Interesting Facts about Bohemian Rhapsody

According to some band members, Freddie Mercury had worked out the entire song in his head and directed the band through the song.

May, Mercury, and Taylor sang their vocal parts continually for ten to twelve hours a day for 3 weeks, resulting in 180 separate overdubs.

The band used many unique instruments to produce the song, including a Fender Precision Electric Bass, May's Red Special electric guitar, Ludwig Drums, timpani and a Paiste Gong. Mercury used a Bechstein "Concert" Grand Piano, the same he'd later play in both the promotional video and the UK Tour.

When it was finished it was the most expensive single ever made and remains one of the most elaborate recordings in music history.

The song is nearly six minutes in length and is composed of six distinct sections - introduction, ballad, guitar solo, opera, rock, and an outro.

The video for the single was directed by Bruce Gowers, using ideas from the band members themselves. It was created to allow the band to be on tour and appear "live" on the BBC's Top of the Pops. Shot in just over four hours on the band's rehearsal stage, it cost £4500 to produce, using an outside broadcast truck owned by one of the band's managers. This was a very small sum compared to the multi-million dollar industry music videos have become.

Bohemian Rhapsody MTV - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_JtMLCpIpI

Utterly brilliant work considering it's produced in 1975.