A Brief Analysis of Bohemian Rhapsody

[@ambermullins64]

If this is a brief analysis, I can’t even imagine what an in depth one would be

[@Ultrasonix3]

The truth is this looks at what happens and mainly in the harmony. Imagine if we looked at what everything they did meant aswell as all the things they did

[@recordman555]

Oh, trust me, even a bachelor's degree-level of music theory, involving the chord analysis of this song, would make you question your love of music.

[@zGrego]

I study music at the university, currently passing my master degree and this analysis would give me headache (to be fair, I’m not that good at this). But when we have to analyse a part of a song (could be from middle-age to contemporary music), we usually have 4 hours

[@seangriffiths8036]

Bricky C what’s amazing is that Freddie Mercury did all of this instinctually without in depth music study.

[@bartonone2005]

@@seangriffiths8036 That's because most composers probably do not write music solely from a theoretical standpoint. The analysis comes later. Brian Wilson put it very well this way: "music comes from the heart." He said the music seems to come through him unconsciously. I've been lucky enough to experience that too. It's like the songs are channeled or they write themselves. The theory may come in later when a song is polished but some songs are "born" whole and fully formed.

[@samrowsell9519]

What key is Bohemian Rhapsody in? Freddie Mercury: yes.

[@perorin615]

cringe

[@bobsmith-ov3kn]

1st section: Bb, and then Eb 2nd section: Starts in A, goes back to Eb, goes to F# for a sec, back to Eb, Final Section starts in Eb mixolydian(or Bb), and finally ends definitively in Eb

[@Musicman1506_]

So that would make it Jazz

[@damsapollo]

@@Musicman1506_ Maybe? But this song isn't only a rock song either.

[@caleblarsen5490]

@@damsapollo the fact that it isn't really a rock or jazz song makes it about as rock and roll as it gets. Subverting expectations, one legend at a time.

[@MattCraftDotDerp]

19:12 "The last note breaks free." But did it _want_ to break free?

[@THEMONSTER-mo2ih]

God knows it wanted to break free

[@mathiasmathiasmathias]

I guess it was under pressure..

[@musicalginger4263]

God knows.

[@MartinJohnZ]

This time for real tho.

[@ambermullins64]

Life still goes on though

[@patrickahearne8770]

I truly wish I understood what any of what you said means.

[@theyellowentity9668]

Lmao my superior basic music theory knowledge grants me access to sort of not really understanding what he said

[@michaelthem3]

Start reading about musical theory, and if you're already a musician, play the song a few times and analyze what happens in it. You'll find this analysis pretty accurate.

[@Managlyph]

Me hardly understanding this video really makes me want to learn music theory.

[@bethanw7729]

Patrick Ahearne same and I’m supposed to be doing gcse music

[@spheyuh]

@@theyellowentity9668 mood

[@kingofthenerds7925]

Freddy Mercury jumping from one key to another in Bohemian Rhapsody: *Parkour!*

[@melodie-allynbenezra8956]

This made me giggle!

[@BigHenFor]

Musical parkour is a brilliant description what this song does. But Freddie put the work in beforehand as he had musical training in voice and piano. He loved opera but, he had pop and rock sensibilities too. Genius.

[@AngryTaurus007]

@@BigHenFor Good say!

[@ClearTheRubble7]

I've always loved this song on a visceral level, but seeing and hearing this analysis now makes me think of it as a jaw-dropping work of genius. ...

[@brasschick4214]

Totally agree.

[@carlgustov7728]

This song unlike any other has hit the charts now on 3 occasions, initial release, Wayne's World and now the movie. Factor in Freddie's vocals and this little tidbit of information; artists who have covered this and other Queen tracks cannot produce the same results, they can't hit the notes the way Freddie did. It's time for Stairway to heaven to move aside, there's a new old number 1 song of all time,; Bohemian Rhapsody.

[@paullogan5240]

@@carlgustov7728 sorry Carl as much as I love BR STH isn't going anywhere. It got there first nothing will ever change that!

[@jamesslick4790]

@@carlgustov7728 I am a HUGE Led Zeppelin fan. I'm going to admit 1 thing: "Stairway" is not my favorite Zep tune. (I see the pichforks coming"). "Since I've Been Loving You","Tea For One", "How Many More Times","Ten Years Gone"and more deserved more airplay then they got. "Stairway" was burned out by overplay.

