31 quotes
Aspirations Beyond Physical Limitations
Freddie Mercury
Now you give me a moment to get my bitchy little vocal chords in order and we'll go and punch a hole in the roof of that stadium.
Brian May
Actually, Wembley Stadium doesn't have a roof.
Freddie Mercury
Then we'll punch a hole in the sky.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
The Pressure of Time in Life Decisions
Jim Beach
They just need a bit of time.
Freddie Mercury
What if I don't have time?
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Party Planning Conversation Between Friends
Freddie Mercury
Paul.
[calling Paul on the telephone]
Paul Prenter
Freddie?
Freddie Mercury
Sweetheart, I want to throw a party.
Paul Prenter
Okay, who do you want to invite?
Freddie Mercury
People! I want you to shake the freak tree and invite anyone who plops to the ground! Dwarfs and giants, magicians, Zulu tribesmen. contortionists, fire eaters, and priests. We're going to need to confess.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Exploring Freddie Mercury's Sexual Identity
Freddie Mercury
I think I'm bisexual.
[coming out to Mary]
Mary Austin
Freddie, you're gay.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Defiance Against Labels and Stereotypes
Freddie Mercury
I'm not going to be their victim. Their AIDS poster boy, their cautionary tale.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Only One Hysterical Queen in the Band
Freddie Mercury
Roger, there's only room in this band for one hysterical queen.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Musical Identity and Personal Sacrifice
Freddie Mercury
I'm just a musical prostitute.
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A Moment of Connection Over Tea
Freddie Mercury
Do you have any idea how many Jim Huttons there are in London?
[Finds Jim again]
Jim Hutton
I didn't want to make it too easy for you. How've you been, Fred?
Freddie Mercury
I've been a bit lost, to be honest. And you were right. I could do with a friend. Would you like to have tea with me?
Jim Hutton
Tea?
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Late Arrival and Quick Wit
Freddie Mercury
What's going on?
Roger Taylor
You'd know if you were on time.
[he and the rest of Queen stop]
Freddie Mercury
I'm a performer, darling. Not a Swiss train conductor. Sorry I'm late.
[to Roger; pause; to Brian May]
John Deacon
Again.
Freddie Mercury
All right. Now, will you please tell me why you're not playing any instruments?
Brian May
I want to give the audience a song that they can perform. Right? Let them be part of the band. So, what can they do? Imagine...thousands of people...doing this in unison. Huh?
[resumes the 'stomp-stomp-clap' beat for "We Will Rock You." Roger and John join in, followed their wives, and Freddie Mercury.]
Freddie Mercury
Well? What's the lyric?
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Embracing Musical Diversity and Boundaries
Freddie Mercury
We'll mix genres, we'll cross boundaries...we'll speak in bloody tongues if we want to.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
The Fusion of Music Genres and Emotions
Freddie Mercury
It's a rock and roll record...with the scale of opera...the pathos of Greek tragedy...the wit of Shakespeare...the unbridled joy of musical theater.
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Freddie Mercury's Reflection on Life Lessons
Freddie Mercury
Good thoughts, good words, good deeds." Just like you taught me, papa.
[Quoting [[Zoroaster]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Unity Among Misfits in Music
John Reid
So, tell me. What makes Queen any different from all of the other wannabe rock stars I meet?
Freddie Mercury
I'll tell you what it is. We're four misfits who don't belong together playing to the other misfits. The outcasts, right at the back of the room who are pretty sure they don't belong either. We belong to them.
Brian May
We're a family.
Roger Taylor
But no two of us are the same.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Renaming Jim Beach to Miami Beach
John Reid
This is the band's lawyer Jim Beach.
Freddie Mercury
We MUST stop calling him that.
John Reid
That's his name.
Freddie Mercury
We cannot keep calling him Jim Beach. No, that's absurd. Not to mention unspeakably boring. Miami. From now on I dub thee Miami Beach.
Jim "Miami" Beach
The sun always sets behind you, doesn't it? On Miami Beach?
Ray Foster
Right, now that everybody's got an acceptable name let's get to it.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Confrontation and Betrayal in Bohemian Rhapsody
Freddie Mercury
Get out, you treacherous piss flap!
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Confronting Loneliness and Inner Darkness
Jim Hutton
So, all your friends have left you alone.
