Crank the amps, grab a pint, and bow down to the quietest legend in rock, because John Deacon has officially been crowned the King of the Bassline — and honestly, it’s about time, butt! 🏴🤘
In a massive public vote that cut through genres, decades, playlists, and a few thousand arguments in pubs across Britain, Queen’s iconic 1980 belter “Another One Bites the Dust” has been declared the greatest bassline of all time.
Not “one of”, not “maybe”… THE greatest.
Tidy as you like, mun.
🎸 THE BASSLINE THAT STRUTS BEFORE THE SONG EVEN STARTS
There are riffs you hear.
There are riffs you remember.
And then there’s the “Another One Bites the Dust” bassline — a groove so filthy and confident it basically kicks the door open, strolls in wearing sunglasses, and says:
“Alright lads, we’re doing this my way.”
That pulsating, swagger-filled, funk-meets-rock riff has been shaking hips, stadiums, and souls for 44 years. It’s the type of bassline that could summon Freddie Mercury from the afterlife purely out of sheer fabulousness.
Even non-rock fans know this one. Even your nan knows this one. Even the lad who only listens to “techno with feelings” knows this one.
It’s that universal.
🤫 THE QUIET ONE DID THAT — JOHN DEACON’S SECRET SUPERPOWER
Queen had a band full of flamboyant characters, mad geniuses, and moustaches you could use as shelter in bad weather. And then there was John Deacon — the quiet assassin. The shy lad in the corner plotting immortal grooves while avoiding interviews like the plague.
What a legend.
And here’s the kicker:
He didn’t just play the bassline… he wrote the entire song.
Every ounce of that funky, dance-floor-dominating magic came from Deacon’s brain. Freddie loved it. Michael Jackson loved it. Half of America loved it. Even Brian May — a man who treats his guitar like the Holy Grail — admitted the track’s bassline did “most of the work.”
If you ever needed proof that the quiet ones are the dangerous ones… well, here it is.
🕺 DISCO, ROCK, FUNK, POP — IT TOOK OVER EVERYTHING
“Another One Bites the Dust” wasn’t just a hit.
It was a global takeover.
- #1 on the Billboard Hot 100
- One of Queen’s biggest-selling singles ever
- A monster in clubs, arenas, and sports stadiums
- A favourite of breakdancers, DJs, rockers, and anyone who’s ever strutted past a mirror thinking they looked lush
It blurred lines between genres before most bands even knew lines existed.
Disco? Yup.
Rock? Absolutely.
Funk? Like its life depended on it.
Pop? It ate the entire chart for breakfast.
Only Queen, mun. Only Queen.
🔊 WHY THE WORLD JUST CAN’T LET THIS BASSLINE DIE
Even in 2025, the bassline is everywhere:
- TV adverts
- TikTok trends
- Football hype videos
- Gym playlists
- Films
- School music classes
- Car stereos of dads who still think they can dance (fair play, though)
The riff is eternal. The groove is immortal. The bite is forever.
This is more than a bassline — it’s a cultural artefact.
🏅 JOHN DEACON: THE HUMBLE HERO CROWNED AT LAST
John may have left the spotlight decades ago, but this honour shows he’ll never be forgotten.
He didn’t need flashy solos.
He didn’t need pyros.
He didn’t need leather trousers so tight they threatened human rights.
He just needed one killer groove — and he created a bassline for the ages.
Somewhere, right now, the quiet king is sipping tea, avoiding cameras, and casually being responsible for the greatest bassline ever written.
Proper job, that.
🤘 FINAL VERDICT: THE PEOPLE HAVE SPOKEN, MUN!
Queen fans, rock fans, funk fans, everyone — they all united under one groove.
And honestly?
It feels absolutely correct.
“Another One Bites the Dust” isn’t just a song. It’s a vibe. A strut. A spiritual awakening.
A bassline that somehow makes you feel like the main character in every room you walk into.
So raise your pints, salute John Deacon, and stick this absolute monster of a track on full blast.
Because the greatest bassline of all time deserves nothing less.
Lush as you like, mun. 🏴🔥🎸
Michael is the founder, editor, and chief riff wrangler behind The Riff Report, an independent Welsh rock and metal publication built by fans, for fans. With a lifelong passion for loud guitars, unforgettable live shows, and the incredible community that surrounds rock and metal, he created The Riff Report to celebrate everything that makes the scene special—from legendary headline acts and grassroots venues to rising bands that deserve to be heard.
A familiar face at festivals across the UK, Michael spends much of the year covering events including Download Festival, Bloodstock Open Air, Steelhouse Festival, Firevolt, Plumpton Revival, and many more. Whether he’s battling the Welsh weather on a mountainside, surviving a weekend in a muddy campsite, or squeezed against the front barrier with thousands of fellow fans, he’s always searching for the next great story to share.
As editor of The Riff Report, Michael writes festival guides, breaking news, album reviews, gig reviews, interviews, opinion pieces, nostalgia features, and behind-the-scenes stories from across the rock and metal world. His writing combines honest opinions, humour, and a genuine love for live music, bringing readers closer to the bands, festivals, venues, and people that keep the scene alive.
Michael is particularly passionate about supporting independent artists, local venues, charities, and the wider UK rock and metal community. He believes every band deserves a chance to be discovered and every festival has a story worth telling. Through The Riff Report, he aims to shine a spotlight on both the biggest names in rock and the future stars waiting to break through.
When he’s not writing or interviewing artists, you’ll probably find him exploring festival campsites, photographing live shows, chatting with fellow fans over a pint, or planning the next road trip in search of more riffs, bigger crowds, and unforgettable moments.
Above all, Michael believes rock and metal are about more than music—they’re about community, friendship, and creating memories that last a lifetime. That’s exactly what The Riff Report exists to celebrate.
Proudly Welsh. Proudly Loud. Always chasing the next great riff. 🤘
Comments