Writers: Angus Young, Malcolm Young and Brian Johnson
Producer: Robert "Mutt" Lange
Recorded: April-May, 1980 at Compass Point Studios, Nassau, Bahamas
Released: July 21, 1980
| Players: | Brian Johnson – vocals Angus Young – lead guitar Malcolm Young – rhythm guitar Cliff Williams – bass Phil Rudd – drums |
| Album: | Back In Black (Atco, 1980) |
"You Shook Me All Night Long" was AC/DC's first hit single in the U.S., reaching Number 35 on the Billboard chart.
This followed the band's American breakthrough with 1979's Highway To Hell album, which reached Number 17.
Success was marred by the alcohol-induced death of lead singer Bon Scott on February 19, 1980 in London. Scott died after passing out and choking on his own vomit.
Although the band's future suddenly seemed uncertain, AC/DC hired Brian Johnson, who was screeching for the band Geordie, a mere two months after Scott's death.
Not even four months after Johnson stepped in, Black In Black and the not-too-sly innuendo of "You Shook Me All Night Long" ("She was a fast machine/She kept her motor clean") were on the charts.
Although there were misgivings about how well Johnson would be received, Back In Black peaked at Number Four, spent a year on the charts and has sold more than 19 million copies worldwide. Johnson's high-end sandpaper shrieking, plus the band's newfound ability to stock an album full of tightly constructed rockers (and as many fist-wavers) helped pushing the band to even greater levels of popularity.
AC/DC followed the album's success by re-releasing some of its earlier LPs, including the popular Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap, which hits Number Three in the US – one notch higher than Back In Black.
