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Back in Black is the 7th studio album by Australian hard rock band AC/DC, released on 25 July 1980. Back in Black was the first AC/DC album recorded without former lead singer Bon Scott, who had died at the age of 33 on February 19, 1980. The band considered disbanding following Scott's death, but ultimately decided to continue and shortly thereafter hired Brian Johnson as their new lead singer and lyricist. Robert John "Mutt" Lange, who had previously worked with AC/DC on Highway to Hell, was again brought in to produce.
The album was remastered and re-released first in late 1994, then again in the Bonfire box set in 1997, and as part of the AC/DC Remasters Series in 2003. In addition, a Dualdisc version was released in 2004, featuring the album in enhanced LPCM Stereo format and the video documentary The Story of Back in Black.
The album is estimated to have sold 42 million copies internationally, making it the second best selling album of all time, and fifth best in America. It is also the Highest Selling Album by an Australian Music Act of all time.[2] It was also certified 22 times platinum in America by the RIAA on 2007-12-13. [3]
[edit] Overview
Back in Black contains some of AC/DC's biggest hits, including "Hells Bells", "You Shook Me All Night Long", and the title track "Back In Black." According to Angus Young the album's all-black cover was a "sign of mourning" for Scott, as black is the traditional color of mourning. It is AC/DC's best selling album, the second best-selling album of all time, and the biggest selling album by any band, with more than 42 million copies sold worldwide.[4] In 2006 Back in Black was certified by the Recording Industry Association of America as the fifth best-selling album in the United States, with 22 million copies sold.[5] Despite its massive commercial success, it is not AC/DC's highest charting album in the U.S, peaking at #4; their next album, For Those About to Rock We Salute You, hit #1 in 1982.[6]
In 1989, it was ranked #26 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of The 100 Greatest Albums of the 80's. In 2003, the album was ranked number 73 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time.[7] VH1 named 'Back in Black' as one of the biggest comeback albums of all time.
[edit] Track listing
- "Hells Bells" – 5:12
- "Shoot to Thrill" – 5:17
- "What Do You Do for Money Honey" – 3:35
- "Givin' the Dog a Bone" – 3:32
- "Let Me Put My Love into You" – 4:15
- "Back in Black" – 4:15
- "You Shook Me All Night Long" – 3:30
- "Have a Drink on Me" – 3:59
- "Shake a Leg" – 4:06
- "Rock and Roll Ain't Noise Pollution" – 4:15
[edit] Personnel
[edit] Production
- Robert John "Mutt" Lange — Producer
- Benji Armbrister — Assistant Engineer
- Bob Defrin — Art Direction
- Robert Ellis — Photography
- Bob Ludwig — Mastering (original LP)
- Barry Diament — Mastering (original CD releases)
- Ted Jensen — Remastering (EMI/Atco reissue)
- George Marino — Remastering (Epic reissue)
- Tony Platt — Engineer
- Brad Samuelsohn — Mixing
- Jack Newber — Assistant Engineer
[edit] Chart performance
Albums[8][6][9]
Singles[10][11]
| Year |
Single |
Chart |
Position |
| 1980 |
"Rock 'N' Roll Ain't Noise Pollution" |
UK Singles Chart |
#15 |
| 1980 |
"You Shook Me All Night Long" |
Billboard Hot 100 |
#35 |
| 1981 |
"Back In Black" |
Billboard Hot 100 |
#37 |
| 1980 |
"You Shook Me All Night Long" |
UK Singles Chart |
#38 |
| 1981 |
"Hells Bells" |
Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks |
#50 |
| 1981 |
"Back In Black" |
Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks |
#51 |
| 1981 |
"Shoot To Thrill" |
Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks |
#60 |
[edit] References
[edit] External links
- Lyrics on AC/DC's official website.
