute you! 🇨🇦 🍒🍒🍒
Thank you my beloved fellow Queen lover from a 45 year long Queen lover too😘
No to mention all 4 members of Queen are in the songwriters hall of fame.
I've been a fan since Killer Queen hit the airwaves, but this is the first time I have seen this kind of write-up---Thanks.
Whoever you are, I love you.
"Back in the day when singers could actually sing" Shots fired at the current generation of singers! Love it! Freddy Mercury was a one of a kind!
It's actually not even the fault of that generation. It's just a different environment!
he IS the current generation of singers my man
Yeah, we might be mid 60s in age now but boy did we have some fabulous music in our youth.
After the 80s no one can truly sing.
We have great singers, it s not our fault you re blocked in the past granpa 🙃
This is in fact a three act opera. The crime in the first act with the remorse, the judgement in the second act and the anger in the third act.
There will never ever be another Freddie Mercury.
Thank God
That's only because the government shut down my cloning facility.
@@andrewh5568lol
And?
❤❤❤❤❤❤
Why do older folks say that music today is terrible? Because of songs like this. We know what actual talent is.
On point!!!!
I would have agreed with you a month ago! Check out the artist REN’s song Hi Ren! I was floored.
@@canecasavettes85 I have. Thanks for caring enough to make the suggestion.
Oh please. God, The Universe, or whatever it is you think dishes out talent did not just stop somewhere back in the eighties and decide "That's it. No more." The absolute arrogance of thinking there is no actual talent these days is astonishing.
I grew up in the fifties and sixties. Guess what the "old folks" said about the music we listened to. It was horrible. No talent. Blah blah blah. Nothing but noise." The only reason they didn't like it was because it wasn't written for them, just like today's music isn't written for you. If you don't like it, sorry, but you let yourself get old.
There is some excellent music being written and performed today. Personally, I particularly like Joe Bonamassa and Beth Hart, both individually and together. Oddly, I am also quite fond of Deadmau5.
@@TheBarkinFrog Thank you! Everyone forgets that every decade had its hits and shits. Looking back we remember the best and can cherry pick all the good from the bad with relative ease. New good music is arguably more prevalent today than ever before with the internet!
back in the day we took it for granted that music was good, we were spoiled.
🎯💯
*_NAILED IT_*
I was 9 when this was released. I absolutely loved it immediately.....i can still see me in my bedroom playing air guitar and pretending to be Freddie......9 years old and appreciating the work of art music of a group Ive been a fan of ever since
A music producer who:
1) Hasn’t heard this song before
2) Has no thoughts about the production, arrangement, or songwriting.
Fascinating.
Have fun on your journey, buddy.
My thoughts exactly.
I'm guessing he's been limited to repetitive new music
I can name one -- ONE -- song by
Taylor Swift. It sucks, and I know she insists on looking like a tralk on stage. I'm as illiterate about TS as he claims to be about Queen. Not everyone knows everyone's music, regardless of how famous they may be.
P.S. - The one song I do know by Taylor Swift was done far better by another band as a cover.
@@dougrebertus1992 But TS’ music hasn’t yet endured the crucible of time. My main point was that he advertised a music producer reacting to this classic for the first time, but didn’t make any comment to the craft used in getting this arrangement recorded.
People- is it a crime to listen and react to the song and band quality and not to the (fantastic) production when it’s your first time listening to the song? Goodness, relax.
What people also forget, is this was one of the First Music videos.
I feel sorry for the young today, we had the best music...
Agreed!
Actually, the first music video band was, arguably, the Monkees.
@@kathleenflick6041 The first-ever music video is considered to be “The Little Lost Child” by Edward B. Marks and Joe Stern from 1894, which was an illustrated song with still images and live music.
I'm sorry for 'the old' that stopped listening to modern music because their 60-70-80s music 'was so good'
It was, I can't deny it, especially because if this song, but come on! Saying that everything in your younger days was better, makes you sound like your parents! And you don't want that, do you?
Keep an open mind and visit a modern concert every now and then!