[@geneticemo]

@@carlgustov7728 naw, sff has to take the cake

[@gpeddino]

The part with the final note (“...blows”) breaking free from the motif gave me goosebumps. Awesome analysis.

[@DavidBennettPiano]

That bit has always given me goosebumps! Glad I got my point across 🙂

[@RoverWaters]

Bohemian Rhapsody guitar solo was written by Brian May

[@Sileithel]

Same!! When he said that the note breaks free I just listened to it and suddenly I had tears in my eyes.

[@michaelmyersfan1001]

Rover Waters It wasn’t, it was written by Freddie. Brian May has said this himself. Bohemian Rhapsody was done entirely by Freddie Mercury

[@Ben-el8cr]

@@DavidBennettPiano Really awesome analysis. Understanding these songs make them even more enjoyable. How can one access those multitracks you worked with?

[@FrettieFingers]

Creative people create. The rest of us try to figure it out.

[@jamesslick4790]

Right!

[@theraginginfernape9496]

Tis the circle of life

[@samylemzaoui2298]

Very good way of saying that !

[@HagenvonEitzen]

figures

[@GarethThomasTunes]

Creative people try to figure it out by creating

[@juseg7782]

Man I don't think I've ever seen someone who can mix music theory and musicology better than u do

[@dawson64iscool]

Ju Seg music theory and musicology are one in the same

[@juseg7782]

In this one, yeah, but there's a bunch of videos in which he speaks about the historical side of a song or its influence (what i meant by musicology), and then he gets more into the analysis of tonalities, chords, modes etc... (what i meant by music theory) !

[@zGrego]

Dawson Skinner Well, I’m currently passing my master degree in musicology and I can tell you one thing : musicology and music theory are two differents things

[@sun4502]

@@zGrego Whats the difference ?

[@citizenbxtr883]

@@sun4502 music theory is the math and mechanics of notes, harmony, rhythm etc... Musicology is the historic, cultural and contextual analysis of music making.

[@VictorKholod]

Literally shed a tear when that bohemian motif resolved. Thank you.

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Victor Kholod me too!

[@meinname4997]

Me too ...

[@shtefozoid1384]

Never stop doing what you're doing

[@sawyerhenheffer5008]

Agreed

[@jamesmilton8765]

From the first time I ever heard it, it was obvious that this was a very complicated operatic rock song, but now I have seen it broken down in this way, it seems clear to me that not only was Freddy a great songwriter and a great showman, he was truly a musical GENIUS, and maybe because this song was written and performed by a rock group - Queen, that nobody realized that Freddy Mercury actually belongs up there with all the Masters, such as Beethoven and Brahms. This is really truly amazing stuff! BTW, I am in no way minimizing what the rest of the band did. All of them are brilliant musicians, without which this could not have been created.

[@davidsands9278]

damned right

[@ZENOBlAmusic]

You are correct, all of Freddie's song are quite complex, even the songs that sounds simple.

[@thetman1097]

Queen isn’t a rock band

[@guyinagame4793]

Yeah, gotta appreciate Brian may, the shit he wrote for guitar was so perfect

[@hyalinamusic18]

16:11 so even legends have voice cracks lol Easily the best voice crack I've ever heard!

[@pepijndeputter8892]

How dare he show the flaws of Freddie, doesn't he know he's the one and only god?

[@russzimmer5263]

Yes, but when put back in the mix with the other track(s) on the same note, the 'crack' is hidden - effectively on the cutting room floor.

[@FernieCanto]

His voice didn't crack. He just invented Björk.

[@divisix024]

@@pepijndeputter8892 It's not just the flaws of Freddie, it's the pain of Freddie.

[@ZENOBlAmusic]

He recorded it like that on purpose to give those verses more power. Brian May has discussed it before.

[@jhonlawrencebulosan741]

"We are slowly modulating to Eb..." Me: Freddie you clever girl

[@ayyocam1917]

waitt hol up

[@LouisSerieusement]

I'm pretty sure your analysis totally nailed it, all of this makes perfect sens !!

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Thank you! I spent so long on this video that I was going mad! I'm glad you like it. A true testament to how good Bohemian Rhapsody really is is that, even after listening to it hundreds of times to write and edit this video, I only found myself more and more impressed and amazed at what a wonderful and beautiful song it is! Also.... thank GOD this wasn't taken down for copyright!

