Alright, rock enthusiasts! Are you ready to dive into a true rock anthem? Learning to play “Back in Black” by AC/DC is a rite of passage for any guitarist, and the great news is, it’s incredibly beginner-friendly. This hard-rocking track primarily uses open guitar chords and power chords, making it accessible for players just starting their guitar journey. You’ll even encounter a few simple guitar licks to spice things up.
Before you crank up the volume and jump into learning these Guitar Chords For Back In Black, note that this lesson will focus on the rhythm guitar parts and chords. Guitar solos are not included in this breakdown. However, if you’re an intermediate or advanced player eager to tackle those iconic Angus Young solos, let us know in the comments! We’re happy to create a follow-up lesson just for you if there’s enough interest. We understand the frustration of guitar lessons that skip the solos, so your feedback will guide us.
Ready to rock? Let’s get started! Check out our YouTube lesson embedded below for a visual guide. If you need to take your time and digest each section, simply scroll down to find chord diagrams and tablature to help you along the way.
Gear Up for Black in Black
Gear Corner
To truly capture the iconic tone of AC/DC, think Marshall stacks – and lots of them. For that authentic Angus Young lead guitar sound, a Gibson SG paired with a 100-watt Marshall JMP100 Super Lead is the classic combination. The only catch with a full stack JMP100? Finding a place to put it!
For most of us, a combo Marshall amp with EL34 tubes will be more than sufficient for home practice and even small to medium-sized gigs. You might be surprised to learn that Angus Young actually uses less distortion than you might expect. Many AC/DC covers, especially online, often feature a tone that’s far too distorted, pushing the sound closer to heavy metal. While there’s nothing wrong with a heavy metal tone, it’s not quite the AC/DC sound.
Interestingly, there’s a quote attributed to the Young brothers where they mentioned that they would even prefer a slightly cleaner guitar tone if possible. While they wanted their records to have a powerful guitar presence, heavy distortion wasn’t necessarily their primary goal. (Luckily for us, someone, maybe Malcolm Young, convinced them to add just the right amount of grit!).
Decoding the Chords
“Back in Black” is often one of the first songs aspiring guitarists learn, and for good reason. As you begin to explore how to play Back In Black, you’ll quickly understand why it’s such a popular choice. It utilizes fundamental open chords in the key of E major and incorporates power chords in the chorus. This lesson will introduce you to both, providing essential tools for your ongoing guitar playing journey.
Nashville Numbers Explained
While AC/DC hails from Australia, understanding the Nashville Number System can be helpful for grasping the song’s structure. For those unfamiliar, let’s break it down briefly before we get to the chord diagrams.
The verse is in the key of E major and follows a 1-b7-4 chord progression. The chorus takes an interesting turn, feeling like it shifts to the key of A major. In the key of A, the chorus progression is 1-5-2, resolving with b7-4-1. Let’s unpack this.
In the key of E major, assigning numbers to each note of the major scale in ascending order gives us: 1-E, 2-F#, 3-G#, 4-A, 5-B, 6-C#, and 7-D#. To play the 1, flat 7 (b7), and 4 chords in the key of E, you’ll need to know the E, D, and A chords. The flat 7 (b7) of E is D.
For the chorus, we shift to the key of A major. The A major scale notes are: 1-A, 2-B, 3-C#, 4-D, 5-E, 6-F#, and 7-G#. Therefore, the 1-5-2 progression requires the A, E, and B chords. The subsequent b7-4-1 progression uses G (b7 of A), D, and A chords.
Verse Chords and Rhythm
The verses of “Back in Black” are remarkably straightforward. Simply play the E chord once, followed by the D chord three times, and then the A chord three times. After the A chord sequence, Angus Young interjects two alternating guitar riffs, so you’ll insert one of these licks before returning to the E chord and repeating the verse progression. You can find these main riffs detailed in the dedicated riff section (if included in the lesson).
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E Chord Diagram for Guitar Beginners -
D Chord Diagram Easy Guitar Chord -
A Chord Diagram for Guitar Lesson Back in Black
Chorus Power Chords
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A Power Chord Open Position Guitar -
E Power Chord Open Position Guitar Lesson -
B Power Chord Shape for Rock Guitar -
G Chord for AC DC Back in Black Guitar Tutorial -
D Chord for AC DC Back in Black Song Tutorial -
Back In Black Chorus Chord Progression Guitar Chords
“Back in Black” Chords & Lyrics
Fantastic! Now that you’ve mastered the chords and the main riff, let’s combine everything with the iconic lyrics of “Back in Black”!
E
Back in black
D
I hit the sack
A
I’ve been too long, I’m glad to be back
E
Yes, I’m let loose
D
From the noose
A
That’s kept me hanging about
E
I’ve been looking at the sky
D
‘Cause it’s gettin’ me high
A
Forget the hearse ’cause I never die
E
I got nine lives
D
Cat’s eyes
A
Abusin’ every one of them and running wild
………………………..A…E…B
‘Cause I’m back
………………………..A…E…B
Yes, I’m back
………………………..G…D…A
Well, I’m back
………………………..G…D…A
Yes, I’m back
…………….A…E…B………A…E…B
Well, I’m back…………..back
…………….G
Well, I’m back in black
……………D
Yes, I’m back in black
E
Back in the back
D
Of a Cadillac
A
Number one with a bullet, I’m a power pack
E
Yes, I’m in a bang
D
With a gang
A
They’ve got to catch me if they want me to hang
E
‘Cause I’m back on the track
D
And I’m beatin’ the flack
A
Nobody’s gonna get me on another rap
E
So look at me now
D
I’m just makin’ my play
A
Don’t try to push your luck, just get out of my way
………………………..A…E…B
‘Cause I’m back
………………………..A…E…B
Yes, I’m back
………………………..G…D…A
Well, I’m back
………………………..G…D…A
Yes, I’m back
…………….A…E…B……A…E…B
Well, I’m back………..back
…………….G
Well, I’m back in black
…………..D
Yes, I’m back in black
Ready to Rock?
Congratulations! You’ve just learned the essential guitar chords for “Back in Black”! This iconic AC/DC track is now within your grasp. If you’re eager to expand your beginner-friendly classic rock repertoire, be sure to explore our lessons on songs like “Fortunate Son” by Creedence Clearwater Revival and “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper” by Blue Oyster Cult. Both of these are also fantastic songs with manageable guitar parts and memorable riffs.
Looking for even simpler chord progressions? Dive into some country tunes! “Wagon Wheel” by Old Crow Medicine Show and “Willin’” by Little Feat are excellent choices for beginners wanting to practice basic chords.
For those intermediate to advanced players seeking a challenge, consider tackling “Can’t You See” by The Marshall Tucker Band or “Only Daddy That’ll Walk The Line” by Waylon Jennings.
And if you were captivated by the guitar featured in today’s lesson, check out our in-depth review of the Gibson SG 61 Reissue!
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If you encountered any difficulties with this lesson, please don’t hesitate to reach out and let us know! We’re always happy to provide further assistance and help you master any part of the song.