@@prittykitty- bold of you to assume that we all stopped listening to music.
I'm mainly a BTS Army, but I also love Chase & Status, Taylor Swift & Bring Me The Horizon, I love dance (EDM) music and I'm very much enjoying the drum & bass revival that is taking place right now.
But I do know that none of these artists are on the same level as those of the past. And they probably know it too.
@0:10 yes it’s a crime 😂.
The music police has already arrested him
Childhood song...bro 😮
I’m a 14 year-old girl and even I grew up with this song
Fact
"We are in a golden age of music.
There will be a time when technology becomes so advanced that we'll rely on it to make music rather than raw talent.....
and music will lose its soul."
Freddie Mercury
Taken from the book:
"A Life, In His Own Words"
Maybe something to think about for all "music producers".
"Back in the days when singers could actually sing" -- best line ever!! You do know that the really high notes were the drummer, Roger Taylor?
Freddie could not just sing, he had a 4 octave range ❤
The highest notes you hear are Roger, not Freddie.
@@surfdigbyhe was just stating he had a 4 octave range which is true
he also sang in a vibrato style that is very hard to do.
If you want to hear how beloved this song is, and how much power Freddie Mercury had, look up "Green Day crowd Bohemian Rhapsody", and witness how Freddie can control a crowd _35 years_ after he died. It's utterly awesome.
that was a brilliant moment.. wish I could have been there
Thanks - I'd never seen that before and it was AWESOME!!! I've been to concerts where the crowd would just take over a song from the band, but I've never seen a crowd just perform a song (and what a song, eh?!!) just from the warm-up music before. Now I have a new favorite! Again, my thanks!
@@reidflemingworldstoughestm1394 hello mate, are you Ukrainian by any chance?
@@люстерко Nope.
Came here to say this, glad someone else already had!!
Am so jealous of people hearing this for the first time! There has never been a song released that can equate to the originality of this masterpiece. RIP FM
How can a music producer/composer not know what a rhapsody is? This is one of the greatest songs ever. Those of us that grew up in the 60's and 70's experienced some of the most amazing music ever recorded. You missed out on what true talent really was...no autotune.
its good that you commented because theres 250 answers to the 1st comment of this kind and im impatient
theres a prize for reading this
I think some people call themselves things they are not and i dont mean " i won photographer of the month 4 times in a row so im a multi award winning photographer " i mean " i recorded some stuff off the radio and my mum says that makes me a producer ... he doesnt have the thousand yard stare of a real producer who has to keep telling guitarists to turn the volume down on the instrument before leaening it against a live vintage amp instead of using one of the many stands provided ...^_^ ... theres a dude who i will find who exposes the " fakery" ... its not ... its just insurance but yes it is also fakery
found it ... here is your prize
ruclips.net/video/YHJ4pL7U0Po/видео.html
He is catching up.
How TF do you mix and produce music and not be entirely familiar with 60s and 70s like Beatles and Pink Floyd. That is not exactly a question, that is a statement indicating that there is something wrong with your situation, those you have interacted with, etc., how do you even survive in the business and not be fully aware of all the fundamental innovations [including technical, practical, and artistically] that were made in the 60s and 70s which have effected and proliferated every single aspect of all modern music. Again, not necessarily a question as much as a statement to a state of being. Something was clearly wrong with your upbringing to be so sheltered from something that so fundamentally established not just our music, but American culture that proliferates every aspect of American life. It is baffling, did you grow up in a cult or something? It seems you have a lot of listening and learning to do to catch up with the rest of the world.
NO digital ANYTHING this is the warmth you get from analogue.
It's a bait for comments like yours
A play with three acts: a murder, a court case, and prison, concluded with a broken man who goes anywhere the wind blows.
