Wild suggested that it was influenced by the Beatles as well as contemporary power pop songs such as Cheap Trick's "Surrender," Blondie's "Hanging on the Telephone" and The Knack's "My Sharona." Baltimore Sun critic Tom Basham said that it "incorporates a Cheap Trick sounding bass pattern and some tasty strumming to produce a pure pop sound that is as memorable as it is lightweight." Ultimate Classic Rock critic Eduardo Rivadavia rated the song as the 8th best song Deacon wrote for Queen and described the song as "infectious power pop." Classic Rock History critic Millie Zeiler rated it John Deacon's 7th best Queen song, saying that the song "came from the viewpoint of a heartbroken man who saw the end of his romantic relationship as a mutual decision" but was "partially in denial." Zeiler said that the touch of 1960s nostalgia in the music made the song special. Rolling Stone critic Steve Pond regarded "Need Your Loving Tonight" as the best rock 'n' roll song on The Game, but complained that it "keeps tripping over its sluggish power chords." Clerc calls it a "pop-rock song par excellence" but claims that it is not among Deacon's greatest songwriting successes. Billboard claimed that the song has "the breezy energy of a 1960s pop song" and praised Brian May's "biting guitar work." Cash Box called it a "fine pop-oriented rocker." Record World called it a "pop rocker [that] celebrates young love with a pounding beat [and] guitar havoc." "Need Your Loving Tonight" was released as a single in some countries as a follow up to "Another One Bites the Dust" but did not match its predecessor's success, peaking at #44 on the Billboard Hot 100. Live performances "Need Your Loving Tonight" was played frequently during The Game Tour in 1980 and then less frequently in 1981, but was not played live thereafter. Also during live performances of the song, Brian May and Roger Taylor sang backing vocals and Freddie Mercury played piano during Brian's guitar solo (both of which were absent in the studio version). Personnel Freddie Mercury - lead and backing vocals Brian May - electric guitar, backing vocals Roger Taylor - drums, backing vocals John Deacon - bass guitar, acoustic guitar References External links Lyrics at Queen official website Queen (band) songs 1980 songs Songs written by John Deacon Song recordings produced by Reinhold Mack 1980 singles Elektra Records singles Hollywood