“Another One Bites the Dust” is a funk-rock powerhouse released by Queen in 1980 on their album The Game. It’s one of the band’s most distinctive and successful singles, particularly in the US, where it topped the charts for three weeks.
Key Features and Style
The Iconic Bass Line
The song is built entirely around an instantly recognizable, infectious bass line written and performed by bassist John Deacon.
- Inspiration: The riff was heavily inspired by the disco and funk music of the time, specifically the bass line from the 1979 Chic hit, “Good Times.” Deacon had reportedly spent time with Chic co-founder Bernard Edwards, who suggested he release the track as a single.
- Instrumentation: Deacon played almost all of the instruments on the track: bass, electric guitar, piano, and handclaps. The song’s sparse, tight sound was a deliberate departure from Queen’s signature layered rock sound.
Genre and Sound
The track is a unique fusion of rock, funk, and disco.
- It features a dry, tight drum sound (created with a drum loop by Roger Taylor) that drives the danceable, four-on-the-floor groove characteristic of disco.
- The overall sound is minimal and percussive, with Brian May contributing atmospheric, non-traditional sound effects using his guitar and an Eventide Harmonizer, rather than his typical rock soloing.
- Freddie Mercury’s vocals are delivered with a powerful, almost percussive swagger, perfectly riding the rhythm.
Meaning and Impact
The lyrics feature various scenarios where someone “bites the dust,” a phrase meaning to die, suffer a defeat, or fail:
- Verse 1 paints a tense, cinematic picture of a street confrontation or a mob hit (“Steve walks warily down the street… Machine guns ready to go.”).
- Verse 2 shifts to a failed relationship or a personal struggle (“How do you think I’m gonna get along without you…”).
- The song is a global hit and is frequently used at sporting events to mock a defeated opponent. It’s also famous for its tempo (approximately 110 beats per minute), which has been recommended as the ideal rhythm for performing CPR chest compressions.
Fun Fact: The band was initially hesitant to release it as a single, believing it was too far outside their rock style, but they were convinced after an enthusiastic endorsement from Michael Jackson, who saw them perform it backstage at a concert.