Queen & Adam Lambert’s Neil Fairclough shares insights on replicating the iconic “Another One Bites The Dust” bassline

Could “Another One Bites The Dust” boast the best bassline ever? That’s a hot topic among bass enthusiasts and Queen fans alike. With its unmistakable groove, this track not only showcased Queen’s foray into disco but also highlighted the genius of John Deacon’s bass craftsmanship.

Neil Fairclough, who played bass for Queen & Adam Lambert, shares his take on what makes this bassline stand out. He emphasizes the precision required in playing it correctly: “The most important thing about this bass-line is the note lengths. If you play the notes too long it sounds wrong, and if you play them too short, it sounds staccato.” It’s a fine line between getting it just right and losing the essence of the rhythm.

Fairclough approaches the iconic bassline with a blend of reverence and personal touch: “Personally, I just do my best John Deacon impression, with a little bit of freedom in the breakdown.” When performing the song live, Fairclough opts for a Stingray bass, inspired by Deacon’s choice of instrument for the original recording: “I use a Stingray, because I read that on the original, John used a Music Man with flatwounds, believe it or not.”

Fairclough’s connection to the song extended to his involvement in the “Bohemian Rhapsody” film, where he recorded the bass part at Abbey Road studios. Recounting the experience, he says, “I went to Abbey Road studios before the Bohemian Rhapsody film was released in 2018, and they recorded me playing in the scene where the actor playing John shows them the bass part. They wanted the part as it would have sounded in the rehearsal room. It was very strange to hear my part up there on the screen, but very flattering too.”

On the universal appeal of “Another One Bites The Dust,” Fairclough observes, “It’s not just bass players who know it – Joe Public knows it too.” The song’s bassline has transcended its origins to become a widely recognized riff.

Fairclough’s experience playing with Queen & Adam Lambert highlights the band’s dedication to live, authentic performances: “Some nights it might be slightly faster or slower, but that’s part of being a real band. They’re Queen, and they live and breathe the music.”