My FIRST TIME Hearing Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody - REACTION - Good? Bad? Meh?

[@MikeSmith-ry8hi]

Oh no my friend. You never interrupt a Brian May guitar solo. It’s the law. 😊

[@RobTalksMess-i6u]

My Bad. I have to remember the rules!

[@eddiejohnson5370]

Well said well bloody said for real

[@naomiturtle4404]

It’s a masterpiece, you have to listen to it without stopping .

[@RobTalksMess-i6u]

Yes I did right after this video!

[@sopdox]

First rule of music reacting. NEVER interrupt the guitar solo.

[@RobTalksMess-i6u]

So I've been told by others! I will do my best but sometimes I can't help it!

[@sherryheim5504]

This song was released in 1975. It is an iconic masterpiece but as someone below mentioned, it is not good to ever stop during a guitar solo but if you have to, go back and start it over because when it comes to rock music, the guitar is very centric and often the part that we love the most. I am sure you have heard Queen songs, We Will Rock You, We Are The Champions, Another One Bites The Dust and a few other of their anthems. This is one of my favorite songs of all time and also one of my favorite bands. I have been listening to this song for 50 years and have never gotten tired of it. This song is a rhapsody so the changes would be expected. There is so much tallent in this band and their music is not genre specific. All four members are songwriters and all have had number 1 hits. They each have different tastes in music so the variety of their music is based in that. Queen was together for 20 years until Freddie (lead vocals and piano) passed away in 1991. They have a catalog of about 200 songs plus countless live performances. Thank you for your reaction.

[@RobTalksMess-i6u]

Thanks for the feedback. Sometimes when I stop it's because I have a thought to get out and I don't want to forget it! Plus this is my first time hearing the song so I don't know when the guitar solos begin or end. But when I listen again I listen through. Thanks!

[@ellet6560]

The acapella intro is only lead singer, Freddie, performing each harmony. The operatic section is three of them singing over 180 overdubs to create the sound of a chorus. As already suggested, check out their 20 minute set at “Live Aid” in 1985. (Live Aid was a benefit concert to raise money for famine relief in Ethiopia. It was an all day event on two stages, London & Philadelphia, which was broadcast worldwide to 1.5 billion viewers plus two packed stadiums. There were around sixty performances; each were allotted 20 minutes. Queen’s set was the stand out!) Thanks.

[@RobTalksMess-i6u]

That's really cool so they he sang the different harmonies and then they blended his own voice together? Wow

[@ellet6560]

@@RobTalksMess-i6u Yes, there are other songs in which he harmonizes with himself. The two that come to mind are both ballads, "Love of My Life" and "You Take My Breath Away". Check out the lyric videos from the Queen Official channel if you like!

[@marciebulsaraorcutt]

@@RobTalksMess-i6u”You Take My Breath Away” (the studio recording, obv) is particularly stunning.😍 I believe the whole song - everything we hear in it - are all manipulations of Freddie’s voice.

[@RobTalksMess-i6u]

@@ellet6560 Oh I see. OK I will look into those!

[@marciebulsaraorcutt]

Freddie Mercury, in collaboration with Spanish operatic soprano Montserrat Caballé, were actually the FIRST professional musicians to “cross music genres” and collaborate with someone from another field of music to produce a cross-genre album: Barcelona. When their Barcelona album first came out: Montserrat’s peer, Pavarotti, called it “the dumbing down of opera”. The album was so successful/well received, tho… pretty soon Pavarotti started doing his own “Pavarotti & Friends” project. Freddie & Montserrat (nickname Montsey) became such good friends/had great mutual respect. (She said about Freddie, that the first time they got together to sing/play music together: “I knew I was with a REAL musician”.) After her collaboration with Fred, Montsey was approached by many others to do collabs with them, too. She turned them all down, tho, saying: “They weren’t Freddie”.

