1980 No. 1, Which Gained New Life As A Sports Anthem, Topped The Charts 46 Years Ago Today

During the week of October 4, 1980, Queen scored their second (and last) No. 1 hit on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart with "Another One Bites the Dust," breaking the four-week hot streak of Diana Ross' "Upside Down." The legendary British rockers weren't strangers to chart success by 1980; "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" became their first No. 1 song in the States earlier that year, and their innovative megahit "Bohemian Rhapsody," which took years to make and almost didn't get released, topped charts across the pond in 1975. But this was the first time one of their more hard-hitting songs made it to the top, where it stayed cozy for three weeks. 

Written by bassist John Deacon, who is arguably the band's most underrated member, "Another One Bites the Dust" is quite a change of pace for Queen. Its signature bass line and disco-infused rhythm give it an undeniable edge, while its lyrics deliciously drip with bold challenge. And who could ever forget Freddie Mercury's glorious pipes bringing it all together with incredible gusto? Its energetic buildup and infectious beat helped launch it to No. 1, but its unapologetic, in-your-face attitude and anthemic DNA gave it a whole new life in the sports industry.

"Another One Bites the Dust" spent an impressive 31 weeks on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart, but it cemented its place in the sports world before even topping the chart. In the fall of 1980, shortly before the song hit No. 1, members of the Detroit Lions famously created their own version of it to celebrate the team's uncharacteristic stellar start to the season. The parody played on Detroit radio stations and remains a beloved piece of lore among Lions fans.

The Lions weren't the only sports team to have fun with the track, though — not by a long shot. Over the last 46 years, it's played at youth games, in amateur sports leagues, and pretty much anywhere else competition is held and a lighthearted taunt is desired. Its versatility and resonance within the sports world make it an unskippable staple that's still relevant today.

It's easy to hear why "Another One Bites the Dust" is an iconic sports anthem decades after release. Its combative nature and consistent cadence make it the perfect soundtrack for a confrontation — and a celebration of an opponent's sweet, sweet downfall. One minute you're bobbing along with the beat, and the next, you're singing about bringing a man to the ground. It embodies the thrill of competition and easily joins Queen's other anthemic hits, "We Will Rock You" and "We Are the Champions," as one of the greatest sports jams in history.