| Back Chat | |
| Cover: | Queen-Back Chat.jpg |
| Caption: | UK single picture sleeve |
| Type: | single |
| Artist: | Queen |
| 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: | |
| Length: |
|
| Label: | |
| Prev Title: | Staying Power |
| Prev Year: | 1982 |
| Next Title: | Radio Ga Ga |
| 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."[7]
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.[8]
7" Single
A Side. "Back Chat" (Single Version) - 4:10
B Side. "Staying Power" - 4:10[9]
12" Single
A Side. "Back Chat" (Extended Version) - 6:55
B Side. "Staying Power" - 4:10
Instruments sourced from Queenvinyls.[10]