Queen – Bohemian Rhapsody (Live Aid 1985)

About the song

Queen – Live Aid 1985: A Legendary Performance

In the realm of rock music, few bands have achieved the iconic status of Queen. With their flamboyant stage presence, powerful vocals, and groundbreaking music, they captivated audiences worldwide and left an indelible mark on the history of rock and roll. Among their many legendary performances, one stands out as a pinnacle of musical brilliance and cultural impact: Queen’s Live Aid performance in 1985.

A Global Phenomenon: Live Aid 1985

Live Aid was a charity concert held on July 13, 1985, at Wembley Stadium in London and JFK Stadium in Philadelphia, simultaneously broadcast to over 160 countries. Organized by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure to raise funds for famine relief in Ethiopia, the event featured an extraordinary lineup of music legends, including Queen, David Bowie, U2, Elton John, and Madonna.

Queen’s Unforgettable Set

Queen took to the stage at Wembley Stadium in the evening, facing an estimated crowd of 72,000 people. Their set was highly anticipated, and they did not disappoint. From the moment Freddie Mercury strutted onto the stage in his iconic yellow jacket, the crowd was electric.

Bohemian Rhapsody: A Six-Minute Masterpiece

The centerpiece of Queen’s performance was their six-minute masterpiece, “Bohemian Rhapsody.” This operatic rock anthem, with its complex structure, soaring vocals, and theatrical elements, had already captivated audiences worldwide. However, Queen’s Live Aid performance took the song to new heights.

Mercury’s Mesmerizing Performance

Freddie Mercury was in top form that day, his voice powerful and emotive, his stage presence commanding and captivating. He led the band through the song’s various sections with impeccable timing and energy, transforming the performance into a theatrical spectacle.

A Moment of Unity and Inspiration

As the final notes of “Bohemian Rhapsody” faded into the night air, the crowd erupted in thunderous applause. Queen had delivered a performance that was not only musically brilliant but also emotionally resonant. It was a moment of unity and inspiration, as people from all over the world came together to raise awareness and support for a worthy cause.

Legacy of a Legendary Performance

Queen’s Live Aid performance of “Bohemian Rhapsody” has become one of the most iconic moments in music history. It is a testament to the band’s extraordinary talent, their ability to connect with audiences on a deep level, and their enduring impact on popular culture. The performance continues to inspire and amaze, serving as a reminder of the power of music to unite, uplift, and make a difference.

Video

Lyrics

“Bohemian Rhapsody”

 

Is this the real life?
Is this just fantasy?
Caught in a landslide
No escape from realityOpen 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, 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 (Any way the wind blows)
I don’t wanna die
I sometimes wish I’d never been born at all

I see a little silhouetto of a man
Scaramouche, Scaramouche, will you do the Fandango?
Thunderbolt 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

Any way the wind blows