I was never much of a rocker growing up. Most of the music I listened to was electro-punk dance stuff that forced your body to move even if you weren’t in the mood for dancing. While I did listen to a wide variety of music and feel that my taste was pretty eclectic, it wasn’t until I met my husband that I found a true appreciation for the band Queen.
I recently went to see Bohemian Rhapsody, and if you haven’t seen the movie about the band’s journey, I highly recommend it. Freddie Mercury was a showman in every sense of the word and everything he did was infused with a passion that only those closest to him understood. His creative genius was taken from us much too soon, and while I really enjoyed seeing Queen perform with Adam Lambert not too long ago, it made me regret not being able to see Freddie play with the band he helped form.
This song made a small showing in the movie and was one of my husband’s favorites in the early years of our marriage. The soundtrack entitled “A Kind of Magic” was created for the movie Highlander, and the haunting lyrics can’t be played without the scene with Christopher Lambert and his beloved Heather playing in my mind. This was an album we listened to a lot, and to be honest we probably watched the movie more times than any normal couple should have, but it had qualities that appealed to both of us. A love story and magic for me, and…well… sword fights and chopping off heads for him. What can I say, he’s a guy. Although, I have to admit the whole premise worked for me too.
Anyway, it had been several years since I had heard any of the songs from the album, but when it played in the movie I found myself singing the lyrics word for word. Music has a way of doing that, transcending time and space and bringing you to a place that you thought you left far behind. I have a new appreciation for Queen and the musical legacy that they continue to build. Their music has touched the hearts of generations and continues to bring people, both young and old, together.
It’s quite possible that Freddie Mercury has unknowingly found an answer to his question, “who wants to live forever,” through the music that he loved so much. I believe he achieved immortality through the songs we continue to sing in unison in bars, parties and even while playing rock band. What a beautiful gift he gave to us all, may he forever rest in peace.
D.A. Henneman - Romance Author 