[@RobTalksMess-i6u]

Wow so it seem F. Mercury is highly regarded by other musicians as well 🎵

[@marciebulsaraorcutt]

@@RobTalksMess-i6u Definitely. .. Lady Gaga is a huge fan of Freddie; she chose her stage name from the song “RadioGaga.”. Michael Jackson respected/took many inspirations from things Freddie did onstage; the two of them were friends and recorded three songs together. (Two of the songs are on KZbin: “There Must Be More To Life Than This” and the demo for “State Of Shock”.) Freddie’s musical peers said they had never seen anyone play piano as well as he did, outside of the famous pianist Liberace. In 1992 after Fred had passed away, a Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert was held, where many bands and performers took part and performed Queen songs to honor Fred. (I haven’t been able to find a “quick and easy number” of the musicians involved… there were a lot!) His tribute concert had an attendance of 72,000 and was broadcast live to up to one billion viewers in 76 countries. The band Green Day, at every one of their live concerts, always start their show (just prior to their opening number) by playing Freddie’s most well-known song “Bohemian Rhapsody” on the loudspeakers and letting the audience sing along. Countless musicians emulate Freddie: like the singer Pink when she dressed like Fred and sang Queen songs in her show; not to mention the countless Freddie Mercury impersonators. Freddie’s song “Bohemian Rhapsody” is considered one of the most challenging to sing for competition shows like “The Voice”. One of his other songs “Killer Queen” has such a complicated writing structure, the song is studied in music theory classes. And, I’ve seen so many interviews by veteran singers/musicians, where it’s said that new performers should study Freddie’s techniques for performing onstage. So, high regard, yes.🫶

[@JennyColwell-tb6cm]

I loved reading all these comments. So well informed about music as well as Queen and Freddie (Rest in Peace, You may be gone but you left us your music which will go on forever). Everyone else has suggested songs for you to react to. You asked at the beginning if they did other songs like this. Most of their songs like We are the Champions, We will Rock you, Another one Bites the Dust are nothing like it. However, The March of the Black Queen from about 73 is considered to be a precurser to BoRhap. There is only a lyric video for this... but it is worth listening to. My favourite live video is Someone to Love live in Montreal 1981.

[@RobTalksMess-i6u]

Yes people have taught me a lot about Queen and especially Mercury!

[@MikeSmith-ry8hi]

Queen is dinner AND a show. They’re just as magical to watch as they are to hear. They’re known for their live performances which many have called the greatest in musical history. Watch their 20 minute Live-Aid set from 1985 and you’ll understand why they are so beloved.

[@RobTalksMess-i6u]

I'll have to check it out

[@viviennerose6858]

Another Queen song with different parts (not as much as Bohemian Rhapsody) is 'Liar' live at The Rainbow Theatre London 1974. A masterpiece ❤

[@RobTalksMess-i6u]

Yes I think I will take a look at some live performances

[@lindawallace3065]

300 songs from queen…..amazing!!!❤️🎼❤️🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@RobTalksMess-i6u]

Maybe I'll have to react to another Queen song. Any recommendations?

[@lindawallace3065]

@ 2 good tracks to start..Liar live & white Queen live….Dragon Attack live & Who Wants to Live Forever live you won’t be disappointed!!!🎼❤️🎼🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@RobTalksMess-i6u]

@@lindawallace3065 I will look into those!

[@SharonLathanNovelist]

Trust me, you have heard a great many Queen songs. The band is amongst the top five greatest rock bands ever to exist, by every measurement. Queen holds the record of have a top ranking song written by each of the four band members. Lead singer Freddie Mercury is considered the best frontman and vocalist in the genre, may he rest in peace. Sincerely, if truly interested in exploring music from the past, Queen is a must. Your journey down the Queen path cannot be complete without Bohemian Rhapsody, and, in fact, your journey into great MUSIC of the past cannot be complete without Bohemian Rhapsody! Bohemian Rhapsody, was released in 1975 on the album "A Night at the Opera" which gives a hint as to the musical genre. Freddie Mercury was a huge fan of opera (and has sung opera) so this song was written as an operatic suite consisting of five distinct parts: an acapella intro, a ballad segment, an operatic passage, a hard rock section, and a reflective coda. Generally it is classified as rock-and-roll, but specifically as a "rock opera" and "progressive rock." Truth is, labeling any Queen song, or Queen the band, is next to impossible! "Bohemian" describes an unconventional, artistic style with freedom and individuality as key elements. "Rhapsody" in musical composition refers to a single work comprised of episodic, diverse pieces arranged into a free-flowing structure designed to heighten emotions. This song came to be because Freddie had pieces of songs he never completed, so he put them together, each section totally different yet masterfully blended into a truly epic masterpiece. It is the band's magnum opus, and is unanimously considered one of the best songs ever written. As for the meaning of Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody", Freddie was purposefully vague. As with most of the greatest songs, the lyrics are written to be poetic and mysterious. Are they literal or figurative? As separate pieces initially, should the song have a singular meaning? Who knows! The meaning is open to interpretation for each listener to decide, based on how the music and lyrics touched them. You will read comments claiming the song's meaning, but the fact is, the entire band has never stating a specific meaning and has been firm that there isn't one, or if Freddie DID have a specific interpretation, he never shared it. Any assertion of the meaning pertaining to Freddie's sexuality are speculative and pushed by certain groups who WANT that to be the meaning. Those people insist one’s sexual preference is the only defining factor to everything one does in life, and therefore Freddie’s artistic talent is secondary and subjective to who he found attractive. This is ludicrous and insulting to one of the greatest musical geniuses of all time.

