Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy?
You know this question, and thanks to the film “Bohemian Rhapsody” starring Rami Malek, so do billions of people. “But wait!” I hear you say. “Those are some of the most iconic rock lyrics of all time, surely everybody knows those opening lines!” And I would have to agree. While the film’s title “Bohemian Rhapsody”, named after what is arguably the band Queen’s most infamous song, was brought back into the spotlight by the recent film, it’s not a matter of debate that the song is truly iconic in its own right.
Could anybody possibly offer a rendition that could compete?
As a matter of fact; yes. Connie Talbot, only 18 at the time of recording, offers a fresh and pared-back rendition of the British rock anthem that’s as sweet as it is impressive. An up-and-coming star herself, and a fellow Brit, she honors her British musician forebears with her take on Queen’s biggest hit.
Her versatility is impressive.
Beginning with a soft and low tone which complements the first few inquisitive lines of the song, we can instantly hear that she has a vocal maturity beyond her years. Already we can sense that she is positively teeming with talent. But will she really do the song justice?
If anyone can, it’s Connie!
Not only has she amassed a huge following on YouTube, with over 18 million views on this video alone, but she even competed in the 2007 season of Britain’s Got Talent at the age of 7. There she caught some rare kind words from notorious hard-case Simon Cowell:
“I have never felt such a powerful silence in my life as when Connie sang. It was pure magic.”-Simon Cowell 2007
She has since stepped back onto the Britain’s Got Talent stage, but this time with one of her original songs.
So yes, she can, and does nail it with her version.
Playing her way through the song’s first few slow verses, she uses her angelic voice and impressive mastery of the piano to make the song her own. Her version is slower, sweeter and utilizes her vocal agility in a way that transforms the song altogether.
As the song rises, so does Connie.
When Bohemian Rhapsody breaks from its slower piano-driven introduction into the bigger, more rock-centric verses, Connie uses her powerful voice to match Freddie Mercury’s legendary “pipes”.
With a cheeky grin, she plays the iconic piano transition.
The rhythmic and steady piano chords that signal another shift in the song gives Connie plenty of opportunity to lend some of her personality and showmanship by making some delightful eye contact with the camera. Impressively, she uses her piano skills to play the rock solo parts as well as all the back-and-forth lines.
You know the ones…”He’s just a poor boy, nobody loves him!”
Then, she uses her velvet voice to bring it to a close.
Once again, as the song soothes back down to it’s melodious and piano-focused sound, Connie carries us out of her rendition with her soft and beautiful voice. Like I said, if anyone can do justice to such a legendary song, it’s this talented virtuoso with the voice of an angel.
Watch the full video below to enjoy this unique rendition.
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