Back In Black

Back in Black is the seventh studio album by Australian rock band AC/DC, released on 25 July 1980, by Albert Productions and Atlantic Records. It was the band’s first album to feature Brian Johnson as lead singer, following the death of their previous vocalist Bon Scott. After the commercial breakthrough of their 1979 album Highway to Hell, AC/DC was planning to record a follow-up, but in February 1980, Scott died from alcohol poisoning after a drinking binge. The remaining members of the group considered disbanding, but ultimately chose to continue on and recruited Johnson, who had previously been the vocalist for Geordie. The album was composed by Johnson and brothers Angus and Malcolm Young, and recorded over seven weeks in the Bahamas from April to May 1980 with producer Robert John “Mutt” Lange, who had also produced Highway to Hell. Following its completion, the group mixed Back in Black at Electric Lady Studios in New York City. The album’s all-black cover was designed as a “sign of mourning” for Scott. Back in Black was an unprecedented commercial and critical success. It has sold an estimated 50 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling albums in music history. AC/DC supported the album with a yearlong world tour that cemented them among the most popular music acts of the early 1980s. It has since been included on numerous “greatest albums” lists. On 21 August 2024, the album was certified 27× Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), making it the third best-selling album in the United States and the best-selling album that never reached the top spot on the American charts.

Tracklisting

Position Title Duration
A1 Hells Bells
A2 Shoot To Thrill
A3 What Do You Do For Money Honey
A4 Givin The Dog A Bone
A5 Let Me Put My Love Into You
B1 Back In Black
B2 You Shook Me All Night Long
B3 Have A Drink On Me
B4 Shake A Leg
B5 Rock And Roll Ain’t Noise Pollution

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Release Images

Release Information

Key Value
Wikipedia URL https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Back_in_Black
Format Vinyl LP Album Reissue Remastered Special Edition Stereo (Gold, 180g, 50th Anniversary )
Label Columbia
Catalog Number 19658834541
Notes 50th Anniversary special edition as 180 gram gold nugget vinyl.
Comes with a printed inner sleeve and includes a print (30x30 cm) with brand new AC/DC anniversary artwork.
There are two hype stickers on the outer film on the front.
Band logo and album title are embossed on the front of matte cover.

The Amazon exclusive limited edition version of this release comes with a slipmat featuring AC/DC 50th anniversary artwork.
The record and the slipmat are packed in a resealable foil bag. A different barcode sticker is applied to the outer film on the back of the LP over the original barcode.

[Printed on rectangular hypsticker:]
50th Anniversary
Special Edition
Gold Coloured Vinyl
Includes Unique Insert
And Custom Labels

[Printed on inner sleeve:]
Thanks to Keith Evans and Plug Usher for their help in the studio and to the rest of the AC/DC road crew: Ian, Jake, Mike and Terry. Thanks also to Benji.
Special thanks to Phil Carson and all the people at Atlantic Records and WEA International.
Originally released as [url=https://www.discogs.com/ACDC-Back-In-Black/release/6788772]Atlantic 16018[/url] on July 25, 1980

[Printed on back cover:]
© 1980, 2003 Leidseplein Presse B.V. / ℗ 1980 Leidseplein Presse B.V.
Made in the EU.

[Printed on artwork:]
Reverse side photo by Michael Putland archive. 1965883454111

[Printed on label side B:]
© 1980, 2024 Leidseplein Presse B.V.

Runouts are etched.
Pressing plant identified based on the runout areas.

A1 in the runout field = A₁ in the vinyl runout.
B1 in the runout field = B₁ in the vinyl runout.

[Additional information about the faintly inscribed geometric marks:]
In the runouts “7 1 -”, “6 T +”, “6 Λ T”, “7 + +”, “7 = T” and “6 Λ △” are mirrored.
Discogs URL ACDC - Back In Black