Practically the definition of a rhapsody. 🤗
Best simple definition of the song ever
Actually this was his "coming out" song. Listen carefully to the words, and you'll see that the "man" he killed was himself. He had a fiance who he'd cheated on with a MAN he met in a men's room. The "save his life from this monstrosity" was the monstrosity of his sexuality. "Beelzebub has a devil put aside for me" is in reference to his religious condemnation. "So you think you can stone me and spit in my eye" was a punishment used by his religion for being gay. "Because I'm easy come easy go" and "Any way the wind blows" is in reference to 'taking it how he can get it'. "I have to leave you all behind to face the truth" the truth that he likes men. "Gotta leave you all behind to face the truth" the truth that his pending marriage to a woman wasn't going to happen. He had to leave HER to face what he really was. "I don't want to die" is in reference to his FEAR that he's not a man (remember that at the time even those who were gay felt it was VERY WRONG). Even Bismillah is in reference to his religious upbringing and his mental conflict with what he'd become.
It was INGENIOUSLY written to blur the meaning so the listener could interpret things that it wasn't meant to imply, and put subtle hints inside to expose the real meaning.
And all the while being an analogy of Freddie's coming out ...
@@mikeh8416thanks, I’d never heard of or thought of that explanation, it’s very enlightening.
And hopefully you meant “ingeniously“ rather than “ingenuously.”
1975 was the year the world changed. Queen and Freddie rocked out, and I'm delighted you finally watched superstars doing their thing.
This is my 1st reaction to your channel, & quite enjoyed your confusion & questions, because that is how all of us felt when we first heard this back in 1975 😊 We called this song, under the genre Rock Opera, and was really quite groundbreaking at the time, and being that you appear quite young to me, I don't question that you never heard this whole song, it is just a pity, you are only hearing it now!!! I went to a QUEEN concert, & is definitely one of my favorite rock bands, & Freddie Mercury, my number one front man, never to be duplicated! I hope Queen has revitalized your curiosity & enjoyment in music again, & please keep checking out QUEEN music, they are amazing 💖💖💖
Is anyone able to name a better guitar playing astrophysicist than Brian May?
Though I think Brian May is one of the best you can't take away from David gilmour
Totally! It’s Dr. Brian May
Sorry but david every single time
@@rogergrimes1475 Gilmore isn’t an astrophysicist. Sorry, you lose.
I can only think of two theoretical physicists, Brian Cox and Brian Wecht, but they're mainly keyboard players.
Weird that they're all called Brian.
First time?? how man how?
Don’t it believe it for a sec....he’s heard it before......it starts off and he’s interrupting already....that’s a sign...people usually are engaged in listening to it if they’ve never heard it before...I’m off...I’ve heard more than enough😉
I'm 50 and thought the same damn thing, considering his listed profession/hobby.
Ikr
I'm 35 and I've known it since I was about 7.
@josephinemonahan915 it's quite possible. I first really heard it quite late in my life, I'm 50 and still discover classic songs for the first time as of today.
remeber this : the pruducer/ record label back in the days said NO, never will anybody hear this song.. to long, opera ? to crazy .. and then BOOM .. we still hear that song today.
Thank you
* too not to
@@unsignedmusic sorry, stupid german...
If I'm ever having a bad day, and I need cheering up, I always come to YT and find someone who has never heard Bohemian Rhapsody. Instantly cheers me up. Great video.
The drummer is Roger Taylor.
Mercury has stated that the inspiration behind Bohemian Rapsody was to create a "Rock Opera", and if you listen along with the lyrics, you can hear three distinct acts that make up the story being told. The record label pushed against it hard believing that no one would listen to a song that long, but lo and behold, it's one of the most famous rocks song in history.
Fun fact: Brian May, the lead guitarist, graduated university in 1968 with a BS in physics and later got his PhD in astrophysics 2007. Seriously smart dude.
Wow! There are so many different stories regarding the inspiration that it has taken on a life of its own.
What is this he says. It's a masterpiece mate, that's what this is!!!!!!!
Queen is a British rock band that was formed in 1970 and was comprised of:
Freddie Mercury - Lead vocals and piano
Roger Taylor - Drummer and vocals
Brian May - Lead guitar and vocals
John Deacon - Bass guitar
Queen has released 15 studio albums, 10 live albums, 16 compilation albums, two soundtrack albums, 2 extended plays, 73 singles, and seven promotional singles.
