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{{short description|1990 album by AC/DC}}
{{good article}}
{{short description|1990 studio album by AC/DC}}
{{Use Australian English|date=August 2016}}
{{Use Australian English|date=November 2023}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2023}}
{{Infobox album
{{Infobox album
| name = The Razors Edge
| name = The Razors Edge
| type = studio
| type = studio
| artist = [[AC/DC]]
| artist = [[AC/DC]]
| cover = Razorsedge.jpg
| cover = Razorsedge.jpg
| alt =
| alt =
| released = {{start date|1990|09|24|df=yes}}
| released = September 1990<ref name="AM1">{{cite web | title=AllMusic review | work=AC/DC—Thunderstruck | url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-razors-edge-mw0000690074 | accessdate = 2019-09-21}}</ref>
| recorded = 1990
| recorded = 1990
| studio = [[Little Mountain Sound Studios|Little Mountain Sound]] (Vancouver)
| venue =
| studio =
| genre = [[Hard rock]]
| genre = [[Hard rock]]
| length = 46:29
| label = * [[Albert Productions|Albert]]/[[CBS Records International|CBS]]
| length = 46:11
* [[Atlantic Records|Atlantic]]
| label = [[Atco Records]]<br>[[Albert Productions|Albert]]/[[EMI]] <small>(AUS/NZ)</small>
| producer = [[Bruce Fairbairn]]
| producer = [[Bruce Fairbairn]]<ref name="AM2">{{cite web | title=AllMusic review | work=AC/DC—Thunderstruck | url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-razors-edge-mw0000690074/credits | accessdate = 2019-09-21}}</ref>
| prev_title = [[Blow Up Your Video]]
| prev_title = [[Blow Up Your Video]]
| prev_year = 1988
| prev_year = 1988
| next_title = [[AC/DC Live]]
| next_title = [[AC/DC Live]]
| next_year = 1992
| next_year = 1992
| misc = {{Singles
| misc = {{Singles
| name = The Razors Edge
| name = The Razors Edge
| type = Studio
| type = Studio
| single1 = [[Thunderstruck (song)|Thunderstruck]]
| single1 = [[Thunderstruck (song)|Thunderstruck]]
| single1date = 10 September 1990
| single1date = September 1990
| single2 = [[Moneytalks]]
| single2 = [[Moneytalks]]
| single2date = 8 December 1990
| single2date = 12 November 1990
| single3 = [[Are You Ready (AC/DC song)|Are You Ready]]
| single3 = [[Are You Ready (AC/DC song)|Are You Ready]]
| single3date = 28 March 1991
| single3date = 28 March 1991
| single4 = Rock Your Heart Out
| single4date = 13 October 1991
}}
}}
}}
}}


'''''The Razors Edge''''' is the twelfth studio album by Australian [[hard rock]] band [[AC/DC]] released in September 1990. It was the band's eleventh internationally released studio album and the twelfth to be released in Australia. It was a major comeback for the band, featuring the hits "[[Thunderstruck (song)|Thunderstruck]]" and "[[Are You Ready (AC/DC song)|Are You Ready]]", which reached #5 and #16 respectively on ''[[Billboard magazine|Billboard]]'''s [[Mainstream Rock Tracks]] Chart, and "[[Moneytalks]]", which peaked at #23 on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]].<ref name=everyhit>{{cite web | title= EveryHit | url = http://www.everyhit.com | accessdate = 2008-08-02}}</ref> The album reached #2 on the US ''Billboard'' 200 and #4 in the UK, a smash commercial success that returned the band to the popularity of its glory years of the late 1970s and early 1980s. The album has been certified 5x platinum (5 million copies sold) in the US,<ref>[http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=54094 Blabbermouth.Net – AC/DC: Classic Albums Reach New Sales Heights] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060703102007/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=54094 |date=3 July 2006 }}</ref> and was re-released in 2003 as part of the ''AC/DC Remasters'' series.
'''''The Razors Edge''''' is the twelfth studio album by Australian [[Rock music|rock]] band [[AC/DC]]. Released on 24 September 1990, through [[Albert Productions]]/[[CBS Records International]] in [[Australasia]] and [[Atlantic Records]] in Europe, it was recorded in 1990 in [[Little Mountain Sound Studios]] in Vancouver, Canada, and was mixed and engineered by [[Mike Fraser (record producer)|Mike Fraser]] and produced by [[Bruce Fairbairn]]. It was a major comeback for the band, featuring the hits "[[Thunderstruck (song)|Thunderstruck]]", "[[Are You Ready (AC/DC song)|Are You Ready]]" and "[[Moneytalks]]". This is the only studio album to feature Welsh drummer [[Chris Slade]], who was the drummer for AC/DC from 1989 to his dismissal in 1994.

