How Deaky’s Hated Bassline Became Queen’s Greatest Hit

How did Queen write one of the biggest hits of all time? I break down John Deacon’s secrets + how you can use them for your own bass lines.

It’s 1979, John Deacon is hanging out at Chic’s studio, and… he’s got a crazy idea…

“What if I wrote a funk song for Queen?” And a number one hit was born.

So how did Deacy make it IMPOSSIBLE not to dance to Another One Bites the Dust? In this video, you’ll learn:

- How to lock with the drums using the Rhythm Contrast Method
- The difference between anthemic, singable notes, and boring ploddy lines
- If John Deacon just stole the whole damn thing from Chic
- How Deacy got that tight, punchy tone that MAKES the song
- The simple thing most beginners miss that makes any bass line sound terrible

#AnotherOneBitesTheDust #BassBuzz

[BassBuzz]

What’s your favorite John Deacon bass line? 👑

[doalwa]

John Deacon is the unsung hero of Queen, dude wrote some absolute bangers! And the fact that he pretty much called it quits after Freddie was gone…huge respect for his decency!

[adrianlevi]

Deacons playing is super clean and deceptively simple, yet perfect for the song . His playing is simply perfect for each and every tune he played on .

[JaceyMitchell]

I know John Deacon has chosen to withdraw from public life, but I hope he knows how many people love and admire him and how even younger generations love his music.
He didn't write very many Queen songs, but whenever he wrote a track that ended up on one of Queen's albums it was a certified banger.

Also Freddie's vocal performance on Another One Bltes The Dust is off the chain. Guy almost sounded like James Browns, so much soul!

[poesybeat]

I love that this is a video for songwriters as much as for bass players

[Giitzerland]

Queen was so ground breaking, even with "Under Pressure", both vocals recorded separately, without any knowledge of what the other was doing, amazing.

[scotsman]

Queen, the only band where every member wrote a song that went to number one. Everyone of them had TALENT.

[Dan.]

The easiest method is to have a band full of musical geniuses.

[rumoursduo]

99.9% of this song was recorded by Deacon, except for the vocal of course. It's a drum loop, basically a drum machine, Taylor didn't play on it at all. And May only added some guitar noises, not even the funky instrumental break. That's why Taylor hated it, he's not even on it.

[michaelbarbour]

OMG you actually brought up the CPR thing!
I was a paramedic for 9 years, and when they train you to do chest compressions, they say to do them to the tempo of “Stayin’ Alive”. Cute. But the black humor of the emergency services ALWAYS leads to “Another One Bites The Dust”, because unlike TV, the patients almost always bit the dust.

[davidhaley]

So. What you're saying is John Deacon is a life saving genius. I like it.

[dekopinpon]

Every time I listen to Queen’s song, I’m attracted to John's bass.
It's not an exaggeration to say that I listen to Queen to hear John's bass.
I love John.💕

[michaelgoutman]

John Deacon is one of the best songwriters in modern music history. His output is not huge if you compare with guys like Lennon/McCartney, Simon and Garfunkel, Bob Dylan etc. but he is so effective. Fathom this list: You're my Best Friend, Spread Your Wings, Another One Bites the Dust, Under Pressure, I Want to Break Free, Friends will be Friends, The Miracle. These are just hit songs. How about the following list: Cool Cat, Don't Try So Hard, In Only Seven Days, One Year of Love, You and I, If You Can't Beat Them, Pain is So Close to Pleasure, Let Me Live. Not hits, but first-grade songs any musician would be proud of. And that is 17 out of 25 songs he published with Queen (I did not count Flash Gordon as they are not quite songs imho). 70% of his total output! Just wow!

[LucilleBrawl]

John wrote the loveliest songs the group played. They were clean and simple but wonderfully composed and played. "You and I" was one of his best.

[PizzaBall_]

I think my favorite thing about Josh is he’s not giving tutorials or like analysis videos on a $3, 000 custom shop bass. He’s using squire jazz basses, Sterling by Music Man, basses that most of us commoners can afford.

That being said, it also adds the immense value of the bass setup video.

Good work Josh!

[oxouk]

Josh is the most entertaining bass teacher. Always love his content and humor.

[jmer]

That song HOOKED me as a kid and is still the best and most loved song for me to this day. I crank that in my car when ever its on

[dduknic]

I am not a musician, I didn't look for this topic or song, I fell upon while traveling down a rabbit hole. I do love music, and Queen. And I just want you to know that this video was delightful.

just enough silliness, a great presentation, topic and pace were wonderful. Good job!!!!

[RobertoVernina]

When I started studying this song I said to myself "well, this is an easy one... Few notes, keep the rythm and off you go". Well... I've found out that to really nail down this song and its groove, you must master note muting and get a very precise (and consistent) staccato. Plus, the syncopes in the chorus have to be practiced well before nailing it. Really awesome song to learn, it gives you an idea of where you are in term of "sense of rythm and groove". Also, nice to know that the guitar was also played by Deacon: I didn't know that! I always thought that Bryan May sounded so funky and groovy on this song, almost like a bassist :D.

Great video, though, and thanks for making it :).

[guus]

Nile Rogers is a legend. This guy doesnt steal. Musicians do influence each other. That’s what music is for. Inspiring each other.