The interminably gifted Freddie Mercury once said,
“I won’t be a rock star. I will be a legend.”
As the lead singer of inarguably one of the greatest rock bands of all time - Queen, legendary he was. Along with Brian May, Roger Taylor, Paul Rodgers, Mike Grose, John Deacon, Barry Mitchell, Doug Bogie, et al, they made more than just beautiful music together… They made history.
Borne of pure passion, genius, diligence and infinite musicality, Queen defined the age of Classic Rock with its unintentional ‘something-for-everyone’ approach and their ability to defy the mundane. Decades later, they still possess an unconquerable artistry that influences creative minds of old and young alike, posthumous fame notwithstanding. Queen created something that few rock bands have accomplished before or hence: relatability through the melodic science of music. Queen reinvented the genre, changing the game and the face of Rock forever.
Whether you’ve sought their recordings, purchased an album, downloaded their music – or not – I guarantee at one point in your life or another, you were a “Killer Queen;” you’ve either been a “Fat Bottomed Girl,” or heralded one as “Somebody to Love.” What about the criteria for a catchy, timeless soundtrack to a geeky, superhero cult classic like Flash Gordon; what better falsetto to render the apt, campy accompaniment than that of the golden pipes of Mr. Mercury’s?
There’s nary an athletic assemblage of revelry that doesn’t warrant the rhythmic chanting of “We Will Rock You” or a prideful rendition of “We Are the Champions.” The tinkling keys of “Under Pressure” have been sampled and imitated many times over; while the lyrics of “Another One Bites the Dust” is just deliciously macabre, and “You’re My Best Friend” is memorable for all the right reasons. Still, not much else on Earth compares to the likes of the extraordinarily harmonic revelation that is “Bohemian Rhapsody."
Freddie dreamed, Queen executed, magic transpired. Perhaps the most recognizable in the band’s catalogue, “Bohemian Rhapsody” remains one of music history’s most lyrically complex, masterfully produced songs. It accomplishes the rare feat of making its listener elated, pensive, angsty and replete – all at once – and inexplicably happy to do so. Love it or misunderstand it, but there’s no denying that it is the quintessence of an eternal masterpiece.
Certainly, any artist can produce a track that matches your mood. Music, like much else, is relative. However, the music of Queen has continually and successfully transcended generations, appreciation and the ages; encouraging any person who could hear, how to sit down, listen and think, and how to stand-up, shout and dance. A more beautiful, rare, uninhibited and celebratory version of lyrical storytelling just doesn’t exist, and it is still rivaled and still revered, to this day.
Thanks, Freddie… You rock!
What is your favorite song by Queen and why? You can leave it in the comments!
Thank you, , for challenging me to write a review of a band I enjoy! I hope you really liked this article. :)
Join me and many others on discord for #steemschools where you can earn as you learn how to navigate steemit! https://discord.gg/TaZFW5r