Bohemian Rhapsody
Constantine Maroulis Lyrics
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Caught in a landslide, No escape from reality
Open your eyes, Look up to the skies and see,
I'm just a poor boy, I need no sympathy
Because I'm easy come, easy go, Little high, little low
Any way the wind blows doesn't really matter to me, to me
Mama, just killed a man, Put a gun against his head
Mama, life had just begun
But now I've gone and thrown it all away
Mama, ooh, Didn't mean to make you cry
If I'm not back again this time tomorrow
carry on, carry on as if nothing really matters
Too late, my time has come
Sends shivers down my spine, body's aching all the time
Goodbye, ev'rybody, I've got to go
Gotta leave you all behind and face the truth
Mama, ooh, I don't want to die
I sometimes wish I'd never been born at all
I see a little silhouetto of a man
Scaramouche, Scaramouche, will you do the Fandango
Thunderbolt and lightning, very, very fright'ning me
(Galileo.) Galileo. (Galileo.) Galileo, Galileo figaro
Magnifico. I'm just a poor boy and nobody loves me
He's just a poor boy from a poor family
Spare him his life from this monstrosity
Easy come, easy go, will you let me go
Bismillah! No, we will not let you go
(Let him go!) Bismillah! We will not let you go
(Let him go!) Bismillah! We will not let you go
(Let me go.) Will not let you go
(Let me go.) Will not let you go. (Let me go.) Ah
No, no, no, no, no, no, no.
(Oh mama mia, mama mia.) Mama mia, let me go
Beelzebub has a devil put aside for me, for me, for me
So you think you can stone me and spit in my eye
So you think you can love me and leave me to die
Oh, baby, can't do this to me, baby
Just gotta get out, just gotta get right outta here
Nothing really matters, Anyone can see
Nothing really matters
Nothing really matters to me
Any way the wind blows
The opening lines to Constantine Maroulis's rendition of "Bohemian Rhapsody" are some of the most iconic in all of rock music. The lyrics "Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy?" set the tone for a song that captivates listeners with its operatic grandeur, powerful rock rhythms, and haunting melodies. The lyrics describe the thoughts and emotions of a young man who is facing a difficult situation in his life. He feels trapped and alone, caught in a "landslide" with no escape. The only thing he can do is look up to the skies and hope for a solution to his troubles.
The song then shifts into a powerful rock ballad as the lyrics describe the singer's desperate actions. He has just "killed a man" and feels overwhelmed by the consequences of his actions. The lyrics express his grief and regret, but also his resolve to face the consequences of his actions. The song ends with a powerful coda, as the singer declares that "nothing really matters" and that "any way the wind blows" is fine with him.
Overall, "Bohemian Rhapsody" is a song about the complexity of human emotions and the search for meaning in a chaotic world. It remains one of the most popular and enduring songs in rock history, with its unique blend of opera, rock, and ballad elements.
Line by Line Meaning
Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy?
Are my experiences and perceptions based on reality or imagination?
Caught in a landslide, No escape from reality
Trapped in a difficult situation with no way out.
Open your eyes, Look up to the skies and see,
Pay attention to your surroundings and appreciate the beauty of nature.
I'm just a poor boy, I need no sympathy
I am humble and content with my situation, I don't need anyone's pity.
Because I'm easy come, easy go, Little high, little low
I'm accustomed to life's ups and downs, and I don't let them affect me greatly.
Any way the wind blows doesn't really matter to me, to me
I am a free spirit, and I don't place limitations on myself or my choices.
Mama, just killed a man, Put a gun against his head
I committed murder and now have to face the consequences of my actions.
Pulled my trigger, now he's dead
I discharged a firearm and took a life as a result.
Mama, life had just begun
I was just getting started living my life when I committed this crime.
But now I've gone and thrown it all away
I ruined my life with a single action, and have to face the reality of it.
Mama, ooh, Didn't mean to make you cry
I am remorseful for what I've done and the pain it's caused my loved ones.
If I'm not back again this time tomorrow
I may not be alive or able to return home.
carry on, carry on as if nothing really matters
Even though I will be gone, the world won't stop turning, and life will go on as usual.
Too late, my time has come
I am running out of time and facing the inevitable consequences of my actions.
Sends shivers down my spine, body's aching all the time
I am scared and in physical pain, with a high level of anxiety.
Goodbye, ev'rybody, I've got to go
I am saying goodbye to everyone and everything I've ever known.
Gotta leave you all behind and face the truth
Even though it's difficult, I have to accept the reality of my situation and move on.
Mama, ooh, I don't want to die
I am afraid of dying and the unknown that comes with it.
