From Loudersoud.
Unearthed handwritten notes by Freddie Mercury reveal his early ideas for Queen‘s flagship anthem Bohemian Rhapsody.
The most interesting musing written by the late frontman shows his original intentions for the song’s title, and that he was at one point leaning towards the phrase ‘Mongolian Rhapsody’.
The item of stationary, which was taken from a now-defunct British airline, British Midland, displays the former working-title, with the word ‘Mongolian‘ crossed out and ‘Bohemian‘ written above it.
Elsewhere in the notes, the vocalist appears to have jotted down other lyrical ideas, such as ‘fandango,‘ ‘Figaro,’ ‘thunderbolts and lighting’ and ‘belladonna’.
Other revelations from the draft show Mercury’s initial lyrics for the verse. Instead of ‘Mama/Just killed a man/Put a gun against his head/Pulled my trigger, now he’s dead’, the singer proposed: ‘Mama/There’s a war began/I’ve got to leave tonight/I’ve got to stand and fight.’
The 15 pages of notes – which were recently uncovered after Mercury’s longtime friend Mary Austin offered up thousands of the singer’s items to go under the hammer at Sotheby’s auction house in London – are estimated to be worth $1.5 million.
Fans and collectors will be able to bid for the piece in a live auction on September 6.
Among the 1,500 items up for auction, there are also manuscripts of working lyrics to other Queen songs including Don’t Stop Me Now, Somebody To Love and We Are The Champions.
Mercury’s signature crown and cloak ensemble, famously worn throughout 1986’s Magic Tour, is also available, and expected to bring in £60,000-£80,000.
Following the death of Queen’s vocalist in 1991, Austin inherited much of his estate. Austin tells the BBC that she is selling the memorabilia in the hope of getting her “affairs in order”, adding that the collection “takes you deeper within the individual and the man I knew.”
View the Bohemian Rhapsody draft below:
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QUEEN The Game (Walmart Exclusive Edition 2022 US 10-track LP pressed on Silver Coloured Vinyl, half-speed mastered at Abbey Road Studios. Including the hit singles Play The Game, Crazy Little ThingCalled Love and Save Me. This edition is housed inside a foil-metallic picture sleeve with printed lyric inner and two hype stickers including the 'Only at Walmart' variant, brand new & factory sealed)
- Queen - Innuendo - EX - UK - 12" picture disc - £40.00, $50.80, €48.00 (New Item) (arrived 18-Nov-2024 18:00)on November 21, 2024 at 5:13 pm
QUEEN Innuendo (1991 UK limited edition 3-track 12" Picture Disc single featuring the Explosive Version, also including Under Pressure and Bijou. The screen-printed PVC sleeve has a seam split to a couple of the edges but comes completethe back insert and the disc has minimal signs of play 12QUEENPD16)
- Queen - Headlong - Inj - VG - UK - 7" vinyl - £10.00, $12.70, €12.00 (New Item) (arrived 18-Nov-2024 14:22)on November 21, 2024 at 5:13 pm
QUEEN Headlong (1991 UK injection moulded 7" vinyl single, also including All God's People. The matt card picture sleeve [VG] displays notable edgewear, whilst the vinyl remains excellent with very little sign of wear - a great play copy! QUEEN18)
- Queen - Scandal - Poster Sleeve - UK - 7" vinyl - £25.00, $31.75, €30.00 (New Item) (arrived 18-Nov-2024 17:06)on November 21, 2024 at 5:13 pm
QUEEN Scandal (Rare 1989 UK limited edition 7" vinyl single, also including My Life Has Been Saved, housed within a superb fold-out double-sided poster sleeve. The sleeve has been stored folded from new and displays only a few signs of wear, whilst the vinyl shows little signs of play QUEENP14)
- Queen - The Invisible Man - Clear Vinyl - UK - 12" vinyl - £40.00, $50.80, €48.00 (New Item) (arrived 18-Nov-2024 17:07)on November 21, 2024 at 5:13 pm
QUEEN The Invisible Man (1989 UK limited edition 3-track 12" single pressed on Clear Vinyl, including the 12" and Single Version, also including Hijack My Heart, housed in clear PVC sleeve with a picture back insert 12QUEENX12)
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