Critical commentary for the album was generally mixed, with Alex Henderson of [[AllMusic]] complimenting [[Brian Johnson]] and [[Angus Young]], while [[John Mendelsohn (musician)|John Mendelsohn]] from ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' criticises its similarity to the band's past works. The album reached number&nbsp;2 on the US [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] and number&nbsp;4 on the [[UK Albums Chart]], a smash commercial success that returned the band to a peak equivalent to that of their late 1970s and early 1980s popularity. The album earned [[List of music recording certifications|multi-platinum certifications]] in Australia, Canada, Germany, Switzerland and the US. To support ''The Razors Edge'', the band undertook the [[Razors Edge World Tour]], starting in November 1990.


==Background==
==Background==
The band had recorded ''[[Blow Up Your Video]]'' (1988) with their original producers, [[Harry Vanda]] and [[George Young (rock musician)|George Young]].<ref name="blowup">{{cite web | url = {{Allmusic|class=album|id=r90|pure_url=yes}} | title = AC/DC—Blow Up your Video | work = [[AllMusic]] | first = Greg | last = Prato | accessdate = 2008-08-02 }}</ref> It was a commercial success and sold more copies than the previous two studio releases combined. The Blow Up Your Video World Tour began in February 1988 in [[Perth, Western Australia|Perth]], Australia. That April, on the eve of the [[North American]] leg of the tour, [[Malcolm Young]] announced that he was taking time off from touring, principally to begin recovery from his alcoholism. Another member of the Young family, their nephew, [[Stevie Young]], temporarily took Malcolm's place on rhythm guitar. Following the tour, drummer [[Simon Wright (musician)|Simon Wright]] left the group to work on the upcoming [[Dio (band)|Dio]] album ''[[Lock Up the Wolves]]'', and was replaced by ex-Firm and [[Manfred Mann's Earth Band]] drum veteran [[Chris Slade]], whom Malcolm remembered playing with [[Manfred Mann]] during an appearance in [[Sydney]] years earlier with [[Deep Purple]] and [[Free (band)|Free]].{{fact|date=April 2018}}
In 1987, the band had recorded ''[[Blow Up Your Video]]'' (1988) with their original producers, [[Harry Vanda]] and [[George Young (rock musician)|George Young]].{{sfn|Elliott|2018|p=169}}<ref name="blowup">{{cite web | url = https://www.allmusic.com/album/r90 | title = AC/DC – ''Blow Up Your Video'' | publisher = [[AllMusic]] | first1 = Greg | last1 = Prato | access-date = 25 October 2023 | archive-date = 4 September 2023 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230904105022/https://www.allmusic.com/album/blow-up-your-video-mw0000198970 | url-status = live }}</ref> It was a commercial success the album reached number&nbsp;2 in the UK,<ref name="OCC">{{Cite web |title=AC/DC Songs and Albums {{!}} Full Official Chart History |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/16970/ac-dc/ |publisher=[[Official Charts Company]] |access-date=25 October 2023 |archive-date=5 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201105162053/https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/16970/ac-dc/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and Australia.{{sfn|Kent|1993|p=11}} The [[Blow Up Your Video World Tour]] began in February 1988 in [[Perth]], Australia. Following live appearances across Europe, rhythm guitarist [[Malcolm Young]] announced that he was taking time off touring, principally to begin recovery from his alcoholism. Another member of the Young family, their nephew, [[Stevie Young]], temporarily took Malcolm's place on rhythm guitar.<ref name="AutoJ4-13">{{cite web |author1=Olivier |date=26 December 2021 |title=Simon Wright recalls Stevie Young Replacing Malcolm Young on AC/DC's Blow Up Your Video World Tour |url=https://sleazeroxx.com/simon-wright-recalls-stevie-young-replacing-malcolm-young-on-ac-dcs-blow-up-your-video-world-tour/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230903114748/https://sleazeroxx.com/simon-wright-recalls-stevie-young-replacing-malcolm-young-on-ac-dcs-blow-up-your-video-world-tour/ |archive-date=3 September 2023 |url-status=live |website=Sleaze Roxx |access-date=25 October 2023}}</ref><ref name="McFarlane">
* 1st edition [online]: {{harvnb|McFarlane|1999|loc=entry for [https://web.archive.org/web/20040419092226/http://www.whammo.com.au/encyclopedia.asp?articleid=9 AC/DC]}}.
* 2nd edition [print]: {{harvnb|McFarlane|Jenkins|2017|loc=entry for AC/DC|pp=8–9}}.</ref> In 1989, drummer [[Simon Wright (musician)|Simon Wright]] left the group to work on American heavy metal band [[Dio (band)|Dio]]'s fifth studio album ''[[Lock Up the Wolves]]'' (1990); he was replaced by Welsh drummer [[Chris Slade]].<ref name="McFarlane" /> [[Brian Johnson]] was unavailable for several months while finalising his divorce, so the Young brothers wrote all the songs for future albums, a practice they continued for all subsequent releases through ''[[Power Up (album)|Power Up]]'' in 2020.{{sfn|Elliott|2018|p=173}}


==Recording and composition==
==Recording and composition==
[[File:Malcolm Young at ACDC Monster of Rock Tour.jpg|thumb|225px|Malcolm Young in 1990]]
''The Razors Edge'' was recorded at [[Windmill Lane Studios]] in [[Dublin, Ireland]] and [[Little Mountain Sound Studios]] in [[Vancouver, BC, Canada]],<ref name=musicmight>{{cite web| title= MusicMight :: Artists :: AC/DC| url= http://www.rockdetector.com/artist/australia/ac+2+dc| accessdate= 2014-04-15| url-status= dead| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20140328224541/http://www.rockdetector.com/artist/australia/ac+2+dc| archivedate= 28 March 2014| df= dmy-all}}</ref> and was mixed and engineered by [[Mike Fraser (record producer)|Mike Fraser]] and produced by [[Bruce Fairbairn]], who had previously worked with [[Aerosmith]] and [[Bon Jovi]]. According to the book ''AC/DC: Maximum Rock & Roll'', George Young was involved early on but had to bow out because of personal issues. Lead singer [[Brian Johnson]] was unavailable for several months while finalising his divorce,<ref name="acdc.cc">{{cite web | title=AC/DC History | work=AC/DC—Bedlam in Belgium | url=http://www.ac-dc.cc | accessdate = 2008-08-02}}</ref> so the Young brothers wrote all the songs for the next album, a practice they continued for all subsequent releases (In a 1995 interview, Johnson told ''[[Guitar World]]'' that he was relieved at not having to deal with the pressure of writing the lyrics anymore). The instantly recognizable opening riff to "Thunderstruck" features Young alternating between fretted notes and playing the open string. In a 1993 interview with ''Guitar World'''s Alan Di Perna, the guitarist recalls, "I was just fiddling with my left hand when I came up with that riff; I played it more by accident than anything. I thought, 'not bad,' and put it on a tape. That's how me and Malcolm generally work. We put our ideas down on tape and play them for one another." He expanded in greater detail in the liner notes of the 2003 re-release of ''The Razor's Edge'':
''The Razors Edge'' was recorded at [[Little Mountain Sound Studios]] in Vancouver, Canada, and was [[Audio mixing (recorded music)|mixed]] and [[Audio engineer|engineered]] by [[Mike Fraser (record producer)|Mike Fraser]], [[Record producer|produced]] by [[Bruce Fairbairn]], who had previously worked with [[Aerosmith]] and [[Bon Jovi]];{{sfn|Elliott|2018|pp=174, 184}}<ref name="OG liner notes">{{Cite AV media notes |author1=[[Albert Productions]] |author2=[[Atco Records|ATCO Records]] |title=The Razors Edge |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/370885-ACDC-The-Razors-Edge |others=[[AC/DC]] |type=CD |id=7567-91413-2 |access-date=11 November 2023}}</ref> and [[Mastering (audio)|mastered]] by [[George Marino]], at Sterling Sound in New York City.<ref name="OG liner notes" /> According to the book ''AC/DC: Maximum Rock & Roll'', [[George Young (rock musician)|George Young]] was involved early on but had to bow out because of personal issues.{{sfn|Engleheart|Durieux|2006|pp=398–399}}


<blockquote>"It started off from a little trick I had on guitar. I played it to Mal and he said 'Oh, I've got a good rhythm idea that will sit well in the back.' We built the song up from that. We fiddled about with it for a few months before everything fell into place. Lyrically, it was really just a case of finding a good title...We came up with this thunder thing and it seemed to have a good ring to it. AC/DC = Power. That's the basic idea."<ref>{{cite AV media notes |title=The Razors Edge |titlelink=The Razors Edge (AC/DC album) |others=[[AC/DC]] |year=2003 |first=Angus |last=Young |type=booklet |publisher=[[Epic Records]]}}</ref></blockquote>
According to ''[[Guitar World]]'', the opening riff to "Thunderstruck" features [[Angus Young]] alternating between fretted notes and playing the open string. In a 1993 interview with Alan di Perna, the guitarist recalls, "I was just fiddling with my left hand when I came up with that riff; I played it more by accident than anything. I thought, 'not bad,' and put it on a tape. That's how me and Malcolm generally work. We put our ideas down on tape and play them for one another."<ref>{{Cite web |last=di Perna |first=Alan |date=7 February 2008 |title=AC/DC: Hard as a Rock |url=https://www.guitarworld.com/artists/acdc-hard-rock |website=[[Guitar World]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221108173113/https://www.guitarworld.com/artists/acdc-hard-rock |archive-date=8 November 2022 |url-status=live |access-date=10 November 2023}}</ref> He expanded in greater detail in the liner notes of the 2003 re-release of ''The Razors Edge'':<ref>{{cite AV media notes |title=The Razors Edge |others=[[AC/DC]] |year=2003 |first=Angus |last=Young |author-link=Angus Young |type=booklet |publisher=[[Epic Records]]}}</ref>


{{Blockquote|text=It started off from a little trick I had on guitar. I played it to Mal and he said "Oh, I've got a good rhythm idea that will sit well in the back." We built the song up from that. We fiddled about with it for a few months before everything fell into place. Lyrically, it was really just a case of finding a good title...We came up with this thunder thing and it seemed to have a good ring to it. AC/DC = Power. That's the basic idea.}}
"Moneytalks" is also one of AC/DC's biggest hits, breaking the [[top 40]] on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]], the [[UK Singles Charts]], and the Australian [[ARIA charts|ARIA Singles Chart]]. It is still the band's highest charting single in the [[United States]], at number 23 (no other AC/DC single has ever cracked the top 30). During their subsequent world tour, thousands of "[[Angus Bucks]]" were dropped on the audience during the song. A music video of the song, directed by [[David Mallet (director)|David Mallet]], was also released, featuring a live performance during the tour. Author Murray Engleheart states in his band memoir ''AC/DC: Maximum Rock & Roll'': "On songs like 'Mistress for Christmas' and "Moneytalks,' Malcolm and Angus showed their working-class roots, despite multi-millionaire selling albums, by taking aim at the high flyers in the business world." In a February 1991 interview with ''Guitar World'' Angus Young stated, "I think the funniest song on this album is 'Mistress For Christmas.' That song's about [[Donald Trump]]. He was big news at the time, so we thought we'd have a bit of fun and humor with it." In the same interview, he declared that his best guitar solo on the LP was on the song "The Razors Edge," which also features a rare foray into finger picking. Although AC/DC had always remained [[apolitical]] when it came to their music, the title track was a commentary of sorts, with Young explaining to [[Muchmusic]] in 1992:


"Moneytalks" is also one of AC/DC's biggest hits, peaking at number&nbsp;23 on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]],<ref name="Hot 100">{{Cite magazine |title=AC/DC Chart History (''Billboard'' Hot 100) |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/ac-dc/chart-history/hsi/ |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |access-date=25 October 2023 |archive-date=28 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211128152640/https://www.billboard.com/artist/ac-dc/chart-history/hsi/ |url-status=live }}</ref> number&nbsp;36 on the [[UK Singles Chart]],<ref name="OCC" /> and number&nbsp;21 on the Australian [[ARIA Charts|ARIA Singles Chart]].<ref name="AutoJ4-15">{{Cite web |url=https://australian-charts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=AC/DC&titel=Moneytalks&cat=s |title=AC/DC – 'Moneytalks' |first1=Steffen |last1=Hung |publisher=Australian Charts Portal (Hung Medien) |access-date=25 October 2023 |archive-date=2 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231102023656/https://australian-charts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=AC/DC&titel=Moneytalks&cat=s |url-status=live }}</ref> It is still the band's highest-charting single in the United States, at number&nbsp;23.<ref name="Hot 100" /> During their subsequent world tour, thousands of [[Angus Bucks]] – a replica of an [[United States one-dollar bill|American $1 bill]] but with Angus pictured instead of [[George Washington]] – were dropped on the audience during the song.