Studio Album · No. 7

Back in Black Songwriting Credits by AC/DC

1980 Albert Productions / Atlantic 10 tracks 42:11

Produced by Robert John "Mutt" Lange

Albert Productions / Atlantic Hard rockBlues rockRock and roll
100%
Authorship
Complete Artist

Holds writing credit on 10 of 10 tracks

Authorship Breakdown 10 / 10 documented

Who wrote the songs?

Scored across the 10 tracks with documented writers, by whether AC/DC carries a lyricist or composer credit.

100%
10 trackswritten by AC/DC 0 tracksoutside writers
AC/DC's roles on this album

Share of the 10 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.

Lyricist100%
Composer100%
Producer0%
Performer100%

By the Numbers

10
Tracks
3
Lyricists
1
Producers
1980
Released
Data Insight

The album that replaced a dead singer and became the biggest record in hard rock, and the credits show how it was done: Brian Johnson joins Angus and Malcolm Young on every track, taking the seat Bon Scott held, so the three-way writing arrangement survives the loss of one of the three. Mutt Lange produces for the second time. Nothing structural changed except who was singing.

Back in Black is AC/DC's seventh studio album, released on 25 July 1980, five months after Bon Scott's death and the first with Brian Johnson singing. Ten tracks produced by Robert John "Mutt" Lange. It reached number 1 in the UK, Australia, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Switzerland and number 4 in the US, and is one of the best-selling albums ever released.

Track Listing & Credits 10 tracks

Written by the artist Written by outside writers
#TitleLyricist(s)Composer(s)Producer(s)Performers
1
Hells Bells
Brian JohnsonAngus YoungMalcolm Young Brian JohnsonAngus McKinnon YoungMalcolm Mitchell Young Robert John "Mutt" Lange AC/DC (Performer)
2
Shoot to Thrill
Brian JohnsonAngus YoungMalcolm Young Brian JohnsonAngus McKinnon YoungMalcolm Mitchell Young Robert John "Mutt" Lange AC/DC (Performer)
3
What Do You Do for Money Honey
Brian JohnsonMalcolm YoungAngus Young Brian JohnsonMalcolm Mitchell YoungAngus McKinnon Young Robert John "Mutt" Lange AC/DC (Performer)
4
Givin the Dog a Bone
Brian JohnsonMalcolm YoungAngus Young Brian JohnsonMalcolm Mitchell YoungAngus McKinnon Young Robert John "Mutt" Lange AC/DC (Performer)
5
Let Me Put My Love into You
Brian JohnsonMalcolm YoungAngus Young Brian JohnsonMalcolm Mitchell YoungAngus McKinnon Young Robert John "Mutt" Lange AC/DC (Performer)
6
Back in Black
Malcolm YoungAngus YoungBrian Johnson Malcolm Mitchell YoungAngus McKinnon YoungBrian Johnson Robert John "Mutt" Lange AC/DC (Performer)
7
You Shook Me All Night Long
Angus YoungBrian JohnsonMalcolm Young Angus McKinnon YoungBrian JohnsonMalcolm Mitchell Young Robert John "Mutt" Lange AC/DC (Performer)
8
Have a Drink on Me
Angus YoungBrian JohnsonMalcolm Young Angus McKinnon YoungBrian JohnsonMalcolm Mitchell Young Robert John "Mutt" Lange AC/DC (Performer)
9
Shake a Leg
Brian JohnsonAngus YoungMalcolm Young Brian JohnsonAngus McKinnon YoungMalcolm Mitchell Young Robert John "Mutt" Lange AC/DC (Performer)
10
Rock and Roll Ain't Noise Pollution
Angus YoungBrian JohnsonMalcolm Young Angus McKinnon YoungBrian JohnsonMalcolm Mitchell Young Robert John "Mutt" Lange AC/DC (Performer)

Songwriter & Credit Spotlight 7 contributors

More from AC/DC

Frequently Asked Questions Back in Black

When was Back in Black released?
25 July 1980, five months after Bon Scott died. It is the band’s seventh studio album.
Who wrote Back in Black?
Angus Young, Malcolm Young and Brian Johnson, credited together across all ten tracks. Johnson took the writing seat Bon Scott had held.
Is this Brian Johnson’s first album?
Yes, he joined after Bon Scott’s death in February 1980 and recorded this album within months.
How did it chart?
Number 1 in the UK, Australia, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Switzerland, and number 4 in the US.
Who produced it?
Robert John "Mutt" Lange, his second album with the band.
Is it their best-selling album?
Yes, by a wide margin, and one of the best-selling albums by any artist.

Sources