Freddie Mercury manuscripts reveal the evolution of Bohemian Rhapsody

New manuscripts released in the book ‘A Life in Lyrics: The Official Creative Legacy of Freddie Mercury’ have revealed the evolution of Queen’s iconic song, ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’. The collection, compiled with the help of Mary Austin, includes notebooks, sketches, and personal documents preserved since the singer's death.

According to the documents, the song's origins date back to 1968 while Mercury was studying graphic design at Ealing Art College in London. Early drafts, informally known as ‘The Cowboy Song’, focused on a Wild West theme. The manuscripts also show that Mercury briefly considered the title ‘Mongolian Rhapsody’ before crossing it out and replacing it with the final title.

The transition to the song's complex operatic and rock structure was influenced by Mercury's use of a Yamaha grand piano and his interest in composers such as Chopin and Mozart. The findings provide insight into the discarded verses and thematic shifts that occurred before the track was released in 1975.