‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ Turns Forty [Video]

On Halloween night in 1975, Queen released their song 'Bohemian Rhapsody' and it's still, to this day, one of the most unique songs to reach the Top 40.

Born out of an idea Freddie Mercury had been working on for seven years, the hit was initially laughed at by the group's producer, and they were told by none other than Elton John that it was 'Too weird'.

Here, in the band's own words, is the history of 'Bohemian Rhapsody'

I can still remember the first time I heard the song back when I was 17 and a junior in high school. I was sitting in my friend's car at lunch when the song came on. From the initial phrase, 'mama, just killed a man', we were sucked in, and taken on a weird rock journey that crossed over to opera, to rock'n roll and back again. Truly an original.

In honor of the 40th anniversary, Mental Floss published this list of facts about the song, including Elton's advice to bury it, and the fact that the Wayne's World scene of the boys singing the song took more than twice as long to film as the original video.

And here, in the band's own words, is the history of the song, from the bonus DVD to 'Queen's Greatest Hits, Volume 1'. It's long, but worth it if you're a fan.