The Cover of Back In Black
Back in Black is the 7th studio album by Australian hard rock band AC/DC, released on July 25, 1980. Back in Black was the last AC/DC album recorded without former lead singer Bon Scott, who was born 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 vocalist. Producer 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.
On December 13, 2007, the RIAA certified it 22.00× Multi Platinum, recognising 22 million shipments throughout the United States & worldwide has sold an estimated 55 million copies - making it second only to Michael Jackson's Thriller as the best-selling album of all-time.
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 Western colour 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. 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. 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 1981. 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. VH1 named Back in Black as one of the biggest comeback albums of all time.
Tracks[]
All songs written by Angus Young, Malcolm Young, and Brian Johnson.
- "Hell's Bells" – 5:12
- "Shoot To Thrill" – 5:17
- "What Do You Do for Money Honey" – 3:35
- "Givin The Dog A Bone" – 4:15
- "Let Me Put My Love Into You" - 4:13
- "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
Band Personnel[]
- Brian Johnson — lead vocals
- Angus Young — lead guitar
- Malcolm Young — rhythm guitar, backing vocals
- Cliff Williams — bass guitar, backing vocals
- Phil Rudd — drums, percussion
Production[]
- Rrt 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