by Queen guitarist Brian May recently opened up about the creative process behind the band’s iconic song “Bohemian Rhapsody” as it celebrates its 50th anniversary. He shared insights in an interview with Rolling Stone.
May reflected on how Freddie Mercury’s unique creative approach influenced the instrumental arrangements of the legendary track.
“The idea for all the instrumental stuff in Rhapsody was growing while I was listening to him developing the song,” May said. “Freddie had some amazingly lateral thought processes. It was always easier for me to play on his songs than mine, ’cause there was so much stimulation coming.”
The guitarist also admitted that despite decades of performing the song, it remains technically challenging.
“Bohemian Rhapsody is never that easy to play, even after all these years,” he continued. “I still have to keep my wits about me or I’ll fall off the train.”
The comments come as part of a broader reflection by May and drummer Roger Taylor on Mercury’s legacy and the remarkable story behind Queen’s masterpiece.
May’s reflections highlight the extraordinary effort that went into creating what would become one of rock’s most ambitious compositions. The recording process itself was groundbreaking for its time and complexity.
Ranker reported that the band spent over three weeks recording the song. They created more than 180 vocal overdubs by Mercury, May, and Taylor to achieve its rich harmonies. This exceptionally time-consuming process made “Bohemian Rhapsody” the most expensive song ever recorded at the time in 1975.
The song’s intricate structure reflects Mercury’s classical influences and ambitious vision. Mastering the Mix noted that the composition comprises six distinct sections without a traditional chorus. It draws inspiration from classical works like Beethoven symphonies and Mozart operas.
This classical foundation contributed to the unique and elaborate instrumental textures that May described in his recent interview. The complex arrangement required precise coordination between all band members. This explains why May still finds the song challenging to perform decades later.
The technical demands of “Bohemian Rhapsody” continue to influence musicians today. This cements its status as both a creative masterpiece and a testament to Queen’s innovative approach to rock music.
