I was listening to 3 Chains O' Gold on the album today and just realized it sounds like Prince trying to ape Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody. It had been a while since I listened to this album and it struck me. Anyone agree?

This is an often mooted comparison. I've never seen anyone disagree, whether they like it or not.

Wayne's World (1992).

They are very different songs, but too similar structurally to ignore. The fact that it came out right after Wayne's World makes it pretty clear that he had this in mind.

In the end I learned to like 3 Chains o Gold, but it's not nearly as good as Bohemian Rhapsody

If it was an attempt to be BR, it was a feeble one. I like the song, but maybe just because I'm an overall fan. To someone who has heard BR but not 3 Chains, I don't think they would hear the similarities.

89Flowers said:

Errr, yeah.

Besides the many directions the song goes into, I really don't see the connection. Sorry.

Maybe I am crazy---but wasn't there a rumor that he wrote it shortly after Freddy Mercury died?

Not only is it a Bohemian Rhapsody rip off, it's a poorly written one. Always skip it when I listen to .

3 chains o gold shines in arrangements, production, layering and musicanship,
Bohemia shines in the songwriting departament (Melody and Harmony).

Both are great songs. But bohemia (besides the mama mia bulshit part) is a better song overall.

i loathe 'three chains o' gold'. i think it's silly and embarrassing. even on the rare occasions when i try to give it another chance, as soon as mayte starts in with that dumbass voiceover, i have to turn it off.

Definition of a rhapsody:
1 Exalted or excessively enthusiastic expression of feeling in speech or writing.
2 A literary work written in an impassioned or exalted style.
3 A state of elated bliss; ecstasy.
4 Music. A usually instrumental composition of irregular form that often incorporates improvisation.

Maybe just to me...but these songs sound completly differant, but I like to be differant....

I listened to the again recently and paid much attention to 3 chains as the comparison to BR is often mentioned here.

I came to the conclusion that the comparison doesn't really work because 3 chains is even more full of styles and changing directions and also even more dramatic than BR.

3 chains actually reminded me of the song "Music" by John Miles (musically, not lyrically of course). Does anyone agree?

Muziqkidd7 said:

You sure like spelling different differently

I once heard that "3 Chains" was originally suppossed to be a Freddie Mercury tribute song, but Prince never could come up with lyrics that he was happy with. He just took the tune and wrote new lyrics over it that had nothing to do with Freddie. I have no idea if its true at all, although I DID hear in 1991, shortly after Mercury's death, that Prince was going to do some sort of tribute, so it MIGHT have validity. It would certainly explain why P would do such a blatant rip-off (if it HAD been a tribute, then it would be considered an homage, eh?).

MetroArea said:

oh no!

MetroArea said:

LOL LOL LOL thanks! I am very aware that I cant spell at all...