Queen's iconic "Bohemian "Rhapsody" is probably their most famous hit (although soccer/football fans might argue it's "We Are The Champions"). Below you can hear the group's vocal-only tracks from the record, synched with a video of them performing the tune.
These isolated tracks unearth interesting detail behind the recordings. Here they reveal Freddie Mercury's soaring range and power, but also the equally amazing harmony vocals of Mercury along with guitarist Brian May and drummer Roger Taylor (who sang the highest parts).
The group recorded the tune in summer 1975, with Roy Thomas Baker at the helm as producer, in a series of studios in England and Wales.
According to Rick Hodkinson's 2004 book Queen: The Early Years, Mercury, May and Taylor sang the vocal parts for 10-12 hours per day for many days to create the operatic portions.
Record executives at EMI famously refused to release it as a single, but the group stuck to their guns and the track did indeed become a hit at radio, despite its' 5:55 duration, a length unheard of for radio singles at the time.
Enjoy!
P.S. Don't forget to check out our current selection of Queen memorabilia here.