[@LouisSerieusement]

@@DavidBennettPiano I hope it will stay on the internet indeed ! That's one of the best composition ever, so clever and musical at the same time ! I really like how they used functionnal harmony, usually I hate cadences but here they are put at good use ! Very cool vidéo also, the editing and fades between your voice and the music are just perfect

[@MattCraftDotDerp]

@@DavidBennettPiano You were going mad? Perhaps you were going _slightly_ mad?

[@itsjustmylo7283]

I lost track at 2:30

[@dkevans]

@@DavidBennettPiano where did you get the stems from?

[@ThePi314Man]

20 minutes "Brief" That's Queen for ya

[@curotar]

What about 40 minutes? kzbin.info/www/bejne/bWirqIiDnZZmmq8

[@SalvatoriusMyspace]

what did you expect 6 minutes? 1 minute per minute? that s the length of the song alone!

[@lukeedwardpanganiban7891]

@@SalvatoriusMyspace I expected about 10-15 mins.

[@vargapatrik2967]

Man, if you keep on making videos of this high quality, you can expect this channel to blow up in the near future. Came for the Radiohead stuff, but I'm here to stay. Awesome work!

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Thank you so much for the support! I would have burnt out already if it wasn't for all you wonderful subscribers!

[@99xara99]

Agree the quality is top! But can it blow up, I mean how many people know music theory that well and are interested in it? 😂 I just wrote my high school finals in music (year 13 here) and I'm struggling to understand everything with the chords and so on 😁

[@MartinJohnZ]

Not sure if it'll blow up, it's pretty heavy on the music theory which makes it suitable just for a niche market. Nonetheless, it is very high quality content indeed.

[@goldacunit9464]

Omg he has Radiohead stuff!?! I gotta watch that next. This was incredible

[@hettiesbass1680]

It’s a bloody masterpiece darling

[@dannygjk]

lol

[@SamStormsKBD]

17:54 "ending with the most melancholic of chords: the minor version of the fourth chord" guess I've never seen a better definition to my beloved chord ♥️ Magnific analysis. I admire this song even more now

[@JohnSmith-nz4bn]

All people who understand music: Yes, yes, hmmm, ahhh, agree. Me: The f*ck is he talking about?!? My favourite song in the world and I love watching things like this. Just increases my appreciation for Freddie's brilliance! Even if I know idea what's going on.

[@BrianaLynn7]

Me, an idiot: what is perfect cadence? Why am I watching this? lol

[@JesusMartinez-jj4nz]

BrianaLynn7 it’s ok. He doesn’t know what a perfect cadence is either.

[@schaerfentiefe1967]

V -> I

[@pamplemoo]

@@schaerfentiefe1967 exactly!

[@pinkration]

v to i

[@BreakMyViolinHeart]

A key contains a collection of notes. Each of those notes have a chord based upon them, and we typically refer to them using roman numerals. So in the key of C for example, C would be I, D would be ii, E would be iii, and so on. Well a perfect cadence is the V chord (known as the dominant) resolving to a I chord (the tonic). I don't know that this explanation will help at all, if you don't know music theory it probably won't, but I tried. xD

[@Bisqwit]

I love this type of analysis. Was a bit hard to understand at times though, because I don’t have background in theoretical music!

[@daoyang223]

but I have a theoretical degree in music!

[@bonesmadeofjelly]

I’ve never really been a music person. I don’t play any instruments and I can’t read sheet music, but I will say I listen to music a lot. I’m really grateful for your channel and content. You explain music in a very digestive manner and I’m able to learn things about songs that give me a greater sense of wonder and amazement. I would’ve never understood the musical crazy genius of Freddy Mercury without seeing this video. Thanks for helping us non-music people out by explaining the musical frameworks and artistic composition of music in an way that’s easy to understand. Love your content and I can’t wait to see what musical greatness is in store for you! You’d be a great musical professor! :)

[@Archangel_Michaels]

I think that it's really cool that even though you don't play an instrument or whatever, you still enjoy watching videos like this ! I'm a music teacher/performer and if it wasn't for people such as yourself us musicians and teachers would be out of work. Thank you for your pursuit of your love of music ! I'll be producing some educational videos on my own channel soon, reading what you wrote here is inspiring, thank you ! Archangel Michael

[@weronika8963]

is anyone else just here because they like bohemian rhapsody like i have no idea what he’s talking about but i still watched it lmao 😂😂

[@DavidBennettPiano]

guccigucci 78 🎹🎹🎹👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@weronika8963]

:)

[@MegaLol232]

In music school, these kind of videos are very helpful for me

[@RipleySawzen]

Everything he said could have been complete bullshit and we'd have nary a clue

[@pamplemoo]

I'm here for both lol

[@niamhkelly6859]

I know bohemian Rhapsody so well the chord progressions feel so natural, this analysis makes me realise how truly genius it is

[@daved9665]

Just, WOW, is all I can say. The most concise and clear breakdown which really shows why this song stands the test of time. Thanks, really.

