Back in Black

Infobox Album |
Name = Back in Black
Type = Studio album
Artist = AC/DC


Released = 25 July 1980
Recorded = April - May 1980 at Compass Point Studios in The Bahamas
Genre = Hard rock, heavy metal [cite web |url=http://wm02.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:wzaxqjkboj6a |title=Back in Black > Overview |author=Erlewine, Stephen Thomas |publisher=All Media Guide |accessdate=2007-11-08]
Length = 41:59
Label = Albert/Atlantic Records
Producer = Robert John "Mutt" Lange
Reviews =
* Allmusic Rating|5|5 [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:wzaxqjkboj6a link]
*"Blender" Rating|5|5 [http://www.blender.com/guide/reviews.aspx?id=2391 link]
* "Mojo" (Favourable) [http://www.buy.com/prod/back-in-black-deluxe-digipak/q/loc/109/60590750.html link]
* PopMatters (Favourable) [http://www.popmatters.com/music/reviews/a/acdc-back.shtml link]
* "Q" Rating|4.5|5 [http://www.q4music.com/nav?page=q4music.review.redirect&fixture_review=124962&resource=124962&fixture link]
* Robert Christgau (B-) [http://www.robertchristgau.com/get_artist.php?id=1720&name=AC%2FDC link]
* "Rolling Stone" Rating|5|5 [http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/album/227948/review/6862625/backinblack link]
* "Uncut" Rating|5|5 [http://www.buy.com/prod/back-in-black-deluxe-digipak/q/loc/109/60590750.html link]
Last album = "Highway To Hell"
(1979)
This album = "Back in Black"
(1980)
Next album = "For Those About to Rock We Salute You"
(1981)
Misc =

"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 19 February 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. 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 42 million copies - making it second only to Michael Jackson's "Thriller" as the best-selling album of all-time. [http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?table=SEARCH_RESULTS]

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. [cite web | url = http://www.everyhit.co.uk/recordalb.html | title = Record Breakers and Trivia: Albums | work = Every Hit | accessdate = 2007-02-01 ] 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. [cite web | url = http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?table=tblTop100 | title = Top 100 Albums | work = Recording Industry Association of America | date = 2006-07-31 | accessdate = 2007-02-01] 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.cite web | url = http://rockdetector.com/discography,111.sm | title = AC/DC discography | work = Rock Detector | accessdate = 2007-02-01]

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. [cite web | url = http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/6598049/73_back_in_black | title = 73) Back in Black | work = Rolling Stone | date = 2003-11-01 | accessdate = 2007-02-01 ] VH1 named 'Back in Black' as one of the biggest comeback albums of all time.

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
*All songs written by Angus Young, Malcolm Young, and Brian Johnson.

It should be noted that "Givin' the Dog a Bone" was originally spelled "Given the Dog a Bone."

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

*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

Chart performance

Albums [cite web | url = http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:lxfibkj96ak9~T30 | work = Allmusic | accessdate = 2007-02-01 | title = Charts & awards - Billboard albums] [cite web | url = http://www.everyhit.com/numberalb4.html | title = Number 1 Albums - 1980s | work = Every Hit | accessdate = 2007-02-01]

Singles [cite web | url = http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:57d6vwrva9xk~T31 | work = Allmusic | accessdate = 2007-01-29 | title = Charts & awards - Billboard singles] [cite web | url = http://www.everyhit.com/ | title = Every Hit | accessdate = 2007-02-01]

References

* Harvard reference
Surname1 = Engleheart
Given1 = Murray
Surname2 = Durieux
Given2 = Arnaud
Year = 2007
date = 2007-01-02
Title = AC/DC: Maximum Rock & Roll
Publisher = Harper Entertainment
ID = ISBN 0-0611-3391-4
url = http://www.acdcbook.com/.

Notes

External links

* [http://www.acdcrocks.com/backinblack.html Lyrics] on AC/DC's official website.

succession box
before = ""
by Deep Purple
title = UK Albums Chart number one album
years = 9 August 1980 – 22 August 1980
after = "Flesh + Blood" by Roxy Musicsuccession box
before = "Zenyattà Mondatta" by The Police
title = Australian Kent Music Report number-one album
years = March 9 – 15 March 1981
after = "Greatest Hits"
by Dr. Hook & The Medicine Show