"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.[2] It reached #40 on the UK Singles Chart, #18 in South Africa[3] and a #19 entry in Ireland.
"Back Chat" | ||||
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![]() 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 |
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Recorded | 1981 – 1982 | |||
Genre | Funk rock | |||
Length |
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Label |
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Songwriter(s) | John Deacon | |||
Producer(s) |
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Queen singles chronology | ||||
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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, 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 such songs as Come On Eileen and 1999.[6]
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
![]() | This section needs additional citations for verification. (December 2017) |
Chart (1982) | Peak position |
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Ireland (IRMA)[8] | 19 |
South Africa (Springbok Radio)[9] | 18 |
UK Singles (OCC)[10] | 40 |
West Germany (Official German Charts)[11] | 69 |
Queen songs | |
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Queen | |
Queen II | |
Sheer Heart Attack | |
A Night at the Opera |
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A Day at the Races | |
News of the World | |
Jazz | |
The Game | |
Flash Gordon | |
Hot Space | |
The Works |
|
A Kind of Magic | |
The Miracle | |
Innuendo | |
Made in Heaven | |
Queen Rocks | |
Queen Forever | |
Other songs | |
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Authority control ![]() |
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