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Song story

Back In Black

“Back In Black” is a song by AC/DC released on 1980-07-25.

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Catalog dateJul 25, 1980

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The numbers behind the music

Earnings, value, and rights.

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Deterministic forecast

Spotify royalty estimates

Gross to rightsholders

All time

$6,788,000

Rounded forecast · nearest $1,000

estimated Spotify gross royalties to rightsholders

Inputs and assumptions
As of
Sep 7, 2026
Source
Chartmetric
Formula version
artistsphere_spotify_gross_preview_v1

Each figure multiplies an identity-matched Chartmetric Spotify stream count by a deterministic $0.003 modeled gross rightsholder rate. The estimate is gross to rightsholders before contractual splits, fees, recoupment, and taxes; it is not artist take-home pay.

These estimates represent gross royalties to rightsholders before contractual splits, fees, recoupment, and taxes. They do not represent artist take-home pay.

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Explore the modeled all-platform range, estimated revenue sources, and illustrative recording and composition rights splits. These are estimated gross royalties to rightsholders, not artist take-home pay.

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AC/DC’s “Back in Black”: mourning, momentum and a new voice

The title track first appeared on the album released July 25, 1980, then became a U.S. single that November—marking AC/DC’s return with Brian Johnson after Bon Scott’s death.

Continuing after Bon Scott

Bon Scott died on February 19, 1980. AC/DC subsequently recruited former Geordie singer Brian Johnson, whose arrival was announced in April. Angus Young has recalled that Malcolm Young urged him to resume the writing they had already begun, describing the work as a way of coping with Scott’s death. Back in Black became the first AC/DC album with Johnson on lead vocals; Angus later called it a tribute to Scott, while the album’s black cover was chosen as a sign of mourning.

Sources: acdc.com, acdc.com, grammy.com

Recorded in the Bahamas and finished in New York

AC/DC began recording Back in Black in Nassau, Bahamas, in April 1980. The album credits place the Compass Point Studios sessions in April and May, with Robert John “Mutt” Lange producing and Tony Platt engineering. Platt said the band tracked the songs largely live, with Angus Young, Malcolm Young, Cliff Williams and Phil Rudd playing together. Some guitar overdubs and the album’s mixing were completed at Electric Lady Studios in New York.

Sources: premierguitar.com, electricladystudios.com

From album track to U.S. single

“Back in Black” was track six on the album of the same name, which was released on July 25, 1980. That date marks the recording’s first album release, not its original release as a standalone single. Atlantic issued “Back in Black,” backed with “What Do You Do for Money Honey,” as a U.S. single on November 28, 1980. It reached No. 37 on the Billboard chart dated February 21, 1981. The album itself went on to sell more than 50 million copies worldwide.

Sources: acdc.com, acdc.com, acdc.com, grammy.com

Documented credits

Artist
AC/DC
Producer
Robert John “Mutt” Lange
Lead vocals
Brian Johnson
Lead guitar
Angus Young
Guitar
Malcolm Young
Bass
Cliff Williams
Drums
Phil Rudd
Research sources
Last researched 2026-09-08.

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Spotify playlists

Where listeners find Back In Black.

Selected TikTok examples

Popular videos featuring Back In Black.

Sound: Back In Black

@natalia_veretelnik

Иногда тара катится, и случается казус! #фьюзинг #рукоделие #спеканиестекла #плоскаябутылка #мастерская #арт #стеклянноеблюдо #поделки #хочуврек #дизайнер

78.9M views

Watch on TikTok ↗

Sound: Back In Black

@golfballmonkey

Rolling #golf #golftiktok #fyp

48M views

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Sound: Back In Black

@familypass

Fast #game #fast #filter

1.5M views

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Keep exploring

There is more to AC/DC.

Explore AC/DC through ArtistSphere's verified catalog signals across hard rock, classic rock, garage rock, with Highway to Hell, Thunderstruck, Back In Black as listening starting points. Continue with the available verified links and fan discovery sections for Spotify, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram posts, TikTok highlights, playlists gathered for this artist page.

Visit the artist home →

AC/DC

T.N.T.

1976
Estimated all-time Spotify gross royalties to rightsholders$3,144,000Explore

AC/DC

C.O.D.

1981
Estimated all-time Spotify gross royalties to rightsholders$15,000Explore

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