Well, now I can think of one good way for school choirs to do a better job of recruiting students — choose better songs. I know, I know, ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ is a much tougher song than you think because Freddie makes everything sound easy. That’s what geniuses do.
But still, taking on some classic rock tunes would have gotten me more interested than the classical music teachers wanted students to sing back in my day. Maybe school music teachers will take some notes here?
It seems like, every 20 years or so, a new generation discovers the brilliance of Freddie Mercury and Queen through their timeless classic, ‘Bohemian Rhapsody.’
For those who missed out on scaramouching the first time around, there was that wonderful moment in Wayne’s World as an introduction.
And then, for those who might have missed out on Wayne and Garth headbanging in the Mirthmobile, the cycle came around again in 2018.
Once again, the genius of Freddie Mercury was on display, with Rami Malek earning an Oscar for his portrayal of the superstar in the biopic Bohemian Rhapsody , and the song reaching a whole new generation of eager ears.
So, by now folks the world over know every word of Freddie’s enduring masterpiece.
And if you’re anything like me, you can’t help singing along to it in the shower, the car, the grocery store, or basically anywhere it comes on. It’s especially awkward in the dentist’s chair.
But you haven’t heard “Bohemian Rhapsody” until you’ve heard it in Maori.
Yeah, leave it to a Maori choir in New Zealand to turn “Bohemian Rhapsody” into something special and make it sound new and magnifico all over again.
The choir in question is Hatea Kapa Haka, and they performed their rendition a capella in te reo Maori, the Maori language, at New Zealand’s national kapa haka festival.
The group was competing against 45 opposing teams at the country’s biggest Kapa Haka competition.
The city was transformed into a tribute to the culture, and even put up “haka lanterns” to welcome guests to the competition.
Hatea Kapa Haka worked with internet star William Wariiua to create the arrangement, and their cover has absolutely wowed every audience who has heard it so far.
Even on YouTube, which is notorious for an awful comments section, the reviews have been glowing.
Hātea Kapa Haka head tutor Pauline Hopa told Newshub, “I have always loved the song ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’.”
“But never in my life did I think that we would be part of something this big,” she said .
“I bet if Freddy was still here with us he would come to NZ for a concert and have these guys sing the opening to this number on stage,” wrote one person.
“Damn I’m so proud to be a kiwi,” wrote another. “You rocked it. I hope Queen sees this.”
Over on Twitter, folks were just as obsessed with Hatea Kapa Haka’s harmonies.
And the obvious delight the choir has in singing Freddie’s song in their own language.
Check out the full performance for yourself and see if you agree.
The group somehow didn’t win the competition, but they still deserve some high fives for their work.
Although their team didn’t win the competition, they still seem to be reeling from the reaction towards their performance.
But who wouldn’t be? It launched their rendition towards a world-wide audience!