[@michaelfletcher1151]

This is the most underrated video ever

[@scartissue121]

Its equally as impressive that Mercurys lyrics blend perfectly to what is going on in the music. Eg the 'easy come easy go, little high little low' matches the music beautifully. The song is full of it front to back, and it really allows the chords and melodies to sing 100 times louder than they would without the lyrics. Thanks again for another great video

[@bluejaysbaseball]

How about a breakdown of The March Of The Black Queen, it’s lesser known, but I think it’s even more deserving of a breakdown than Bohemian Rhapsody!

[@Piotr_Szyba]

Yes, this one is nice as well. Did you ever think it's a BDSM song? 😁

[@realmrjangoon]

It really has a lot of weird polyrythms going on

[@lollipop_0987]

The Prophet's Song has a really good operatic sectioOOOoN

[@TreasuredASMR]

I have no idea what any of this means but it’s so beautiful the way he breaks it down so seamlessly, it makes me appreciate this song and music even more.

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Treasure Hollis thank you!

[@kailastnam9793]

I just realized that this song loosely matches the 5 stages of grief.

[@Oakeybloke]

That's a pretty cool observation 🙂

[@raz7590]

I had no idea the song even has a key change its so smooth i never even tried to analyze it. And i agree, the last part is the most amazing especially the little details

[@ShiftingDrifter]

In an industry where songs come and go with great rapidity, most people in 1975 saw this as a novelty song that would eventually fizzle out and get buried under the weight of other modern compositions, but here we are in 2020 still talking about Bohemian Rhapsody!

[@dianecourtney2724]

and 2023 ✌🏼😊

[@dianecourtney2724]

Do what you want to do with my music but never make it boring……

[@landokhan]

I’m so glad I found your channel. You are absolutely brilliant!

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Jeff Lowey thanks!!

[@sarahkesseler7561]

I’ve taken multiple music theory college courses and my brain still hurts from this

[@SpenceCo]

Honestly your channel needs so much more attention. Keep up the good work man, this stuff is amazing!

[@altareggo]

I think you're missing something vitally important here: many of those "functional" chords has at least one extra note in it, transforming it into something special and delightful!! Take for example the "F7" which starts bar 9 (at the middle of 4:12)... it is NOT just a plain old F7 chord - there is an extra note there that i can't pinpoint, which makes it more mystical than just a bargain-basement F7 - YET, it still functions in that role even though technically its something different. I call this GENIUS!!! Freddy Mercury was sooo gifted in so many ways - one of them being that he could take the ordinary and make it special, almost effortlessly.

[@LouisSerieusement]

that was an incredibly interesting analysis !! even if it sounds weird to hear your special examples because we are so used to hear this song, they were in fact very informativ ! Thank you so much for your work, you definitely deserve more suscribers !! cheers from France :) Louis

[@tomchristie3199]

Everyone who hasn't listened to the instrumental tracking session for Bohemian Rhapsody needs to do so. Just Freddie on piano, John on bass and Roger on drums, without the vocals as a reference point for all the weird rhythmic emphases in the operatic section, and all the uneven stopping and starting. Really a credit to John and Roger as players in addition to Freddie as a composer.

[@hyalinamusic18]

14:38 How dare you interrupt my eminent head banging! But on another note, great analysis! Looking forward to learning everything about this song. I've already analyzed the heck out of the lyrics, but great job with this musical analysis!

[@evank3718]

Don’t worry there’s 14:43

[@emdiar6588]

Is your headbanging really eminent? Are you an award winning air guitarist whose headbanging is admired by all, or did you mean 'imminent'?

[@SourGrapesandParmesan]

@@emdiar6588 mine is Eminem

[@AJEDDY97]

Good to know I wasn't the only one that felt it.

[@themaggattack]

@@SourGrapesandParmesan mine is remnant. From the days of yor.

[@annelowe2691]

That was brilliantly pieced together. A phenomenal analysis. I’d LOVE to hear your in depth analysis of this.

[@Wayne_Robinson]

I really appreciate this great analysis! Your "what if" alterations of chords to the common expected resolutions really show the impact of the chords used in the song. There are so many interesting things going on!

