Queen – “Another One Bites the Dust”: The Groove That Conquered the World

By 1980, Queen had already proven they could do anything. Glam rock anthems? Check. Opera-infused epics? Absolutely. Stadium-sized singalongs? You bet. But with “Another One Bites the Dust,” they did something no one expected—they got funky.

Driven by a bassline so slick it practically struts, “Another One Bites the Dust” wasn’t just a hit—it was a seismic shift. It showed the world that Queen didn’t just dominate rock—they could own the dance floor too.

The Groove: Bass First, Questions Later

The heart of the song is John Deacon’s bassline—a hypnotic, thumping pulse that anchors the track from the first second. Inspired by Chic’s Bernard Edwards (of “Good Times” fame), Deacon wrote the song and played almost every instrument on the track himself. It’s minimalist, muscular, and dripping with swagger.

Add in Roger Taylor’s crisp snare, Brian May’s sparse, edgy guitar stabs, and Freddie Mercury’s gritty, almost spoken-word vocals, and you’ve got a track that oozes cool.

“Are you ready? Hey, are you ready for this? / Are you hangin’ on the edge of your seat?”

From the first verse, you’re hooked. It’s not about flashy solos or big choruses—it’s about rhythm and attitude. This is Queen in street-fighter mode.

The Lyrics: Cold, Clean, and Catchy

On the surface, the lyrics tell a tale of conflict and survival—a string of metaphorical (or literal) downfalls, each one punctuated by that ominous chorus:

“Another one bites the dust…”

It could be a gangster tale, a commentary on violence, or just a celebration of staying one step ahead. Freddie Mercury delivers the lines with menace and relish, showing he could shift from theatrical grandeur to urban grit without breaking a sweat.

The simplicity of the lyrics gives them power: short phrases, clipped delivery, and repetition that sticks in your head long after the song ends.

The Impact: A Risk That Paid Off—Big Time

Queen’s label wasn’t sure about the track. It didn’t sound like “Bohemian Rhapsody.” It didn’t have a typical rock structure. But Michael Jackson, who was friends with the band, heard the track and insisted they release it as a single.

They listened. And the result?

• #1 on the Billboard Hot 100
• Over 7 million copies sold worldwide
• Massive crossover success with R&B, funk, and disco audiences
• A staple at sporting events, clubs, and movies ever since

“Another One Bites the Dust” became Queen’s best-selling single, and a defining moment in their career. It showed their versatility, their guts, and their genius for reinvention.

Legacy: The Bassline That Refused to Die

The song has been sampled, remixed, and covered by everyone from Wyclef Jean to Weird Al Yankovic. It’s appeared in films (Iron Man 2, Zombieland), sports arenas, and even medical CPR training, due to its tempo aligning with the recommended compression rate.

And that bassline? Still unstoppable. Still one of the most recognizable in music history.

Final Thoughts

“Another One Bites the Dust” is Queen at their most unexpected—and most unstoppable.
It’s a song that doesn’t raise its voice, doesn’t beg for attention.
It just walks into the room, lays down the groove, and owns it.

With a single riff, Queen didn’t just bite the dust.
They bit into a whole new sound—and it still hits just as hard today.