They worked on this over a period of years, to get it just right. Even Brian May appreciated this cover - There is a behind the scenes video showing how they made this - the megaphone was actually just a prop - Mitch does this live in concert with just his voice.
The fact that Pentatonix can do justice to the cover of a band like Queen, a singer like Freddie Mercury, and an iconic song like Bohemian Rhapsody is a testament to their talent and creativity. That and make themselves sound like a full blown rock band without a single instrument (even the megaphone was just a prop) is just surreal. Love that you recognize and appreciate the original and see what terrific homage this is. Like and subbed.
I do believe you are a Pentaholic - welcome! ♥ If you haven't listened to their official cover of "The Prayer"......it's time for your first major "Mitch slap". Love your reactions, love how much you enjoy what you're listening to, and your willingness to explore different music genres. Thanks for sharing! (and you're doing just fine - these guys make me speechless sometimes, too - good music does that)
The audio panning on "little high, little low" is a direct quote from Queen. If you listen to Queen's original you'll hear the same panning on the same phrase. Pentatonix loves Queen, and they love "Bohemian Rhapsody," so they always wanted to cover this song, but they feared that they couldn't do it justice, so they decided to wait until they were sure they were ready. That took them five years, but it was worth the wait - they were definitely ready. In the early days of Pentatonix, after Epic reneged on the recording contract Pentatonix had "won" on _The Sing-Off,_ Pentatonix started posting to RU-vid; it was the only way they COULD publish their music. A lot of those early RU-vid videos show the five of them sitting on a couch, with the trio on the back of the couch and Avi and Kevin on the seat in front of them, just five very young people singing their hearts out, making their dream come true. Note that this is the configuration we see them in at the beginning and end of "Bohemian Rhapsody," which is one reason the couch needs to move - it's taking Pentatonix (and us) on a trip down Memory Lane. The more important reason the couch moves is that it's standing in for the car in _Wayne's World,_ where Wayne and Garth introduced a whole new generation to the genius of Queen by putting a tape of "Bohemian Rhapsody" into the car's tape player. The couch was motorized, and not very well balanced. (Note that when they're sitting on it their feet don't quite reach the ground. The little curtain thing on the bottom was added to hide the motor.) It kept trying to tip over during the filming and actually managed to throw Kevin off at one point. There was a small platform attached to the back so that Kirstie could climb on the couch from behind - Scott, being a foot taller than Kirstie, didn't need it. When Mitch lies down on the couch, singing "Too late, My time has come," they're refering to Freddie Mercury's death (the foreshadowing was, of course, unintentional on Freddie's part; there's no way he could have known). The other four are walking next to the couch to serve as his pall bearers. Many people think the megaphone is distorting Mitch's voice to make him sound more like an electric guitar, but it actually has nothing to do with it. The megaphone wasn't turned on, and couldn't have distorted Mitch's voice even if it had been - it was just a megaphone. The electric guitar is all Mitch. Mitch happened to see the megaphone lying around on the set and thought it would make a cool prop, so it's been confusing people ever since. During the "Bismillah" argument, note that Scott, whose range includes both bass and tenor registers, is actually singing along with both the high and low sides of the argument. Scott has said that this rapid switching is the hardest part of the song for him. When the camera pans up to show us the starry night sky during Mitch's second guitar solo, it's meant as a tribute to Queen's lead guitarist, Brian May, who has a doctorate in astrophysics. The four shooting stars honor the four members of Queen. When the camera pans back down to show Pentatonix lying on the couch together it's meant to recall the cover art for Queen's "Sheer Heart Attack" album. Kevin and Mitch are both singing that last "Any way the wind blows." Note that this completes it; EVERY member of Pentatonix had an opportunity to play Freddie Mercury in "Bohemian Rhapsody," yet another dream come true. And when this official video was first released, Brian May posted a link to it on all his social media accounts with the comment: "Enjoy."
These guys are just flippin amazing alien unicorns! It took them 5 years to feel ready to do this song and to do it the justice that it deserves. They are all massive Queen fans. Brian May, lead guitarist from Queen, heard this song when it came out and posted a link to his socials with the one word comment 'Enjoy!' I feel like that is giving Queen's Seal of Approval right there! They also inserted a lot of references and easter eggs into this video in tribute to the original video - which by the way, if you haven't seen - you should probably check it out! Queen couldn't perform this song live because of all the layering they did in post! And not only can Pentatonix do this Live, but the Mitch Grassi Guitar has no need for a Megaphone. Mitch just saw it lying around the set and decided to use it to draw attention to who was doing the guitar solo part - the megaphone was not on, Mitch can do this live! The couch is in reference to their beginning videos where they recorded themselves on various of theirs couches to post onto RU-vid after they were dropped by Sony because they didn't think that Acapella would be popular enough to sell records. It is also a tip of the hat to Wayne's World movie scene with the car and head banging to this song which brought in a whole new generation to Queen's music! The part where Mitch is laying on the couch is in reference to Freddie's death and the members walking alongside are his coffin's Pallbearers. A lot of the visuals in here are in tribute to the original video's trippy graphics; like when they all line up and do the 'oh, oh, oh's' one after the other, and also when they line up behind Kirstie standing on the couch only to fan out behind her with their vocal parts. The shot of the sky is in tribute to Dr. Brian May who is Queen's lead guitarist and also an astrophysicist! Each shooting star represents a member of Queen. When they all collapse onto the couch with the shot from above is a homage to the cover art of Queen's record 'Sheer Heart Attack' Also I am pretty sure, Mitch is a reincarnation of Freddie Mercury - one...he can grow the Freddie Stash and looks so much like Freddie that it is kinda creepy - two...he can sing just as high if not higher than Freddie could - and three...Freddie died 8 months before Mitch was born!
