Japanese Rhapsody

Yes, that's my second takeoff on Queen songs in a row, but there's a reason for it:

I had heard before coming here that Queen was huge in Japan, and that Freddy Mercury was worshipped like a god. Unfortunately, I haven't seen much evidence to support that particular claim. Most of my middle school classes the last two weeks have been speaking tests, and about 75% of the students ask me "Who is your favorite singer?" (apparently they don't acknowledge the rest of the band--kind of backwards from the usual Japanese manner). I've been saying "Queen" or "Freddy Mercury" every time, only to be met with a look of pure confusion.

Until today.

I was talking with one of the best English speakers in the school, and somehow this time I ended up being the one to ask the favorite singer question. When she answered "Queen", I almost flipped out and jump-kicked my mom in the face! (If you don't understand that please visit http://www.realultimatepower.net/ ) She said her favorite song was Bohemian Rhapsody, and actually did a fairly good job with the pronunciation. I was so happy that I told her she was getting extra points, but little did she know I had no such intention! I did give her one of the only perfect scores out of the whole grade though.