"Bohemian Rhapsody", which was released originally in 1975, is the creation of Freddie but he never told anyone what he was thinking when he wrote the lyrics. Freddie tended to write in metaphors and this is one of them. He wanted listeners to be able to apply to the song whatever meaning it had to them personally. Not what it meant to him.
BTW - Freddie did admit that "Bohemian Rhapsody" was composed of three separate songs that he had been working on but could not seem to finish. So he decided to mash them together, adding some transitions and bridges, and created "Bohemian Rhapsody".
"Bohemian Rhapsody" can be broken down into 6 parts:
Part I is the "Into". The video image shows the four members of Queen singing and harmonizing the lyrics of the "Intro" in A cappella. In reality, it is only Freddie's voice you hear on the recording. Freddie laid down 5 separate tracks of himself singing and harmonizing with himself. (FYI - multi-tracking and overdubbing runs rampant in Bohemian Rhapsody.)
Next is the "Ballad" portion of the song ('Mama, just killed a man'). Freddie had worked on it for years but the song never had a name. The other members of Queen tentatively titled it "Freddie's Cowboy Song". The lyricist Tim Rice (who wrote the lyrics for "Jesus Christ, Superstar", "Evita", "Aladdin", "The Lion King", ...) was a close friend of Freddie's and he believes this portion of the song’s lyrics were about Mercury confessing to his fans that he was gay.
The third section is the guitar solo. This is the only part of Bohemian Rhapsody not written by Freddie. Freddie told Brian that he wanted a guitar solo in the song and where he wanted it to fit into the song but left it to Brian to create. Brian wanted to have his guitar effectively sing a verse that would inject a different melody. He heard something in his head. He said that he could hear this melody and had no idea where it came from. That melody isn’t anywhere else in the song, but it’s on a familiar chord sequence, so it dovetails in quite nicely.
The guitar solo leads to the fourth section which is the "Operatic" section. Freddie not only loved Rock but he loved Opera. He was always fascinated with the idea of combining rock and opera. It took an accumulation of 3 weeks at 6 different studios to record "Bohemian Rhapsody" and the "Operatic" section was much smaller when they began recording but Freddie kept adding to it.
Various lyrics in the "Operatic" section seem to refer to the band...
* Freddie casts himself as Scaramouch, a stock clown of 16th-century Italian literature.
*.Galileo refers to Brian with his BSc degree in physics and later his Ph.D.in Astrophysics.
* Figaro refers to the Mozart opera, "The Marriage of Figaro" and it is a subtle way to reference Roger who has a four-range vocal span (E2-E6) and was even frequently cited as hitting E5 in live performances. Freddie compared Roger's voice to a dog whistle.
* The final reference of Magnifico is John who has not just a BSc but a First Class Honors Degree in Electronics.
It is hard to realize that it is only Freddie, Brian, and Roger singing in the "Operatic" section (John never sang on the records). This was 1975, well before digital recordings and they were using 24-track analog tape. This made it necessary for the three to overdub themselves many times and "bounce" these down to successive sub-mixes. Some sections feature 180 separate overdubs!
The fifth section is the "Hard Rock" portion. In this section, Freddie sings angry lyrics addressed to an unspecified "you", accusing them of betrayal and abuse and insisting "Can't do this to me, baby", before the final lines conclude with him singing, "Just gotta get right outta here".
FYI - the "Operatic" and the "Hard Rock" sections of BoRap were featured in a scene in the 1992 film Wayne's World, in which the main character and his friends headbang in a car to the rock part.
In the sixth and final section, the "Outré", returns to the "Ballad" to close the circle of the song and ends with the sound of a Chinese gong.
Not everyone, as a matter of fact almost no one agrees on the meaning of the lyrics. And this is the way Freddie wanted it. Otherwise, good information.