My first reaction with you was Hallelujah. Your reaction was simply infectious. So I had to watch your reaction to Bohemian Rhapsody. Watching you react was contagious and joyful. They, without any doubt, touch our very souls. I "Liked" and needless to say have "Subscribed". Looking forward to sharing many more reations.
I've learned from Pentaholic's who have been to PTX concerts, that the megaphone is just a prop for the video. Mitch can achieve the electric guitar sound, no megaphone needed. Great reaction, mahalo for your hard work and for sharing it.🤙😎
Yay, they’re now one of your favorite groups, I love that. You may want to check out Can’t Hold Us, their Daft Punk medley, Mad World and Can You Feel the Love Tonight to get an idea of their versatility. Originals worth an early look include Sing, Coffee in Bed and Love Me When I Don’t. Thanks for continuing with PTX. Peace … Ooh, and I Rise, their latest original.
This was a bit of a special project for them. It took them 5 years before they felt comfortable with the arrangement, sets and their vocals before attempting it. There's a few Easter Eggs in it. The four shooting stars are a tribute to Queen's four band members and especially to Dr Brian May, lead guitarist who has his degree in astronomy. The shot of the couch from above is a nod to the cover art of another of Queen's albums, Sheer Heart Attack. The couch itself is a dig at their own early years after winning the Sing-Off. They won a recording contract with Sony from the show, but Sony pulled out of it a few weeks later, leaving them all just moved to LA and now without the means to record their music. So they recorded themselves just sitting on one of their couches in their apartments and posted the pieces on RU-vid. They gained some notoriety and eventually Sony gave them another contract with one of the subsidiaries, Madison House. Apparently Sony had thought that acapella groups would never be lucrative!! Funny that! Right now every member of PTX is worth millions. Please don't stop reacting to Pentatonix! There's so much more to check out. BTW....they dropped a brand new Christmas song yesterday...Please, Santa, Please. I'm pretty sure it's an original.
When I saw them in concert 2 weeks ago, and even when I saw them in 2018. Mitch does this section of the song without the Megaphone and it sounds awesome.
I subbed to go down the PTX hole with you. Watching your pure joy is infectious. I'm looking forward to your other choices as well. When I heard you mention Loretta, Patsy and June in the Dolly reaction, I knew I found someone to watch. Good luck with your new channel! And by the way, you are not old until you can say, like me, I was a Hank Williams fan before there was a Jr!!!!!!
It's all in the details and PTX pays attention to every tiny one and levels up whatever song they cover. They are vocal wizards and the most diwn to earth people you will ever meet. Over the years you find every time you say: this is the best thing PTX has ever done - you will be blown away by the next one and repeating yourself. This group has leveled up so many times they are out there in the stratosphere and still surprising us with their infinite creativity and evolving talent. Love watching your reactions to their videos! ❤️🧡💚💙💜
They are wizards! So unique. You should try Avi's solo music. Not just a bass line. He's supremely talented and i think you'd like his catalogue of songs. Change on the Rise is a great place to start. Thanks
Fellow Pentaholics. You know what to do. Share and build him. You already know how we alone can build a person's channel. Make sure just send him a favorite song of PTX. Lol. I laugh cuz I know what we can do. Knew reactor to PTX. We love them. He already created a Playlist for PTX so soon. Share him. Luvs ya bunches fellow Pentaholics 💖 Time to build this newbie 🙃
I love PTX and Mitch especially is a musical genius. Bohemian Rhapsody has been my all-time favourite song for almost 50 years - it still is but now it’s Pentatonix’s version of that song. Every time they cover a song they upgrade it by miles.
I think this song really shows off Kevin’s amazing beatboxing. Sounds like you are starting to become a Pentaholic. They also have original music. Their song “Sing” is a song to listen to if you ever need perked up. You are starting to react to them at the perfect time, because they have a bunch of Christmas music also. Even though Scott, Kirstin and Mitch are from Arlington TX and Kevin is from Owensboro KY, they don’t do much “country” music. But they are the best a cappella group (imo) and they are so talented and thoughtful about how they arrange songs.
They don't do much country but it's so cool that their country music collab with the queen of country music, Dolly Parton, on "Jolene" resulted in their 3rd Grammy Award. They won for the collab but Pentatonix also arranged the version that they all sang. They are so talented.
