Queens hit was originally “Mongolian Rhapsody”?
Written by Logan Phillips on June 5, 2023
Handwritten Notes Reveal Freddie Mercury‘s Considered “Mongolian Rhapsody” as the Title for Queen‘s Classic Hit
Recently a discovery unveiled handwritten notes belonging to the late Freddie Mercury, the frontman of the iconic band Queen, in these handwritten notes it is suggested that he briefly contemplated naming their classic hit “Mongolian Rhapsody” instead of “Bohemian Rhapsody.”
The discovery comes as part of an upcoming auction featuring a collection of Mercury’s personal belongings, which are being sold by Mary Austin, a close friend, and companion of the legendary singer. Among the items up for auction are early drafts of the lyrics to “Bohemian Rhapsody.”
The notes were scribbled onto a notepad from British Midland Airways. It is evident from the pages that Mercury was experimenting with various lyrical ideas for his song. One page shows a wide variety of phrases, including “fandango,” “Figaro,” “thunderbolts and lightning,” and “belladonna.”
However, it is the striking sight of the word “Mongolian” being crossed out and replaced by “Bohemian” that has captured significant attention. The New York Times reached out to several Queen historians who were previously unaware of the alternative title but found the revelation unsurprising.
Mark Blake, author of Is This the Real Life?: The Untold Story of Queen, noted the band often “had joke titles for things.” Jim Jenkins, one of Queen’s official biographers, admitted he’d never heard of “Mongolian Rhapsody” but added that Mercury “never liked to explain” his lyrics or titles.
Upon its release in 1975, “Bohemian Rhapsody” went on to become one of Queen’s most defining songs. An operatic masterpiece that has solidified its place as one of the most renowned tracks in the history of rock music. Not surprisingly, the early drafts of the song by Mercury are expected to command a substantial price when they go up for auction in September. The estimated value of these handwritten notes is an astounding $1.5 million.
