{{About|the Queen song|other uses|Back chat (disambiguation)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2014}} {{Use British English|date=July 2014}} {{Infobox song | name = Back Chat | cover = Queen-Back Chat.jpg | alt = | caption = UK single picture sleeve | type = single | artist = Queen | album = Hot Space | B-side = Staying Power | released = *9 August 1982 (UK) *23 November 1982 (US)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.queenvault.com/backchatsingle.html|title=Queen Vault singles|website=Queen Vault }}</ref> | recorded = 1981 &ndash; 1982 | studio = | venue = | genre = * Funk rock<ref name="RS"/> * new wave<ref>{{cite web|last=Sage|first=Tyler|title=40 Years Ago: Queen Releases a Minor Gem in 'Back Chat'|url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/queen-back-chat/|website=Ultimate Classic Rock|date=9 August 2022}}</ref> | length = * 4:31 (album version) * 4:10 (single version) * 6:55 (12" extended version) | label = *EMI (UK) *Elektra (US) | writer = John Deacon | producer = {{hlist|Queen|Reinhold Mack}} | prev_title = Staying Power | prev_year = 1982 | next_title = Radio Ga Ga | next_year = 1984 | misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|y6QGP0OUaV4|"Back Chat"}}}} }} "'''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.<ref name="BMI">{{cite web |url=http://www.guitarplayer.com/article/gp-flashback-/April-2010/111745 |title=Brian May Interview |author=Obrecht, Jas |publisher=Guitar Player (January 1983) |access-date=18 February 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070102131812/http://www.pemcom.demon.co.uk/queen/articles/bhm8301.html |archive-date=2 January 2007 |url-status=live |df=dmy }}</ref> It reached #40 on the UK Singles Chart, #18 in South Africa<ref>{{cite web|title=SA Charts 1965–March 1989|url=http://www.rock.co.za/files/springbok_top_20_(Q).html|access-date=5 September 2018}}</ref> 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".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.oed.com/view/Entry/14364?rskey=vuRAA9&result=1#eid |title=backchat |publisher=Oxford University Press | work=Oxford English Dictionary |access-date=7 May 2013}}</ref> 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."<ref name=RS>John Milward, [https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/hot-space-19820610 "Queen: Hot Space"], ''Rolling Stone'', 10 June 1982</ref>

==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."<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Waller |first=Johnny |title=Singles |magazine=Sounds |date=14 August 1982 |page=30 |issn=0144-5774}}</ref>

== Track listings == '''7" Single'''

A Side. "Back Chat" (Single Version) – 4:10

B Side. "Staying Power" – 4:10<ref>{{Cite web|title=Queen "Hot Space" album and song lyrics|url=http://www.ultimatequeen.co.uk/queen/songs/hot-space.htm#Staying%20Power|access-date=2020-12-09|website=www.ultimatequeen.co.uk}}</ref>

'''12" Single'''

A Side. "Back Chat" (Extended Version)<ref>{{cite web |title=Ultimate Queen |url=http://www.ultimatequeen.co.uk/index.htm |website=www.ultimatequeen.co.uk}}</ref> – 6:55

B Side. "Staying Power" – 4:10

==Personnel== {{More citations needed section|date=December 2017}} Instruments sourced from Queenvinyls.<ref>{{cite web|title=From Harpsichord to Synthesizer and beyond: an introduction to Queen Organology |url=https://queenvinyls.com/articles/from-harspichord-to-synthesizer-and-beyond-an-introduction-to-queen-organology/|access-date=2023-05-09|website=queenvinyls.com|date=11 October 2016 }}</ref> *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== {| class="wikitable sortable" !Chart (1982) !Peak<br>position |- {{singlechart|Ireland2|19|song=Back Chat|artist=Queen|accessdate=3 August 2020}} |- |South Africa (Springbok Radio)<ref>{{cite web|title= South African Rock Lists Website SA Charts 1969 – 1989 Acts (Q) |publisher= Rock.co.za |url= http://www.rock.co.za/files/springbok_top_20_(Q).html |access-date=8 October 2020}}</ref> |align="center"|18 |- {{singlechart|UKsinglesbyname|40|song=Back Chat|artist=Queen|artistid=21275|accessdate=3 August 2020}} |- |France (SNEP)<ref>{{cite web|publisher= chartssinglestop40france.blogspot.com |url= https://chartssinglestop40france.blogspot.com/p/1970-1978-de-r-z.html|title=1970-1989 de P à R |access-date=9 May 2023}}</ref> |align="center"|8 |- {{singlechart|West Germany|69|song=Back Chat|artist=Queen|songid=122806|accessdate=3 August 2020}} |}

== References == {{Reflist}}

==External links== * Official YouTube videos: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6QGP0OUaV4 original music video], [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8L3nVZhIeE Live at The Bowl] * [http://www.queenonline.com/en/the-band/discography/hot-space/#lyrics Lyrics at Queen official website]

{{Queen singles}}

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Category:1982 songs Category:1982 singles Category:Queen (band) songs Category:British new wave songs Category:Funk rock songs Category:Songs written by John Deacon Category:Song recordings produced by Reinhold Mack Category:EMI Records singles Category:Elektra Records singles Category:Hollywood Records singles

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