Another One Bites the Dust trivia

It's a well-known fact that John was hanging around with the band Chic when they were composing the disco classic 'Good Times' (224th on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs http://web.archive.org/web/20080622145429/http://www.rollingstone.com/news/coverstory/500songs) and therefore the basslines have a vague resemblance - but there's an urban legend that Queen sampled the 'Good Times' bassline. A quick listen will prove that this is false. If it was true, it would make Bites the Dust the first song to sample 'Good Times' - contrary to popular belief, the bass on the 1979 hit 'Rapper's Delight' is in fact played by Chip Shearin, it's not a direct sample. One thing 'Good Times' and 'Another One Bites the Dust' do have in common is that both records are scratched on 'The Adventures of Grandmaster Flash on the Wheels of Steel' - the first DJ megamix. Grandmaster Flash scratches over the opening guitar line of 'Bites the Dust'. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXNzMVLqIHg 1:05-1:09) Another misconception is that the chorus run backwards is 'it's fun to smoke marijauna' - but again, it's just plain gibberish. Anyone know any more trivia on the song...?

Michael Jackson is the one who ultimately convinced them to release it as a single. The song has no keyboards in it... Freddie apparently sang and sang to make it just right... And I read on hear once, that JD recorded the guide vocal for it - to which Roger heard and laughed him out of the studio.... It was quit some time ago I read it, and I always wondered if it was true, but I didn't see any one in the messages afterwards dispute it.

<3

It's a well known fact that John was hanging out with Chic when they were composing Good Times? Where did this information come from?

A few years ago, I attended an interview with Nile Rodgers at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.  During the interview, Nile Rodgers indicated that John Deacon was hanging around the studio when Chic were recording and that he (Rodgers) believes that John got the idea for Another One Bites the Dust from Good Times.

By the way, Nile Rodgers is a very personable and lively man (an excellent interviewee), and he is a fabulous musician, as well.  Toward the beginning of his career, Rodgers worked as part of the house band at the Apollo Theater in Harlem, NY.  He was also part of the Seame Street Band, perhaps because he used to have green hair.  Rodgers was also a Black Panther in the Sixties.  He is currently suffering from, and receiving treatments, for cancer, so please keep him in your thoughts and prayers.

> The song has no keyboards in it... Of course it does. It's got both piano and synths. > And I read on hear once, that JD recorded the guide  vocal for it - to which Roger heard and laughed him out of the studio.... Wrong. Brian said he remembered John singing it to Freddie in order to teach him the melody and lyrics, but no mention was ever made on laughing or anything like that. You can find the actual quote on my website. > It was quit some time ago I read it, and I always wondered if it was true, but I didn't see any one in the messages afterwards  dispute it. <3 Oh sure and that means it's right... > It's a well known fact that John was hanging out  with Chic when they were composing Good Times? Where did this  information come from? Rolling Stone and the internet, the world's two most reliable sources...

Sebastian wrote:

> It's a well known fact that John was hanging out  with Chic when they were composing Good Times? Where did this  information come from?

> Rolling Stone and the internet, the world's two most reliable sources...

heres an interview with bernard edwards and nile rodgers

Chic - Mystique + Interview + Good Times (J Ross)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x73zbwcEe_4

at around 6.20

"...in the style of, not the actual riff..."

I have always thought there are no synths on it, it is all brians guitar using various effects.

cool.cat wrote: Sebastian wrote:

> It's a well known fact that John was hanging out  with Chic when they were composing Good Times? Where did this  information come from?

> Rolling Stone and the internet, the world's two most reliable sources...

heres an interview with bernard edwards and nile rodgers

Chic - Mystique + Interview + Good Times (J Ross)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x73zbwcEe_4

at around 6.20

"...in the style of, not the actual riff..."
====

Well, they're right, aren't they? :)

Loads of effects on Queen songs were Brian's guitar, loads of effects on Queen songs were NOT Brian's guitar, including Another One Bites the Dust, which has:

* Electronic Percussion
* Reversed Piano
* Reversed Synth

None of which is Brian's guitar.

Sebastian wrote: > The song has no keyboards in it... Of course it does. It's got both piano and synths. > And I read on hear once, that JD recorded the guide  vocal for it - to which Roger heard and laughed him out of the studio.... Wrong. Brian said he remembered John singing it to Freddie in order to teach him the melody and lyrics, but no mention was ever made on laughing or anything like that. You can find the actual quote on my website. > It was quit some time ago I read it, and I always wondered if it was true, but I didn't see any one in the messages afterwards  dispute it. <3 Oh sure and that means it's right... > It's a well known fact that John was hanging out  with Chic when they were composing Good Times? Where did this  information come from? Rolling Stone and the internet, the world's two most reliable sources... Seem a little uptight there, Sebash. I don't count a piano as a keyboard, a keyboard, to me, is an electronic keyboard. not a piano. And No, I'm not wrong. the 'sytnhs' you hear are keyboards and hi hats played in reverse. Nice try though. And I never said I thought it was true (the whole guide vocal thing) I just said I never saw it get disputed. So take it easy Sebash. <3

So let me get this straight: a piano is not a keyboard (the black & white thingies are strictly decoration) and neither is a synth. That leaves harpsichord and organ, right? I'm pretty sure neither was used on ABTD.

The 'effect' is a piano chord doubled on a synth, and then they're both backwards.

Oh, and for the record, of course they're both keyboard instruments. That's not a matter of opinion.

Other pieces of trivia:

-Freddie sang until his throat bled
-The album version is sped up to around 50 cents sharp

Don't be mad, kids. I merely mean an electric keyboard.

Perhaps you lads should get out more, and stop bickering about a 30 year old song?
A prospect you might want to explore!

<3

Don't be mad, kid, I merely mean you were wrong, and you were!

Perhaps you should get out more, and stop bickering about people bickering about a 30 year-old song?

A prospect you might want to explore!