Back Chat
| "Back Chat" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Artwork for UK release | ||||
| Single by Queen | ||||
| from the album Hot Space | ||||
| B-side | "Staying Power" | |||
| Released | 9 August 1982 | |||
| Recorded | 1981 – 1982 | |||
| Genre | Funk rock | |||
| Length |
| |||
| Label | EMI, Elektra (USA) | |||
| Songwriter(s) | John Deacon | |||
| Producer(s) |
| |||
| Queen singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Music video | ||||
| "Back Chat" on YouTube | ||||
"Back Chat", written by the bass guitarist John Deacon, is the track most influenced by funk on the 1982 Queen album Hot Space. Deacon had chosen a no-compromise method of eliminating any rock elements from his songs for Hot Space. This act of defiance caused friction amongst fellow band members, particularly Brian May, who fought to retain at least some rock sensibilities in their funk diversions.[1] It reached #40 on the UK Singles Chart, #18 in South Africa[2] 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".[3] 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."[4]
Personnel
 | This section needs additional citations for verification. (December 2017) |
- Freddie Mercury - lead vocals 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)[5] | 19 |
| South Africa (Springbok Radio)[6] | 18 |
| UK Singles (OCC)[7] | 40 |
| West Germany (GfK)[8] | 69 |
References
- ^ 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
- ^ "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" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
External links
- Official YouTube videos: original music video, Live at The Bowl
- Lyrics at Queen official website
 | This 1980s rock song–related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |