The song was ranked #4 by VH1 on their list of the 40 Greatest Metal Songs, and in 2009, it was named the second greatest hard rock song of all time by VH1. It was also ranked #187 on Rolling Stone's list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.. The same magazine has also ranked "Back in Black" number 29 on "The 100 Greatest Guitar Songs of All Time"
A number of artists have sampled "Back in Black" without permission from the copyright holders.
In 1984 the Beastie Boys sampled "Back in Black" without permission for their song "Rock Hard". In 1999, when they wished to include it on an upcoming CD compilation release, they sought permission but AC/DC refused. Mike D of the Beastie Boys quoted Malcolm Young's reason for refusing as: "'Nothing against you guys, but we just don't endorse sampling.'" Back In Black was also sampled in the 2003 song "Work It" by Nelly.
Art Brut usually begin their song "Formed a Band" with the intro to "Back In Black" when they play it live. A recorded version of this can be found on their 2006 "Nag Nag Nag Nag" EP. Eminem released a version of his hit, "My Name Is", with "Back In Black" as the bassline. The song was also heavily sampled to by the Evolution Control Committee in creating the song "Rocked by Rape".
Two live versions of the song later appeared on both versions of the album Live, as well as the Australian tour edition of Stiff Upper Lip. It has been covered by bands such as The Hives, Steriogram, Living Colour, Foo Fighters with Jack Black, Travis and Colombian pop singer Shakira. Other versions include:
* 1984 Beastie Boys, sampled without permission on "Rock Hard"
* 1986 Boogie Down Productions, sampled without permission on "Dope Beat"
* 1995 Kid Rock, demo with no vocals he scratch over the riff and added a hip hop beat to it, he also covers it in concert usually just the riff in the middle of Devil Without A Cause but he will cover it fully occasionally.
* 2001 Hayseed Dixie, on A Hillbilly Tribute to AC/DC
* 2003 Living Colour, on CollideĆøscope
* 2003 Back in Baroque... The String Tribute to AC/DC
* 2004 Shakira, on Live & Off the Record
* 2004 Six Feet Under, on Graveyard Classics 2
* 2005 Wing, on Wing sings AC/DC
* 2006 Art Brut, sampled without permission on a live recording of "Formed A Band"
* ???? Jackyl
* Several sports teams use the song during games, including the Chicago Blackhawks and the Carolina Hurricanes and athletic teams for the University of Georgia, University of Iowa and University of Nebraska.
* The London Wasps (UK) rugby team also use it as ther entrance theme.
* The slogan "Back in Black" was used to promote the debut of new black uniforms for the Oklahoma State University football team in 1993, including promotional black t-shirts, patterened after the single's album cover, with the letters "OSU" in the style of the AC/DC logo.
* In September 2006, "Back in Black" was used in a US Gap TV commercial featuring footage of Audrey Hepburn.
* The song was used for advertising of the Black Motorola Razr.
* It was used during the trailer for Men in Black II.
* ECW star Chris Candido used the theme as his entrance music.
* It was used during the trailer for Lilo and Stitch.
* It was used during the one of spots for Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith.
* Lewis Black uses a re-recording of the opening riff on his segment on The Daily Show.
* The song is used in the beginning of the 2008 film Iron Man as was also used in one of its trailers. In the movie, it is said this is because it is one of the main character Tony Stark's favorite songs (when one of the soldiers riding in the Jeep with him with the song playing reaches over to turn it off, he tells the man "Nobody turns off my music.")
* Jay-Z often uses this song's instrumental when performing 99 Problems live most famously at Glastonbury 2008
* The opening riff is used to introduce the "Million Dollar Riff" round on the Australian music program RocKwiz, which airs on the Special Broadcasting Service (SBS).
* "Back in Black" is one of the most played songs on the CW show Supernatural, as AC/DC is known to be character Dean Winchester's favorite band. Also an ad for Supernatural first aired on FOX8 in July 2009 plays the opening riff
* Back in Black was used to help promote the Ottawa Senators' new alternate jersey.
* The song is used in a Brazilian television ad for Ford Fusion.
* The song was used in the advert for the 3rd series of the TV show Heroes on BBC2.
* The song was used on the Alias (TV series) 2nd Series episode Phase One.