[@khrenek]

I’m absolitely impressed; this is a perfect piece of music, a masterpiece that will remain in the mind and heart of music lovers the sane as the great music of such Mozart or Beethoven (great music is timeless)

[@tim89131]

Nice breakdown. Reminds me of chord structures that ELO used a lot. Would love to have you breakdown an ELO song. Thanks again for your thoughtful insight on pop music.

[@mikew9999]

You've done a wonderful job of opening up this song and showing us into Freddie's brain. I have studied some basic music theory, so I get what you are saying, and it is fascinating.

[@christophermartin7357]

Whoa, incredible analysis! This is always a song I wanted to pick apart musically myself, but never had the time. Thanks for all your hard work, keep it up!

[@jamiefelton11]

This was awesome to watch! I've arranged 'Boh Rap' for 12 guitars recently and it's an absolute joy to see Freddie's genius real close up! Great great video! Thank you

[@SuperVeggieHero]

OoC, how did you manage to get a hold of the original multitracks?

[@unthinkabilities]

you can download them, just look up Bohemian Rhapsody STEMs

[@basstian]

They first leaked on-line about 11 years ago. Unlike videogame stems, which only contain already-mixed separate instruments (e.g. bass or piano), these are the contents of each of the 24 tracks they used in Wales and England in 1975. So you can hear, for instance, the bass signal coming from the amp, the bass signal coming from DI, the bass signal coming from the speaker...

[@patriciarios8443]

this is now my favorite video on the internet even tho i only understood like 1/5 of it

[@_FearNoEvil]

You are very intelligent and I enjoyed watching your dissection of one of my favorite songs. You did not let your musical knowledge take away the passion and love that this song is. Good job.

[@emberhydra]

Now that explains why everything feels like it's everywhere. It's a Rhapsody. Thank you for the break down of Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen

[@plyboard9]

Absolutely excellent analysis! I love that you cite potential points of disagreement like between Bb6 vs. inverted Gm7 voicing.. musical analysis has so much to do with perception, but you build cases for your opinions.. much respect!

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Paul Talbot thanks for the comment 🙂👍🏻

[@victorialee7191]

your videos are RIDICULOUSLY good, i've enjoyed every single one of them!! (also the 'perfect cadence' font made me lol)

[@crazy1234573]

My God this is a wonderful break down of my FAVORITE SONG EVER!! I could hear 3 hours of an analysis of this song. Freddie is a Legend.

[@interestedbystander196]

Young man, you are a wonder. Keep doing what you're doing. Subscribed.

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Thank you!

[@eusouzoom]

I know nothing about music theory, but this was really pleasant and enterteining! Nice job!

[@exaisle]

I've been playing this for years but your video gave it a completely new dimension for me...thank you!

[@menemali163]

Everyone: David Bennet: We need more glitter words

[@jahbones1072]

Yesss, I've been waiting for something Queen-related from you!

[@johancnilson]

Spot on. A very impressive analysis. Cheers to your hard work. You are ready to move on.

[@emcgon]

What a brilliant analysis. Makes me appreciate a great song even more. Thank you.

[@gracenotes5379]

You, sir, just made the world a more interesting place! I love it.

[@bobyk87]

This has to be one of the most complex pop music arrangements ever. Those guys were geniuses.

[@amalbenabdallah9315]

Pop???

[@tristansmith1618]

Your channel is definitely my go-to for analysis of songs and learning theory. Absolutely class. Keep up the good work mate

[@randigerber1926]

Your understanding is “off the charts,” but what also impresses me are the video aspects you employ: separating aural sections, showing the written score, etc. So impressive. And, I imagine, exhausting for you. Greatly appreciated!!!!!!!! (This is eye-opening and mind-expanding!)

[@heatherqualy9143]

Holy crap! This is excellent. Fascinating. Thorough. And thoroughly confusing. I am currently learning Bohemian Rhapsody on piano. I have never been happier that I know next to nothing about music theory. I play piano partly by ear (the rhythm), and partly by reading the music note-for-note and memorising it as I go (so I can then get rid of the distraction of trying to read the music quickly enough). From your break down here, it sounds like if I DID know music theory, I would be completely confused by all its irregularities. Good thing I don’t notice them! 😝. Excellent job!

[@AxCYeR]

Masterpiece! Both this song and your video! Thanks a ton for that. It feels great understanding how this musical beauty works. Keep the good stuff comin!

