Words To Live By: Freddie Mercury
Today, we celebrate one of the most prolific musical acts, the one, the only, Freddie Mercury. Born Farrokh Bulsara, the star was most famously known for fronting the cult rock band, Queen. Regarded as one of the greatest lead singers in the history of rock music, his superb vocal range and flamboyant stage persona have proved to be some of his many defining factors as a musician.
Freddie formed Queen in 1970 and since then, has given birth to songs that will linger with generations to come. Here are some of the tunes from his impressive catalogue of music, that’ve made it to the history books: ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’, ‘Somebody to Love’, ‘We Are the Champions’, ‘Don’t Stop Me Now’ and many more. Freddie was also known to be quite the phenomenon on stage, engaging with audiences world over in brief singalong pieces like no other. Of course, his 1985 Live Aid concert stands alongside many other usual suspects.
Now, on his birthday, we’ve decided to look back on some of Freddie’s greatest words. With a string of action-packed years in the industry, having to navigate fame and grow to understand the world better – it’s no surprise that this star had a lot to say. His words have always proven to be contemplative, poignant and well, witty. What would Freddie Mercury be without his dry wit, eh? But before we dive right in, we’re sprinkling in a quote from the musician, Elizabeth Taylor. While it’s hard to describe the phenomenon that was Freddie Mercury in words, perhaps Taylor’s can still do justice. She said:
“He was an extraordinary rock star who rushed across our cultural landscape like a comet shooting across the sky”
Photo Credits: Freddie Mercury Official Instagram
1. “Oh, I was not made for heaven. No, I don’t want to go to heaven. Hell is much better. Think of all the interesting people you’re going to meet down there!”
2. “The reason we’re successful, darling? My overall charisma, of course”
3. “A lot of my songs are fantasy. I can dream up all kinds of things. That’s the kind of world I live in. It’s very sort of flamboyant, and that’s the kind of way I write. I love it.”
4. “I love the fact that I can make people happy, in any form. Even if it’s just an hour of their lives, if I can make them feel lucky or make them feel good, or bring a smile to a sour face, that to me is worthwhile.”
5. “A concert is not a live rendition of our album. It’s a theatrical event.”
6. “Onstage, I am a devil. But I’m hardly a social reject.”
7. “Excess is part of my nature. Dullness is a disease. I really need danger and excitement. I’m never scared of putting myself out on a limb.”
8. “We’re a very expensive group; we break a lot of rules. It’s unheard of to combine opera with a rock theme, my dear.”
9. “Modern paintings are like women, you’ll never enjoy them if you try to understand them.”
10. “When I’m dead, I want to be remembered as a musician of some worth and substance.”
By: Nina Karun