I am glad you broke this down all in one post, all of these factual gems of information would assist him in understanding what he just reacted to, how it was possible to bring this masterpiece to life!
Roger Taylor is one of the most underrated vocalists of all time. And it is even harder when you consider that he is playing drums at the same time. It takes a master to maintain constant air pressure in your note while hitting drums.
what about John Deacon - Bass. author at least of: Someone bites the dust+ I wanna break free
Thank you so much for all the information on this amazing band and the song. It's such a great pity indeed that we lost Freddie. He was wonderful. We will meet him one day, please God. ❤
If never heard this, wait until this music producer hears about folks like Mozart, Bach and Beethoven....
Exactly. A music producer not knowing Queen is just as bad as a Classical Composer not knowing who Mozart is.
Hah 😂 Yes, agree!!!
This comment for the win.😂
Yep, seems strange?
I first heard it when I was young and already fell in love with it. This song is timeless. Every generation will keep on loving it.
This is four creative musicians pushing the envelope of musical excellence.
Freddie Mercury was an opera fan, hence Bohemian Rhapsody. Listen to that song three times and you'll understand why it is voted the best pop song in history in a thousand polls worldwide
Loved when he did Barcelona with Montserat Caballe, an amazing opera singer now longer with us just like Freddie. They are serenading God and the Angels in Heaven. Issac should give that a listen and all other Queen tracks with videos. Wonder what he will make of I Want To Break Free with Freddie dressed up as mum doing the hoovering, the gorgeous Roger Taylor as his daughter, John Deacon as Granny, and Brian May in curlers and dressing gown. Loved that video.
Imagine hiring a music producer that hasn’t heard this before. It’s like hiring a builder who has never seen a building before.
You mean, like hiring a builder to build a typical American wood-framed single-family home who has never analysed the genius construction of European cathedrals? Those really must be hard to come by, I guess... /S
@@HenryLoenwind Right. Because all Euros live in cathedrals.
How TF do you mix and produce music and not be entirely familiar with 60s and 70s like Beatles and Pink Floyd. That is not exactly a question, that is a statement indicating that there is something wrong with your situation, those you have interacted with, etc., how do you even survive in the business and not be fully aware of all the fundamental innovations [including technical, practical, and artistically] that were made in the 60s and 70s which have effected and proliferated every single aspect of all modern music. Again, not necessarily a question as much as a statement to a state of being. Something was clearly wrong with your upbringing to be so sheltered from something that so fundamentally established not just our music, but American culture that proliferates every aspect of American life. It is baffling, did you grow up in a cult or something? It seems you have a lot of listening and learning to do to catch up with the rest of the world.
what an idiot! No meaningful commentary whatsoever!
@@HenryLoenwind Not quite a fitting analogy. It'd be more like hiring an architect who hasn't learned about cathedrals in college. Why are they important? Because they marked and exemplify the development of many advancements, like pointed arches and vaults.
Can you imagine how my generation felt listening to this for the first time? It still stirs me. I'm happy to see it is still inspiring new generations, and you are right. This was a time when you had to know how to sing in order to perform.
The crowd singing this at the Green Day concert is epic and shows the power of this masterpiece.
Queen are in a place beyond any category, they are timeless and out of the ordinary
First off, Thank you for not stopping the music at any time during your watch. Excellent
5:12 what your were listening to is simply one of the greatest recordings ever made of the greatest band, composer, and vocalists.
This is why Queen was known around the world as a great band.
And he made his own guitar!!
The best song ever. Their music label didn’t want to put it out as too long for the radio. They insisted
Freddie Mercury was a talent beyond words
No Autotune , pure talent. RIP Freddie we miss you 😢
WOW!!!!! You have to be the only one in the world who hasn’t heard .
This song is known in every country in the entire world as A Masterpiece.
They received an award for contributing to greatest music in British history 💕
THE USA = Thick
look up reactions to BohRhap here on YT. You'll be blown away how many people really never heard the song!! Unbelievably but still true!