[@rolfannaflor]

I learned the little bit of music theory that I get from listening to recorded Leonard Bernstein talks. David, you remind me of him with your clarity and excellent use of examples. Thanks so much for your generosity in posting these wonderful talks.

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Rolf Flor wow... thank you!

[@isabelnat1683]

I feel like all you where doing was drooling over how amazing this song is I loved this video always love how passionate you sound when you talk about music

[@9999999999266]

Hello young man, for such a young man a lot of insight into music, but I had to smile a bit, that you all take tone increases as an example of one and the same composer, well heard.

[@yodelingburrito6789]

It would be really interesting to see you break down the Prophet's Song

[@borzydar1196]

Or The March of the Black Queen

[@patricktilton5377]

Or just about any classic Queen song, like, say, Bring Back That Leroy Brown, or Lazing on a Sunday Afternoon, or . . .

[@bluaska]

This is absolutely BRILLIANT! Your analysis is superb and I can't believe the amount of time and effort it must have taken to do this "song" justice the way you did. Curiously, the song's chromatic ambiguity and riches seems to be a fitting musical portrait of Freddy as a person, including the mix of styles, genres and meters. Your analysis blew me away. Thank you!

[@Farockt]

One of the best video I've seen since several month !

[@Keith_Butcher]

Love David's videos. This one is tremendous. Giving this song the treatment it deserves. Keep up the good work.

[@brandbusters183]

The Jump to the A is derivative of the Paul McCartney Piano Section from "A Day in the Life" which in many ways inspired Bohemian Rhapsody they just took a different turn so.

[@FernieCanto]

16:13 - Freddie Mercury pulling off a Björk.

[@vannillaAJofficial204]

that one cracked me up

[@TheMrTomkennedy]

Brilliant analysis. I will however argue to my dying day that the first chord is Bb6 and not Gm 😅

[@jovetj]

The person who did the 'official' sheet music I have agrees with you.

[@gianfrancocalvi1605]

To me it’s Gm7. With the following C7 it makes a perfect II-V to the following dominant F7.

[@joebovill9419]

A really enjoyable 20 minute education there, thank you. Off to try and play it now!!

[@catherineallen9036]

I've always loved this song but never knew just how complex it really was. I'm sure the British DJ who originally played this song so many years ago knew how complex and also the genius of Freddie Mercury.

[@jonathanbrett-warren2031]

This is totally awesome! I studied piano to grade 5 and managed to follow along with this. Such a great analysis and really explains why Bohemian Rhapsody is such an incredibly intricate piece of songwriting, that manages to connect to every listener. Well done that man!

[@vashvana]

