AC/DC – Back in Black (1980)
When you think of AC/DC, chances are you’re probably thinking of a track off of Back in Black. From the epic “Hells Bells” to Iron Man favorites “Shoot to Thrill” and the eponymous “Back in Black,” each and every track on this legendary album lives today in infamy.
AC/DC had just released megahit Highway to Hell and started working on this album when lead singer Bon Scott died after a night of partying too hard. With the future of the Australian group in danger, it seemed Back in Black was not to be. But the band decided to persevere, bringing in new lead singer Brian Johnson. They picked up where Scott left off, creating a new album that is both a tribute to their fallen brother and a statement of the group’s rebirth.
Everybody knows the songs on Back in Black. They are the essentials of hard rock. They dominate radio stations even today, and frequently appear in commercials, TV shows and movies. Even though this site tends to shy away from hard rock, I think we’d all agree that these are songs everyone can enjoy. The album kicks off with “Hells Bells,” as good as first song as there has ever been. Then it continues with hits like “Shoot to Thrill,” “You Shook Me All Night Long,” “Have a Drink on Me” and ultimately ends on the tremendous “Rock and Roll ain’t Noise Pollution.”
If you ever feel like you need to rock, Back in Black is about as good a soundtrack as you could ask for. The only problem you might have is that you’ve listened to it too many times.
Favorite Tracks: “Back in Black,” “Shoot to Thrill,” “You Shook Me All Night Long”