Queen fans have a big reason to celebrate! John Deacon’s unforgettable bassline in “Another One Bites the Dust” has been voted the greatest bassline ever in a new poll by Sky Arts. The poll was created to mark the launch of Greatest Basslines, a new three-part series that explores the most iconic groove-driven songs in music history.
More than 2,000 music lovers took part in the poll, and the results show just how much people appreciate the power of a great bassline. Not only did Queen take the top spot, but they also had four songs in the Top 10. These included:
#1 – Another One Bites the Dust
#3 – Under Pressure
#5 – Radio Gaga
#8 – Killer Queen
This achievement also earned John Deacon another honor: he was voted the greatest bassist of all time in a separate Sky Arts poll. Even though he retired from the music scene years ago, his influence clearly lives on.
Why This Bassline Matters
“Another One Bites the Dust” is one of those songs where the moment the bass kicks in, you instantly know what you’re hearing. Deacon wrote the track, and its groove carries the entire song from start to finish. It’s simple, catchy, and incredibly powerful. The bass doesn’t just support the song—it leads it.
Peter Hook, legendary bassist from New Order and Joy Division, praised the results, saying that basslines are “the heartbeat” of many iconic tracks. He also joked about being told to “just play root notes” by guitarists, responding with a firm “NO!” His reaction shows how important the bass is for creativity and energy in music.
Bass Players Are Finally Getting Their Recognition
The survey didn’t just stop at ranking songs. It also found that nearly half of all people think the bassist is the coolest member of a band. And 63% believe bass players are underrated. Anyone who has ever felt the thump of a bassline at a concert would probably agree.
Greatest Basslines TV Series
This new poll ties into the release of Greatest Basslines, a series airing on Sky Arts, Freeview, and NOW. Each episode is hosted by a well-known bassist:
Peter Hook (New Order / Joy Division)
Melissa Auf der Maur (Hole, The Smashing Pumpkins)
Nate Mendel (Foo Fighters)
The series dives into the stories behind these famous grooves and celebrates the musicians who shaped them.
Top 25 Basslines According to the Poll
Here are the full results:
- Another One Bites the Dust – Queen
- Billie Jean – Michael Jackson
- Under Pressure – Queen
- The Chain – Fleetwood Mac
- Radio Gaga – Queen
- Come Together – The Beatles
- Stand By Me – Ben E. King
- Killer Queen – Queen
- Another Brick in the Wall (Part 2) – Pink Floyd
- Walking on the Moon – The Police
- I Want You Back – The Jackson 5
- Money – Pink Floyd
- With or Without You – U2
- Good Times – Chic
- My Generation – The Who
- Love Will Tear Us Apart – Joy Division
- Play That Funky Music – Wild Cherry
- You Can Call Me Al – Paul Simon
- Walk on the Wild Side – Lou Reed
- Give It Away – Red Hot Chili Peppers
- Feel Good Inc. – Gorillaz
- Psycho Killer – Talking Heads
- Around the World – Daft Punk
- Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone – The Temptations
- Temptation – New Order
John Deacon may be quiet in his personal life today, but his music still speaks loudly. The results of the poll show just how deeply his basslines—and Queen’s music as a whole—continue to resonate with fans around the world.