Shot in the Dark (AC/DC song) explained

Shot in the Dark
Cover:	File:ACDC - Shot in the Dark.jpg
Type:	single
Artist:	AC/DC
Album:	Power Up
Released:	7 October 2020
Genre:	Hard rock blues rock
Length:	3:06
Label:	Columbia
Producer:	Brendan O'Brien
Prev Title:	Rock the Blues Away
Prev Year:	2015
Next Title:	Realize
Next Year:	2020

"Shot in the Dark" is a single by Australian rock band AC/DC from their seventeenth studio album Power Up. The song was recorded late 2018 to early 2019.^[1] It was released on 7 October 2020,^[2] and is the band's first single released since 2015's "Rock the Blues Away" from their album Rock or Bust. The song was used as the official theme for WWE Survivor Series and is part of the MLB The Show 21 soundtrack.^[3]

The song was nominated for two Grammys for the 64th Grammy Awards, Best Rock Performance and Best Music Video.^[4]

At the APRA Music Awards of 2022, the song was nominated for Most Performed Rock Work.^[5]

On 7 October 2023 the band played the song live for the first time at the Power Trip festival, the bands first show since 2016. They are currently playing the song on their Power Up Tour.

Music video

The music video, directed by David Mallet, premiered on AC/DC's YouTube channel on 26 October 2020.^[6]

Release

On 1 October 2020, the band teased the new single in a 30-second video posted on Twitter, appearing to power up the amp with its iconic lightning bolt logo while playing the song, and noting PWR/UP, short for Power Up.^[7] AC/DC went on hiatus after completing their Rock or Bust tour in 2016, which featured Guns N' Roses singer, Axl Rose. In 2018, members Brian Johnson, Phil Rudd, and Cliff Williams rejoined the band after the two-year hiatus. On 5 October 2020, the band shared another short clip composed of behind-the-scenes footage featuring brief appearances by all five members of the band.^[8]

Personnel

AC/DC

• Brian Johnson – lead vocals
• Angus Young – lead guitar
• Stevie Young – rhythm guitar, backing vocals
• Cliff Williams – bass, backing vocals
• Phil Rudd – drums

Additional personnel

• Brendan O'Brien – production
• Mike Fraser – engineering, mixing
• Ryan Smith – mastering
• Billy Bowers – additional engineering

Charts

Weekly charts

Weekly chart performance for "Shot in the Dark"

Chart (2020)	Peak position
Australia Digital Tracks (ARIA)^[9]	3
El Salvador (Monitor Latino)^[10]	12
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)^[11]	5
UK Singles Sales (OCC)^[12]	30
UK Singles Downloads (OCC)^[13]	25
US Digital Song Sales (Billboard)^[14]	5

Year-end charts

Chart (2021)! scope="col"

Position
US Hot Hard Rock Songs (Billboard)^[15]	9
US Rock Airplay (Billboard)^[16]	24

Notes and References

1. Web site: Exclusive: Angus Young, Brian Johnson, and Cliff Williams on the Resurrection of AC/DC. Andy Greene. Rolling Stone. 7 October 2020. 8 October 2020.
2. Web site: AC/DC's 'Shot In The Dark' Single To Arrive On Wednesday; New Teaser Available. BlabberMouth.net. 5 October 2020. 8 October 2020.
3. Web site: 22 November 2020. Untitled. 2020-11-24. Twitter. WWE. en.
4. Web site: 2021-11-23. Grammy Nominations 2022: See the Full List Here. 2021-11-23. Pitchfork. en-US.
5. Web site: Nominees Revealed for 2022 APRA Music Awards. The Industry Observer. 7 April 2022. 9 April 2022.
6. AC/DC share teaser video for new single Shot In The Dark . . 23 October 2020 . 26 October 2020.
7. Web site: AC/DC teases new single 'Shot in the Dark'. Sommer Brokaw. UPI. 1 October 2020. 8 October 2020.
8. Web site: AC/DC release new single 'Shot In The Dark' and announce release date for 'POWER UP' album. Sam Moore. NME. 7 October 2020. 8 October 2020.
9. The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 12 October 2020. The ARIA Report. Australian Recording Industry Association. 1597. 9. 12 October 2020.
10. Web site: Top 20 El Salvador – Del 12 al 18 de Octubre, 2020. December 9, 2020. es. Monitor Latino.
11. Web site: NZ Hot Singles Chart. Recorded Music NZ. 19 October 2020. 16 October 2020.
12. Web site: Official Singles Sales Chart Top 100. Official Charts Company. 9 October 2020. 9 June 2024.
13. Web site: Official Singles Downloads Chart Top 100. Official Charts Company. 9 October 2020. 9 June 2024.
14. Web site: AC/DC Chart History (Digital Song Sales). Billboard. 9 June 2024.
15. Web site: Year-End Charts: Hot Hard Rock Songs (2021). Billboard. June 9, 2024.
16. Web site: Year-End Charts: Rock Airplay Songs (2021). Billboard. June 9, 2024.