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sobolev |first=Jacob |title=Top 30 AC/DC Guitar Songs You Must Learn – Tabs Included |url=https://rockguitaruniverse.com/ac-dc-guitar-songs/ |website=Rock Guitar Universe |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230209132535/https://rockguitaruniverse.com/ac-dc-guitar-songs/ |archive-date=9 February 2023 |url-status=live |access-date=10 November 2023 |quote=While the band played 'Moneytalks' during their world tour they dropped thousands of Angus Bucks at the audience.}}</ref> A music video of the song, directed by [[David Mallet (director)|David Mallet]], was also released, featuring a live performance during the tour.<ref>{{Cite web |title=AC/DC Videography |url=https://imvdb.com/n/acdc |publisher=IMVDb |access-date=6 March 2024 |archive-date=18 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230818060359/https://imvdb.com/n/acdc |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Moneytalks (Official HD Video) | date=7 March 2013 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lqdErI9uss |publisher=[[AC/DC]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629213636/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lqdErI9uss |archive-date=29 June 2023 |url-status=live |access-date=10 November 2023 |via=[[YouTube]]}}</ref>
[[File:Malcolm Young at ACDC Monster of Rock Tour.jpg|thumb|250px|Malcolm Young (age 37) in 1990.]]
:"The Razors Edge" comes from an old saying farmers used to use in [[Great Britain|Britain]] where you'd have a fine sunny day, you know, a very good day with a hot sun, and then all of a sudden right in the distance you could see these black clouds coming over the horizon, an ominous thing...I thought it was a great title. The world was at peace again and everyone thought, "Ah, the [[Berlin Wall]]'s come down and it's all gonna be fun and games, a party every night," and you can see now that it's not that way. It's just our way of saying the world's not perfect and never will be.


Author Murray Engleheart states in his band memoir ''AC/DC: Maximum Rock & Roll'': "On songs like 'Mistress for Christmas' and 'Moneytalks', Malcolm and Angus showed their working-class roots, despite multi-millionaire selling albums, by taking aim at the high flyers in the business world".{{sfn|Engleheart|Durieux|2006|p=400}} In a February 1991 interview with ''Guitar World'', Angus Young stated that the funniest song from the album was "Mistress for Christmas", and then said that the song was about [[Donald Trump]]. In the same interview, he declared that his best guitar solo on the album was on the title track, which also features a rare foray into finger picking.<ref name="GWInterview">{{Cite web |last=Gilbert |first=Jeff |date=15 October 2011 |title=Angus Young of AC/DC Discusses Guitar Riffs and Brown Gibson SG's in 1991 Guitar World Interview |url=https://www.guitarworld.com/gw-archive/angus-young-acdc-discusses-guitar-riffs-and-brown-gibson-sgs-1991-guitar-world-interview |website=[[Guitar World]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180403130930/https://www.guitarworld.com/gw-archive/angus-young-acdc-discusses-guitar-riffs-and-brown-gibson-sgs-1991-guitar-world-interview |archive-date=3 April 2018 |url-status=live |access-date=25 October 2023}}</ref>
==Tour==
With the release of ''The Razors Edge'', [[AC/DC]] undertook a [[Razors Edge world tour|world tour]], possibly the most publicised tour they had ever done. The success of the tour was fueled by the crowd-pleasing songs, such as "[[Thunderstruck (song)|Thunderstruck]]", "[[Moneytalks]]", "Fire Your Guns", "The Razor's Edge", and "[[Are You Ready (AC/DC song)|Are You Ready]]", which were also included on the ''AC/DC Live Collector's Edition'' album as live versions. Several shows on the Razors Edge Tour were recorded for the 1992 live album titled ''[[Live (AC/DC album)|Live]]''. ''Live'' was produced by Fairbairn, and is considered one of the best live albums of the 1990s.<ref>{{cite web | url = {{Allmusic|class=album|id=r53486|pure_url=yes}} | title = AC/DC—AC/DC Live | work = [[AllMusic]] | first = Barry | last = Weber | accessdate = 2008-08-02 }}</ref> It was during this tour that AC/DC headlined the [[Monsters of Rock]] show, which was released on DVD as ''[[Live at Donington (AC/DC album)|Live at Donington]]''. The band also headlined 1991's "Rock Around The Bloc" festival at Tushino Airfield in Moscow, a free concert attended by close to one million fans.{{fact|date=April 2018}}