I sometimes wish I'd never been born at all
I regret my existence and the choices I've made that have led me to this point.
I see a little silhouetto of a man
I see an outline of a person, which could be symbolic of the Grim Reaper or Death itself.
Scaramouche, Scaramouche, will you do the Fandango
It's unclear who Scaramouche is or what the Fandango represents in this context, but it could suggest a dance with Death.
Thunderbolt and lightning, very, very fright'ning me
I am afraid of natural elements like thunder and lightning that are beyond my control.
(Galileo.) Galileo. (Galileo.) Galileo, Galileo figaro
These lines might simply be part of the song's syllable structure and not have any deeper meaning.
Magnifico. I'm just a poor boy and nobody loves me
Despite my grandiose name, I am still just a regular person who feels unloved and alone.
He's just a poor boy from a poor family
This line reinforces the fact that I am a simple person from a humble background.
Spare him his life from this monstrosity
I am begging for mercy from the unnamed monstrosity, which is likely Death itself.
Easy come, easy go, will you let me go
I am resigned to my fate and asking for a painless and swift end.
Bismillah! No, we will not let you go
The people around me are refusing to let me go, possibly out of love or denial.
(Let him go!) Bismillah! We will not let you go
The people continue to refuse to let me go, even though it's inevitable.
(Let him go!) Bismillah! We will not let you go
The people are growing more insistent that I should stay, even though it's not for the best.
(Let me go.) Will not let you go
I continue to plead for a release from my torment, but it's clear it won't come.
(Let me go.) Will not let you go. (Let me go.) Ah
I am growing increasingly desperate for freedom, but it's clear no one will grant it to me.
No, no, no, no, no, no, no.
This is a resounding rejection of my pleas for freedom, and I am quickly running out of options.
(Oh mama mia, mama mia.) Mama mia, let me go
I am returning to my earlier pleas to my mother, who can no longer help me or grant my wishes.
Beelzebub has a devil put aside for me, for me, for me
This line suggests that Death is the devil, and that it has something special planned for my soul after I die.
So you think you can stone me and spit in my eye
Even in my final moments, people are taking advantage of me and causing me pain or discomfort.
So you think you can love me and leave me to die
Some people are leaving me to face my fate alone, even though they claim to care about me.
Oh, baby, can't do this to me, baby
I am begging someone, perhaps a lover or a higher power, to spare me or to make things right again.
Just gotta get out, just gotta get right outta here
I am accepting that there is no way out of my current predicament, and am simply focusing on escape or relief from the pain until the end.
Nothing really matters, Anyone can see
In the end, none of the worries, struggles or aspirations of life really matter and anyone can see just how insignificant they were.
Nothing really matters
This line reinforces the previous one by emphasising the general theme that nothing in human life really makes a difference or matters in the grand scheme of things.
Nothing really matters to me
This line summarises the overall message of the song, which is that in the end, people are small and insignificant, and nothing they do really matters in the cosmic sense.
Any way the wind blows
The song loops back to this refrain as a reminder that life is unpredictable and can change without much warning, but ultimately it doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things.
Contributed by Abigail L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@neo7566
Constantine did a great job singing a very difficult song. One of the best renditions on American idol ever.
@ditkoasmpages
The presentation of this performance, from the angles shot, to the lighting, to the actual performance, probably the single best Idol moment in a decade!
@Kersey6
5 years later and it still gives me chills to hear him sing this. This is the one and only true American Idol.
@seelois
He was so exciting to watch and he worked hard. When he came back as a guest singer he rocked it. They forget that these kids were singing constantly. It wears on the vocals and they are exhausted. Rock of Ages seasoned him. Being on a hit show takes away the pressure Idol put on them. Thank you for the videos. I just saw Rock of Ages movie. He had a cameo. Shame he did not star in it. They lost out. Constantine! YOU ROCK!
@marythecoolcat
This amazing performance changed Idol forever. It was breathtaking and so very different from what we saw each week. Constantine opened the door for other artists including Adam Lambert. Still breathtaking, even 16 years later.
@rbishop95
Chris Daughtry was also inspired by the season four rockers
@Kersey6
Constantine is amazing! Apparently Brian May from Queen thought so too since they approached Constantine about recording this song for their Killer Queen Tribute Album, which he did. There's actually 2 versions of Bohemian Rhapsody on the album. They had already recording the first one and added Con's version after they heard him sing it on American Idol.
@s.f.694
I love his voice. Happy for his success on Broadway.
@supongjamir-vw6nn
15 years and still gets the chills listening to this song
@Kersey6
I have to keep coming back to this vid. It still gives me chills to hear him sing this. Constantine is absolutely awesome.. today, tomorrow and in the future.