Song Facts & Meaning: Back In Black by AC/DC

ARTIST: AC/DC | ALBUM: BACK IN BLACK | RELEASED: 1980

Title track of AC/DC 8th studio album,

Title track of AC/DC's best selling album is a tribute to late Bon Scott. Brian Johnson was brought into the band as the new front-man following Scott's tragedy. Although there were thoughts of abandoning the band as a result of their former front-man's death, Angus and Malcolm Young were determined to come back stronger than ever. "Back in Black", and the Album as well, is very indicative their come back journey.

In an interview with Mojo magazine, Brain Johnson described the writing process of the song as follows: "they said, 'it can't be morbid – it has to be for Bon and it has to be a celebration.'I thought, 'Well no pressure there, then' (laughs). I just wrote what came into my head, which at the time seemed like mumbo, jumbo. 'Nine lives. Cats eyes. Abusing every one of them and running wild.' The boys got it though. They saw Bon's life in that lyric."

In fact, in the final version of the song, Brian Johnson keep saying, "I'm back, well I'm back," making an obvious connection to Bon Scott.

The song was an integral past of propelling the album into commercial and critical acclamation. In fact, Back in Black has sold in excess of 50 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best selling albums in the history of music, only second to Micheal Jackson's Thriller. It was, and still is, a hot magnet on rock and classic rock radio. After 30 years later, you can still see many previous generations of rock n' roll fans headbanging to the infamous guitar riff.

---

1. back in black I hit the sack
2. I been too long I’m glad to be back
3. yes I am
4. let loose from the noose
5. that's kept me hanging about
6. I keep looking at the sky cause it's gettin' me high
7. forget the hearse cause I’ll never die
8. I got nine lives cat's eyes
9. using every one of them and runnin' wild
10. cause I’m back
11. yes I’m back well I’m back
12. yes I’m back
13. well I’m back back
14. well I’m back in black
15. yes I’m back in black
16. back in the back of a Cadillac
17. number one with a bullet I’m a power pack
18. yes I am
19. in a bang with the gang
20. they gotta catch me if they want me to hang
21. cause I’m back on the track and I’m beatin' the flack
22. nobody's gonna get me on another rap
23. so look at me now I’m just makin' my play
24. don't try to push your luck just get out of my way
25. cause I’m back
26. yes I’m back
27. well I’m back
28. yes I’m back
29. well I’m back back
30. well I’m back in black
31. yes I’m back in black
32. 
    
33. well I’m back yes I’m back
34. well I’m back yes I’m back
35. well I’m back back
36. well I’m back in black
37. yes I’m back in black
38. 
    
39. well I’m back back
40. well I’m back back
41. back back
42. back in black
43. yes I’m back in black
44. 
    
45. outta sight