[@RobTalksMess-i6u]

I always wondered why it was named this. Thank you for the background information! I have heard of Freddy Mercury but I didn't know he was part of Queen. Also interesting to know about his interest in opera. That explains portions of this song.

[@garyandrews5378]

'I've finally heard this song'. No you haven't. Try listening to it without interrupting it 20+ times & then you can say you've heard it.

[@RobTalksMess-i6u]

lol maybe the 2nd or third time I can do that 😀

[@juliannetomlinson]

Way too many interruptions for me he is not really listening to this masterpiece

[@Proxima91111]

Never interupt Sir Brian May

[@RobTalksMess-i6u]

So I've been told! 😆

[@GinMae]

Oh, heck yeah, Rob - you know a lot of Queen songs.. maybe "We will Rock you/We are the Champions" or "Another on Bites the dust"? lol - it's great to hear this one with headphones... (p.s. don't mock guitarist Brian's hair.,. it just grew that way.. he still has the same hair.. only now it's silver-gray.. and besides his musical talent, he is an astrophysicist.. with a Phd.. oh, and a knighthood, so you could refer to him as "Sir Dr. Brian May) Also, note that this song is nearly 50 years old... so please understand that in 1975 this was pretty "wild" -

[@RobTalksMess-i6u]

Yes those songs I definitely know. He still has that hair? Wow that is commitment to a look! :-D

[@imweakfordeaky]

Yes, these guys were very skinny by modern standards, although not outrageously so in comparison to other young rock stars of their generation in the early to mid 70s. According to questionnaires they filled out around that time for the magazine Music Life : Brian May (guitarist) : 6’ 1.5” , 146 lbs. John Deacon (bassist) : 5’ 11” , 135 lbs Roger Taylor (drums). : 5’ 11” , 133 lbs Freddie Mercury (vocals) : 5’ 9.5”, 119 lbs -They could (and did) trade clothes among themselves, as they had little money early on. (Although poor Brian had to roll too-short sleeves on shirts to make it look ok on his long-long arms, and couldn’t really use the slacks in their common stock at all because his legs are *very* long for his height) -Freddie and Roger obtained and resold vintage clothing at a booth in Kensington Market. This is the source of *some* of their stage wear, until they could afford better. The legendary David Bowie was one of their customers, who later became a close friend. - Brian’s hair really IS that curly, it’s fully natural, and he still has the same basic hairstyle (although pure silvery-white now rather than dark brown)

[@RobTalksMess-i6u]

True that is very skinny by today's standards but then again obesity is today's standards 😆

[@Dillon12]

If you pause you have to go back a bit. And never stop during any solo of any instrument.

[@RobTalksMess-i6u]

Thanks for the feedback!

[@lisavenor236]

Watch their live shows no auto tune or other tech .They we’re the greatest live.I love watching the young hearing queen for the first time not knowing that they have heard Queen

[@RobTalksMess-i6u]

Yes I love how artists back then didn’t use anything but their natural voice! And some damn good guitar

[@patriciakent6728]

Masterpieces❤❤❤perfection ❤❤❤❤Freddie Forever❤❤ please react "It's So You"❤❤❤

[@RobTalksMess-i6u]

Is that the name of the song? "It's so you"? I'll look into that!

[@patriciakent6728]

By Freddie Mercury! 😍

[@timnotbrianmay]

ABSOLUTELY NOTHING ABOUT QUEEN IS HYPE! It was the FIRST EVER music video! And it was recorded in 1975! About the clothing.. when a band is giving a show, they are GIVING A SHOW! It's all about the visuals, when you get past The music! And, absolutely NONE of the songs Queen did sounded like any other one that they did! EACH ONE was absolutely individual! THAT'S just a part of what made them SO SPECIAL! Their performances were ALWAYS An absolute TOTAL EXPERIENCE!

