“Another One Bites the Dust” is one of Queen’s most iconic and successful songs, released on August 22, 1980 with “Dragon Attack” on the B-side as the fourth single from their eighth album The Game. Written by Queen’s bassist John Deacon, the track became a massive international hit, blending rock with funk and disco influences. It reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the U.S., making it the band’s biggest hit in America, and is widely regarded as one of Queen’s most distinctive and innovative songs.
The lyrics of “Another One Bites the Dust” revolve around themes of perseverance, survival, and overcoming challenges. The phrase “another one bites the dust” is a colloquial expression meaning that someone has been defeated or eliminated. In the context of the song, it can be interpreted as either the narrator’s triumph over adversaries or a reflection on life’s inevitable struggles and losses. “Another One Bites the Dust” is notable for its funk and disco influences, which marked a departure from Queen’s more traditional rock sound. The song is built around an infectious bassline, played by John Deacon, which drives the entire track. The bass riff is often compared to funk grooves and is considered one of the most recognizable basslines in pop and rock music.
The minimalist arrangement, with its tight rhythm section, handclaps, and understated guitars, allows the bassline and Freddie Mercury’s powerful vocal delivery to take center stage. Mercury’s performance is dynamic, delivering the lyrics with attitude and swagger, while Roger Taylor’s drums add a punchy, danceable beat. The song’s production is crisp and polished, perfectly blending rock energy with the rhythmic pulse of disco, making it a crossover hit that appealed to both rock and dance audiences.
John Deacon, Queen’s bassist, wrote “Another One Bites the Dust” after being inspired by the funk and disco sounds of artists like Chic—particularly their song “Good Times,” whose bassline has been cited as an influence. Deacon played almost all the instruments on the track, including the bass guitar, rhythm guitar, and keyboards. He also used a synthesizer, marking one of the early instances of the band incorporating electronic elements into their music. Freddie Mercury was a strong advocate for releasing the song as a single, recognizing its potential to reach a broader audience beyond the typical rock crowd.
“Another One Bites the Dust” was a huge commercial success for Queen, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the U.S. in October 1980, where it stayed for three weeks. It also became a major hit in other countries, reaching the top 10 in multiple international markets, including Canada, the UK, and several European countries. The song sold over seven million copies worldwide, making it one of Queen’s best-selling singles. It was also certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for sales exceeding one million units in the U.S. “Another One Bites the Dust” earned Queen a Grammy Award nomination for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal in 1981. The song has frequently appeared on “greatest songs” lists and is considered one of the best examples of genre-blending in rock history.
The song was used in a preliminary cut of Rocky III, before being replaced by Survivor’s “Eye of the Tiger”.