==Commercial performance and reception==
==Release and reception==
{{Album ratings
{{Album ratings
| rev1 = [[AllMusic]]
| rev1 = [[AllMusic]]
| rev1Score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref name="allmusic">{{cite web |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-razors-edge-mw0000690074 |title=AC/DC - ''The Razors Edge'' review |last=Henderson |first=Alex |publisher=[[AllMusic]] |access-date=8 September 2020 |archive-date=1 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190401192500/https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-razors-edge-mw0000690074 |url-status=live }}</ref>
| rev1Score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref name="allmusic">[{{Allmusic|class=album|id=r91/review|pure_url=yes}} Allmusic.com review]</ref>
| rev2 = ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''
| rev2 =''[[Martin Popoff|Collector's Guide to Heavy Metal]]''
| rev2Score = 9/10{{sfn|Popoff|2007|p=42}}
| rev2Score = A−<ref name="ew">[http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,318312,00.html Entertainment Weekly review]</ref>
| noprose = yes
| rev3 = ''[[Rolling Stone]]''
| rev3 = ''[[The Encyclopedia of Popular Music]]''
| rev3Score = {{Rating|2|5}}<ref name="rs">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/the-razors-edge-19901115|title=The Razor's Edge|last=Mendelsohn|first=John|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|date=1990-11-15}}</ref>
| rev3Score = {{rating|3|5}}{{sfn|Larkin|2007|p=34}}
| rev4 = ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''
| rev4Score = A−<ref name="ew">{{cite web |url=https://ew.com/article/1990/10/05/razors-edge-2/ |title=''The Razors Edge'' |last=Sandow |first=Greg |author-link=Greg Sandow |publisher=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |date=5 October 1990 |access-date=2020-09-08 |archive-date=31 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031084414/https://ew.com/article/1990/10/05/razors-edge-2/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
| rev5 = ''[[Rolling Stone]]''
| rev5Score = {{Rating|2|5}}<ref name="rs">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/the-razors-edge-19901115|title=''The Razors Edge''|last=Mendelsohn|first=John|author-link=John Mendelsohn (musician)|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|date=1990-11-15|access-date=16 September 2017|archive-date=13 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180613111928/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/the-razors-edge-19901115|url-status=live}}</ref>
| rev6 = ''[[Select (magazine)|Select]]''
| rev6Score = {{rating|4|5|full=U+25A0.svg|empty=U+25A1.svg|rating=medal}}<ref name="select">{{Cite magazine |last=Putterford |first=Mark |date=October 1990 |title=AC/DC: ''The Razors Edge'' – Still Razor Sharp |url=https://selectmagazinescans.monkeon.co.uk/showpage.php?file=wp-content/uploads/2012/03/acdc.jpg |magazine=[[Select (magazine)|Select]] |issue=4 |page=94 |access-date=6 March 2024 |via=Select Magazine Scans}}</ref>
}}
}}
Released on 24 September 1990,{{sfn|Elliott|2018|pp=174, 184}}<ref name="disco">{{Cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161224142717/http://ac-dc.net/discography1/acdc_discography.php?discography_id=19 |title=AC/DC Discography: ''The Razors Edge'' |first1=Arnaud |last1=Durieux |publisher=ac-dc.net |access-date=11 November 2023 |archive-date=24 December 2016 |url=https://ac-dc.net/discography1/acdc_discography.php?discography_id=19 |url-status=live }}</ref> through [[Albert Productions]]/[[CBS Records International|CBS Records]] in [[Australasia]] and [[Atlantic Records]] in Europe,<ref name="Holmgren">{{Cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031206234245/http://hem.passagen.se/honga/database/a/acdc.html |url=http://hem.passagen.se/honga/database/a/acdc.html |title=AC/DC |publisher=[[Australian Rock Database]] |last1=Holmgren |first1=Magnus |archive-date=6 December 2003 |access-date=12 November 2023 |url-status=dead }}</ref> ''The Razors Edge'' received generally mixed to positive reviews from critics. Alex Henderson of [[AllMusic]] complimented both the vocal performance by Brian Johnson and the guitar playing of Angus Young, and said that the album was "arguably [the band's] strongest album in over half a decade".