Queen "Bohemian Rapsody" question?

I happen to know this one.

Freddy wasn't aware he had AIDS until the late-80's, so any speculation out there that he wrote BR as a personal eulogy or a statement about his affliction, is simply not true. AIDS wasn't even known to exist yet when this song was written and recorded. In fact, the disease most likely didn't even exist yet in it's current form. Remember, AIDS was a product of the 80's and was first documented in the US and Europe in 1981, long before the October 31, 1975 release date of the song. Freddy wrote this song in 1973-74.

Freddy was very much into the idea of Rock Opera, and wanted a story that was similar in its dramatic plot lines as the great Classical operas, but still be contemporary. The "plot" is a rather traditional story of a poor kid, running wild in the streets living the life of a bohemian, committing a murder and having to come to terms with the law and his own guilt of taking another life.

The part of the song with the phrase "scaramouche" represents a trial and subsequent jailing of the kid and the fact that his family has turned his back on him, which represent a different type of "jail sentence".

The loss of innocence is the main theme, and Freddy was inspired by Milton's poem Paradise Lost, of which this song is his modern interpretaion of this great literary work. While Milton's work represents a retelling of the events of Adam and Eve being tempted by the devil and being thrown from the Garden, it is the more fundemental theme of lost innocence that Freddy focused on. Using great literature or classical mythology was commonplace in chosing themes for Opera, and Freddy used this method and chose Paradise Lost and its themes as the basis for his little Rock Opera idea.

How do I know this? Look at my yahoo handle and put two-and-two together. I kinda had the inside track on this one.

Hope this answers your question.

He knew that he was sick for a while. I saw interviews with Brian May and Roger Taylor saying that before they put out Queen's last album, he told the group that he was dying. He didn't want this news released to the public, he just wanted to jump right in and release this album. The group respected his wishes.

November 23, 1991 he released to the media a statement telling the world he has AIDS...24 hours later he died.

I know what you mean about the omen like quality of that song. Who knows? He might have just known that he wouldn't live very long. I know this though, the music world lost a great front man.

'The Show Must Go On"

RIP Freddy Mercury...you are sorely missed : (

I don't think he knew he had AIDS at that time. I think it was just a song that they made to deal with a few demons.. I am sure any band can relate to the lyrics.

There was no AIDS in 1975 when the song came out, so a big NO. BUT... he did live in the fast lane, and probably had some sort of death wish. -- Loved the guy.

--F.M. R.I.P.

It would be an omen if he actually shot himself.

I prefer the Birmingham Rhapsody version>>> http://www.wellbored.com/fun_jokes_humour/bohemian...

Nobody know what it really means but I personally think he knew he had aids...Great band and great song though.One of my all time favorite bands.

No, he didn't know it in those days....AIDS wasn't a well-known disease yet when Bohemian Rhapsody came out.

probably coincidence but it is the only song with all types of music in it. for instance operah, heavy metal, light rock, classical and so on.

he knew he had AIDS for a while he just didn't announce it until a couple of months before he died, i'm not sure if he knew he had it around that time though

I believe it means they took a lot of drugs and came up with wacky lyrics