Meaning Of Bohemian Rhapsody

         So I’ve been reading ‘Freddie Mercury- The Definitive Biography'  book by Lesley Ann Jones. How I wish Freddie lived today,so I could bow down at his feet and thank him for giving this world such amazing anthems . May His Soul Rest In Peace .

         There was a really interesting part in the book which spoke about their hit song “Bohemian Rhapsody”. Queen never disclosed the meaning behind the lyrics of this song (or any of their songs) , and were very secretive about them. Freddie said that "Bohemian Rhapsody" could be interpreted in many ways but never revealed it's actual message. 

For weeks I've been listening to this 6 minute masterpiece and with the help of the book as well as some facts about Freddie's life , I hereby present my thesis on "Bohemian Rhapsody". 

I have broken the song down into three segments following their musical transitions 

The transitions from  the Beautiful Ballad to the Dramatic Opera to the Monster Rock  mirrors Freddie's relations with :

1) Mary Austin (Beautiful Ballad )

In the Intro as well as in the ballad section, Mercury's voice appears to be as mellifluous as his relationship was with Mary Austin. There is a hint of  nervousness , sorrow and betrayal in his voice.

2)Queen (Dramatic Opera)

This part is what exactly describes Freddie. A flamboyant showman. Just like Opera consists of theatre ,costumes and dance, it depicts Freddie's relationship with his band "Queen".

3)The Haters (Monster Rock )

As the song breaks out into heavy metal in the latter part , it refers to his outbursts of feelings towards his haters and all those who have pinned him down in his life. He just wants to break free .

BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY MEANING :

Is This The Real Life?

Is This Just Fantasy?

Caught In A Landslide

No Escape From Reality

Freddie is confused about his identity. He thinks his life is a fantasy which he loves to enjoy but at the same time it is slowly eating him up from within.

His sexuality is the main underlying in this song. It is difficult for him to come in terms with the truth about himself.

Thus he cannot escape his reality.

Open  Your Eyes ,

Look Up To The Skies And See,

I’m Just A Poor Boy, I Need No Sympathy,

Because I’m Easy Come , Easy Go,

Little High, Little Low,

Anyway the Wind Blows Doesn't Really Matter To me, To Me

He has done enough of thinking , he now wants to open his eyes and face the world . He is seeking God’s help. He looks up to the sky waiting for an answer, he refuses to accept the pity of the world.

He is an easy going, fun loving person,who has his own share of ups and downs in his life.

The line "Anyway the Wind Blows"  means that 'Anyway The World Moves On ' . It never waits for anyone.

He is trying to convince himself that the world doesn't matter to him. Their opinions, criticisms  do not affect him. But deep within,  he is still in a state of dilemma .

 Mama , Just Killed A Man,

Put A Gun Against His Head,

Pulled  My  Trigger, Now He’s Dead,

Mama, Life Has Just Begun,

But Now I’ve Gone And Thrown It All Away

The book suggests that Freddie’s relationship with his first girlfriend “Mary Austin” was more like a maternal love . (According To Me )He refers Mary Austin as “Mama” in this Ballad.

When he reveals his sexuality to Mary , it was perhaps sudden and quick, just like the way you pull the trigger,  and instantly put a man to sleep .

He says that he no longer is the man she loves.

The Old Farrokh is long gone.

Their life was going smoothly together , until he reveals about himself and throws everything away.

Mama, Ooh,

Didn't Mean To Make You Cry,

If I’m Not Back Again This Time Tomorrow,

Carry On, Carry On As If Nothing Really Matters.

He feels sorry that she (Mary) had to go through all of this . He didn't mean to hurt her.

Freddie suggests that if he does not return back to her as her man , she ought to carry on in life.

"As If Nothing Really Matters " Means that she shouldn't care about what the world has to say about him or their relationship. He wants to see her happy in the future .He wants her to move on.

Too Late, My Time Has Come,

Sent Shivers Down My Spine,

Body’s Aching All The Time .

Goodbye , Everybody, I’ve Got To Go,

Gotta leave You All Behind And Face the Truth .

After he has revealed his darkest secret to 'Mary', it is now time to face the world.

The world is so evil and scary that he gets cold feet. It brings shivers down his spine .

