Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy? Famous lyrics from even more famous rock group: Queen. I was exposed to this song at fairly young age. At first, I didn’t like it; the song seemed to drag on, the lyrics didn’t make any sense, it wasn’t catchy. Luckily I matured and have the opposite stance on this masterpiece. In fact, Bohemian Rhapsody just may be my all time favorite song. But I wouldn’t have such fond memories with this melody if it weren’t for a particular movie.
This past week on Valentine’s Day, Wayne’s World celebrated its 25th anniversary. The SNL-skit-turned-big-screen-movie is quite hilarious and iconic. I remember my parents forcing me to watch it as a kid and by the time the ending credits had rolled around, I died of laughter and decided it was one of my favorites. If you haven’t seen Wayne’s World, do yourself a solid and watch it.
The movie follows best friends Wayne (played by Mike Myers AKA Shrek) and Garth (Dana Carvey). The two live in Aurora, IL (which I have the fortune of writing Odyssey articles for) where they host their very own public-access TV show.
They have guests come on their show, attempt to play music, and talk about basically anything. And their viewers love it. Along comes hotshot TV producer Benjamin (played by a pre-Parks and Rec Rob Lowe) who tries to sell their show. Basically, the movie is about them trying to make it big, only to realize that it’s best to stay true to your roots instead of having someone try to change you. Oh, and there’s a handful of laughs in there.
But the most iconic scene in this movie is where the whole Wayne’s World gang rocks out to Bohemian Rhapsody in the car on the way to their nightly shenanigans. My goal here is not to tell you why this is just about the greatest song ever to exist, but rather to remind you in honor of Wayne’s World’s 25th anniversary.Freddie Mercury’s vocals are GOLD.
If I could bring anyone back from the dead to hear them sing, it’d be him. His vocal range is so wide, and my eardrums basically explode in awe when he hits those high notes.
It brings people together.
I cannot think of a single instance where this song didn’t unite everyone I was surrounded by: out at parties, at family get-togethers, at work, in the car. This song is such a classic that it’s shocking if you don’t know the lyrics. What can I say? As soon those first few notes play, everyone gets giddy and the fun finally starts.
It contains such wise words.
So you think you can stop me and spit in my eye? Anyway the wind blows doesn’t really matter to me. Caught in landslide, no escape from reality. Those words are heart-achingly true and somewhat motivating. Some speculate that the song is about Mercury coming to terms with his sexuality while others think it’s about selling your soul to the devil. Regardless of what you think, it’s quite an experience alone to just breath in the poetry that this song provides.
That head bang.
Just like Wayne’s World, it’s difficult to not rock out after that high note and the guitar solo insures. It simply feels like a crime to not do so. Oh well. Party on.
