Queen debut in Iran (legally)
Written by Marty Dodge
Published August 25, 2004
Published August 25, 2004
...Western music has been strictly censored in the Islamic republic. But, with Queen frontman Freddie Mercury's Iranian ancestry, illegal bootlegs of the band's music made Queen one of the most popular bands in the country. Now, following a relaxation in Iranian laws governing culture, Queen's greatest hits has been given an official release.The album, costing less than one US dollar, comes complete with translated lyrics and an explanation of the 'plot' of each song. The book explains that 'Bohemian Rhapsody' is "about a young man who has accidentally killed someone and sold his soul to the devil. On the night before his execution he calls God in Arabic, 'Bismillah', and so regains his soul from Satan".
Other western artists who have gained official releases in Iran recently include Elton John, Julio Iglesias and The Gypsy Kings.
Marty's band, Growing Old Disgracefully, can be found on: CD Baby His Cthulhu tales can be found at Temple of Dagon. Keep reading for information and comments on this article, and add some feedback of your own!
- Queen debut in Iran (legally)
- Published: August 25, 2004
- Type:
- Section: Music
- Filed Under: Music: News
- Writer: Marty Dodge
- Marty Dodge's BC Writer page
- Marty Dodge's personal site
- Spread the Word
- Like this article?
- Email this
Save to del.icio.us
Comments on this articleComments
Add your comment, speak your mind
(Or ping: http://blogcritics.org/mt/tb/19048)Personal attacks are not allowed. Please read our comment policy.
It's good and happy that Iranians get their queen but I feel that the real story in this is that the secret undercover plot of Bohemian Rhapsody is now revealed. So that's what Devil for a son meant.