Song Clearance Sheet
5 sources citedAnother One Bites the Dust
Rock1980s110BPM
E minKey
More around 110 BPM → · More in E minor →
Tempo/key via GetSongBPM →, Deezer →
The verdict
Documented Sampling History
Not a sample at all — an original John Deacon composition whose bassline was inspired by the feel of Chic’s “Good Times” (which predates it), not lifted from its recording. Confirmed songwriter of record, no clearance obligation to Chic, and no dispute found. Bernard Edwards’ pointed account of the reversed-chronology press coverage lives in the Receipts.
Used by independents?
Unconfirmed — the page doesn't yet document enough sampler detail to tell.
Quick Facts
Released1980
AlbumThe Game
GenreRock, Funk Rock, Disco
LabelElektra / EMI
ProducerQueen · Reinhold Mack
Recorded atMusicland Studios, Munich
More infoWikipedia → · Discogs →
Who you need to ask
The songwriter of record — John Deacon — an original composition, no sample to clear
Axs → · checked Jul 2026
The current administrator — Hollywood Records (Queen’s US label)
Wikipedia → · checked Jul 2026
Has it been reused?
Not a sample itself — an original composition inspired by Chic’s “Good Times.” Queen’s best-selling single (7M+ sold), 15 weeks in the Billboard top 10 (the longest of any 1980 song), three weeks at #1.
Do they allow reuse?
No standalone policy found; confirmed songwriter of record and — importantly — no underlying sample to clear here at all.
Related Songs
Same album, answer records, and songs worth knowing about
The 1979 Chic track whose bassline FEEL inspired this song — an inspiration, NOT a sample or clearance obligation
Further up the same chain of influence (it inspired “Good Times”)
Who Owns It
Licenses explained →The two permissions you need, and who holds them
The song itself (the writing)John Deacon (Queen)
Important: this is not a sampleThis is an original riff inspired by Edwards’ approach, NOT a direct sample or copy — Deacon reused only the rhythmic feel of the opening notes. Both tracks happen to share the same key and tempo, but the bassline itself is Deacon’s own composition, so no clearance from Chic was ever required.
The recording (current administrator)Hollywood Records (Queen’s US label)
Receipts
Every public mention of terms, policy, or past deals we've found
A real, direct account of a racial double standard in music criticism
When music press suggested Chic had copied Queen — getting the chronology backwards, since “Good Times” predates this track by over a year — Chic’s Bernard Edwards directly pushed back, stating plainly that critics found it inconceivable Black musicians could be the innovative originators, framing that assumption itself as the real problem.
The Footnote · read it →
A direct connective thread to Kool & the Gang
Chic’s own “Good Times” was later revealed by Nile Rodgers (2015) to have itself been inspired by Kool & the Gang’s 1974 “Hollywood Swinging” (also in this catalog) — a real chain of influence worth noting.
The Vintage News · read it →
A delightful, unexpected practical use
The song’s roughly 110 BPM tempo made it a widely used tool for training medical professionals on correct CPR chest-compression rhythm.
Wikipedia · read it →
Real band tension over the disco direction
Bandmates were initially resistant to the Chic-inspired direction — drummer Roger Taylor was reportedly furious, feeling it wasn’t true to the band’s rock identity; Freddie Mercury championed it. Michael Jackson personally encouraged Queen to release it as a single after attending their shows.
Wikipedia · read it →
Can You Use It for Free?
How to check PD →Is it public domain?No
Sample History
—
Times sampled
An original composition inspired by Chic’s “Good Times”
Covers
—
First flip
Who to Contact
AO
John Deacon / Queen (Hollywood Records)
The confirmed songwriter of record — an original composition, no sample to clear
What they'll chargeNobody's shared numbers yet
Don't Want the Hassle?
Sample something pre-cleared insteadCheck Tracklib →
Find a similar sound that's 100% freeBrowse the catalog →
References
Every source cited on this page — 5 in total
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Page history · 2 updates
Jul 2026Page created — full research (Research Queue Batch 4)
Jul 2026BPM/Key pending the automated GetSongBPM/Deezer pass