Overview
After the success of their previous album, Highway to Hell, Bon Scott and company began developing a new album. Some of the songwriting had been completed when Scott died unexpectedly from alcohol poisoning. When Brian Johnson became lead singer, the group decided to finish the songwriting they had started under Scott, with the Young brothers composing the music and Johnson writing the lyrics. It contains some of AC/DC's biggest hits, including "Hells Bells", "Shoot to Thrill", "You Shook Me All Night Long", and the title track "Back in Black". The final song on the album, "Rock and Roll Ain't Noise Pollution" reached number 15 on the UK Singles Chart, the highest placing of any song on the album.
The album was recorded at Compass Point Studios in The Bahamas. It was not easy for the band, as their equipment was initially held up by customs, and the island was overcome with tropical storms that wreaked havoc on the studio's electricity. Johnson reported having trouble adjusting to the environment, and even referenced the bad weather on the opening lines of "Hells Bells" ("I'm rolling thunder, pourin' rain. I'm comin' on like a hurricane. My lightning's flashing across the sky. You're only young but you're gonna die.").
According to Angus Young the album's all-black cover was a "sign of mourning" for Scott. Atlantic Records disagreed with the cover, but accepted if the band put a grey outline around the AC/DC logo.
Despite its massive commercial success, Back In Black did not go to the top of the U.S. charts, peaking at number four; their next album, For Those About to Rock We Salute You, hit number one in 1981, their first to do so. Back In Black did, however, hit number one on the UK charts.
The song "Let Me Put My Love into You" was rated number six in the Parents Music Resource Center Filthy Fifteen list in 1985.
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