Is this the real life?
Is this just fantasy?
Caught in a landslide
No escape from reality
Open your eyes
Look up to the skies and see
I’m just a poor boy, I need no sympathy
Because I’m easy come, easy go
Little high, little low
Any way the wind blows
Doesn’t really matter to me, to me
Mama just killed a man
Put a gun against his head
Pulled my trigger, and now he’s dead
Mama, life had just begun
But now I’ve gone and thrown it all away
Mama, ooh
Didn’t mean to make you cry
If I’m not back again this time tomorrow
Carry on, carry on as if nothing really matters
Too late, my time has come
Sends shivers down my spine
Body’s aching all the time
Goodbye, everybody, I’ve got to go
Gotta leave you all behind and face the truth
Mama, ooh (Anyway the wind blows)
I don’t wanna die
I sometimes wish I’d never been born at all
I see a little silhouette of a man
Scaramouche, Scaramouche, will you do the Fandango?
Thunderbolts and lightning very, very frightening me
(Galileo) Galileo
(Galileo) Galileo
Galileo Figaro
Magnifico-o-o-o-o
I’m just a poor boy, nobody loves me
He’s just a poor boy from a poor family
Spare him his life from this monstrosity
Easy come, easy go, will you let me go?
Bismillah! No, we will not let you go (Let him go!)
Bismillah! We will not let you go (Let him go!)
Bismillah! We will not let you go (Let me go!)
Will not let you go (Let me go!)
Never let you go (Never, never, never, never let me go)
Oh oh oh oh
No, no, no, no, no, no, no
Oh, mamma mia, mamma mia (Mamma mia, let me go)
Beelzebub has a devil put aside for me, for me, for me
So you think you can stone me and spit in my eye?
So you think you can love me and leave me to die?
Oh, baby, can’t do this to me, baby
Just gotta get out, just gotta get right outta here
Ooh, ooh yeah, ooh yeah
Nothing really matters
Anyone can see
Nothing really matters
Nothing really matters to me
The lyrics of Bohemian Rhapsody are famously cryptic and open to interpretation, but here’s a breakdown of some key details and interesting points:
Structure:
- The song is divided into sections with contrasting styles and tempos. It starts with a ballad-like intro, transitions into a hard rock section, includes an operatic interlude, and finishes with a reflective ballad.
Themes:
- Loss and Regret: The lyrics convey feelings of guilt and remorse, particularly in the lines “Mama, just killed a man” and “Mama, didn’t mean to make you cry.”
- Isolation and Rebellion: The protagonist feels like an outsider (“Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy?”) and struggles against societal judgment (“So you think you can stone me and spit in my eye?”).
- Fatalism and Acceptance: As the song progresses, there’s a sense of resignation (“Nothing really matters, anyone can see”).
Lyrical references:
- Scaramouche: A stock character in commedia dell’arte known for his boastfulness.
- Galileo Galilei: The famous astronomer who challenged the Church’s teachings.
- Figaro: A character from operas by Mozart and Rossini who is known for his cleverness.
- Beelzebub: Another name for the devil.
- Bismillah!: An Arabic phrase meaning “In the name of God!”
Operatic Section:
- This section features layered vocals, theatrical delivery, and references to historical figures, creating a dreamlike and dramatic atmosphere.
- Some interpretations suggest it represents a battle between good and evil for the protagonist’s soul.
