10 Songs You're Not Supposed To Understand
5. Bohemian Rhapsody - Queen
"Bohemian Rhapsody" is one of the songs that you only seem to get once in a lifetime. Other bands may be able to boast about stuff like "Stairway to Heaven" or "Comfortably Numb," but in terms of raw creative expression, no one can hold a candle to this brainchild from Freddie Mercury. The song feels like an event whenever you hear it, but it's a shame there's no real structure behind the lyrics.
The song might start off well enough with the story of a man confessing to his mother that he murdered someone, but the operatic section throws everything out of order when he starts calling our for Galileo and random shouts of Bizmillah. For as much as its namesake movie showed the pure musical power of the tune, Mike Myers' snooty record executive may have had a small point about the lyrics.
However, if you're really going to discount this song for its words, you're seeing only a small tree in the middle of a vast forest. Adorned in some of the most beautiful music of the 20th century, "Bohemian Rhapsody" is a feat of superhuman musical strength, blending rock, opera, and balladry into one beautiful cocktail.
It may seem incoherent in spots, but when Queen decided to take us to the theatre, the lyrics are just meant to be set dressing.