Bohemian Rhapsody (Original Soundtrack)

Queen Compilation Album

Bohemian Rhapsody Soundtrack (Biopic OST Release 2018)

You might think that the Bohemian Rhapsody Soundtrack from the 2018 Queen BioPic is just a Greatest Hits album but it is much more than that. The tracks on this compilation album for Bohemian Rhapsody was actually curated by Brian May and Roger Taylor – they picked the very best songs to be included on the movie soundtrack.

The Bohemian Rhapsody album opens with the 20th Century Fox intro as played by Brian May on the Red Special and Roger working on some percussion. The movie soundtrack also includes a few rare Queen songs including Fat Bottomed Girls from the Paris shows of 1979’s Jazz World Tour and the 1985 Rock in Rio rendition of Love of My Life.

One song, Doing All Right, is actually re-done with the original performed by Smile lineup of Brian, Roger and Tim Staffell and therefore is duly named ‘Doing All Right Revisited’. The song Doing All Right was released on Queen’s 1973 self titled debut album with Freddie’s vocals and using a piano instead of guitars. In essence, the pre-Queen band Smile, reformed for this soundtrack album for the first time in 50 years.

The Bohemian Rhapsody Movie Soundtrack also includes songs from Queen’s performance at Live Aid available for the first time ever. The 22 minute Live Aid set includes Bohemian Rhapsody, Hammer to Fall, Radio Ga Ga, Crazy Little Thing called Love, We Will Rock you and We are the Champions. This is not the Live Aid Soundcheck rather the actual Live Aid performace by Queen – there is a scene in the Movie where Queen are rehearsing for the 1985 Live Aid concert but that is not listed on the soundtrack.

The fast pased song from the Jazz album Don’t Stop me Now is also given a do-over as that is now called Don’t Stop Me Now… revisited which has a lot more guitars from Brian and it really gives the song a rockier / edgy feel though I prefer the old solo.

Queen fans may notice that the version of We Will Rock You on this OST is not actually one which is on any other album, as it is actually a mix of the studio and film versions combined. Although Crazy Little Thing called Love is on the soundtrack, there was a deleted scene where Freddie was composing the song in the bath (as he actually did), but it was not included in the movie. Following on from this, the song ’39 was filmed for the movie but not included so in my view there is an omission on the soundtrack of this great Brian May penned track.

Bohemian Rhapsody OST in Conclusion

I really enjoyed the Bohemian Rhapsody movie and this soundtrack companion to the movie is a great reminder of the positive reaction the movie got in cinemas. Testament to this was the movie winning Golden Globes, Baftas and 4 Academy Awards (Oscars). Although there were some die hard fans who critisised the Bohemian Rhapsody movie for it’s unusual timeline, nobody can take away the fact that for many younger fans this movie brought the music of Queen to a whole new generation.

Standout Tracks on the Soundtrack

My favourite tracks from this soundtrack obviously has to include the title track Bohemian Rhapsody (you can never have enough of that song); but I also include Doing All Right… revisited as Performed by Smile, Keep Yourself Alive Live At The Rainbow, Now I’m Here Live At the Hammersmith Odeon, Love Of My Life from Rock In Rio and also Don’t Stop Me Now… revisited. The compilation of songs from the movie ends with the very fitting The Show Must Go On, a fantastic song which feels like it’s a lot longer than it’s 4:32 length.

If you haven’t had a listen to this album, I don’t think you will be disappointed but I would recommend watching the movie first to get a context for the songs which were included on the soundtrack.

 

Bohemian Rhapsody Movie Review <- Click to view