Did Queen originally have a different title for Bohemian Rhapsody?

Freddie Mercury's notes for "Bohemian Rhapsody" will be going up for auction at Sotheby's in September. A lot of exciting information is chronicled in these notes, including the fact that the song title was originally "Mongolian Rhapsody."

The auction house known as the world's premiere destination for art and luxury will hold a special auction this summer in London. Freddie Mercury: A World of His Own will be a once-in-a-lifetime display of the global icon. Mercury's unique collection will include the handwritten notes of "Bohemian Rhapsody." The notes are written in black and blue ballpoint pen and pencil and feature the scope of lyrics in what ranks as the third best-selling UK single of all time.

One of the most exciting things in the notes is that the title "Bohemian Rhapsody" was changed from "Mongolian Rhapsody." The notes are written on stationary from the now-dissolved British Midland Airline and feature many other interesting tidbits. Look closely at the image below, and you see many words considered for the list of lyrical nonsense words featured in the song, including belladonna, fandango, Galileo, bismillah (which is circled for emphasis), and many more.

Did you know ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ was originally titled ‘Mongolian Rhapsody’?

Written entirely by Freddie Mercury, a never-before-seen early draft reveals untold insights into one of the greatest pop songs of the 20th century.

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— Sotheby's (@Sothebys) May 31, 2023

Sotheby's will host several auctions of Freddie Mercury's collections beginning in August and running through September 2023. You can see all the items that will be auctioned on Sotheby's website. Including in the auction items are the lyric sheets, Mercury's high top Adidas, his signature crown and cloak ensemble, an MTV music award, a Tiffany & Co. silver mustache comb and more.

There will be exhibitions of Mercury's collections held worldwide beginning at Sotheby's New York June 1-8. The collection will move to Los Angeles, Hong Kong, and then a London Takeover in August.

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