He still cannot comprehend how to come out of his closet and thus he is over burdening himself ,carrying the weight of the world.

He now feels that he is ready to take up this Herculean task and face reality.But he is still afraid.

Mama, Ooh (Anyway The Wind Blows),

I Don’t Want To Die,

I Sometimes Wish I’d Never Be born At All.

He seeks Mary’s help .

He is afraid that the world might eat him up when they know who he actually is.

He wishes that if he never existed , all of these complications would never occur . If all he could do, is run away from reality.

I See A Little Silhouetto  Of A Man,

Scaramouche,  Scaramouche, Will You Do The Fandango?

Thunderbolt And Lightning,

Very,Very Frightening Me.

Galileo Galileo.

Galileo Galileo.

Galileo Figaro.

Magnifico.

This part of the song is when he brings in his band members.

As per the book Freddie refers to himself As "Scaramouche ". Scaramouche is a roguish clown character who wears a black mask and sometimes glasses.

Freddie sees himself as Saramouche as he too wears a black mask . A mask covering his actual identity with his band members. 

I feel Freddie cleverly chose The Word “ Scarmouche” as it defines a roguish clown which suggests that although he was a flamboyant entertainer, he was dishonest with the members of his band.

'Fandango' is a Spanish Dance for two people – A Man And A Woman which suggests that Freddie found himself playing both the roles during his lifetime.

"Thunderbolt And Lightening , Very Very Frightening"  signifying fame and stardom . "Lightning" signifying the cameras that he was surrounded with .

He is afraid of stardom and the media.

Since Galileo (referred to Brian May as per one of the theories) is the first name Freddie calls out to for his rescue, perhaps Brian must have been the first band member ever, to whom Freddie must have vented out his feelings .

Followed by Figaro (Roger Taylor) and Magnifico (John Deacon).

I’m Just A Poor Boy , Nobody Loves Me.

He’s Just A Poor Boy From A Poor Family.

Spare Him His Life From This Montorosity.

 Freddie insists that he is just a lay man and that no one loves him, especially the media.

In the line "He’s Just A Poor Boy From A Poor Family" , since the second person pronoun is used , it suggests his band members standing up for Freddie.

They insist that the media should leave poor Freddie alone from all the controversies .

Easy Come , Easy Go, Will You Let Me Go?

Bismillah! No We Will Not Let You Go (Let Him Go)

Bismillah! We Will Not Let You Go (Let Him Go)

Bismillah! We Will Not Let You Go (Let Me Go)

Never, Never Let You Go

Never Let Me Go , Oh

No, No, No , No, No, No

Oh, Mama Mia , Mama Mia (Mama Mia Let Me Go)

Beelzebub, Has A Devil Put Aside For Me, For Me, For Me.

Freddie suggests that he is just a showman who wants to entertain his fans but once he is off the stage he wants to have his privacy.

"Bismillah" refers to "God" in Arabic. Freddie wants to set himself free from the clutches of the media.

Since there are two harmonies:

the first one being "We Will Not Let You Go" referring to the gossip mongers, journalists and the paparazzi. 

And the second "(Let Him Go)" referring to Freddie's close friends who want to protect him.

"Beelzebub, Has A Devil Put Aside For Me, For Me, For Me." suggests that he considers himself as the Lord Of Flies , Flies referring to his community who were then considered an out caste.

I assume that Freddie might have considered himself as the "Lord Of the Flies" as flies are different from other insects as they posses a pair of flight wings on the mesothorax (in between) referring th his community who did not fit any of the extremes. 

So You Think You Can Stone Me And Spit In My Eye ?

So You Think You Can Love Me And Leave Me To Die ?

Oh, Baby, Can't Do This To Me Baby

Just Gotta Get Out, Just Gotta Get Out Of Here

This part of the song is when Freddie actually sets himself free from his demons .

He challenges the world . He sarcastically calls his "Haters" ' Baby' warning them that he is stronger than he ever was. 

To sum up this verse , (pardon my language) Freddie Doesn't Give A Fuck about his haters.

Nothing really matters, anyone can see
Nothing really matters, nothing really matters to me.

Anyway The wind Blows

The song fades with this line which means

"Anyway The Show Goes On"

Hope You Liked It 

See You Until My Next Blog

-Nikita F.