Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” Turns 50
It’s been a half-century (!) since the legendary band released their equally legendary song “Bohemian Rhapsody.” This epic song is just one anthem from Queen’s iconic album A Night at the Opera, which also includes “I’m in Love with My Car” and “You’re My Best Friend.” To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Queen’s album, listen to A Night at the Opera free on Hoopla!
A Groundbreaking Album: A Night at the Opera
Released in October 1975, A Night at the Opera was Queen’s fourth studio album, named after the Marx Brothers film. (The band’s fifth album, A Day at the Races, was named for another Marx Brothers film.) Produced with an enormous budget for the time, A Night at the Opera showcased Queen’s musical ambition and creativity. Hoopla’s Queen collection shows the band’s incredible range.
What Is “Bohemian Rhapsody” About?
That mystery is part of its charm and has led to decades of debate and interpretation. We do know that it’s basically a murderer’s plea to his mother, telling her he’s just “killed a man.” (It also includes the repeated phrase “mamma mia,” which is ironic considering it was knocked out of first place on the UK charts by ABBA’s song, “Mamma Mia.”)
Beyond that, though, it’s a fascinating blend of musical genres, including hard rock, emotional ballad, and that much-loved operatic passage. Freddy Mercury, who wrote the song and was also Queen’s lead singer, called the song a “mock opera.” It is still an incredibly unusual rock song, in large part because of that operatic section.
How long is “Bohemian Rhapsody?”
It’s 5 minutes and 50 seconds long, but it contains a whole world of musical twists and turns. The video for “Bohemian Rhapsody” is the oldest video to reach one billion views on YouTube.
Celebrate a Timeless Classic
A Night at the Opera includes more than “Bohemian Rhapsody.” There are 12 songs on the album:
“Death on Two Legs”
“Lazing on a Sunday Afternoon”
“I’m in Love with My Car”
“You’re My Best Friend”
“’39”
“Sweet Lady”
“Seaside Rendezvous”
“The Prophet’s Song”
“Love of My Life”
“Good Company”
“Bohemian Rhapsody”
“God Save the Queen”
Queen’s willingness to take risks paid off—critics hailed A Night at the Opera as one of the most innovative albums of the 1970s. “Bohemian Rhapsody” shot back up to the top of the charts when it was featured in Wayne and Garth’s famous sing-along in Wayne’s World (1992) – which you can stream on Hoopla!
A Few More Facts About “Bohemian Rhapsody”
- Due to the complexity of the song and recording logistics of the time, it required the band to record nearly 200 tracks that were then put together.
- “Bohemian Rhapsody” is a parody of Italian opera, complete with bombastic choruses, sarcastic recitative, and distorted Italian operatic phrases.
Stream A Night at The Opera Free with Your Library Card
With Hoopla, you can stream Queen’s A Night at the Opera—including “Bohemian Rhapsody“—anytime, anywhere, for free with your library card. You also have access to a whole Queen collection on Hoopla so you can take a deep dive into this remarkable band. Happy anniversary to Queen’s A Night at the Opera and, of course to the iconic “Bohemian Rhapsody.” Celebrate Queen with Hoopla!
*Title availability may vary based on library.
Endless entertainment.
No subscription required.
With Hoopla you can read, listen, and watch for free with your library card.
Get Started