Freddie Mercury fans just got something close to a miracle: a new book full of his actual handwritten lyrics, rough drafts, and personal notes.A Life in Lyrics: The Official Creative Legacy of Freddie Mercuryarrived September 1, and it traces his writing from his pre-Queen days all the way through his solo career.
The collection includes early versions of“Bohemian Rhapsody,”drafts of“Don’t Stop Me Now,”and the original notebook page where he wrote“Mama, just killed a man”as a student at Ealing Art College. None of it would exist without Mary Austin, his former fiancée and lifelong friend, who preserved the archive for decades and kept his creative legacy intact.
Two versions are available. The standard hardback features the opening lyrics of“Killer Queen”on the cover in Mercury’s own penmanship, while the limited deluxe edition adds a slipcase with the first verse of“Bohemian Rhapsody”written in his hand, plus bonus archive material. Whichever one you grab, it’s the most intimate look yet at how one of rock’s greatest songwriters actually worked.
Which Freddie Mercury lyric hits you the hardest? Tell us in the comments.
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Local Lawton
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