Queen guitarist Brian May has revealed the surprising financial turmoil that surrounded the creation of the band's legendary anthem Bohemian Rhapsody, as the iconic track celebrates its remarkable 50th anniversary this year.
The Debt That Nearly Broke Queen
Speaking candidly about the band's circumstances in 1975, May disclosed that Queen were seriously in debt and facing what he described as a 'very bad situation' with their management when they recorded what would become one of rock music's most celebrated compositions.
The 78-year-old musician reflected that they initially saw the ambitious six-minute track as simply 'a nice track for our new album' from their album A Night At The Opera, hoping it might rescue them from their financial predicament during a period of soaring inflation in Britain.
An Unexpected Chart Triumph
Contrary to their modest expectations, Bohemian Rhapsody went on to dominate the UK charts for nine consecutive weeks in 1975, sparking what May describes as a dramatic transformation for the band's fortunes and public perception.
Drummer Roger Taylor, also speaking to The Big Issue, admitted 'We certainly weren't thinking in terms of number ones, we just felt it was the best song on the album. It was the most arresting, unusual thing.'
The song's unique structure, featuring operatic passages, rock ballad elements, and Mercury's distinctive guitar solo, set it apart from anything else in Queen's catalogue or contemporary music at the time.
A Song For Troubled Times
Brian May believes the track's extraordinary resonance with British audiences might be explained by the challenging economic climate of the mid-1970s, when the country was often described as 'the sick man of Europe' due to financial troubles and workplace disruption.
'When times are tough, music really can save you, raise your spirits,' the guitarist observed. 'I've had so many letters over the years that have said that one of our songs has lifted people out of depression and given them a new feeling of purpose.'
He added that while nobody could have predicted Bohemian Rhapsody's incredible impact, it marked the moment Queen gained acceptance 'from the general public' rather than just their dedicated fanbase.
The legendary track was penned by the band's late frontman Freddie Mercury, who died in 1991 at age 45. Following his death, May and Taylor continued performing together, first collaborating with Paul Rodgers from 2004-2009 and subsequently touring as Queen + Adam Lambert since 2011.
Meanwhile, former bassist John Deacon stepped away from the music industry in 1997 and has maintained a private life ever since, leaving May and Taylor as the active custodians of Queen's monumental legacy.
