Few songs are recognized faster than Queen’s “Another One Bites the Dust.” Before Freddie Mercury sings a single word, John Deacon’s unforgettable bass line announces itself and transports us back in time to 1980. Ironically, the song wasn’t supposed to be released as a single. Today, it remains Queen’s best-selling single, one of the most-played rock songs at sporting events, and one of the most influential rock songs ever recorded.

John Deacon’s Masterpiece

Unlike many of Queen’s biggest hits, “Another One Bites the Dust” wasn’t written by Freddie Mercury or Brian May. It was the work of bassist John Deacon, who drew inspiration from the funk and soul records he loved growing up.

After spending time around members of Chic while Queen was recording in Europe, Deacon became fascinated with dance grooves and wanted to write something completely different for the band. His simple but irresistible bass riff became the backbone of the song, giving Queen one of its biggest crossover hits.

Stuffing Drums with Blankets

Queen intentionally broke many of its own recording habits while making the track. Instead of the enormous drum sounds heard on songs like “We Will Rock You,” Deacon envisioned something much tighter and drier. Drummer Roger Taylor later recalled stuffing his drums with blankets and tuning them as low as possible to achieve the deadened sound that drives the song.

Producer Reinhold Mack and the band also relied on creative studio tricks instead of flashy synthesizer parts. Backward piano notes, reversed tape playback, guitar fragments, handclaps, and carefully processed effects created the swirling sounds heard throughout the recording. The result felt futuristic while still being built primarily from live instruments and innovative tape manipulation. The band showed amazing creativity instead of expensive technology.

Michael Jackson Heard a Hit

When Queen was touring behind The Game, one audience member changed the song’s future forever. Michael Jackson attended one of the band’s Los Angeles concerts and immediately told Freddie Mercury and the rest of Queen they would be crazy not to release “Another One Bites the Dust” as a single. Believe it or not, the band wasn’t convinced. Roger Taylor later admitted he thought Jackson was “nuts.” Fortunately, they listened.

Released in August 1980, the song spent three weeks at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, crossed over to R&B and dance radio, and introduced Queen to an entirely new audience. It eventually became the biggest-selling single of the band’s remarkable career.

The Backward Message Controversy

Like several rock songs during the early 1980s, “Another One Bites the Dust” became caught up in the backmasking craze. Some religious groups claimed that playing the chorus backward revealed the phrase “It’s fun to smoke marijuana” or similar wording. Queen never intended any hidden message, and the band’s label publicly rejected the claim.

Ironically, there actually are backward sounds in the recording. They’re reversed piano notes and tape effects used for atmosphere, not secret messages. The controversy only made the song even more famous. Here’s a clip of the supposed “backward messaging.”

You can make something out of nothing just by listening hard enough. There was definitely some shaming that rock music endured in the ’80s.

“Another One Bites the Dust” Is Actually a Life Saver

Forty years after its release, “Another One Bites the Dust” found an entirely unexpected purpose. The song’s bass line runs at roughly 110 beats per minute, almost perfectly matching the recommended rhythm for CPR chest compressions.

Medical researchers have studied songs within the 100 to 120 BPM range as timing aids during CPR training, and Queen’s classic has been identified as one that naturally fits the guideline. The lyrics may be a little ironic for a medical emergency, but the beat is nearly perfect.

Still One of Queen’s Greatest

Although “Bohemian Rhapsody” is Queen’s go-to masterpiece song, “Another One Bites the Dust” and “Crazy Little Thing Called Love” were Queen’s only true #1 hits. “Another One Bites the Dust” was also the first pick for the movie Rocky III. Queen refused to license the song, so Sylvester Stallone famously reached out to Survivor and left a message asking them to create something for the movie. “Eye of the Tiger” was born, but that’s a whole different story.