Bohemian Rhapsody

Zoo Freaks, get ready to lose yourselves in the epic vibes of Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" from their 1975 album A Night at the Opera. This six-minute masterpiece, written by the legendary Freddie Mercury, is a wild ride through a cappella intros, operatic harmonies, and hard-rock riffs. Did you know it almost didn’t make it to your airwaves? Record execs thought its length was too much for radio, but DJ Kenny Everett, a close pal of Mercury’s, defied the suits by playing it 14 times over a weekend on Capital Radio, sparking a frenzy that forced its release as a single. The song topped the UK charts for nine weeks and became a global anthem, selling over a million copies by early 1976.

Another juicy tidbit: Freddie originally called this track “The Cowboy Song” back in 1968 while at Ealing Art College, inspired by the line “Mama, just killed a man.” By 2023, fans learned he nearly titled it “Mongolian Rhapsody” before swapping it for “Bohemian,” as revealed in handwritten lyrics found for a Sotheby’s auction. The song’s creation was a marathon, recorded across six studios with nearly 200 overdubbed tracks, pushing the limits of 24-track tape until it was nearly transparent. Brian May once shared on X, recalling Freddie pounding the piano with Post-it notes from his dad’s work, piecing together this “mock opera” with tongue-in-cheek flair. It was so complex that Queen couldn’t play the operatic section live, splitting it into medleys for their shows.

The song’s cultural impact is unreal—certified Diamond in the US with 10 million units and declared the most-streamed song of the 20th century in 2018, surpassing 1.6 billion streams. Its iconic video, born out of necessity to avoid miming on Top of the Pops, helped pioneer the modern music video. Fans on Facebook still go wild over its Live Aid performance in 1985, recreated in the 2018 biopic starring Rami Malek, who nabbed an Oscar for channeling Freddie. Oh, and here’s a rare gem: in 1978, EMI pressed 200 blue vinyl 7-inch singles of “Bohemian Rhapsody” to celebrate a Queen’s Award for Export, with copies one through four gifted to the band. Those are now holy grails for collectors!

Now, let’s rewind to how Queen kicked off. Formed in London in 1970, the band started when Freddie Mercury, born Farrokh Bulsara in Zanzibar, linked up with guitarist Brian May and drummer Roger Taylor after their band Smile lost its lead singer. Mercury, fresh from art school, had big dreams and a bigger voice. He convinced May and Taylor to let him join, renaming the group Queen for its bold, regal vibe. Bassist John Deacon completed the lineup in 1971, and they gigged relentlessly, blending glam, hard rock, and theatrical flair. Their self-titled debut dropped in 1973 via EMI, but it was 1974’s Sheer Heart Attack and “Killer Queen” that put them on the map before “Bohemian Rhapsody” launched them into the stratosphere.

Queen’s legacy thrives online. Check out their official site at queenonline.com for tour dates and merch. Follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and X for throwbacks and updates from Brian May and Roger Taylor. Fans keep the love alive at sites like QueenZone and Queen Fan Club, while Queen Fans Worldwide on Facebook is a vibey spot for Zoo Freaks to connect over Freddie’s genius. So, crank up “Bohemian Rhapsody” and let the Zoo Crew keep the party rolling!