Another One Bites the Dust

• Performances
• History
• Lyrics
• Artist
  • Phish
  • Fish
  • Mike
  • Page
  • Trey
  • All

History

Perhaps hoping to capitalize on the waning glitter-ball infested daze of disco, the typically hard-rocking British band Queen renounced their “no synthesizers” policy and released their first dance-oriented album The Game in 1980. “Another One Bites The Dust,” written by bassist John Deacon, featured a mesmerizing disco bass groove. It was ultimately Queen’s most successful hit single in the United States, reaching number one for three of the thirty-one weeks that it charted. Lyrically the song dances a metaphorical line between gunfights and failed relationships. All but one of the pre-hiatus Phish performances of this dance favorite were Mike Gordon-led instrumental grooves in the midst of a jam. The first appearance of this “Another One Bites The Dust” groove was during an otherwise average “You Enjoy Myself” on 4/22/90. Before the hiatus it appeared in two other “YEMs” (4/5/92 and 10/23/94), a “Mike’s Groove” (2/18/93), and during a spicy “Gumbo” served up on 9/14/99. The post-hiatus return of the “Another One Bites The Dust” jam was initiated by Trey and occurred during “YEM” on 3/1/03. 

Queen – ”Another One Bites the Dust”

The only time to date that the song's lyrics have been included was during a session of “Phish Karaoke” held during the soundcheck of the 7/6/97 show in Desenzano, Italy. This hilarious performance featured the vocal stylings (and “Another One Rides The Bus” lyrical improvisation) of one of the lucky fans present for the surprise soundcheck, which also included a limbo contest.

Submit notes/corrections