How Queen Embraced Disco, Conquered America, Then Bit The Dust
In 1980, ‘The Game’ became Queen’s biggest hit album in America, yet the record’s success ushered in a dramatic fall in popularity
If you were living in New York City in 1980 and listening to the urban radio station WBLS-FM, there was a good chance you were hearing some of the popular soul hits of the time. And 1980 was a really good year for R&B music, highlighted by such songs as “Rock With You” by Michael Jackson; “Let’s Get Serious” by Michael’s brother Jermaine; “Take Your Time (Do It Right)” by the S.O.S. Band; “Master Blaster Jammin’” by Stevie Wonder; and Diana Ross’ “I’m Coming Out.”
On WBLS’ playlist that same year was a hard-hitting disco/funk song called “Another One Bites the Dust” by a group called Queen. Its sound was very reminiscent of the then-recent Chic hit “Good Times,” thanks to its memorable melodic bass line and funky rhythm guitar. Along with a crisp drum beat and a taut vocal performance that mimicked American street vernacular, “Another One Bites the Dust” was a huge crossover smash on both the R&B and pop charts, where it peaked at No. 1 in the latter category and stayed there for three weeks in the fall of 1980.