I know I'm trying hard to hold out on Christmas songs until like November as I respect the pumpkin but I've seen a lot on their channel that I cant wait to do!
Pentatonix Bohemian Rhapsody Insights: So, some things to know about this cover and video: -It took PTX years to get the arrangement to where they felt they could do the original masterpiece justice. -The cover, and especially the video, was meant to be an homage to Queen. Some of the moments paying respect were: The mono-recording of the line "easy come, easy go" followed by the panning of the voices from left to right on the line "little high, little low" (which is how the original was recorded), obviously the flashlights being used to mimic the lighting on the operatic part of the original video, the four shooting stars to represent the four members of Queen, as well as acknowledge the fact that Dr. Brian May is an astrophysicist, and the overhead shot of them lying on the couch is to represent the Sheer Heart Attack album cover. -The megaphone was just a prop. It is not needed to reproduce the electric guitar distortion. -PTX can, and does, perform this live with no backing track...something even Queen and the Great Freddie Mercury could not do. -Freddy once said he didn't care what people did with his music as long as they "...don't make it boring, darling!", so I think he would absolutely approve. -The overall video--with the "living room" and couch--is an homage to Pentatonix's own journey as a group. They lost their record deal right after winning the Sing Off and moving to LA, so they started putting out videos on RU-vid, performing covers. They would sit on the couch in Kevin (beatboxer) and Avi's (bass) living room and just record themselves on Mitch's (counter tenor who took the lead on this song) iPad. Some of their earliest videos went viral and they eventually were able to secure a new deal, record an EP, go on tour, release chart-topping albums and win three Grammy awards...so they moved out of the living room and down this new, unknown road. At the end of the day, though, they're still the same choir-nerds they've always been; just happy to sit together on a couch and sing. Also when Brian Mays heard it... then he posted it on his web site with the word "ENJOY”.
I can't tell you how happy I am to see how impressed you are with them. I've watched all your PTX reactions and I'm looking forward to so many more! Thanks again for reacting to PTX!
I'm sure you noticed but they are doing this at night in the cold (you can see their breath at times), and they are on a remote-controlled couch! LOL They had to make adjustments to the back of the couch because it tried to tip backward several times and YES, that is Mitch's voice when using the megaphone - he does the very same sound 'live on stage' when in front of a mic - 😊Be aware that as you go down this rabbit hole, you are going to see changes in this group to where you will swear they are not the same members - especially Mitch and Kirstin - they change a LOT during this journey, but remember ... the 3 Texans (Mitch, Scott and Kirstin) were about 19 when this all started for them and they were very much still trying to find who they were and how they fit into the world - Avi and Kevin change also, but not as drastic! I don't think you have listened to the 'adult' Pentatonix yet from what I have seen - 'Sound Of Silence', 'The Prayer', 'I Rise', 'Can You Feel The Love Tonight' and so many 'originals' they have done ... we won't even talk about 'Superfruit' which is just Scott and Mitch from waaaaaay baackkk ... you are not ready for that yet!! LOL
Just caught your Hallelujah reaction... before went to your channel to check this classic out. Surprised the Pentaholics haven caught wind of you... yet! They will freely give you info on "The Band" members... and you'll have requests by the scores! Two covers, I think are amazing... Imagine... by John Lennon Sound of Silence... by Simon and Garfunkel I'm a huge fan of Kevin the Beatboxer. On their 2022 Christmas Tour they highlighted Kevin. Scott the tall blonde tells the story how they found Kevin just before appearing on The Sing-off in 2011. On RU-vid there is a 17+ minute video titled "Kevin's 5th"... If he doesn't blow your mind... I'd be surprised! I'll definitely be watching to see more. Blessings!
You do realize they’re an a cappella group, right? So far I haven’t heard you acknowledge how fantastic they perform without any musical instruments. Just checking. 😊
Now you need to check out VoicePlays' covers of Queen In 5 Min., Aerosmiths' Dream On, Metallica Nothing Else Matters, and Phil Collins In The Air Tonight. Just for starters.
It is really good sitting back and listen and watch your reaction videos. PTX covers the classics and their own works. One of their earliest was Somebody That I Used To Know [Goyte/Kimbra} which is awesome.
Hey Thanks so much for the suggestion. I do have that on the list but also have one that I have done called 90 some Chevy that I'm going to post soon!!
Now as you have found out their record company is stupid when it comes to copyright issues. But most reactors I have heard from (about 25-30 or so) have found they worry more about the video, so if you will make the video more transparent, and place some text over it (your name, Pentatonix, “covered with text for copyright”, a logo just anything, and then pause now and then to talk, it will help to keep from getting blocked. Cropping should be the very last thing you do. If you have a patreon, just upload there instead of posting here.
Gosh...what's going on with new reactors these days...it's a dissevice to the videos when you put the video and/or singers in a tiny box in one little corner when they are 80-90% of the entire picture !! You'll increase many more subscribers and like when you reverse that !!!