Even if the lyrics were removed, the music itself in Bohemian Rhapsody tells a story. Sure, the actual lyrics themselves don’t really have a real narrative flow, but when with the music, it tells a story. “Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy?” The chords used in the intro of the song fit the lyrics perfectly, creating a distorted, dazed confused feel for the narrative. This narrative could almost be viewed as the journey and growth of someone’s life; the intro being them trying to find their way in life, their purpose, who and what they are, etc, for a majority of their earlier years. Sooner or later though, they find a little bit of peace in this represented by the “verse” part of the song; the ballad. But they are always held back despite having found some peace, which is shown by the end of the intro with the Bb key never being able to fully justify itself as the key of the song due to being held back the chromatic notes that surround it. This pattern somewhat continues throughout the ballad, which doesn’t necessarily have a happy nor an unhappy feel to it. Our protagonist is kind of stuck somewhere in the middle. Sometimes coming close to finding peace, but always getting stopped short, (the Bb key never fully being able to settle.) But in the protagonist’s mind, they’re like, “Hey, things aren’t so bad, they could be better even though you’re a bit confused but it’s mostly fine.” They believe this for the most part, but there’s always a part of them striving for more, knowing that although they like parts of this life, they can do better. And there still is definitely a lot of room for growth and exploration. But they’re always contained and held back by something. It might be a friend, spouse, parent, introvert-ness, that’s up for interpretation. Then they make a breakthrough; the operatic section. Whatever was holding them back, they broke free from it. Now they’re ready to explore and live life to the fullest, but little do they know that the world is a whole lot bigger than what their previous restrained mind thought it was. But nonetheless, they still pursue to find peace and purpose throughout the operatic section. When the rock section arrives, they’ve done pretty well for themselves by now, a couple bumps, but pretty good overall. They’re happy, but not yet fully satisfied. They’re still craving for more. This could be represented by how through parts of the operatic and almost if not all of the rock section there’s a constant feeling of upwards-ness. Everything sounds like it’s right, happy, moving upwards in life, it gives the listener and the main character an excitement. Things are finally going right, everything is going right up, they’re headed down the right path that will sooner or later lead them to full enjoyment of life. Then, the outro. This section of the song is the most confusing to interpret in this theory. It sounds as if our protagonist has finally reached their goal, their point, purpose, meaning, etc. That ladder that the operatic and rock section created has finally been climbed to the top. But something feels... off. Almost as if the end result was disappointing, or maybe the ladder merged into different platforms at the top and the wrong platform was chosen. Or perhaps wrong ladder was took. Maybe all that was needed to be happy was in the ballad section. Maybe our protagonist might think that they should’ve stayed there, life was somewhat dull but ok there. Or maybe it’s just bittersweetness for leaving behind all the random in-the-moment fun that was had in the past- (operatic and rock) despite all the bumps that were encountered. It could also be insecurities and doubts, for the protagonist has maybe found their purpose and broken free, but is unsure because of the bittersweet-ness they’re feeling. There’s a definite chance that could be the case, for the Bb finally escapes the chromatic notes that were entrapping it at the very end of the song. Maybe the last 10 seconds of the song could represent them in a riding-off-into the-sunset type ending, which the bittersweet notes display perfectly. But what about the lyrics? They don’t sound happy at all- “nothing really matters to me”- even though our protagonist has seemingly reached a long worked for, well deserved ending. What I can best decipher is that the goal is achieved, bittersweet but achieved. But although everything should feel right... something doesn’t. Sure, there’s a lot of bittersweet feelings, as most transitional stages in life contain them, but there’s something else bothering our tired protagonist. This is represented by the lyrics of the outro. To sum those up- “Nothing really matters to me”. Perhaps, although receiving a happy pay-off for all of our hero’s hard work that in any book or movie would be a perfect, cheesy ending they realize that life isn’t a book or movie. Sure they’ve reached the best life they possibly could... but now there’s nothing left. Whatever that final happy pay-off may be, a partner, child, whatever, it feels so...empty. They do definitely care and love that pay-off, but what now? There’s nothing new left for them to discover, explore, realize and most of all- experience. They’ve done everything they possibly could. This could apply to so much more than someone’s life or growth as a person. A fun day of play as a kid, but eventually having to go back inside the house to wake up for just another day. Another day at work to come home to the same family everyday, rinse and repeat. Sure, whatever you come back to, (the outro), may be suitable and fine, but there could be so much more to life. But you keep telling yourself, “this is fine”. This is what our protagonist did in the beginning of their life, and realized that there was more, sk they pursed that “more”. But when they did that and came to the operatic section, they were so blinded by joy they didn’t see or chose not to think of the emptiness that their riding off into the sunset ending would have. So by the time the rock section comes about, there’s a sense of down, even at its most exciting part, because at the end of the day, everything must come to an end- the children must go home after all the fun. But is this really true? What was the protagonist’s ending? A tired but overall happy well deserved closer, where they can ride off into the sunset and happily bask in their achievement until their days are done? Or have they achieved all this but feel so...empty inside? Sure the Bb broke free... but it feels so pointless now, just caught in a loop, where’s the excitement, the nerve-wracking but thrilling uncertainty? Even describing this feels like a loop; “The Bb broke free, suitable but empty” blah blah blah. They say the journey is what matters most, not the destination... so what happens when you reach the destination?... But hey, things aren’t so bad, they could be better even though you’re a bit lost but it’s mostly fine.

[@melmao3712]

I am currently doing my Cambridge A level music and Bohemian Rhapsody is one of the songs I wanted to further look at, but knowing that it's so long I just didn't want to get started on it. Thanks for doing this video, I really saved a lot of my time on personal analysis and suffering lol 😂

[@yufuyoshimura5426]

These videos definitly help me to understand music theory. Thanks!

[@thereistheonlyone]

I can not give you a different opinion, man. It's so wonderful. A great analysis about one of (three) greatest songs.

