Bo Rhap vs Prophet's Song

Whilst listening to NATO today it stuck me that the Prophet's song was a better all round song with a more difficult vocal section than Bo Rhap.However it did not have the potential to be a single so it never really got the acclaim that it really should have.I would be interested to hear your views.

Brian tried to do his double echo thing but with vocals. It didn't work. It sounds great through one speaker but how much better would it have been without that nonsense in the middle?!

Actually, Prophet's Song would appeal only to Queen fans. Otherwise, the middle is waaay toooo long to hold interest for the casual listener. I think Brian overdid it a bit. (Trying to rival Bo Rhap, perhaps?) I personally like the Prophet's Song quite a lot, but definitely prefer Bo Rhap. I think Freddie understood his audience a bit better than Brian.

[QUOTE] [b]philip storey wrote:[/b]

Whilst listening to NATO today it stuck me that the Prophet's song was a better all round song with a more difficult vocal section than Bo Rhap.However it did not have the potential to be a single so it never really got the acclaim that it really should have.I would be interested to hear your views.[/QUOTE]

How could anyone think prophet song is better than bohemian rhapsody. It's a good song but it's a rock song. Bohemian rhapsody is bohemian rhapsody - sweet melodies, unique piano, killer solo, killer vocals of different shades, heavy metal, opera etc . In fact I always hated the vocal solo in prophet song. It would have been a way better song without that. Not sure why no one said it to them. Let's call a spade a spade.

[QUOTE] [b]philip storey wrote:[/b]

Whilst listening to NATO today it stuck me that the Prophet's song was a better all round song with a more difficult vocal section than Bo Rhap.[/QUOTE]

There is NOTHING better on the Propeht's Song compared to Bohemian Rhapsody. If they had cut out out that godawful middle section, It would have been a good track instead of this wasted opportunity.

It's enough that we have been hearing the same guitar solo for the last 45 years, we don't need a vocal version with the same stupid effects.

[QUOTE] [b]philip storey wrote:[/b]However it did not have the potential to be a single so it never really got the acclaim that it really should have.I would be interested to hear your views.[/QUOTE]

It got EXACTLY the acclaim it deserved, BECAUSE it didn't have the potential to be a single, and was ruined by the pointless vocal effects.

Agreed. i think the middle section makes it the song, but i do LOVE the riffs near the end. its my favorite guitar after hendrix. Then, with bohemian rhapsody, i have heard it easily over 1000 times and still think its amazing and the suspense never dies.

I didn't like mustapha at first, but now its easily my favorite song on jazz and preffer it to all hot space and the game combined.

So why many people dislike the middle section? its spiritual.

Or... plot twist, march of the black queen.

I love The Prophets Song....that middle section kind of freaked me out at first, but it really grew on me! It would have been interesting if there had ever been a 'single edit' or something, though.

I think the middle section could be viewed as representing the wise old man's calling and words falling on deaf and complacent ears.

Just my opinion.

But yeah. For a casual listener it's way overkill. As an arty album track it's phenomenal. The riffs alone on the track are incredible. It's a menacing track. These days I prefer it to BoRhap.

I had to listen to the song again to make sure you were talking about the same thing...

The verses are dull and repetitive, and the vocal middle section is completely pointless. The best part of the song is right at the finish when the acoustic guitar morphs into LOML.

Brian tried so hard to be as artistic as Freddie, and failed miserably. Why didn't he just stick with the regular songs he was good at?

"Brian tried to be as artistic as freddie'. Poppycock. They would have worked on their respective compositions at home or wherever , then brought the 'skeletons' to the table ,so to speak, and get down on tape.
Prophets song is a superb album track and I totally get the vocal section as matt z stated and those that don't are missing out im afraid.

Prophet's Song is one of the best Queen songs of all times, I'm surprised that somebody doesn't like it, to be honest.

Ten years ago, on this very forum, people would have lost all credibility for such narrow-minded dismissal of The Prophet's Song. The emancipation of stupidity is moving steadily forward on here, too...

Shut up you snob. It might have some sort of deep meaning blah blah blah but it is and always has been a chore to listen to and perhaps the most indulgent Queen ever got, and this is Queen we are talking about!!!! (The middle bit obviously). Nothing worse than a Queen fan who thinks everything they ever did is perfect.

C_Matt made a nice edit, for those interested.

That's a nice edit, but I still don't mind the middle of the song. If one pays attention, it's a vital part of the "story" in the song :)