Freddie Mercury
They're not my friends. Not really. Just distraction.
Jim Hutton
From what?
Freddie Mercury
The in-between moments, I suppose. I find them intolerable. All of the darkness you thought you left behind comes creeping back in.
Jim Hutton
I know what you mean.
Freddie Mercury
Really? What is it that you do with them?
[leans closer towards Jim]
Jim Hutton
Spend them with real friends. You look like you could use a friend.
[they briefly gaze at each other, before Jim leans in and kisses Freddie passionately]
Freddie Mercury
I like you.
Jim Hutton
I like you, too, Freddie. Come find me when you decide to like yourself.
[gets up from couch, picks up blanket off the floor and walks towards the door]
Freddie Mercury
Can I have your name, at least?
Jim Hutton
It's Jim Hutton.
Freddie Mercury
Good night, Jim.
Jim Hutton
Good night, Freddie. Or should I say, "Good morning"?
[leaves]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
The Importance of Family and Belief
Freddie Mercury
We're family. We believe in each other. That's everything.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Desires in a Complex Relationship
Mary Austin
What do you want from me?
Freddie Mercury
Almost everything.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Finding Comfort in Love and Belonging
Freddie Mercury
I'm happy for you Mary. Truly, I am. It's just...I'm frightened.
Mary Austin
Freddie, you don't need to be. Because no matter what, you are loved. By me, Brian, Roger, your family. It's enough. And these people...they don't care about you. Paul doesn't care about you. You don't belong here, Freddie. Come home.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
A Masterpiece Beyond Promised Expectations
Ray Foster
]; groans] Christ. Well, I'm not entirely sure that's the album you promised us.
[after listening to [[w:Bohemian Rhapsody|Bohemian Rhapsody; Freddie stops music reel]
Freddie Mercury
No, it's better than the album we promised you. It's better than any album anyone's ever promised you, darling. It is a bloody masterpiece.
Ray Foster
Christ.
[under his breath]
John Reid
It is a good album, Ray.
Roger Taylor
We prefer "masterpiece.
Ray Foster
It's expensive, and as for... Bohemian...
Brian May
Rhapsody.
[clears throat]
Ray Foster
...Rhapsody. What is that?
Freddie Mercury
It's an epic poem.
Ray Foster
It goes on forever; 6 bloody minutes.
Freddie Mercury
I pity your wife if you think 6 minutes is forever. And you know what? We're going to release it as our single.
[Paul scoffs]
Ray Foster
Not possible. Anything over three minutes, and the radio stations won't program it, period. And what on Earth is it about, anyway? "Scaramouche"? "Galileo"? And all that "Ismillah" business? "Ishmillah"?
[chortles]
Freddie Mercury
Bismillah.
[pause]
Ray Foster
Oh, aye. Bismillah. What's it about anyway? Bloody Bismillah?
Freddie Mercury
True poetry is for the listener.
Brian May
It ruins the mystery if everything's explained.
Ray Foster
Seldom ruins sales. 3 minutes is the standard. John.
John Reid
Yeah, we need radio. Format is three minutes. I have to agree with Ray. I actually think the single's Love of my Life.
Brian May
No.
John Reid
Okay, how about John's song, You're My Best Friend? You know, "Ooh, you make me live." Catchy, stronger.
Ray Foster
What about I'm in Love with My Car?
Brian May
You're joking!
Roger Taylor
Huh.
Brian May
Oh, Jesus.
Ray Foster
I love it. Well, ] Bohemian Rhapsody will never be that song.
[Freddie kicks Ray's desk; [Wayne's World|that's the kind of songs teenagers can crank up the volume in their car and bang their heads to.]
Brian May
It's the band's decision. Bohemian Rhapsody. That's it.
Ray Foster
You're My Best Friend. And it's my money.
Roger Taylor
Bo-Rhap. Period.
Freddie Mercury
Or we walk.
[removes music reel]
Paul Prenter
] was 7 minutes long. It was a hit.
[pauses; [w:MacArthur Park (song)|MacArthur Park]
Ray Foster
Look, I'm not arguing with Bohemian whatever's...
Freddie Mercury
Rhapsody.
