Purpose, Question at Issue, and Assumptions
The live concert I viewed is the Queen’s show at Live Aid in 1985 (“Queen – Live at LIVE”). I will analyze the event and one of the songs, in particular, Bohemian Rhapsody. The song’s author is Freddie Mercury, the lead vocalist of Queen. I have chosen Bohemian Rhapsody as it is an artwork of value; it can be considered one of the greatest works by Mercury.
The song is notable as it does not convey a clearly outlined message but allows the listeners to find the meaning themselves and reflect on the artist’s life. I viewed the video of the live performance on February 10 at a local movie theatre. The concert was screened in relation to the British Academy of Film and Theatre Award (BAFTA), where the movie Bohemian Rhapsody was nominated for several awards (“The Full List of Winners”). By completing this analysis, I want to stress the significance of Mercury’s and Queen’s works and explain the meaning of one of the most famous of them.
Bohemian Rhapsody is a song that has caused many questions and assumptions because its author did not provide much information about it. Mercury could have created Bohemian Rhapsody for various reasons. One of the possible ones is that the singer wanted to produce a piece of music that would make a revolution in its time. The song is outstanding as it combines classical and rock music; its lyrics can be interpreted differently. Mercury could have wanted to gain public interest in Queens and propel its works to the next level.
Information
Queen’s music was not particularly influenced by historical conditions but was linked to societal ones. Mercury’s works reflected the changes in his socio-economic status when he moved to Great Britain from Zanzibar. The artist changed his name to establish a sense of belonging with the society and match with his inner self. In addition, his songs showed his thoughts on sexuality and personal relationships. Although many of them do not have a clear meaning, it is possible to see that the artist uses his works to reflect on his feelings and struggles. Mercury did not want to adhere to the societal norms and roles, which was also shown in his music and flamboyant appearance on stage.
Points of View
To many people, Mercury’s and Queen’s works are outstanding, brilliant, and controversial at the same time. Mercury had a unique and recognizable voice, which contributed to the band’s success. At the same time, his performances on stage were memorable for his energy, costumes, and ability to communicate with the crowd. For some people, however, Mercury’s stage image and works were difficult to comprehend.
Bohemian Rhapsody received both appreciation and criticism as it was a unique piece of art that many people could not understand. It was listed both in all-time best and in worst singles (Gilmore). Mercury refused to discuss the meaning of the song in detail, which also made it unpopular among some fans. However, Bohemian Rhapsody is a commercial success; currently, it is the most-streamed song from the 20th century (Beaumont-Thomas). Thus, it is possible to say that public opinion on the song is positive.
Implications and Consequences
As the meaning of the song is obscure, it is only possible to guess whether it was related to a particular cause. However, the concert I viewed supported the relief of famine-stricken Africans and aimed to raise money for the cause. The song was probably included in the setlist because of its high popularity among the public, which allowed attracting viewer’s attention to the issue. Queen’s performance contributed to raising more than $38 million for the cause (“1985: Live Aid Makes”).
Conclusions and Interpretations
Considering the success of the song and the fact that its mystique still attracts public attention, it is possible to say that Mercury achieved his goal of creating an outstanding piece of music. The artist produced a truly revolutionary song that showed the public that Queen was not only a notable rock band but a group of talented musicians who could work in various genres. In addition, although the song is longer than the ones typically broadcasted on the radio, it quickly became one of the most popular singles.
Core Values
The core values of the class involve the evolvement of all individuals’ minds, bodies, and spirits, which will lead to a balanced life. This paper aligns with this value as it allows one to reflect on the work of art, its background, goals, and meaning. Moreover, the report provides a discussion of the artist’s thoughts and opinions, which individuals can use for personal development.
Works Cited
“1985: Live Aid Makes Millions for Africa.” BBC Home. Web.
“Queen – Live at LIVE AID 1985/07/13.” YouTube, uploaded by Simon Christensen. 2014. Web.
“The Full List of Winners at the 2019 Bafta Film Awards.” The Guardian. 2019. Web.
Beaumont-Thomas, Ben. “Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody Becomes Most Streamed Song From 20th Century.” The Guardian. 2018. Web.
Gilmore, Mikal. “Queen’s Tragic Rhapsody.” Rolling Stone, 2014. Web.