I love the fact he had never heard it before. Why, or how doesn't matter. The fact that this track is still blowing peoples minds. And will continue to do so. God save Queen 🇬🇧
What are you laughing at? No words? NO WORDS?? Heres 2, SHEAR BRILLIANCE. And your a producer?? What!! First part crime commited and regret, second part trial and jury, defence begging for leaniency. Third part time served taking whats given in society but getting through it. Listen to it, FANTASTIC. Number 1 twice, first release and after Freddie Mercury's death. (He's the singer and composer)
Sometimes your mind gets blown in a good way and the only response is to laugh with joy. He had me at first with the laugh, but he was so full of good He could only laughing response. Like me he will have to listen a couple of more times to get past the surprise of the whole song to be able to grasp the parts that make it a GOAT.
He's laughing and has no words and claims to never have heard it? He is a producer?, really? Now that is laughable
The laughing is disgustingl
i just saw you watch bohemian rhapsody ... I loved your reaction ..still laughing... yes amazing ..i loved when you said back when singers could sing. I'm 62 and a total Bowie freak... Music was about telling a story ..like Elton.. Rod and the faces.. joe cocker and of course the sweet soul of JANIS..the young ones have no idea ..im aussie ever hear little river band ..early stuff with Glen Shorrock. Before John Farnham was front man..aussie 70s music is awesome ..rock..pub rock
Don't know if anyone else told you yet, but the opening harmony, despite showing the band, is all Freddie Mercury. He did the opening multiple times, then they spliced it all together to create that amazing harmony. That's the versatility of his voice.
How can you be a music producer and not know this song ?
There is so much music out there and we all have our favorite genres. Makes sense if parents weren't into that music you wouldn't have heard it before. There are a lot of musical styles I am not a fan of either. Loving music doesn't mean loving every song ever made. Glad you finally got to hear this awesome song.
Don't stop your Queen journey..you're life is about to change! ❤
absolutely true words
And for the better!
The production value that queen put into this song is mind blowing overdubbing and just like Brian May’s guitar skills
Chefs kiss
Another brilliant song is Barcelona where you can see that Freddy can hold his own singing with a opera singer.
My sister was married to an older guy who listened only to Oldies. For years that was all they listened to in the car. at home, etc. DIVORCE. She drives to my house pulls in and doesn't get out of the car. At least five minutes pass. Then she emerges from the car as if in a trance. When she entered the house she looked at me and asked "Have you ever heard of a band called Queen?" I replied with an eye-roll, "Oh, you just heard Bohemian Rhapsody for the first time."
😭 That’s awesome
@@becauseisaac I was jealous. I wish I could hear BR for the first time.
My same reaction when I heard this song for the first time!
I bet she asked how did you know it something along those words.
Always fun to watch people discover Bohemian Rhapsody isn't just a song. It's what you get when 5 mini songs come together to make a super song. By their powers combined, that is Bohemian Rhapsody.
I know of no competition in the "a capella + ballad + opera + hard rock + reflective coda" genre
now I hope you react to "Somebody to Love" 1981 live in Montreal.
This will definitely blow his mind.
Love “Somebody to Love” in Montreal 81… but as this guy is a music producer, I think he should perhaps first listen to the studio version, THEN hear how they changed it up to perform live.
@@imweakfordeaky imo-this one is just as good if not better.
Just appreciate it as that masterpiece!!!
We all did back in the day!!! 😅👌
Do you really expect us to believe you've never heard this song before?
I don't. But I'm engaging, so he wins.
He's just listened to bits.
Why would he lie?
@@IDBARTLETT For the views and likes ofc. "I listen to Bohemian Rhapsody for the 100th time, because you're an idiot if you think i haven't heard this before" doesn't have the same ring to it.
He didnt say that , he said he hadn't heard the whole song , just bits in memes etc , perhaps you should learn to listen properly
Awaken by Yes would blow your mind completely…A masterpiece in every sense of the word…
This song is a very clever spoof of the over the top, bombastic drama shared by heavy metal and opera. A lot of Queen’s music was done with a wink like this.
