Seven Seas of Rhye

by

Queen

Album: Queen II     Released: 1974

UK Chart: 10

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Songfacts:  You can leave comments about the song at the bottom of the page.

This was Queen's first entry in the UK single chart. Brian May in Q magazine March 2008: "Our first breakthrough, made with the idea that if radio was going to play it, everything had to explode. And it did work."

As the song fades out, part of a British seaside song called "Oh, I do like to be beside the seaside," is sung. (thanks, Tom - Trowbridge, England, for above 2)

Freddie Mercury penned the song basing it on a fantasy world called Rhye that he had created with his sister, Kashmira. They were brought up on the African island of Zanzibar in the Zoroastrianism religion, founded in Iran, and these fuelled Mercury's flights of fancy. Several other of the Queen singer's early songs feature the mysterious land of Rhye, including Lily Of The Valley, My Fairy King and The March Of The Black Queen.

The song's success enabled Mercury to quit his day job working at a stall in London's Kensington Market.

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Comments:

This song is about Rhye, not Zoroaster. Why would Freddie use his fantasy land with Zoroaster? But to be honest nobody really knows what it means, except Freddie. We can only guess.
- Jared , Sikeston, MO

I like this song. It rocks. I'm not sure what a Zoroaster is, or if I'd like it. But I know I could never pronounce it right, so I'm glad he didn't put the name in the song.
- Lindsay , Coweta, OK

This song was intended for the end of the first Queen album, but the band weren't quite happy with it as it was at that point, thus the short instrumental version at the end of the first album; the lyrics are one of several references Freddie makes to a fantasy world he called 'Rhye' (a further reference is found in 'Lily of the Valley' on the "Sheer Heart Attack" album)
- Ryan , Eaton, IN

AWESOME!
- ched - , La Union, Philippines

the track is followed by "Brighton Rock" hence the link "I do like to be beside the seaside"
- ANDREW , LONDON, England

Is it just me, or is this song about obsession?
- Matthew , Milford, MA

great song,but so is every other one on the black side of queen II especially march of the black queen
- jeff , liverpool, England

i never knew freddie was a zoroastrian
- Rocco , , Canada

Fav. Queen song.I like the very first part of it.
- Chelsea , Wichita, KS

This song is indeed about Zoroaster. It's about his journey.
- Zach , Hershey, PA

According to Wikipedia, the song's about a fantasy world from Freddie's childhood called Rhye. And apparently, it had seven seas. One of my personal Queen favorites.
- Jessica , Carlsbad, CA

Da Best Song...EVER!!!! except for maybe (.001% chance) Dragostea Din Tei. other wise...7|-|!5 50||9 !5 73|-| |20><0|2!!!
- Bryan , Melbourne, FL

This is a great "FANTASY" song. I find it facinating and just love it. I especially love the little pirate chant at the end. Its soo great!
- Alicia , Tamaqua, PA

I love how this song is like a sea shanty, one of my favorites by Queen!!!
- Steve , oroville, CA

Great tune, but not one most think of as a Queen song. That is one of the great things about this band....DIVERSITY in style and not conforming to what the industry expects.
- Dee , Indianapolis, IN

Interesting Richard, Hadnt thought of that, Im not sure what Fred was rambling about in this one. Sounds great though, doesnt it?
- Freddie , Orlando, FL

One of my favorite Queen songs.
- James , Bridgeport, CT

This song is about Zoroaster, the prophet from Freddie's religion.
- Richard , Herndon, VA

This is the one hard rock anthem on an album that is otherwise about as progressive as it gets. It was still played in concert long after the other tracks were forgotten.
- Kent Lyle , Palo Alto, CA

This is a great song...When my mum's horse was pregnant years ago I was listening to it and the horse who hates me stood by my window and listened to it until it was over, then left. Strange, thought I might add...
- Raechel , London, England

I LOVE THIS SONG! I heard that one of the guys wrote while drinking rhye... but seriously, this is one of my favs...some of their other songs are over played and sold out but this song rocks
- Shana , Pembroke, Canada

its awesome
- Will , Portland, OR

dude this song rocks out so hard
- Brendan , Colts Neck, NJ

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