Queen charted with “Bohemian Rhapsody”

Bohemian Rhapsody Queen

Writer(s): Fredde Mercury (see lyrics here) Released: October 31, 1975 First Charted: November 8, 1975 Peak: 2 US, 11 CB, 4 GR, 4 HR, 3 RR, 1 CL, 16 AR, 9 CO, 114 UK, 12 CN, 12 AU, 1 DF (Click for codes to charts.) Sales (in millions): 10.0 US, 2.8 UK, 13.78 world (includes US + UK) Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, 1358.8 video, 2187.88 streaming

Awards: Click on award for more details.

About the Song: Called “one of the most complex singles ever recorded,” KL “Bohemian Rhapsody” begins as a ballad, veers into opera, and ends as rock. Recording took place over three weeks in six studios TC with 180 overdubs. KL More than 70 hours went into the completion of the operatic parts. KL There is a myth TB that the tapes became nearly transparent RS500 from more than 180 overdubs. KL The song was so complicated to play live that the band shot a promo clip which has come to be considered instrumental in the dawning of the video era. KL Theories abound about the song’s meaning. Some say it is about a man calling to God for help on the eve of his execution. WK Others claim it is about Mercury’s attempt to break away from a lover after his first gay encounter. WK It has also been suggested that the lyrics have no meaning; they were just written to fit the music. WK Lead singer Freddie Mercury never did explain it, only saying that it was a about relationships. The band still protects the song’s secret. WK When record execs wouldn’t release it, Mercury gave a copy to a DJ friend. This prompted fans to try to buy the non-existing single, which finally led to its release. WK It went top 10 in the U.S. and topped the British charts with more than a million sales. MG In the wake of Mercury’s death in 1991 and inclusion in the 1992 movie Wayne’s World, the song re-charted, peaking at #2 in the U.S. In the U.K., it topped the charts again – the only song to ever do so – giving it a total of 14 weeks on top. It also sold another million copies. MG Resources: DMDB encyclopedia entry for Queen BC Brad Carl (2015). 50 Songs from the 70s and 80s That Still Hold Up. Pages 18-20. TC Toby Creswell (2005). 1001 Songs: The Great Songs of All Time. Page 208. MG Theo Morgan-Gan (year?). “The UK’s Best Selling Singles” KL Jon Kutner and Spencer Leigh (2005). 1000 UK Number One Hits. Omnibus Press: London, UK. Page 216. RS500 Rolling Stone (12/04). “The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time” TB Thunder Bay Press (2006). Singles: Six Decades of Hot Hits & Classic Cuts. Outline Press Ltd.: San Diego, CA. Page 154. WK Wikipedia Related Links: Last updated 7/14/2023.