"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" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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 |
|---|---|
| Ireland (IRMA)[8] | 19 |
| South Africa (Springbok Radio)[9] | 18 |
| UK Singles (OCC)[10] | 40 |
| West Germany (Official German Charts)[11] | 69 |
Queen songs | |
|---|---|
| Queen | |
| Queen II | |
| Sheer Heart Attack | |
| A Night at the Opera |
|
| 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 | |
| |
| Authority control |
|
|---|
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