AC/DC - SHOT IN THE DARK

Released: October 7, 2020

Album: Power Up

“Shot in the Dark” is a single by AC/DC from their 17th studio album, “Power Up”. Recorded between late 2018 and early 2019, it was released on October 2020, marking the band’s first new music since 2015 and their first release after the passing of Malcolm Young in 2017.

The song was teased on October 1, 2020, in a 30-second video, showing the band powering up an amp with their iconic lightning bolt logo while playing the track. It went on to earn two Grammy nominations for Best Rock Performance and Best Music Video at the 64th Grammy Awards.

The album “Power Up” marks a reunion for AC/DC, bringing back Brian Johnson (vocals), Phil Rudd (drums), and Cliff Williams (bass), who had previously left due to hearing loss, legal issues, and retirement, respectively. They rejoined Angus Young (guitar) and Stevie Young (rhythm guitar), forming the same lineup that recorded 2014’s “Rock or Bust”.

When AC/DC’s record company suggested a new album, Angus Young reached out to the band, and they all immediately agreed. They reunited in a Vancouver studio in August 2018, and according to Johnson, the chemistry was instant: “When the boys plugged in… that was it.”

The phrase “a shot in the dark” usually means a wild guess or an uncertain action, but AC/DC gives it a different twist, referring to a night-time shot of alcohol. Angus Young told Rolling Stone the title was a little bit cheeky, as the band enjoys a drink at night.

The album serves as a tribute to Malcolm Young, who is credited as a writer on all 12 tracks. Angus Young told USA Today that his late brother would have been proud of the album, adding that the title itself reflects Malcolm’s energy and power as a guitarist.

The official music video was directed by David Mallet, AC/DC’s longtime video collaborator. It features the band performing on a dark soundstage with a polished floor, illuminated by their glowing logo in the background. Brian Johnson recalled that the set was so dark they could barely see anything, comparing it to “black water.” He also mentioned the challenge of keeping the floor clean after every take. For the video, Mallet attached two small cameras to Angus Young’s guitar—an improvement from their “Thunderstruck” video, where they had tried a similar shot but with just one much heavier camera.