Another One Bites the Dust by Queen Lyrics Meaning – Unveiling the Depths of Survival and Resilience

You can view the lyrics, alternate interprations and sheet music for Queen's Another One Bites the Dust at Lyrics.org.

Lyrics

Oh, let’s go

Steve walks warily down the street
With the brim pulled way down low
Ain’t no sound but the sound of his feet
Machine guns ready to go

Are you ready, hey, are you ready for this?
Are you hanging on the edge of your seat?
Out of the doorway the bullets rip
To the sound of the beat, yeah

Another one bites the dust
Another one bites the dust
And another one gone, and another one gone
Another one bites the dust
Hey, I’m gonna get you too
Another one bites the dust

How do you think I’m going to get along
Without you when you’re gone?
You took me for everything that I had
And kicked me out on my own

Are you happy, are you satisfied?
How long can you stand the heat?
Out of the doorway the bullets rip
To the sound of the beat

Another one bites the dust
Another one bites the dust
And another one gone, and another one gone
Another one bites the dust
Hey, I’m gonna get you, too
Another one bites the dust

Hey
Oh, take it
Bite the dust
Kinda dusty

Hey

Another one bites the dust
Another one bites the dust, ow
Another one bites the dust, hey-hey
Another one bites the dust, eh-eh

Ooh, shout out
There are plenty of ways that you can hurt a man
And bring him to the ground
You can beat him, you can cheat him
You can treat him bad and then leave him when he’s down

But I’m ready, yes, I’m ready for you
I’m standing on my own two feet
Out of the doorway the bullets rip
Repeating to the sound of the beat, oh, yeah

Another one bites the dust
Another one bites the dust
And another one gone, and another one gone
Another one bites the dust, yeah
Hey, I’m gonna get you too
Another one bites the dust

Ooh, shoot out
Hey-hey
All right

When one delves into the pulsating beats and magnetic bass line of Queen’s ‘Another One Bites the Dust’, it’s easy to get swept up in the song’s visceral energy. Written by bassist John Deacon, the track became one of the band’s most iconic songs, noted for its crossover appeal and its widespread popularity across diverse audiences.

Yet beneath its electric veneer, ‘Another One Bites the Dust’ is an intricate exploration of themes ranging from survival and confrontation to the relentless pace of life and death. The song’s narrative might suggest a dark, even violent undercurrent, but it’s also laced with a spirit of resilience that has resonated with listeners since its release in 1980.

Decoding the Urban Wilderness: A Dive into John Deacon’s Lyrical Savvy

Deacon’s lyricism paints a picture of an urban jungle where every step could be a matter of life and death. The opening line sets the stage – Steve treads cautiously, cap brim low, a suggestion of hiding or evading detection. It evokes the image of a cityscape riddled with challenges, metaphorically represented by the ‘machine guns ready to go’.

The repeated inquiry ‘Are you ready?’ serves more than just a warning; it’s a rallying cry for readiness against an unseen adversary. The song throws listeners directly into the fray, posing a question of whether one is prepared to face whatever might come their way. It’s about anticipation, and the tension is palpable.

The Inescapable Rhythm of Existence: ‘Another One Bites the Dust’ as an Anthem

The song’s chorus, ‘Another one bites the dust’, isn’t just memorable – it’s become a saying in its own right, a way to signify defeat or the end of an endeavor. The relentlessness of the refrain, with its accompanying bass riff, resonates with a universal understanding of struggle and the continual cycle of winners and losers.

However, even as it acknowledges defeat, the song also seems to be about empowerment. The repeated phrase ‘Hey, I’m gonna get you too’ isn’t defeatist, but rather a declaration of fight and tenacity. The song becomes an anthem for those who refuse to be counted out, even as obstacles fall and contenders fail.

A Gritty Melancholy: The Song’s Emotional Core Examined

Aside from the bravado, there’s a layer of vulnerability in ‘Another One Bites the Dust’. The protagonist ponders life post-separation, a mirror to the human condition of dependency and the fear of loss. ‘How do you think I’m going to get along without you when you’re gone?’ speaks to a universal anxiety of solitary survival.

The following lines express betrayal and hardship, an audit of a relationship’s demise. Yet, they also encapsulate strength in the face of adversity, as the protagonist asserts the ability to move on despite being stripped of everything. In this light, the song seems to traverse emotional landscapes, from suffering to recovery.

The Hidden Meanings: Reading Between the Beats

At its core, ‘Another One Bites the Dust’ could be read as a confrontation with life’s inevitable defeats and victories. The song vividly portrays the ‘bullets’ of life that one must dodge, implying that survival is a recurring battle and that resilience is key to perseverance.

Some have interpreted the song’s repeating motifs as a reflection on the circle of life—’out of the doorway the bullets rip’—suggesting that regardless of one’s struggles, life goes on, and we’re all caught in its relentless tempo. The song’s looped bass and repeating verses serve to underscore the endless nature of these cycles.

Echoes that Resonate: The Song’s Most Striking Lyricism

Within ‘Another One Bites the Dust’, there are lines that have cemented themselves in the musical canon. ‘There are plenty of ways that you can hurt a man’ speaks to the myriad challenges one might face, while ‘I’m standing on my own two feet’ echoes resilience and the refusal to be subdued.

The interplay between themes of defeat and the celebration of self-reliance is what gives the song its lasting power. Its lyrics capture the duality of the human experience—the battles we face and triumph over, the vulnerabilities we harbor, and the indomitable spirit that drives us forward.