Lyric Analysis on Life is Real

Ok, so it seems every Queen song is pretty controversial to interpretation. Am I right in saying that? It's weird analysing things like paintings and songs because I interpret them into the same thing. Maybe that's the joke on art and musicianship; everything means the same thing.

YOu might be shrugging now saying "What the hell is she on about?" but I can tell you, most things are about the way we've ruined humanity and shit like that. Oh well.

This song was written by Freddie Mercury, in 1981 (after John Lennon died, 8/12/80) and I just thought I'd analyse it. I really like this song. It copies Lennon's style heaps. This, like many other songs eg. Great King Rat, Bohemian Rhapsody, Lily of the Valley etc. can have ANY INTERPRETATION THAT YOU WANT IT TO BE! It's just a matter of switching around words!

So what do I interpret this song to be? I think it's the hypes of showbusiness, mostly being a musician. It really reflects on Mercury's lifestyle, now we know supposedly how much he slept around, took drugs and ran away from his past. I can only guess Lennon adopted a similar one before. I'm not too sure though. Oh yes, also, it lists the most unrealistic elements of our lives but it displays that "life is real" with them. I'm not sure if that makes any sense.

Guilt stains on my pillow

This means he doesn't praise himself for what he does; I guess sleeping around. I know it just seems like a myth, but I think Freddie did sleep around. This would be an appropriate line because where does the sleeping take place?? A bed which has pillows! Duh!

Blood on my terraces
Torsos in my closet

Maybe this a feeling of guilt. This gives the weird impression that he's murdered someone, but he's probably feeling as if he did. If you are really cynical right now you could say that his guilt was totally just for. Because all his sleeping around DID kill a lot of people, unfortunately.

Shadows from my past
Life is real life is real
Life is real so real

Everything always comes back to haunt him. Hang on! I know what this song means! I'm so sorry! I understand now! Freddie is just listing unrealistic aspects of life, but yet it seems so real! Omigod I'm such a loser!

Sleeping is my leisure
Waking up in a minefield
Dream in just a pleasure dome

We all understand don't we? It's a cocktail of dreams and reality. Duh the reality is a minefield. Life is so harsh.

Love is a roulette wheel
Life is real life is real
Life is real oh yeah

Success is my breathing space
I brought it on myself
I will price it I will cash it
I can take it or leave it

Success is all Freddie's fault isn't it? It was his choice that made him a prisoner at his own home, ridicule of the paparazzi etc. But he also says in these lines that he isn't going to fade out. He can choose to leave the crowd, you may ask, why didn't he? That's what I want to know! I'm not saying he should of, god, I'd be absolutely crazy to say that. But I just find it a bit strange that Queen wanted to stagger on after so many years. Not many bands do it for obvious reasons, I think that's why Queen is different. The lines : "I will price it, I will cash it" means that he's going to take advantage of it. Make it a positive experience for everyone involved.

Loneliness is my hiding place
Breast feeding myself
What more can I say?

I think that's clear enough. What do you think? FM was a pretty lonely person, though all the world recognized him and he had many friends.

I have swallowed the bitter pill
I can taste it I can taste it
Life is real life is real
Life is real

This means he has paid the price of being a rock star. I love that first line "I have swallowed...", it's great.

Music will be my mistress
Loving like a whore

That is so true for Freddie. Whores will love anything. Anything, seriously, speaking as a 14 y/o who reads Cosmo and Dolly, yes, even a can of sardines. It seemed whatever Queen did they were loved endlessly, ok, that's selfish me saying that...

Lennon is a genius
Living in ev'ry pore
Life is real life is real
Life is real so real
Life is cruel life is a bitch
Life is real so real
Life is real life is real yeah
Life is real

True? Lennon is in most aspects of music because he inspired a lot of musicians, except for the crappy untalented ones aka 5ive (die losers!). So whats the conclusion? After all the heartships, horrible, horrible times, it was all worth it. *oh was it all worth it?*

I apologize for this weak story! I wasn't every inspired!