This multitrack breaks down Queen’s “Another One Bites the Dust”: John Deacon’s bass line, Roger Taylor’s drums, Freddie Mercury’s vocal and Brian May’s guitar and effects. Written by Deacon for the 1980 album The Game, it became Queen’s biggest-selling single and a No. 1 hit in the United States.
GUITAR (Brian May):
BASS (John Deacon):
DRUMS (Roger Taylor):
What to listen for
- That bass line. Deacon’s repeating riff is the song. Isolated, you can hear the muted, funky attack and the space between notes.
- Dry, tight drums. Taylor’s drums are recorded very dry and close, unusual for rock in 1980, and a big part of the song’s funk feel.
- Sound effects and backwards sounds. The swooshes and reversed noises in the breakdown were created in the studio with tape effects and piano.
- Freddie’s attitude. The vocal-only parts show his percussive, almost spoken delivery.
Track facts
- Album: The Game (1980)
- Written by: John Deacon
- Produced by: Queen and Reinhold Mack, recorded at Musicland Studios, Munich
- Chart: No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100
FAQ
Who wrote Another One Bites the Dust?
Queen bassist John Deacon.
Who encouraged Queen to release it as a single?
The band has often said Michael Jackson urged them to release it as a single after hearing it.
More: all Queen isolated tracks.
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