NEED TO KNOW
More than two dozen musicians came together on the streets of Paris for an over-the-top flash mob set to a live rendition of Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody.”
In a video shared to TikTok, which has since been viewed more than 185 million times, a trio of female singers started singing the opening notes of the 1975 hit song from an open balcony above the street.
As onlookers began to notice, more musicians suddenly joined in — including a pianist and extra singers — from other open balconies above the street. Another singer also joined in from inside a horse-drawn carriage passing by.
Eventually, all the singers and musicians joined forces on the ground outside, delighting onlookers and tourists alike.
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
A group of guitarists and choir singers also participated in the mob, which was shared online by pianist Julien Cohen.
“The most INSANE Bohemian Rhapsody Flashmob you will ever see!!” Cohen captioned the video. “With 30 musicians and singers in the streets of Paris.”
Thousands of people poured into the comments section, with many suggesting that Queen frontman Freddie Mercury, who died at age 45 in 1991, would be proud.
“This is the greatest musical flashmob. No question,” wrote one commenter, to which another added, “Freddie just cried. Flash mob + QUEEN = Perfection.”
“Freddie Mercury’s once was said ‘You can do whatever you want with my music… just never make me boring,'” someone else chimed in.
@juliencohen_piano/TikTok
In September, surviving Queen members Brian May, 78, and Roger Taylor, 76, spoke with Rolling Stone in honor of the single’s 50th anniversary.
The musicians also opened up about some of the reasons why no one expected the song to become as popular as it has over the last five decades.
“It seemed to go on forever,” Taylor recalled of the nearly six-minute song. “ The way we would do it, all three of us would sing every part, which gave it a real thickness, a body.”
There was tension in getting the track down perfectly, but also in deciding just how long it would be. As Gary Langan, the sessions’ assistant engineer, recalled: “You had Fred [Mercury], who was staunchly holding out for six minutes, of course.”
John Reid, Queen’s manager at the time, added that he was dating Elton John when the single was recorded — and even the “Crocodile Rock” singer didn’t think the song would be a success.
“He said, ‘Are you f—ing crazy?’” Reid remembered. “‘That will never be a hit. It’s too long!’ He was adamant.”
The song went on to become somewhat of an anthem and was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2004.
