AC/DC - Back In Black
October 3, 2007 · Print This Article
AC/DC are the gods of riff. They’ve continually churned them out over their 70-year long career and this riff has to be the best of them.
The opening riff, I’ve tabbed in the key of A (it’s the same shapes as the original transposed onto the uke).
Not content with one outstanding riff in a song, they decided this song deserves two. Most bands would base an entire career on a riff this could but AC/DC threw it away as a middle 8.
I’ve tabbed this riff in C (just to confuse/annoy you). The fingering gets a little tricky when the riff moves up to the fifth position. An alternative to the way I’ve tabbed it is to barre across the fifth fret throughout and play it the same as the open riff. Try out both and see which you prefer.
I heartily recommend you check out Baron Von Uke’s version of the song.
Suggested by Stewart
“…their 70-year long career”
Are you sure? Pedantry aside, another top choice! Keep up the good work!
Thanks, West. Yes, I’m absolutely sure it’s 70 years. Angus Young is 88 years old.
Nice work!
For the trivia-heads: The album “Back in Black” is said to be a tribute to lead singer Bon Scott who died in 1980 aged 33. Black is of course the colour of mourning, and the title symbolises the band’s resolve to continue their work in his honour. Bon’s final resting place is in Fremantle Cemetery, just a few blocks down the road from where I live. In 2005 the National Trust of Western Australia classified it as a place of heritage significance. Its become a bit of a pigrimage destination, not just for Australians but for people from around the world.
Thanks for the info, Stewart. I didn’t know that.