1980

1980 – I was just 14 years old and heard this captivating beat and striking lyrics for the first time:

And another one gone, and another one gone – Another one bites the dust (yeah)

That was my introduction to rock music – a spark that ignited a interest that continues to this day.
For me, Queen is still one of the best band of all time.

Bites the dust

“Another One Bites the Dust” is a song by British rock band Queen, written by bassist John Deacon and released in 1980 on the album The Game. The release came at a time when the music scene was marked by the aftermath of disco, the emergence of new wave, and a growing openness to cross-genre experimentation. Queen had previously made a name for themselves with opulent, guitar-driven rock and theatrical arrangements, including songs such as Bohemian Rhapsody and We Are the Champions. The track quickly became a worldwide hit and marked an important musical turning point for the band: In the US, it reached number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 three times, spent an impressive 15 weeks in the top 10 and became Queen’s best-selling single with over seven million copies sold. The song was also a chart success in numerous other countries, received international awards and cemented Queen’s reputation for success across genre boundaries. In retrospect, it is considered a work that confirmed Queen’s openness to new styles and paved the way for them to experiment more with pop and dance elements in the years that followed, further strengthening their versatility and longevity in the music business.

Lyrics & Meaning

The lyrics describe a threatening, almost cinematic scene – a confrontation in which one person “another one bites the dust.” The words paint a clear picture of a confrontation that ends in the inevitable, almost like watching a tense moment in a thriller. Deacon originally had a Western scene in mind, with guns, dusty streets, and a tense silence as two opponents face off before one takes the decisive step. However, he later opted for a harder, more urban tone that felt more modern, rooted in the big city atmosphere and better suited to the driving bass line. This decision gives the song a certain timeless relevance because it doesn’t tie it to a historical setting, but makes it transferable to any era. The repeated line in the chorus heightens the drama, acting as a catchphrase that sticks in the mind and conveys a sense of inevitability, as if an ever-tightening circle is closing in on the characters, gradually draining away any possibility of escape.

Trivia

The creation and production of “Another One Bites the Dust” is marked by several remarkable anecdotes that are closely interwoven. The iconic bass line was inspired by Chic’s “Good Times”; Deacon had previously been in close contact with the band members and spent time with them in the studio, where he studied their playing style and production techniques intensively. This experience helped him develop a similarly groovy yet distinctive line that carries the song from the outset. Deacon also played almost all the instruments himself—bass, rhythm guitars, additional percussion, and piano—while Roger Taylor contributed a precise drum loop and Brian May added extra sonic depth with carefully placed guitar effects. This pared-down lineup resulted in a focused, clear sound where every note counts. Another pivotal moment came when the band met Michael Jackson, who convinced them to release the song as a single, recognizing its hit potential right away. According to reports, he enthusiastically said that the song had “everything” it needed to dominate the charts. Away from the music market, the song also found an unexpected practical application: with a tempo of around 110 bpm, it is suitable as a metronome for resuscitation measures (CPR), as the steady rhythm and clear emphasis in the beat set the right tempo for chest compressions – a feature that was later even taken up in first aid training and campaigns.

Criticism at the time

Contemporary critics praised the minimalist, precise sound, the distinctive, almost hypnotic bass line, and the atypical stylistic direction for Queen, who delved more deeply into funk and disco elements here. Billboard described the track as “snarling” and “lean,” emphasizing that the reduced instrumentation particularly emphasized the groove. Record World praised not only the catchy chorus, but also the clever production, which gave each instrument space to shine. At the same time, the song caused controversy: conservative groups claimed that when played backwards, the song contained drug messages, such as hidden calls to use marijuana – an accusation that was strongly and publicly rejected by the band and their label. This debate brought the song additional media attention, but also led to heated discussions about alleged “backmasking” techniques in pop music at the time.

Cultural influence & impact

One of Queen’s biggest commercial successes and a worldwide chart hit, the song has lost none of its appeal decades after its release, and its catchy groove has made it an integral part of international music culture. The song appears repeatedly in films, TV series, commercials, and pop culture references, including Iron Man 2, the musical series Glee, the manga and anime series JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, and documentaries about music history. It has inspired countless cover versions and remixes, including a well-known version by Wyclef Jean, energetic live performances by tribute bands worldwide, and humorous parodies such as “Another One Rides the Bus” by Weird Al Yankovic. Today, the song is considered a timeless classic in the music world, regularly ranking high on best-of lists, repeatedly named a highlight of the 1980s by renowned magazines such as Rolling Stone and NME, and its bass line often considered one of the best and most memorable of all time. Critics still praise its cross-genre impact, its innovative fusion of funk and rock, and its ability to thrill rock, pop, and funk fans alike and unite entire generations on the dance floor.

Conclusion

“Another One Bites the Dust” is a stylistic milestone in Queen’s discography that opened a new chapter in the band’s history, both musically and culturally. With its unique blend of funk, disco, and rock, its hypnotic, instantly recognizable bass line, and its dark, almost menacing atmosphere, the song had a lasting impact on pop culture. Not only did it influence numerous artists from different genres, but it also established itself as a perennial favorite on radio playlists, in sports stadiums, and on dance floors worldwide. Its ability to find recognition in both mainstream and specialized music circles underscores its status as a timeless classic that connects generations and remains as relevant decades after its release.