[@AnAmericanComposer]

You can hear Freddie counting in and the vocals very unambiguously starting on beat one and yet you notated it with an eighth rest at the top. Hmm

[@lucasg.5534]

I noticed that too

[@yiannoscyprus]

I'm pretty sure it actually starts on the 1+, given that befire the vocals kick in, there's a Gm7 being played on the piano

[@raimat66]

I believe that the counting is to help himself to start singing at the exact beat all four times he sings the different parts in the intro. If you follow the beat to the word "escape" you can notice "mathematicly" that "-cape" has the value of "on the beat 1", and that makes the eighth rest in the beginning plausible.

[@Snavels]

I wouldn't worry too much about it, the notation in the vid is riddled with mistakes

[@melodie-allynbenezra8956]

This was amazing. Thank you for dissecting a song that I've loved for years and continue to love. And now that I know what's going on, I can appreciate it all the more.

[@jamesdeanhernandez7864]

Wow i finished the video! eventhough i didnt understand it.

[@maximgulyaev1635]

I just discovered this channel 15 minutes ago and I’m already so in love with it!

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Thank you 😊

[@chinomghi]

Bohemian rhapsody it's storytelling at it finest, and your analisys went absolutely great! Cheers from Argentina, keep it up!

[@museisnotamused]

i love this song so much, one time at a school dance the dj put it on and everyone, every single person there was singing the song it was amazing freddie mercury we love u

[@plica06]

This analysis was a masterpiece.

[@andresdelgado8863]

I've watched plenty of your videos as they show up on my recommended and i've enjoyed them all, but this one earned you a subscription. Excellent video.

[@lloydvanpraagh7599]

Extraordinarily impressive analysis demonstrating the fineness of Freddie Mercury's masterpiece. Great insight ! David, I know that you want to focus on music theory on your channel, but you perform piano so beautifully. Might you also offer us a bit more (and longer) piano performances ? Besides enjoyment, I also learn from listening to you perform. (Piano is not my primary instrument.)

[@ricopetrocelli1939]

David your explanation of the chords and notes in your videos are terrific. I love not only seeing but also hearing the notes and chords. It has helped me become a better musician. You are a gifted young man. Thank you.

[@youi1253]

I literally was thinking when will your new upload be last night and saw it this morning!!!... Well done dude, enjoy watching this analysis as usual ❤️

[@DavidBennettPiano]

I've been thinking 'when will I upload a video next' for the last three weeks --- this video took ALOT longer than I thought on every level... research, filming, editing... it's basically two videos duration-wise as well!

[@darleenhampson3822]

I haven't analyzed anything since college (1976) but you are so clear and precise (and my understanding of chord progressions in Musical Theater scores since then) I was able to airplay your chords as you highlighted them and WOW! Thank you for the work/time you spent on this... Amazing!

[@oboebuddy15]

Freddie Mercury was a goddamn genius

[@kraps2312]

Good video.The year of 1975 was WILD on the radio.(FM and AM) Look at lists of top 100 and see what was on the air waves UNLESS you remember it. I turned 19 at the end of October and after (or on) Halloween, BR was played on FM radio (US). It was SO different from all other songs played that year, it took a few times to listen to it (and many hated it - could not dance to it) and then wait for the Album to come out a few weeks later. The song was released as a single, I only bought albums then. My ears loved the song and the whole album.

[@Joshburger196]

WOW amazing. This is SO insightful and beautiful. Composing music is basically a gane of maths where you keep in mind alterations to move from key to key. Absolutely great video, you made your arguments about different keys easy to understand. God, I love this! 💛🎵

[@russzimmer5263]

No maths about it - as long as you use the dominant 7th of the next key just before starting the next key, the modulation will be perfect - e.g. Happy Birthday 'sing along' in C major - the pianist always first plays a very grand G7 arpeggio and everyone starts singing in the key of C. An exception to this is Bryan Adams 'Summer of '69', - as he goes from the song key of D to the Bridge in F (totally unrelated) he doesn't use the dominant 7th to get the audience there (C7). Instead he blasts the audience straight from D to F which initially is quite a shock but after many listens we forgive him and couldn't imagine it any other way. This lack of the new key dominant 7th chord just preceding the new key has become very much the norm in pop these days, so much so that using the dominant 7th before is now considered a bit 'daggy' and dated. So music progresses.

[@Joshburger196]

@@russzimmer5263 Heard it. Yeah, I see what you mean. The way you put it sounds very straight forward. I like when songs make bold chord progressions or key changes. It's a very prog rock taste XD

[@DamianoIndy]

Hello David, you are a terrific communicator and are extremely well prepared. Anytime I start a video of yours I cannot stop till the end! Congratulations!!

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Thank you! 😃😃😃