[@RobTalksMess-i6u]

Are you serious? Is it really the first music video?

[@timnotbrianmay]

@RobTalksMess-i6u ... It is!

[@RobTalksMess-i6u]

@@timnotbrianmay That is very cool

[@jo_jolambrini6775]

Your reaction, well firstly banging on about the hairdo's and so much insignificant stuff, the white smoke etc etc etc is just criminal when listening to this song, and the amount of pausing was just WRONG. This song was released in 1976. This is undoubtedly the best band of all time, Queen. Where's your reaction to the harmonies, the songwriting, the lyrics, the musicians, guitarists, drummer and not least AT ALL Freddie Mercury's voice!!! Can't believe you paused through Sir Dr Brian May's guitar solo, another CRIME. Had to switch off at 6:50 minutes in, bad bad reaction my friend

[@RobTalksMess-i6u]

Thanks for the feedback. So I gave my real first impressions on not only the song but the video as well. I’m sorry but the hair was funny to me lol. As for the guitar solo, I don’t know when it ends but in my later vids I try to stop less.

[@janethernandez724]

Dude, you paused during Brian May's guitar solo, since it is your first time listening to this, we can let it go for now. just no interruptions during the guitar solos. Allow me to say welcome to the world of one of the legendary rock bands of the 1970s and 1980s and very early 1990s! QUEEN! Queen is Freddie Mercury (Lead Vocals, pianist), Brian May (Lead guitarist, vocals), John Deacon (Bass Guitar), and Roger Taylor (Drums, vocals). Each and every member of Queen can write their own music, play more than one instrument, and they are formally educated talented musicians. Auto tune was not invented back then either, what you heard is PURE TALENT in their voices. This song is three songs meshed into one masterpiece of a rhapsody a musical composition that is free-flowing, episodic, and emotional, and is meant to convey intense feelings and stories. One can break it down to 5 sections though. It is brilliant! This song had reached number 1 for nine weeks in 1975 and then reached number 1 again in 1991 when Freddie died. Their ability to harmonize and allow their voices to reach ranges higher than any artist can nowadays is fantastic! One of your viewers mentioned about the Live Aid set in 1985. To give you a bit of background on that one; Live Aid was a benefit concert to help raise money for famine relief in Ethiopia at the time. Participating bands had 20 minutes to play their music, and it was great! Once Queen took the stage, they stole the show! You may have heard some songs from Queen before you just didn't know it was them. (Maybe) 1970's musical fashions were something back then and yet evolving as the years would go on to the 1980s and 1990s. In the early 1970s they were quite young, and eager to get into the studios to start recording music. Bohemian Rhapsody was written by Freddie Mercury himself years before he became a member of the band. He never quite finished those three songs, so he decided to mesh them together and voilà, a masterpiece! Next you may want to react to their other masterpieces "Radio Ga Ga", written by Roger Taylor, "Hammer to Fall" written by Brian May, "Crazy Little thing called Love" written by Freddie Mercury as his tribute to Elvis Presley, "We Will Rock You, written by Brian May, "We are the Champions" written by Freddie Mercury, "Somebody to Love" written by Freddie Mercury, "Another One Bites the dust, written by John Deacon, "You're my Best Friend" written by John Deacon, "I Want to Break Free" written by John Deacon, That is all for now but they do have a huge catalog of music to listen to. I hope you continue with Queen; you won't be disappointed. Peace. ☮Ps. You may also want to check on KZbin a small movie scene from Wayne's World - Bohemian Rhapsody, with Queen's permission to use it in the movie just before Freddie died it is just a little over 3 minutes.

[@RobTalksMess-i6u]

Someone else mentioned not to stop on his guitar solo haha. I will try not to do that again 😆

[@janethernandez724]

@@RobTalksMess-i6u Brian May's guitar solos are often described as being like his guitar singing, he is considered one of the best guitar players in rock music, He's known for his ability to blend genres, experiment with harmonies, and create unforgettable melodies. One of May's most notable performances was his solo on top of Buckingham Palace during the Queen Elizabeth II jubilee celebrations in 2002. That was totally awesome to watch!

[@RobTalksMess-i6u]

@@janethernandez724 On top of Buckingham palace? That's crazy! If that's on KZbin I'll look it up!

