AC/DC Back in Black: The meaning behind the album cover

Available on Amazon

The ominous tolling of a bell opens what is arguably one of the greatest rock and roll albums of all time. AC/DC’s Back in Black marked a turning point for the group after the untimely death of lead singer Bon Scott at the age of 33. After the band achieved success not only in their home country of Australia but around the world as well, Scott battled issues with alcohol and drugs, eventually succumbing in February of 1980. At the time, the remaining members of the group contemplated disbanding but decided to press on after urging from fans, family and friends.

In choosing Scott’s replacement, the band strove to find someone who would not just imitate Scott’s signature rasping wail, but who could integrate into the band as they refined their new sound. Brian Johnson fit the bill and stepped into Scott’s shoes as the group’s new front man. Johnson himself wrote the lyrics for this album, as the group felt that it would be sacrilege to Scott’s legend to use his lyrics after his tragic passing. Less than six months after Scott’s death, AC/DC released Back in Black, which would go on to become the band’s most successful album and the second best-selling album of all time.

Staying true to AC/DC’s sex, drugs, and rock and roll roots, Back in Black delivers songs centered around partying and the hard rock lifestyle. The album serves as AC/DC’s homage to Scott, with the album cover in solid black as a symbol of mourning their loss. Maintaining elements of the style that fans knew and loved, this album features AC/DC’s rousing two-lead guitar sound, delivering a hard rock style that rattles listeners to the core with its rollicking guitar riffs. There is just something about this heavy-hitting sound that makes you want to get up out of your seat, jump around and dance.

AC/DC Back In Black

Photo: By Elfast (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

From the slow lead-in of the opening track, “Hells Bells,” the album references the group’s recent tragedy but does not dwell on it for too long. It moves on to use thinly-veiled sexual metaphors extolling the perks of rock and roll fame in “Givin’ the Dog a Bone” and “Let Me Put My Love into You.” The album progresses to deliver perennial party anthems “You Shook Me All Night Long” and the title track “Back in Black.” The stadium-shaking power chords, booming bass lines and aggressive drumming back up Johnson’s shrieking vocals, which pay tribute to Scott’s legacy while solidifying Johnson as the new lead singer.

AC/DC Back in Black: The meaning behind the album cover article published on Classic RockHistory.com© 2022

Classicrockhistory.com claims ownership of all its original content and Intellectual property under United States Copyright laws and those of all other foreign countries. No one person, business, or organization is allowed to re-publish any of our original content anywhere on the web or in print without our permission. All photos used are either public domain creative commons photos or licensed officially from Shutterstock under license with ClassicRockHistory.com. All photo credits have been placed at the end of the article.

DMCA.com Protection Status

Add Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Gems On Elton John's Caribou LP
Why There Were Many Overlooked Gems On Elton John’s Caribou LP
John Fogerty’s Biggest Hits
John Fogerty’s Biggest Hits Of His Solo Career
Parris Mayhew of Aggros/ex-Cro-Mags Interview
Parris Mayhew of Aggros/ex-Cro-Mags: The ClassicRockHistory.com Interview
Fleetwood Mac Hits
10 Biggest Fleetwood Mac Hits
Top 10 Bands And Artists From New Jersey
Top 10 Bands And Artists From New Jersey
Kiss’ ‘80s Albums Ranked
Kiss ’80s Albums Ranked
10 Modern Day Glam Metal Comeback Albums
10 Modern Day Glam Metal Comeback Albums
Emerson Lake & Palmer spinoff bands
A Look At The Two Spinoff Versions Of Emerson Lake & Palmer
Pete Mancini and Rich Lanahan
Pete Mancini And Rich Lanahan Release Gene Clark’s Gypsy Rider
Feature Photo: Roplling Stones Hackney Diamonds Frair Use for review and news purposes
Rolling Stones Channel Late 70s Sound On New Single “Angry.”
Will Rolling Stones New Album Bring Fans Back Into Record Stores?
Will Rolling Stones New Album Bring Fans Back Into Record Stores?
On This Day In 1972 The Grateful Dead Play Veneta, Oregon
On This Day In 1972 The Grateful Dead Play Veneta, Oregon
Malcolm Bruce Interview
Malcolm Bruce: The ClassicRockHistory.com Interview
Don Brewer Interview
An Interview With Don Brewer Of Grand Funk Railroad
Jeff Schroeder's 10 Favorite Smashing Pumpkins Tracks to Play Live
Jeff Schroeder’s 10 Favorite Smashing Pumpkins Tracks to Play Live
Ace Finchum Interview
Ace Finchum: The ClassicRockHistory.com Interview
Cro-Mags
Complete List Of Cro-Mags Albums And Discography
John Miles Albums
Complete List Of John Miles Albums And Discography
Ugly Kid Joe Albums
Complete List Of Ugly Kid Joe Albums And Discography
Big Bad Voodoo Daddy Albums
Complete List Of Big Bad Voodoo Daddy Albums And Discography
When Glam Bands Went Grunge In The 1990s
When Glam Bands Went Grunge In The 1990s
25 Most Famous Female American Singers Now!
25 Most Famous Female American Singers Now!
The Grateful Dead's Keyboard Players
A Look Back At The Grateful Dead’s Keyboard Players
10 Musicians Who Survived Fire & Electrical Accidents On Stage
10 Musicians Who Survived Fire And Electrical Accidents On Stage
Malcolm Bruce Interview
Malcolm Bruce: The ClassicRockHistory.com Interview
Don Brewer Interview
An Interview With Don Brewer Of Grand Funk Railroad
Jeff Schroeder's 10 Favorite Smashing Pumpkins Tracks to Play Live
Jeff Schroeder’s 10 Favorite Smashing Pumpkins Tracks to Play Live
Ace Finchum Interview
Ace Finchum: The ClassicRockHistory.com Interview
John Miles Rebel Albums Review
John Miles ‘Rebel’ Album Review
Aimee Mann’s Solo Debut Album "Whatever."
30 Year Look Back At Aimee Mann’s Solo Debut Album ‘Whatever’
The Best of Dwight Twilley - The Tulsa Years Vol 1. Album Review
The Best of Dwight Twilley – The Tulsa Years Vol 1. Album Review
Jackson Browne 'Running on Empty' Album Review
Jackson Browne ‘Running on Empty’ Album Review