MEXICO CITY, October 31 (EL UNIVERSAL).- Released on October 31, 1975, Queen‘s “Bohemian Rhapsody” has achieved something that few songs do: stay relevant for almost five decades. Her impact not only persists on Queen fans, but has gained strength among new generations who have rediscovered her thanks to digital platforms and a recent biographical film. But what is it about this song that continues to attract so much?
“Bohemian Rhapsody” stands out for its unique structure. With a duration of almost six minutes and without a conventional chorus, it mixes ballad, opera and rock styles, something unusual for its time and even more so for today’s market. Despite this, or perhaps because of it, the song remains current on streaming platforms. On Spotify, the song has exceeded 2 billion views, and on YouTube its official video already has more than one billion views, making it one of the most viewed and listened to classic rock songs in the digital era. .
Its popularity received a boost in 2018 with the release of the film “Bohemian Rhapsody,” which told the story of Queen and Freddie Mercury. Thanks to the film, the song reached the popularity charts again, and once again reached the Billboard Top 40 in the United States, a rare achievement for a single from the 70s. The biopic not only brought the history of the band to a younger audience, but also showed the effort and creative risks that went into releasing this song.
Since then, “Bohemian Rhapsody” has become a cultural reference and a symbol of artistic freedom. In the words of Brian May, Queen’s guitarist, “we never thought that such a risky song would go so far.” The acceptance of this song confirms that the public continues to value original proposals, which risk breaking with the usual formulas.
In addition, Bohemian Rhapsody continues to appear in films, series and commercials, which has contributed to its relevance. On music streaming services, it consistently appears on the most listened to classic rock charts, and has achieved digital and physical sales that exceed seven million copies in the United States alone.
Nearly 50 years after its release, “Bohemian Rhapsody” remains a reminder of music’s ability to connect with people of all ages.