[@delseatube1700]

I’m glad exploring Queen but you pausing every sentence means you can’t enjoy it. There’s no flow. Hope you carry on and learn more about Queen. 😊

[@RobTalksMess-i6u]

In my newer videos I will be trying to give most thoughts afterwards!

[@noplacelikehomecrochet5335]

Have you heard of Ren? He’s a wonderful new artist! Hi Ren is a great place to start. Singer, songwriter, musician, rapper! ❤ best wishes

[@RobTalksMess-i6u]

I have not. What sort of music?

[@robertdesantis5272]

Your thoughts are inconsequential because so many others have already made the same observations. It is a GREAT song by GREAT musicians!

[@RobTalksMess-i6u]

Thank you for your feedback

[@helaina400]

Too many interruptions, you’re not letting it flow

[@RobTalksMess-i6u]

Thank you for the feedback

[@hkynuts11]

You must refine your style to stopping 2 to 3 times per video

[@RobTalksMess-i6u]

I have tried to stop less in later and will in future videos

[@hkynuts11]

1.6 Billion views indicates that it must be good.

[@RobTalksMess-i6u]

I can tell by the fans passion all these years later that it must be good

[@paulmcinerney5995]

1975

[@RobTalksMess-i6u]

Thanks. I was trying to guess without looking it up haha. But '75 makes sense

[@jnelson9801]

You pause too much...

[@RobTalksMess-i6u]

Sorry my friend. I had more to say than I thought I would!

[@leapierce3554]

critics can do nothing

[@RobTalksMess-i6u]

Thank you for your comment. Care to elaborate? 😀

[@keithwalton7922]

Dude pausing every 20 seconds is very,very annoying ,if your going to react then react don't butcher the greatest song of all time .

[@RobTalksMess-i6u]

🤣 I give my first reaction as the song is playing. Apologize for the inconvenience. I often play the song all the way through afterwards off camera. But siting there without saying anything for a 4, 5, or even 6 minute song is not really my style!

[@normafrancis4119]

For goodness sake stop talking and just listen

[@RobTalksMess-i6u]

Thanks for the feedback. I give my real time comments during the video so I won't be able to listen without saying anything 😀

[@lynnylew5429]

What sort of music do you usually listen to?

[@RobTalksMess-i6u]

Pretty much all genres except death metal and country. But I will likely be reacting to some country in the future haha

[@dorishaseloff4463]

You're talking too much and only uninteresting things

[@RobTalksMess-i6u]

Thanks for the feedback

[@RiverSong5683]

My goodness, is this a fashion reaction or a MUSIC reaction? And…Pretty nice voice? Try the best lead vocalist ever, best group ever, master musician-ship…they were all the best. Try all their songs are masterpieces…

[@RobTalksMess-i6u]

🤣 The first thing I noticed was the hair lol

[@anne-mariesindruprix4792]

Take it easy - this was a first listen!!

[@RobTalksMess-i6u]

@@anne-mariesindruprix4792 Some people are VERY serious about their queen apparently 😁

[@FreeSpiritBudgieLady]

It’s a strange style of reacting to a song when you don’t actually mention the song itself till a third of the way in. Little mention of the lyrics, or the actual musicianship. Pausing too frequently and talking over the song didn’t help either.🤔☹️

[@RobTalksMess-i6u]

Thanks for your input. It was my first time hearing it so I didn't go through each lyric otherwise I would have had to pause/ go back even more. I'll keep that in mind in the future

[@anne-mariesindruprix4792]

@@RobTalksMess-i6u Thank you for a good reaction - I would like to have more volume - is that possible? - You have a new subscriber - and a lot of Queen to react to - I prefer the live versions - . Try "Somebody to Love" from Montreal 1981.

[@RobTalksMess-i6u]

@@anne-mariesindruprix4792 Thanks for the feedback. I'm wearing headphones so I can't have it too loud but I'll go as loud as I can. I'll take a look at that song as well 🙂

[@janetschulman8998]

Too many pauses not enuf about their musicianship and vocals. I think you should listen to,it again on your own without stopping.

[@RobTalksMess-i6u]

@@janetschulman8998 Thanks for the feedback. I will but I like to give my first impression (in real time) as I listen. I often go back and listen a 2nd time off camera 😀

[@lisavenor236]

1975

[@RobTalksMess-i6u]

Thank you