conventionally it does not have a place in popular culture due to its high art status. Nevertheless, it has a place across the world and other genres which is shown in ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’.
‘I want it all’: Taking over the world
Having success in America is associated with fame across the world. When Queen became accomplished on American charts May said, “we kind of became the biggest group in the world at that moment” (2015, Queen – Day of Our Lives). This suggests that the American market is the biggest influence on global markets, and correlates with the idea that globalisation is a ‘block domination by the U.S’ that Walters tries to refute. However, later on in their career May states "we became global but we lost America" showing that the American market was integral to their initial global success but not for the rest of their career. For this reason, the idea of ‘Americanisation’ and Barber’s prediction of a McWorld is a complex one. On the other hand, Akbar Ahmed sees British culture as hugely influenced by America as he states, “Mrs Thatcher called her society ‘the enterprise culture’. Individualism, consumerism and materialism defined the philosophy of this culture and political sense she wished to attach to British Society to that of American’s, whom she so
admired” (2004, p.245). He states that this ‘philosophy’ is echoed in Queen’s song ‘I want it all’ (1989). Lyrics in this song include “Gotta find me a future move out of my way” indicating a ruthless and selfish attitude in the westernised body. Furthermore, the line, “Just give me what I know is mine” resonates the colonisation of America by Europeans and the taking of land off native Americans. The image connotes that western people feel self-entitled to whatever it is that they want. This is also shown in the repetition of “I want it all and I want it now” which is demanding and impatient. In addition to this, it is sung by Mercury dressed corporately in a suit and tie, therefore there is a clear link between these lyrics and capitalism. Ahmed’s response to
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Figure 7. Click on the video to play
Figure 8. Click on the video to play.