On 11 July 1986, Queen delivered one of the most memorable performances of their career at Wembley Stadium during the Magic Tour. Among the highlights of the night was their powerful rendition of “Another One Bites the Dust,” a moment that transformed the funk-driven hit into a stadium-rock spectacle.
“Another One Bites the Dust” is a hit single by the British rock band Queen, released on 22 August 1980 as part of their eighth studio album, The Game. Written by bassist John Deacon, the song broke stylistic ground for the band, blending rock with funk and disco influences. Its infectious bassline, minimalist guitar work, and Freddie Mercury’s commanding vocal delivery helped make it one of Queen’s most recognizable tracks.
John Deacon, inspired by funk acts like Chic, composed the song with a strong rhythmic groove at its core. During recording sessions, Deacon played not only the bass but also most of the guitar and keyboards, demonstrating his versatility. Brian May’s guitar contributions were deliberately restrained to maintain the song’s dance-floor appeal, while Roger Taylor’s drumming provided a steady, driving beat. Freddie Mercury recorded the lead vocals in one take, adding intensity and swagger.
Upon its release, “Another One Bites the Dust” became Queen’s biggest-selling single worldwide. It topped the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States for three weeks and reached No. 7 in the UK Singles Chart. The track also achieved No. 1 status in multiple countries, selling over 7 million copies globally. Its crossover appeal drew in R&B and disco audiences who had not previously been Queen fans.
Interestingly, Michael Jackson reportedly played a key role in convincing the band to release the track as a single, believing it had massive hit potential.
The song won an American Music Award for Favorite Rock Single and also garnered a Grammy Award nomination for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal “Another One Bites the Dust” has been covered, remixed and sampled by many artists since its release, and has also appeared in TV shows, commercials, films and other media. The song has also featured at sports events.
Musicians:
Freddie Mercury – lead and backing vocals
Brian May – electric guitar
Roger Taylor – drums
John Deacon – bass guitar, electric guitar, piano, percussion
“Another One Bites the Dust” – Single by Queen from the album The Game
Released 22 August 1980 (UK)
Songwriter John Deacon
Charted No.1 US, No.7 UK, No.1 Canada, No.1 Spain, No.5 Australia, No.10 ItalyNo.12 Sweden, No.9 Belgium
