Queen bassist John Deacon wrote the 1980 funk-rock hit “Another One Bites the Dust.”
The song appeared on Queen’s eighth studio album, The Game, and was released as a single on August 22, 1980. Although Freddie Mercury sings the studio recording, the composition and its distinctive bass line belong to Deacon. The track became Queen’s second and final U.S. Billboard Hot 100 number-one single, remaining at the top for three weeks.
Deacon’s writing was shaped by his love of soul and disco. The bass line was inspired by “Good Times” by Chic, and Deacon played most of the instruments during the recording sessions, including bass, piano, electric guitar, and handclaps. Roger Taylor added a drum loop, while Brian May supplied guitar texture and effects.
Listeners sometimes credit the song to Mercury because of his prominent vocal performance, or to Queen collectively because the band produced the record. The songwriting credit, however, is specifically John Deacon. The song later earned Queen an American Music Award and a Grammy nomination for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal.