The band formed in London in 1970 after May and Taylor's former band Smile split after having released an album and single. Freddie replaced lead vocalist Tim Staffell, after the latter's departure from the original trio.
There was much deliberation as to what the band's name would be. May and Taylor had settled upon the Grand Dance, derived from a C.S. Lewis Trilogy of books Out Of The Silent Planet.
Ultimately, the band went with Queen, a name that was entirely Freddie's. Originally Roger and, especially, Brian did not like the name, though Mercury would eventually persuade them both that it was "right" for the band.
"Years ago I thought up the name Queen... It's just a name, but it's very regal, and it sounds splendid. It's a strong name, very universal and immediate. It had a lot of visual potential and was open to all sorts of interpretations. I was certainly aware of the gay connotations, but that was just one facet of it. "
- Freddie Mercury.
Queen went through several bass players before a young electronics major by the name of John Deacon arrived on the scene in January of 1971.
"Until John, it had been exploding bass player syndrome. If they musically worked they'd look all wrong, and if they felt all right they couldn't play. - Brian May.
This quite shy guy turned up with his immaculate Rickenbacker bass and immaculate amplifier, plugged in, and as soon as he started playing we realized it was right." - Brian May.
Later that year, the band was secured recording time at the newly built De Lane Lea studio, and used the opportunity to record several songs that would later appear on their debut album - Liar, Keep Yourself Alive, Jesus, and The Night Comes Down. The demo reel was passed around from producer to producer with little success, until a staff member of Trident records by the name of Roy Thomas Baker was introduced to the band by fellow Trident producer John Anthony. Baker dropped in to watch the band at work and, clearly liking what he heard, recommended Queen to his superiors.
It was eventually agreed upon that the fledgling band could record at Trident studios, though after already-established artists had finished their work, such as the likes of Elton John and David Bowie. Relegated to the wee hours of the morning to record the remaining tracks of their first album, the band nonetheless stuck it out until they reached their ultimate goal of "perfection".
Queen's self-titled debut album was released in 1973 and received little attention from the general public. They quickly followed it a year later with a second album, "Queen II" which also failed to generate much interest from music fans in Britain, despite the success of the album's single, Seven Seas of Rhye, which would reach #10 on the charts after the band's mimed appearance on Top of the Pops.
The band's second album was recorded with a higher budget than the first, and the band threw everything they had into recording it. Queen II was somewhat of a "concept album", split into "White Side" vs. "Black Side".
As was in their nature, the band pressed onward after the mediocre success of their first two albums, immersing themselves in a world-wide tour to promote Queen II. Queen played in America for the first time, as a support act for Mott the Hoople.
Sheer Heart Attack would be released later that year, focusing more on being accessible to listeners, than the grand and complex ideas of the previous two albums. The recording of their third album was met with some hardships, as May fell victim to a series of illnesses brought on by an infected inoculation, required for the band's rigorous touring schedule.
Sheer Heart Attack brought even more success for the band, with May's Now I'm Here and the song that would be the band's "turning point", the Mercury-penned Killer Queen, the latter of which would reach #2 on the UK charts.
During this time, the band began developing a huge following in Japan and witnessed their popularity for themselves when they visited the country, mainly in 1975, to promote their fourth and most famous album "A Night At The Opera", featuring the epic "Bohemian Rhapsody".
Queen's popularity grew steadily through the latter half of the 70s as they released hit album after hit album, reaching its peak in the mid-80s after their "Live Aid" appearance, and continuing into the early 90s before Mercury's untimely death on 24th November 1991. The official cause of death was bronchial pneumonia resulting from AIDS.
Over the course of their 30 year career, the band did sound tracks for two films ("Flash Gordon" and "Highlander"), released a string of live and studio albums, and had many many fans across the world.
In 1995, 4 years after Mercury's death, the band released the album "Made In Heaven". This album saw the surviving band members in the studio completing or reworking unused vocals, unreleased variations of Freddie solo material (a Queen version of "I Was Born To Love You" for example), and tracks where Brian and Roger added lyrics to flesh out a song ("Mother Love").
Queen have been on indefinite hiatus since 1997, when John Deacon decided to retire.
Several "Queen + ..." projects have been developed in the following years, a few of them mere remixes with no artistic involvement from the band. In 1999, a "Greatest Hits III" album was released. This featured, among others, "Queen + Wyclef Jean" on a rap version of "Another One Bites the Dust", a live version of "Somebody to Love" performed by George Michael, and a live version of "The Show Must Go On" performed live in 1997 with Elton John.
Brian May and Roger Taylor have performed together as Queen on several occasions (award ceremonies, charity concerts, and the like), sharing vocals with various guest singers. They have also recorded several covers of Queen's hits with guest vocalists, including "We Will Rock You" (first with Five and later Britney Spears, Beyonce, John Farnham and P!nk) and "We Are the Champions" (with Robbie Williams).
On the 14th of May 2002 the Queen musical 'We Will Rock You' opened in the Dominion theatre in London's 'West End'. A Musical about young people in the distant future who aren't allowed to listen to music not generated by computers. Various Queen songs are used in the story, played by a live band. This live band was supported by Brian May and Roger Taylor on the premiere evening.
At the end of 2004, May and Taylor announced that they would reunite and return to touring in 2005, with Paul Rodgers (founder and former lead singer of Free and Bad Company). Brian May's website also stated that Rodgers would be 'featured with' Queen as 'Queen + Paul Rodgers', not replacing Mercury. The retired John Deacon would not be participating.
Between 2005 and 2006 Queen + Paul Rodgers embarked on a world tour, the first leg in Europe and the second, Japan and then the US in 2006. On 15 August 2006, Brian May confirmed through his website and fan club that Queen + Paul Rodgers would begin producing their first studio album beginning in October, to be recorded at a "secret location". The album, titled The Cosmos Rocks, was released in Europe on 12 September 2008 and in the United States on 28 October 2008. Following the album the band again embarked on a tour through Europe, opening on Kharkiv's Freedom Square in front of 350,000 Ukrainian fans. The show in Ukraine was later released on DVD.
Queen and Paul Rodgers officially split up without animosity on 12 May 2009. Rodgers did not rule out the possibility of working together again.
Since 2012, Queen has been touring with Adam Lambert as the frontman.
More information about Queen + Paul Rodgers can be found on their last.fm page.
Official website: www.queenonline.com
Discography:
1.- Queen (1973)
2.- Queen II (1974)
3.- Sheer Heart Attack (1974)
4.- A Night at the Opera (1975)
5.- A Day at the Races (1976)
6.- News of the World (1977)
7.- Jazz (1978)
8.- The Game (1980)
9.- Flash Gordon (1980)
10.- Hot Space (1982)
11.- The Works (1984)
12.- A Kind of Magic (1986)
13.- The Miracle (1989)
14.- Innuendo (1991)
15.- Made in Heaven (1995)
Back Chat
Queen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Get back get back
Back chat back chat
You burn all my energy
Back chat back chat
Criticizing all you see
Back chat, back chat
Analyzing what I say
And you always get your way
Oh yeah! See what you've done to me
Back chat, back chat
It's driving me insane
Survival to the end
Knock you down, you come again
Talk back, talk back
You've got me on the wrack
Twisting ev'ry word I say
Wind me up and get your way
Fat chance I have of making a romance
If I'm ever goin' to win
Have to get the last word in
Take it from there
Twisting ev'ry word I say, Huh!
Wind me up and let me play
Back chat, back chat
You burn all my energy
Back chat, back chat
Criticizing all you see
Back chat, back chat
Analyzing what I say
Back chat, back chat
And you always get your way
Come on now
Wake up, stand up
And drag yourself on out
Get down, get ready
Scream and shout
Back off me, be cool
And learn to change your ways
'Cause you're talking in your sleep
And you're walking in a daze
Don't push your luck
I'm ready to attack
'Cause when I'm trying to talk to you
All you do is just talk back
You stand so tall you don't frighten me at all
Don't talk back, don't talk back
Don't talk back just leave me alone
Back chat, back chat
You burn all my energy
Back chat, back chat
Criticizing all you see
Back chat, back chat
Analyzing what I say
Back chat, back chat
And you always get your way
Yes you do
Yes you do baby
Come on back chat, back chat
Back chat, back chat
Back chat, back chat
Go for it, go for it, go for it baby
Back chat, back chat
You're giving me the runaround
Criticizing (oh yeah), analyzing (oh yeah)
Yeah merci beaucoup
Get on down
The song "Back Chat" by Queen is an upbeat, funky tune that addresses the struggles of a relationship with a partner who talks back too much. The song starts with the singer complaining about his partner, who is burning all his energy by constantly talking back and criticizing everything he does. The partner is always analyzing what he says, twisting his words, and getting her way. The singer feels like he's going insane because of her behavior, and he's had enough.
He tries to stand up for himself, telling her to be cool and learn to change her ways, but she keeps talking back. He warns her not to push her luck, or he will attack. Towards the end of the song, the singer is pleading with his partner to leave him alone, as she's giving him the runaround.
The song is a representation of the patriarchal society that has been perpetuated, where men are expected to be dominant in their relationships. Freddie Mercury, the lead singer of Queen, wrote this song as a reflection of his personal struggles with former girlfriends, who would always talk back to him incessantly.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah
The singer is acknowledging the situation.
Get back get back
The person speaking is establishing dominance.
Back chat back chat
Direct reference to the title of the song, implying that there will be arguments.
You burn all my energy
The person speaking is mentally and emotionally drained.
Criticizing all you see
The person speaking is being very nitpicky.
Analyzing what I say
The person speaking is being scrutinized and monitored.
And you always get your way
The other person involved in the relationship is controlling.
Oh yeah! See what you've done to me
The person speaking realizes that they are being manipulated.
It's driving me insane
The person speaking is stressed out and frustrated.
Survival to the end
The person speaking is trying to survive in the relationship.
Knock you down, you come again
The other person involved in the relationship is not easily deterred.
Talk back, talk back
The other person involved in the relationship is often confrontational.
You've got me on the wrack
The person speaking is in a difficult and uncomfortable position.
Twisting ev'ry word I say
The other person involved in the relationship is being manipulative.
Wind me up and get your way
The other person involved in the relationship is skilled at getting what they want.
Fat chance I have of making a romance
The person speaking feels like the relationship has little chance of being successful.
If I'm ever goin' to win
The person speaking feels like they need to be victorious in order to succeed in the relationship.
Have to get the last word in
The person speaking feels like they need to have the final say in order to be successful.
Twisting ev'ry word I say, Huh!
The person speaking is emphasizing how manipulative the other person involved in the relationship is.
Wind me up and let me play
The person speaking wants to be free to do what they want.
Come on now
The person speaking is urging the other person involved in the relationship to act differently.
Wake up, stand up
The person speaking wants the other person involved in the relationship to take action and be more responsible.
And drag yourself on out
The person speaking is telling the other person involved to get their act together and move on from their negative behavior.
Get down, get ready
The person speaking is urging the other person involved to get serious about their efforts to improve the relationship.
Scream and shout
The person speaking is suggesting that the other person involved in the relationship needs to be more expressive and open-minded.
Back off me, be cool
The person speaking is telling the other person involved to relax and create some space in the relationship.
And learn to change your ways
The person speaking is encouraging the other person involved to embrace positive change.
'Cause you're talking in your sleep
The person speaking is accusing the other person involved in the relationship of being dishonest or manipulative.
And you're walking in a daze
The person speaking is suggesting that the other person involved in the relationship is not confident or focused.
Don't push your luck
The person speaking is warning the other person involved to be careful.
I'm ready to attack
The person speaking is prepared to fight back against negative behavior.
'Cause when I'm trying to talk to you
The person speaking is expressing frustration with the other person involved in the relationship.
All you do is just talk back
The person speaking feels like the other person involved in the relationship is not listening.
You stand so tall you don't frighten me at all
The person speaking is trying to show strength and independence.
Don't talk back, don't talk back
A repeating of the central theme of the song that talking back is not acceptable.
Don't talk back just leave me alone
The person speaking is asking for space and privacy.
Yes you do
The person speaking is acknowledging the other person involved in the relationship's negative behaviors.
Yes you do baby
The person speaking is speaking with sarcasm or cynicism.
Go for it, go for it, go for it baby
The person speaking is mocking the other person involved in the relationship and suggesting that their negative behavior is funny.
You're giving me the runaround
The person speaking is accusing the other person involved in the relationship of being dishonest or flighty.