Back in Black
AC/DC Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I hit the sack
I've been too long, I'm glad to be back
Yes, I'm let loose
From the noose
That's kept me hanging about
I'm just looking at the sky
'Cause it's gettin' me highForget the hearse 'cause I never die
I got nine lives
Cat's eyes
Abusin' every one of them and running wild
'Cause I'm back
Yes, I'm back
Well, I'm back
Yes, I'm back
Well, I'm back, back
Well, I'm back in black
Yes, I'm back in black
Back in the back
Of a Cadillac
Number one with a bullet, I'm a power pack
Yes, I'm in a bang
With a gang
They've got to catch me if they want me to hang
'Cause I'm back on the track
And I'm beatin' the flack
Nobody's gonna get me on another rap
So look at me now
I'm just makin' my play
Don't try to push your luck, just get out of my way
Yes, I'm back
Well, I'm back
Yes, I'm back
Well, I'm back, back
Well, I'm back in black
Yes, I'm back in black
Well, I'm back, yes, I'm back
Well, I'm back, yes, I'm back
Well, I'm back, back
Well, I'm back in black
Yes, I'm back in black
Oh, yeah
Oh, yeah
Take my love
Oh, yeah, yeah
Oh, yeah, yeah, ooh, yeah
Well, I'm back (I'm back)
Back (I'm back)
Back (I'm back)
Back (I'm back)
Back (I'm back)
Back
Back in black
Yes, I'm back in black
I've hit the sack
AC/DC's Back in Black is a song that represents the band's comeback after their lead singer Bon Scott's death. The opening lines, "Back in black, I hit the sack, I've been too long, I'm glad to be back," symbolize Angus Young's return to the studio after the tragic loss of Scott. The songwriter feels relieved after a long, sorrowful period of mourning, and that is what the lyrics "I'm let loose from the noose that's kept me hanging about" allude to. He is finally free from the "noose" that held him back.
The song also exhibits the band's rebellious nature, as illustrated through the lines "Got nine lives, cat's eyes, abusing every one of them and running wild" and "Don't try to push your luck, just get out of my way." The lyrics reflect the band's assertiveness and fearlessness, as they assert their determination to continue making music despite Scott's death.
Overall, Back in Black is a powerful declaration of AC/DC's resilience and strength in the face of personal loss. It became a symbol of the band's rebirth and continues to be an enduring classic rock anthem.
Line by Line Meaning
Back in black
I am returning after some time, and I am ready to make a statement.
I hit the sack
I went to bed, but now I'm fully charged and ready to go.
I've been too long, I'm glad to be back
I've been away for a while, but it feels great to be back where I belong.
Yes, I'm let loose
I am free from any restrictions or restraints.
From the noose
I avoided danger or trouble that could have caused me harm.
That's kept me hanging about
I've been stuck or waiting for something but now I'm finally moving forward.
I've been looking at the sky
I've been dreaming or thinking big, and now I'm ready to make it happen.
'Cause it's gettin' me high
The possibilities for success are exhilarating, and I'm excited to pursue them.
Forget the hearse 'cause I never die
Don't worry about my death because I am fearless and unstoppable.
I got nine lives
I am resilient and can overcome any obstacles no matter how many chances it takes.
Cat's eyes
I have sharp senses and can detect any danger.
Abusin' every one of them and running wild
I am taking full advantage of all of my strengths and living life to the fullest.
Well, I'm back
I am announcing my presence and my strength.
Number one with a bullet, I'm a power pack
I am a force to be reckoned with and have immense power and influence.
Yes, I'm in a bang
I am part of a group and making a lot of noise or creating a big impact.
With a gang
I am surrounded by allies or supporters who always have my back.
They've got to catch me if they want me to hang
Those who try to bring me down or stop me will fail.
'Cause I'm back on the track
I am focused, determined, and back to pursuing my goals.
And I'm beatin' the flack
I am overcoming any resistance, difficulties, or setbacks.
Nobody's gonna get me on another rap
I won't be falsely accused or blamed for anything because I am in control and righting the wrongs.
So look at me now
See how I have returned stronger and more determined than ever before.
I'm just makin' my play
I am taking action and pursuing my plans to succeed.
Don't try to push your luck, just get out of my way
Don't mess with me or my plans because I won't tolerate any interference or obstacles.
Oh, yeah
I am expressing myself and enjoying my success.
Take my love
I am giving my love and passion to what I do and those around me.
Lyrics Ā© Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Brian Johnson, Young Angus Mckinnon, Young Malcolm Mitchell
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Thecoolman1
I donāt think people realize how much 1 billion truly is. 1 Billion plays would equal to this song being played every 1.38 seconds since it was released in 1980. Meaning on average, there would have been 183 places Back in Black would be playing at the same time, for the past 43 years!
But this video was released 11 years ago, so this would have been viewed on average 3 times per second, or have been playing simultaneously 762 places at the same time for the past 11 years.
Itās a lot!
@henryhill1231
Precisely an 8th of the population.
@Thecoolman1
@@henryhill1231 Yup
@Verymusician193
@@henryhill1231 not really, the population isn't exactly 8billion and even if it was, more than an 8th of the subjective population would have watched it as not everyone has access to the Internet and a lot of people may have watched it in like a group or from another video or perhaps a film and who knows maybe someone sang it to them; so realistically, way more people have watched, let alone heard this song
@Corgi_fax
ā@@Verymusician193 bro really said "erm achtuallyš¤" lol
@lyrics1059
And this is only from youtube.
@omegachad3536
Jarvis, see that family of four? activate lock on missiles
@DeGuyWihStuf
Jarvis clip that
@HarryFraser-yq7tl
Jarvis clean up the mess in Isle my pants
@AshishSahSr
š¤£š¤£