Brilliant, terrific musicianship. No one had ever heard anything like this before.
how do you know its a spoof?
I don’t for a fact. No connection to the band other than as a fan (like you, I would guess).
I saw them live twice at their peak (late ‘70’s). Freddie’s manner on stage was very playful in both shows I saw. You can see that in the Live Aid show with the way he plays with the audience.
Read through the rest of these comments. Freddie apparently said in interviews that this song had its roots in opera.
Other comments describe all four guys in the group as smart, academically successful as well as talented musicians. Smart guys like that usually have good senses of humor.
Both live shows as well as the liner notes on their albums suggested they were committed to playing high quality music that stretched boundaries and was also fun to play.
Short answer to your question is just an impression.
I appreciated the way you reviewed this masterpiece. You didn't talk all over it. You didn't stop and start. And, your comments were brief, but to the point. Thanks for that.
Every song by Queen is a masterpiece
True statement right there! I agree with you 100%
Hammer to fall. (Chefs kiss)mmmmuuhhh
Best line I've ever heard from someone in his generation: "Back in the day when singers could really sing." All of us boomers have known this for decades!
I am absolutely amazed that so many music experts have never listened to anything other than their own music. Must be an amazing experience for them.
Congratulations! You have just listened to a MASTERPIECE of our time! "Man, back in the day when singers could actually sing" for this band, yes, each member could also play their own instruments and each member could WRITE their own songs and create hits with them too. That is what Queen has done, you'll find out later when you react to more of their catalog of music! Roger Taylor (Drums and vocals, a falsetto singer too when it is required) Brian May (Guitarist) John Deacon (Bass) and Freddie Mercury, (Lead Vocals)
That used to be what a band was...like the Eagles, too...no auto tune, played at least one instrument to get in the band, wrote songs, sang them live...now it's autotune and lip sync.
@@ConspiracySmurf I agree with you, singing beautifully in harmony, playing instruments, writing wonderful lyrics to make epic songs takes skills. We don't see too much of that nowadays. Sadly, it seems musicianship may become a thing of the past.
The entire group is one of a kind. But, there will never be a singer like Freddie and a guitar player like Brian May!❤
The first six or seven Queen albums were pure magic. Absolutely otherworldly and next level.
It’s called creativity, talent and balls to go your own way
If you’re still in need of refreshment listen to Freddie sing‘Barcelona’ with Montserrat Caballe. Another groundbreaker.
I love how the harmonies shift from side to side. I have a killer system in my car and this song shows off the imaging.
That was one of my favorite things about this song.
It was a pleasure to watch your responses. You clearly "get it"!
The "harmonies" at the beginning of the song are just ONE man.... the l8 gr8 Freddie
This is so great seeing a young one blown away by what my generation took for granite. So happy at 74, let the music play!
Hopefully that was autocorrect and you haven’t been saying “for granite” instead of for granted.
@@FreedomAndersonWe used to take these songs for granite. Now all we are is dust in the wind….
Th acapella intro is all just Freddie multitracked harmony, after that all the harmonies are Freddie (lead vocal piano), Brian (guitar) and Roger(drums/high notes/harmonies). John (bass) rarely sings because he doesn't like to. There is another Queen song that Freddie wrote before this one where you can hear the seeds of Bohemian Rhapsody germinating in Freddie's mind; it is called March Of The Black Queen. If you listen to that song, you need to listen to the studio version because like this song the multitracking is not able to be reproduced live with just the three vocals. Later Freddie wrote another song called Innuendo which is the other bookend to Bohemian Rhapsody. To me they are a trillogy of Freddie's creativity. In between there are hundreds of songs written by Freddie and Brian and some by John and Roger as well that were hits and some outstanding hidden gems. If you want to see the dynamics of Freddie's voice, you need to listen to Somebody To Love live at Montreal 1981 (great video quality because it was filmed on 8mm film). If you want to see the depth of Brian's guitar skills as well as Freddie's piano skills, you must listen to White Queen live at Odeon, Hammersmith 1975. You will see why Queen was so amazing live and why they attracted crowds of up to around 300,000 for their shows. There is a lot to unpack with Bohemian Rhapsody, particularly from a producer's point of view. Bear in mind, this song was recorded on 24 track tape so the dynamics needed to create the sound of a 100 voice choir in this song are mind boggling. Thank you for your reaction. You were properly impressed.