Yeah merci beaucoup
The person speaking is sarcastically thanking the other person involved in the relationship.
Get on down
An invitation to change the subject or refocus the conversation.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: John Deacon
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@DollFunk
Lyrics
Yeah
Get back get back
Back chat back chat
You burn all my energy
Back chat back chat
Criticizing all you see
Back chat, back chat
Analyzing what I say
Back chat, back chat
And you always get your way
Oh yeah! See what you've done to me
Back chat, back chat
It's driving me insane
Survival to the end
Knock you down, you come again
Talk back, talk back
You've got me on the wrack
Twisting ev'ry word I say
Wind me up and get your way
Fat chance I have of making a romance
If I'm ever goin' to win
Have to get the last word in
Take it from there
Twisting ev'ry word I say, Huh!
Wind me up and let me play
Back chat, back chat
You burn all my energy
Back chat, back chat
Criticizing all you see
Back chat, back chat
Analyzing what I say
Back chat, back chat
And you always get your way
Come on now
Wake up, stand up
And drag yourself on out
Get down, get ready
Scream and shout
Back off me, be cool
And learn to change your ways
'Cause you're talking in your sleep
And you're walking in a daze
Don't push your luck
I'm ready to attack
'Cause when I'm trying to talk to you
All you do is just talk back
You stand so tall you don't frighten me at all
Don't talk back, don't talk back
Don't talk back just leave me alone
Back chat, back chat
You burn all my energy
Back chat, back chat
Criticizing all you see
Back chat, back chat
Analyzing what I say
Back chat, back chat
And you always get your way
Yes you do
Yes you do baby
Come on back chat, back chat
Back chat, back chat
Back chat, back chat
Go for it, go for it, go for it baby
Back chat, back chat
You're giving me the runaround
Criticizing (oh yeah), analyzing (oh yeah)
Yeah merci beaucoup
Get on down
@jofebefeambe5751
Back chat back chat
You burn all my energy
Back chat back chat
Criticizing all you see
Back chat back chat
Analysing what I say
Back chat back chat
And you always get your way
Oh, yeah! See what you've done to me
Back chat back chat
It's driving me insane
It's a battle to the end
Knock you down you come again
Talk back talk back
You've got me on the rack
Twisting every word I say
Wind me up and get your way
Fat chance I have of making a romance
If I'm ever going to win
I'll have to get the last word in
Take it from there
Twisting every word I say Huh!
Wind me up and let me play
Back chat back chat
You burn all my energy
Back chat back chat
Criticizing all you see
Back chat back chat
Analysing what I say
Back chat back chat
And you always get your way
Wake up stand up
And drag yourself on out
Get down get ready
Scream and shout
Back off, be cool
And learn to change your ways
'Cause you're talking in your sleep
And you're walking in a daze
Don't push your luck
I'm ready to attack
'Cause when I'm trying to talk to you
All you do is just talk back
You stand so tall you don't frighten me at all
Don't talk back don't talk back
Don't talk back just leave me alone
Back chat back chat
You burn all my energy
Back chat back chat
Criticizing all you see
Back chat back chat
Analysing what I say
Back chat back chat
And you always get your way
Yes you do
Yes you do baby
Come on back chat back chat
Back chat back chat
Back chat back chat
Go for it go for it go for it baby
Back chat back chat
You're giving me the runaround
Critisizing (oh, yeah), analysing (oh, yeah)
Yeah merci beaucoup
Get on down
@matthewneal7107
i love deacons incredible bass line
@evokki0075
Oh yeah, me too
@manalcali153
Matthew Neal
@Gringomania
This song was written by him ;-) and Freddie is performing perfect.
@LinYouToo
Matthew Neal and he plays rhythm too
@mirkoamicizia4824
John It's one of the most underrated Musician slash Bassist ever. He wrote some of Queen Greatest Hits. His bass lines are simply Lit. He deserve way more credits.
@nickavenoso7851
Man is John Deacon an underrated bass player! I always love his bass lines. It seems like not that many people talk about him when mentioning great bass players.
@arceptor
because he didnt have star power.
@joex9865
and...ive read he played all the guitars in this song
@l.100
I think he actually liked not being the centre of attention and in the spotlight