Ray Foster
...musicianship, but there's no way in Hell the station will play a six minute quasi-operatic dirge, comprised of nonsense words! "Bismillah"? Bullshit! I paid for this record, so I say what goes!
Roger Taylor
Have we no legal recourse on this?
Jim "Miami" Beach
Ray, you did Dark Side of the Moon, haven't you?
Ray Foster
I did.
[nods]
Jim "Miami" Beach
Yeah, I absolutely love that record. Uh, legally, no. No, he's got your balls in a vice. It's a different matter in a court of public opinion, of course. Ray Foster's a giant name in the music industry, but... to the average person. Say the name "Queen", on the other hand...ears prick up.
[to Roger Taylor; answering his question; shrugs]
Ray Foster
We're going with You're My Best Friend. Done.
[refusing to back down]
Freddie Mercury
No, we know what we have, even if you don't. It's called Bohemian... ...Rhapsody. You will forever be known as the man who lost Queen.
[he puts his cigarette out on Ray's papers; leaves with the band]
John Reid
Temperamental artists, eh? They're well aware they're tied to a contract, but who knows what goes on inside the inscrutable mind of the recording artist?
Ray Foster
Mark these words. If they're not careful, by the end of the year, no one will know the name "Queen". Christ!
[brick is thrown through window]
Freddie Mercury
You can take that out of our royalties, twat!
[shouting]
Ray Foster
Wanker!
Brian May
You can shove your gold discs! You made a mistake, Foster!
Freddie Mercury
Arsehole!
Ray Foster
You'll never have a gold disc, you medium talent! And to think, I worked with ].
[shouting; to Paul; [w: Jimi Hendrix|Hendrix]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
A New Beginning for the Band
Freddie Mercury
I enjoyed the show. I also, I write songs.
Roger Taylor
Well, you're five minutes too late.
Brian May
Our lead singer just quit.
Freddie Mercury
Well, then, you'll need someone new.
Brian May
Any ideas?
Freddie Mercury
What about me?
Roger Taylor
Errr...not with those teeth, mate.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Live Aid Announcement at Wembley Stadium
Live Aid Announcer
It's 12:00 noon in London, 7:00 A.M. in Philadelphia. And around the world, it's time for Live Aid! Wembley welcomes Their Royal Highnesses, the Prince and Princess of Wales!
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
The Burden of Human Existence
Freddie Mercury
Being human is a condition that requires a little anaesthesia.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
A Playful Exchange on Identity and Expression
Freddie Mercury
What do you think?
[re: Freddie’s new house]
Roger Taylor
Gayer.
[re: Freddie’s new moustache]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Role of a Lead Singer Explained
Freddie Mercury
I'm not the leader of the band, I'm only the lead singer.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Fashion Choices and Playful Banter Among Friends
Brian May
That's a nice fancy dress, Fred.
Freddie Mercury
I've got to make an impression, darling!
Brian May
You look like an angry lizard!
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Celebrating Legend Status Among Friends
Roger Taylor
You're a legend, Fred.
Freddie Mercury
We're all legends. But you're right, I am a legend.
[pause]
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The Complexity of Queen's Identity and Impact
Brian May
It's America. They're Puritans in public, perverts in private.
Roger Taylor
There's no musical ghetto that can contain us.
John Deacon
Nobody knows what Queen means because it doesn't mean one thing.
Ray Foster
Mark these words. If they're not careful, by the end of the year, no one will know the name "Queen".
Roger Taylor
How many more "Galileo"'s do you want?
Mary Austin
I love the way you move on stage. The whole room belongs to you. Don't you see what you can be?
[to Freddie]
Brian May & John Deacon
Not the coffee machine!
[Roger picks up the coffee machine and almost throws it; in unison]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Rejecting the Past and Moving On
Freddie Mercury
You know when you know you've gone rotten? Really rotten? Fruit fly! Dirty little fruit fly, coming to feast on what's left. But there isn't much left for you to feast on anymore! So fly off! And do what you like with your photographs and your stories, but promise me one thing: that I never see your face again. Ever.
[firing Paul Prenter]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Celebrating with Unrestrained Joy
Freddie Mercury
My darlings, the time has finally come to get absolutely SHIT FACED!!!!
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Seeking Forgiveness for Past Actions
Freddie Mercury
What's it gonna take for you all to forgive me?
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.