Back In Black – English Lyrics

• By: AC/DC

Lyrics & Translation

Explore the iconic song "Back in Black" by AC/DC, a powerful tribute born from tragedy. This hard rock anthem showcases the band's resilience and enduring spirit, offering listeners a lesson in perseverance and the ability to honor the past while forging a new path. Discover the story behind the legendary guitar riff and the meaning woven into its unforgettable lyrics.

[English]

("Back In Black" by AC/DC)

♪ Back in black ♪

♪ 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've been looking at the sky ♪

♪ 'Cause it's gettin' me high ♪

♪ Forget 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 ♪

♪ '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 ♪

♪ 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 ♪

♪ Back ♪

♪ Back ♪

♪ Back ♪

♪ Back ♪

♪ Back ♪

♪ Back in black ♪

♪ Yes I'm back in black ♪

♪ I've hit the sack ♪

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
back /bæk/ A1	adjective - at or towards the rear noun - the rear part of the human body verb - to move backwards
black /blæk/ A1	adjective - of the darkest color; due to the absence or complete absorption of light noun - the color black
sack /sæk/ B1	noun - a large bag made of strong material such as burlap, thick paper, or plastic, used for storing and carrying goods. verb - to dismiss from employment
glad /ɡlæd/ A2	adjective - pleased; happy
loose /luːs/ B1	adjective - not firmly or tightly fixed in place; detached or able to be detached. verb - to set free; release
noose /nuːs/ B2	noun - a loop with a running knot, tightening when pulled and used to hang people or trap animals.
hanging /ˈhæŋɪŋ/ B1	noun - the action of suspending something adjective - suspended or attached at the upper end only
sky /skaɪ/ A1	noun - the region of the atmosphere and outer space seen from the earth.
high /haɪ/ A1	adjective - of great vertical extent.
hearse /hɜːrs/ B2	noun - a vehicle for conveying a coffin to the church or cemetery.
die /daɪ/ A1	verb - stop living
lives /laɪvz/ A1	noun - the condition that distinguishes organisms from inorganic matter, including the capacity for growth, reproduction, functional activity, and continual change preceding death.
cat /kæt/ A1	noun - a small domesticated carnivorous mammal with soft fur, a short snout, and retractile claws.
eyes /aɪz/ A1	noun - each of a pair of globular organs in the head through which people and vertebrate animals see.
wild /waɪld/ A2	adjective - living or growing in the natural environment; not domesticated or cultivated.

Key Grammar Structures

• I've been too long I'm glad to be back

  ➔ Present Perfect Continuous (I've been) and infinitive of purpose (to be back)

  ➔ "I've been too long" implies a duration. The speaker is expressing relief at returning. "to be back" explains the reason for being glad.

• That's kept me hanging about

  ➔ Relative clause with "that", Present Perfect (kept) and phrasal verb (hanging about)

  ➔ "That's kept me hanging about" refers to something unspecified that prevented the speaker from moving on. "hanging about" means lingering or waiting.

• Forget the hearse 'cause I never die

  ➔ Imperative (Forget), conjunction 'cause (because) and simple present for general truth

  ➔ The speaker asserts invincibility using a simplified form of "because". Using simple present "I never die" suggests a constant, unchanging state.

• They've got to catch me if they want me to hang

  ➔ Modal verb "have got to" (expressing obligation), conditional clause (if they want) with infinitive of purpose (to hang)

  ➔ "They've got to catch me" indicates necessity for someone to catch the speaker. "If they want me to hang" is a condition required for the consequence (hanging) to occur.

• Nobody's gonna get me on another rap

  ➔ Future simple with "gonna" (going to), negative pronoun (Nobody)

  ➔ "Nobody's gonna get me" expresses that no one will succeed in doing something to the speaker. "Another rap" refers to another false accusation or problem.

• Don't try to push your luck just get out of my way

  ➔ Imperative (Don't try, get out), infinitive of purpose (to push), prepositional phrase (out of my way)

  ➔ Expresses a strong command to avoid interference. "Don't try to push your luck" is a warning against testing the speaker's patience. "get out of my way" is a direct order to move aside.