Back Chat
"Back Chat", written by the bass guitarist John Deacon, is the track most influenced by funk on the 1982 Queen album Hot Space. The song sets a great example of how Deacon was strongly pulling the band into dance orientated genres such as R&B, Disco, and funk.[2] It reached #40 on the UK Singles Chart, #18 in South Africa[3] and a #19 entry in Ireland.
"Back Chat" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() UK single picture sleeve | ||||
Single by Queen | ||||
from the album Hot Space | ||||
A-side | "Back Chat" (Extended Version) (A Side for the 12" version)[1] | |||
B-side | "Staying Power" | |||
Released |
| |||
Recorded | 1981 – 1982 | |||
Genre | Funk rock | |||
Length |
| |||
Label | ||||
Songwriter(s) | John Deacon | |||
Producer(s) |
| |||
Queen singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Music video | ||||
"Back Chat" on YouTube |
The track was performed on the Hot Space Tour at a faster tempo, with a more rock-oriented arrangement. "Back Chat", the title, is an English idiom referring to "impertinent or impudent replies, especially to a superior".[4] In a Rolling Stone album review, the critic John Milward described the musical style of the song as: "a hot rock-funk tune, with guitar tracks as slick as an icy dance floor."[5]
In 2022 Far Out magazine named the song as one of the 40 best songs released in 1982 alongside songs like Come On Eileen and 1999.[6]
Track listings
7" Single
A Side. "Back Chat" (Single Version) - 4:10
B Side. "Staying Power" - 4:10[7]
12" Single
A Side. "Back Chat" (Extended Version) - 6:55
B Side. "Staying Power" - 4:10
Personnel
- Freddie Mercury - lead and backing vocals
- Brian May - guitar solos
- Roger Taylor - electronic drums
- John Deacon - bass guitar, rhythm guitar, lead guitar, synthesizer, drum machine
Chart performance
Chart (1982) | Peak position |
---|---|
Ireland (IRMA)[8] | 19 |
South Africa (Springbok Radio)[9] | 18 |
UK Singles (OCC)[10] | 40 |
West Germany (Official German Charts)[11] | 69 |
References
- "Ultimate Queen". www.ultimatequeen.co.uk.
- Obrecht, Jas. "Brian May Interview". Guitar Player (January 1983). Archived from the original on 2 January 2007. Retrieved 18 February 2011.
- "SA Charts 1965–March 1989". Retrieved 5 September 2018.
- "backchat". Oxford English Dictionary. Oxford University Press. Retrieved 7 May 2013.
- John Milward, "Queen: Hot Space", Rolling Stone, 10 June 1982
- "A playlist of the 40 best songs of 1982". faroutmagazine.co.uk. 13 April 2022. Retrieved 20 April 2022.
- "Queen "Hot Space" album and song lyrics". www.ultimatequeen.co.uk. Retrieved 9 December 2020.
- "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Back Chat". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
- "South African Rock Lists Website SA Charts 1969 – 1989 Acts (Q)". Rock.co.za. Retrieved 8 October 2020.
- "Queen: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
- "Offiziellecharts.de – Queen – Back Chat". GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
External links
- Official YouTube videos: original music video, Live at The Bowl
- Lyrics at Queen official website