| Cover | Queen-Back Chat.jpg |
|---|---|
| Artist | Queen |
| Album | Hot Space |
| B-side | Staying Power |
| Released |
|
| Recorded | 1981 – 1982 |
| Genre | |
| Length |
|
| Label | |
| Writer | John Deacon |
| Producer | Queen · Reinhold Mack |
| Prev year | 1982 |
| Next year | 1984 |
"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 is a prime example of how Deacon was strongly pulling the band into dance orientated genres such as R&B, disco, and funk.[4] It reached #40 on the UK Singles Chart, #18 in South Africa[5] and a #19 entry in Ireland.
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".[6] In a Rolling Stone album review, 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."[2]
Critical reception
Upon its release, Johnny Waller of Sounds called "Back Chat" "custom made disposable pop in a sense", but believed it would be a "huge hit and deservedly so". He continued, "It's a great little pop song, with a deft guitar ripple intro, a bass line that Grandmaster Flash will liberate as soon as he hears it, and a simple, catchy danceable tune."[7]
Track listings
7" Single
A Side. "Back Chat" (Single Version) – 4:10
B Side. "Staying Power" – 4:10[8]
12" Single
A Side. "Back Chat" (Extended Version)[9] – 6:55
B Side. "Staying Power" – 4:10
Personnel
Instruments sourced from Queenvinyls.[10]
- Freddie Mercury – lead and backing vocals
- Brian May – electric guitar solos
- Roger Taylor – Simmons drums
- John Deacon – bass guitar, electric guitars, Jupiter-8, Linn LM-1
Chart performance
| Chart (1982) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| South Africa (Springbok Radio)[11] | 18 |
| France (SNEP)[12] | 8 |
References
- ^ "Queen Vault singles". Queen Vault
- ^ John Milward, "Queen: Hot Space", Rolling Stone, 10 June 1982
- ^ Sage, Tyler (9 August 2022). "40 Years Ago: Queen Releases a Minor Gem in 'Back Chat'". Ultimate Classic Rock
- ^ Obrecht, Jas. "Brian May Interview". Guitar Player (January 1983). Archived 2 January 2007 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 18 February 2011.
- ^ "SA Charts 1965–March 1989". Retrieved 5 September 2018.
- ^ "backchat". Oxford English Dictionary. Oxford University Press. Retrieved 7 May 2013.
- ^ Waller, Johnny (14 August 1982). "Singles". Sounds. p. 30. ISSN 0144-5774
- ^ "Queen "Hot Space" album and song lyrics". www.ultimatequeen.co.uk. Retrieved 2020-12-09.
- ^ "Ultimate Queen". www.ultimatequeen.co.uk
- ^ "From Harpsichord to Synthesizer and beyond: an introduction to Queen Organology". queenvinyls.com. 11 October 2016. Retrieved 2023-05-09.
- ^ "South African Rock Lists Website SA Charts 1969 – 1989 Acts (Q)". Rock.co.za. Retrieved 8 October 2020.
- ^ "1970-1989 de P à R". chartssinglestop40france.blogspot.com. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
External links
- Official YouTube videos: original music video, Live at The Bowl
- Lyrics at Queen official website