Queen – Another One Bites the Dust
A genre-bending anthem that turned a bass riff into global domination
Released on August 22, 1980, “Another One Bites the Dust” was Queen’s boldest sonic curveball—and their biggest hit in the United States. Written by bassist John Deacon and tucked into their eighth studio album The Game, the track fused funk, rock, and disco into a lean, swaggering groove that caught fire across dancefloors and radio stations alike.
It wasn’t just a hit—it was a seismic shift.
Sound: Chic-inspired funk with rock muscle
Deacon was the mastermind behind the track, drawing inspiration from Chic’s “Good Times” and spending time in their studio to soak up the vibe. He laid down the bass, rhythm guitar, piano, and handclaps himself, crafting a hypnotic groove that became one of the most recognizable basslines in pop history.
Roger Taylor added a looped drum track, and Brian May sprinkled in grungy guitar accents using an Eventide Harmonizer. Despite rumors, there were no synthesizers—just clever tape manipulation and effects. The result? A minimalist, danceable track with rock edge and disco pulse.
Lyrics: survival, swagger, and a touch of menace
The phrase “another one bites the dust” is a slangy nod to defeat or elimination, often used in battle or competition. But the lyrics are more layered than they seem. The opening verse paints a scene straight out of a mob flick: “Steve walks warily down the street / Machine guns ready to go…”
Later verses shift to relationship fallout, with the narrator standing tall after being kicked to the curb. There’s revenge, resilience, and a refusal to back down. It’s ambiguous enough to fit a breakup, a showdown, or just life’s endless battles.
Vocals: Freddie’s attitude front and center
Freddie Mercury delivers the lyrics with swagger and bite, turning Deacon’s groove into a full-blown anthem. He was reportedly so fired up about the track that he sang until his throat bled, determined to nail the vocal. His performance is cool, confident, and just a little dangerous.
Chart story: Queen’s biggest US hit
The single hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for three weeks starting October 4, 1980, and spent 31 weeks on the chart—more than any other song that year. It also topped charts in Canada, Spain, Israel, and South Africa, and landed in the Top 10 across Europe and Oceania. In the UK, it peaked at No. 7.
It’s Queen’s best-selling single, with over 9 million units sold in the US alone, and 3× Platinum in the UK.
Legacy: CPR training, remixes, and pop culture ubiquity
The song’s 110 bpm bassline made it a surprising tool for CPR training, helping medical professionals keep the right rhythm for chest compressions. It’s been sampled and remixed by artists like Wyclef Jean, Vanilla Ice, and Grandmaster Flash, and featured in TV shows, commercials, and sports events.
It was used in a preliminary cut of Rocky III, before being swapped out for “Eye of the Tiger.” And yes, it sparked a Grammy nomination—though Queen lost to Bob Seger’s “Against the Wind.”
Despite early resistance from drummer Roger Taylor, who didn’t want it on the album, the track became a defining moment in Queen’s catalog. Even Michael Jackson urged Mercury to release it as a single after hearing it live.
The song was used in a preliminary cut of Rocky III, before being replaced by Survivor’s “Eye of the Tiger”.