You named the Queen masterpieces, thank you for that😘
I'm 33. My dad played queen alot and other 80s music. I always loved bohemian rhapsody. I'm happy to see u enjoyed what music I did as a kid who was raised by 80s kids/parents. The most incredible part is they made that song without a ton of the equipment voice stuff like we have today. They recorded over n over again their own music to get the musical affects. They were ahead of their time in the music industry
Choose ANYTHING by Queen and your mind will be blown. They are musical geniuses.
Bohemian Rhapsody and Innuendo are really the bookends of Freddie's journey. Innuendo is definitely more surreal of the two.
I disagree: Innuendo is simply an appeal to God to answer our questions and our (Freddie's) determination to carry on nevertheless.
@@betseyclark2832 Yes, I recognize the theme. The presentation - being a Surrealist myself - is surreal. No disagreement needed.
RE THOSE OPENING HARMONIES:
That is ALL JUST FREDDIE MERCURY 🙀 (Even tho the video shows all four band members lip syncing) Freddie recorded himself singing FIVE different harmonies, then overlaid them.
In the middle operatic section:
That’s Freddie Mercury, drummer Roger Taylor, and guitarist Brian May singing (bass player John Deacon didn’t usually sing)… They “overlaid” (IDK the right term?) their voices 180 TIMES to get that big sound… Apparently, the master tape was practically see-through.
If you’re interested:
There’s a short mini documentary on YT titled:
The Making Of “Bohemian Rhapsody”🖖
Theres another great video about BR on a YT channel called nick beato. He goes through the song almost pretty much note by note explaining what was going on. The video its self is called 'what makes this song great' (pretty sure thats the title, its been a while since i've seen it)
@@beandean23 NEAT, Thank You!!
@@beandean23that’s Rick Beato (not Nick). Just piping in to make the channel easier to search up
@@imweakfordeaky ...Thanks!
Yes it would be A LOT easier to find if I had the right name!
This song is a masterpiece!!
R.I.P FREDDIE WE MISS YOU
And, recorded on tape. No synthesisers. Real instruments. Real voices.
And IIRC, they've overused the tape, so that it almost dissolved! They had to reproduce and copy multiple tracks for many times. Real story, but also in the movie "Bohemian Rhapsody".
Oh it's hilarious alright, AND an absolute masterpiece 🔥✊💜
Bohemian Rhapsody has been my favorite song for decades.
Freddie had such an amazing voice and was a musical genius. There will never be anyone like him again.
Bohemian Rhapsody is not just a song, it is an experience! You really need to watch the live performance of Somebody to Love! It is phenomenal!!!
Well done. I’m a black guy from Los Angeles in 1971. I was in the Army in Hawaii piecing a Southern rock band together. Our friends in a nearby building invited us over to hear them playing their type of music. Blew our minds. It was a magical time. And the cross pollenization continues.
Cool! So what is the secret to time travel? What's it like in 2060?
This song has been around for 50 years. 50, FIFTY. I refuse anyone alive has never heard it before.
Some people have had sheltered upbringing's. READ THE FIRST POST.
@@sandikorevaar4743 -- Some people have a sense of humor. :-)
Yup, and I’m the dad who sheltered him 😂😂😂😂. But we did listen to a ton of broadway, Disney, and other great stuff. Honestly I just can’t stand classic rock so we would never play any of it around the house. That’s simple.
I really appreciate that you played the whole thing through, so many reactors start/stop and ruin the flow. I hate when I know that people aren't getting the best from a song.
Loved the reaction after the first solo! All of the 70s and 80s enjoyed that many, many, many, many, many, many times.