Poll: Why does eveybody enjoy Bohemian Rhapsody?

[capnjack]

One of the greatest mystery or rather a lack of sync with the rest of the population I encountered in my lifetime is that everyone enjoys Bohemian Rhapsody. I fail to grasp it's greatness in lyrics or musical value. It always seemed to me as a madman's random thoughts, which is ok, considering there are a lot of freaky bands and freakier tunes out there, but while some enjoy a cult following, none have hit it as mainstream as Bohemian Rhapsody did.

The only thing I can compare it to every time I hear it, is Stairway to Heaven, which ironically I think it's great and 'better' at conveying it's message not by outlandish tunes, but a more mature and genuine sound.

I've always believed art is subjective... Right up until you learn about it. I'm not the best person to explain to you the originality, the boldness of the song, and I probably can't break down how skilled Queen is lyrically and musically. I'm sure someone can - maybe Wikipedia. I also think, for the most part, the greater your knowledge of music becomes, the more you appreciate can appreciate things that have been praised so highly.

I'm pretty sure there was a point in my life I used to hate the Bohemian Rhapsody... And Stairway to Heaven. And beer, wine and coffee. And fine cheeses.

But we learn. Our tastes evolve.

 

[the captain]

It's the only song I know of besides Sweet Home Alabama that everyone in the room starts singing when it comes on.

 

[ElephantGuts]

Ooh! Funny this came up, could someone listen to this and tell me I'm not crazy.

So I'm playing the Lost and Damned (GTA4 DLC). I notice a new car. I'm sure it's new, but interestingly it wasn't listed among the new vehicles that Rockstar listed on the TLAD site. I also note that this car looks like Wayne's car (it was his car right? I still don't know what kind of car it is) in Wayne's World.

The car they were in when they were listening to Bohemian Rhapsody. So I get in the car. What's its name?

Rhapsody.

So am I just crazy or do we have a Wayne's World fan at Rockstar? Awesome.

EDIT: After looking this up I found this: "Picture of Garth and Wayne can be seen on the dashboard using sniper or camera."

So I'm not crazy! Now I'm proud of myself for making that connection so fast. Cool.

 

[Beacon]

It was the first thing ever to be described as "epic"

 

[Not Good]

Ooh! Funny this came up, could someone listen to this and tell me I'm not crazy.

So I'm playing the Lost and Damned (GTA4 DLC). I notice a new car. I'm sure it's new, but interestingly it wasn't listed among the new vehicles that Rockstar listed on the TLAD site. I also note that this car looks like Wayne's car (it was his car right? I still don't know what kind of car it is) in Wayne's World.

The car they were in when they were listening to Bohemian Rhapsody. So I get in the car. What's its name?

Rhapsody.

So am I just crazy or do we have a Wayne's World fan at Rockstar? Awesome.

If this is true the car should be an AMC pacer-esque vehicle with a light blue paintjob and flames.

Spoiler: Pacer sans Paintjob

Spoiler: MIRTH MOBILE

 

[Johnnyallstar]

Greatest head banging transition in any song. ever.

 

[Lord Beautiful]

It's a complete mess, but I like it all the same. Perhaps it's because the song is pretty good, and I haven't heard it fucking eleven thousand times like other songs I abhor (Sweet Home Alabama, Back in Black).

 

[Trilby_V]

Everytime I hear that song... I cant help but singing like a madman. Me and my friends know by heart. Same applies to We are the Champions.

 

[Noamuth]

Everytime I hear that song... I cant help but singing like a madman. Me and my friends know by heart. Same applies to We are the Champions.

Same here, heh. ^.^ Goes for 'Fat Bottomed Girls' too.

 

[ChickDangerous]

Because what other song on this planet inspires people from all ages and stereotypes to unite in a singalong?

 

[andreimg]

Good lord. Reviewing what I've read so far, I've learned:

1.There is a fine cord hit when someone puts in question the value not of BR, but Queen itself. I enjoy Queen but never this particular song. Someone mentioned "We are the champions". Also a song I feel it has been too over-used for it's own good.

2.At least I liked Wayne's World, which I don't think helps my case in this instance.

3.People feel somewhat disappointed when someone doesn't understand the value they hold for it. If it is because you can sing along without felling less of a man(I don't know why would you feel like that in the first place in a sing along), or if you feel it speaks to you personally, then it's great.

4.Some people loath Stairway. I put it just as an example, because it has a similar structure to BR, including a solo and it was made about the same period. I didn't say it speaks to me in particular or that it's innovative. There are better LZ songs, I think. Yes, BR is more elaborate an thoughtful with its composition, but I don't see the results.

5.Yes, art is subjective, but it seems only in the sense that you have to develop your taste to appreciate what you initially didn't like.

The poll was made for fun and to see how people think. Simple. Somewhat amusing that there is a tie between people who think there is nothing better out there and those who think it's trash. Again, I only putted options, not my own opinions.
Also amusing is that people with skulls and flaming eyes for avatars considers a song satanic.

 

[Ruzzian Roulette]

1.Everybody knows the words, it's a law for humanity.
2.Anybody can sing it, no matter who's in the car with you.
3.Wayne's World


Edit: Idea, play Bohemian Rhapsody in Times Square and see how many people start singing along.

 

[andreimg]

Edit: Idea, play Bohemian Rhapsody in Times Square and see how many people start singing along.

That's what frightens me.

 

[Jamash]

I like it, it's pretty good, but I have to say I much prefer the Bruce Dickinson and Montserrat Caballe [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ksZ1f-U1KiA] version to the Queen version, I just love their vocals.

 

[thiosk]

It was in Wayne's World. How could any music from that movie be bad?

Needs to be repeated.

Also, the girls in that comic strip have huge racks. Obscured the text. I never met a girl in a physics class like that.

 

[Larenxis]

It's not that good a song, but it is awesome to sing along to with a few friends while waiting in line. Or in the car. Point is, you need to be really over the top, and you're guaranteed a good time.

 

[GyroCaptain]

It's epic while being very, very random. That being said, the instrumentation/vocals of Queen were the missing ingredient and made it nigh-perfect.

Incidentally, that cartoon's not quite right. Fat-Bottomed Girls is also quasi-about motorcycles.

 

[ElephantGuts]

If this is true the car should be an AMC pacer-esque vehicle with a light blue paintjob and flames.

Spoiler: Pacer sans Paintjob

Spoiler: MIRTH MOBILE

Well it comes in different colors but it is the same car.

 

[Chickenlittle]

I refuse to vote based upon the fact that the answers are all at extreme ends of the scale.

It's OK, not anything special, like everyone seems to make it out to be.

 

[Lord George]

Its brilliant and at the time it was a strange and new experimental song and even know I feel brilliant every time I hear it, then again I love all of Queens songs.