1980 Rock Classic, Written Weeks After Singer's Death, Is Suddenly Climbing the Charts 46 Years Later
Nearly 46 years after its release, AC/DC's "Back in Black" is making its way up the music charts once again.
The classic rock song has re-entered Billboard's Hard Rock Streaming Songs chart at No. 25 for the week of May 30, marking its 275th overall week on the music chart.
Known for its blistering three-chord opening guitar riff, "Back in Black" was first released in July 1980 as a single from the Australian rock band's album of the same name. The Back in Black album was the first to feature new singer Brian Johnson after the sudden death of the band's previous singer, Bon Scott, in February 1980 from acute alcohol poisoning.
According to iHeart, the surviving AC/DC bandmates started working on the Back in Black record with Johnson days after Scott's funeral and recorded it less than three months later.
The title track, written by Johnson along with founding band members Angus and Malcolm Young, was penned in tribute to Scott. In a video interview in honor of the Back in Black album's 40th anniversary, Johnson recalled that the writing process was difficult so soon after Scott's death.
"I remember ‘Back In Black' was particularly difficult because the boys were saying, ‘Listen, we want this song in memory of Bon, but we don't want it to be sad or maudlin – we want it to be a good thing and a positive song,'" he shared. "So it was tough, but I think we managed it pretty good. It's kinda slow, but it's got a great riff."
"Back in Black" remains one of the greatest rock songs of all time, and the Young brothers' simple riff is one of music's most recognizable. Over the past four decades, the song has been featured in commercials, movies, and played as a hype anthem at sporting events.
In 2026, BBC Music's Classical Music ranked "Back in Black" as one of the greatest guitar riffs of all time.
"In the riff Angus Young conjured up for 1980's ‘Back In Black', it's as much about the space he creates than the notes he hits," the outlet noted. "It's a monumental piece, which appeals well beyond the band's traditional hard rock audience – when it's used to welcome sports teams onto the pitch, the entire crowd pound their hands and stomp their feet in celebration."
Related: 1987 Rock Anthem, Once Called ‘Dreadful' by Bandmate, Took 28 Years to Hit No. 1
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This story was originally published May 30, 2026 at 7:24 AM.