Non Genre Specific: Queen

Bohemian Rhapsody

This music video is paired with what I would call the most iconic songs in recent British history, this, in turn, has made the music video very popular. What is good about this video is how simplistic it is as it lets the song speak for itself, but it also tells a story about the bands' journeys into becoming a band. It also represents the ups and downs of life. This mid shot shows the band in a silhouette which represents that before the members meet each other they were in the dark and young and innocent (the white connotes innocence).

Then as the song picks up it shows the band in the light all singing, representing that they have found each other and that they are now working together. Also, the change in background to black represents the loss of innocence as they grow older and become more of a band and are exposed to more experiences. The way they are stood makes them look like they are in holy light or the light of the sky above, this refers to what going on in the song as Freddy sings about how people need to see the bigger picture in life ( 'open your eyes, look up to the skies and see).

This shot shows the band again but this time we see Freddy the main singer face above all of them, this represents that his story is the main one, it also shows him in the limelight as the main figure of the band. Also in the song, Freddy sings about him self ('i'm just a poor boy) therefore making it more sense to have him featuring more in the shot. Also, the shot of Freddy overlapping the shot of the band in a montage/ cross dissolve was a very popular editing technique at the time the song was released.

Then we change to a close-up shot of Freddy playing a blue piano, the blue representing sorrow and Freddie's white suit representing innocence. This is interesting as it contradicts what he singing about ('mama, just killed a man'). This shot now shows the groups journey into becoming a band as in this shot they are playing instruments. This could represent that they are playing the strings of life and keys to life. 

In this shot, we see yet another cross face of one shot in front of another of Freddy. This is staying true to the style of music videos of the time. As the song goes into yet another verse we see more colour adding to the intense dramatic feel of the song. The colours represent conflicting emotions red connoting anger and blue connoting paint which are emotions that link to what he's singing about. We see Freddy almost isolated from the band now and combined with the lyrics make Freddy seem like a child as he is crying out for his mum as he feels all alone.

At this shot, Freddie sings ' I don't want to die' which starts to change the passage of the song and we start to hear stronger instruments in the background. Also, there is a change in the lighting again changing the themes of emotion Freddy is singing about. This time blue connotes sorrow and green connote envy. This paired with what he's singing makes the singer seem as if he is envious of people who aren't in the same situation as he is in.

Just at the time the song completely changes its pace you see Freddy with a bright white light behind him. This almost links to the beginning of the video where we see the whole band in a silhouette but this time we see just Freddy. This makes the song slowly become more about him. The lyrics at this time are about a 'poor boy' this shot connotes innocence with the white background and this pushes the lyrics as you see the 'poor boy' in the light.

In this shot, the singer has his voice edited so it sounds like there is more of him which links to this shot as you see an editing technique which multiplies his face. His face fading into a stronger blue shows his descent into sadness and how his slow change into becoming someone different. Also, the shot of his face also links to the beginning shot of them stood in the light with a dark background, only this time again its shows how Freddy has become separate from the group. Later on, the band split up as Freddy became a solo artist, this video shows his individuality and almost foreshadows his solo career.

This shot is at the pinnacle as the shot and it happens to be one of the very little long shots in the video. The explosion of lights show resonate with the song as it yet again changes its pace and becomes what faster and almost electric. This brings changes to the tone of the song into one that is more empowering that tells everyone to not let people stand on you and to be yourself. In this part of the song we end up seeing all the band back together again just like the beginning and bringing the video back around and representing that when you have people around you, you can do anything.