Queen’s 1980 Funk-Rock Song Was Nearly Scrapped as a Single — Until a Music Legend Intervened

One of Queen’s most loved songs had a far from simple journey to becoming a hugely successful single. In fact, it was seriously close to not becoming a single at all. Written by bassist John Deacon, the groovy tune was met with skepticism from the rest of the band at first, particularly drummer Roger Taylor, who felt as though the song deviated too far from the rock reputation Queen had built for themselves. Much to his surprise, a fan in the audience suggested that the controversial track should definitely be released as a single. To be fair, he knew what he was on about, it was Michael Jackson. And the song he so dearly loved? “Another One Bites The Dust,” the single that sold over 7 million copies.