<ref name="allmusic" /> [[Greg Sandow]] of ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' gave the album a very favourable review, saying that "this is one album that really delivers".<ref name="ew"/> Canadian journalist [[Martin Popoff]] defined the album "tight, highly strung and menacing... entirely worthy of its status as the grand comeback of legendary rock 'n' roll runts".{{sfn|Popoff|2007|p=42}} [[John Mendelsohn (musician)|John Mendelsohn]] of ''[[Rolling Stone]]'', on the other hand, gave the album two out of five stars, criticising its similarity to past AC/DC works, and said that "with ''The Razors Edge'', AC/DC sets a new record for the longest career without a single new idea".<ref name="rs" /> Mark Putterford of ''[[Select (magazine)|Select]]'' marked the album a four out of five, stating that "''The Razors Edge'' comes on like an old friend you haven't seen for a couple of years".<ref name="select" />
''The Razors Edge'' peaked at #2 on the ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' 200 charts and stayed on the chart for 77 consecutive weeks. It also reached #4 on the [[UK]] charts. The album helped return AC/DC to its former glory. Currently, the album has sold 5 million copies in the US, certifying it at 5x platinum. The album has sold approximately ten to twelve million copies worldwide, making it the fourth highest selling AC/DC album (after ''[[Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap]]'', ''[[Highway to Hell]]'' and ''[[Back in Black]]'' and ahead of ''[[Who Made Who]]'').


The album was a major comeback for the band, featuring the singles "[[Thunderstruck (song)|Thunderstruck]]" (September 1990);{{sfn|Strong|1996|p=3}} and "[[Are You Ready (AC/DC song)|Are You Ready]]" (28 March 1991),<ref name="aus disco">{{Cite web |first=Steffen |last=Hung |title=AC/DC Discography |url=http://australian-charts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=AC%2FDC |publisher=Hung Medien |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201032610/http://australian-charts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=AC%2FDC |archive-date=1 December 2017 |url-status=live |access-date=5 March 2024}}</ref> which reached number&nbsp;5 and number&nbsp;16 respectively on ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]''{{'}}s [[Mainstream Rock Tracks|Mainstream Rock]] chart,<ref name="mra">{{Cite magazine |title=AC/DC Chart History (Mainstream Rock Airplay) |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/ac-dc/chart-history/rtt/ |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |access-date=25 October 2023 |archive-date=17 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211117211520/https://www.billboard.com/artist/ac-dc/chart-history/rtt/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and "[[Moneytalks]]" (12 November 1990),<ref name="aus disco" /> which peaked at number&nbsp;23 on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]].<ref name="Hot 100" /> Its fourth single, "Rock Your Heart Out" was released exclusively in Australasia on 13 October 1991.<ref name="aus disco" /> The album peaked at number&nbsp;2 on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]], and stayed on the chart for 77&nbsp;consecutive weeks.<ref name="billboard200" /> It also reached number&nbsp;4 on [[Official Charts Company|OCC]]'s [[UK Albums Chart]].<ref name="OCC" /> ''The Razors Edge'' received [[List of music recording certifications|certifications]], including 5× Platinum in Australia,<ref name="AUS" /> Canada,<ref name="CAN" /> and the US,<ref name="US" /> 2× Platinum in Germany,<ref name="GER" /> and Switzerland,<ref name="SWI" /> Platinum in Argentina,<ref name="ARG"/> Austria,<ref name="AUT" /> Finland,<ref name="FIN" /> New Zealand,<ref name="NZ" /> Spain,{{sfn|Salaverrie|2005|p=962}} and Sweden,<ref name="SWE" /> and Gold in France,<ref name="FRA"/> Italy,<ref name="Italy" /> and the UK.<ref name="UK" /> The album has sold approximately 18.8&nbsp;million copies worldwide, making it the third highest selling AC/DC album after ''[[Back in Black]]'' and ''[[High Voltage (1976 album)|High Voltage]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Erel |first=Eray |title=Top 10 Highest-Selling AC/DC Albums Until 2023 |url=https://www.metalcastle.net/top-10-highest-selling-ac-dc-albums-until-2022/ |website=Metal Castle |date=6 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230517170658/https://www.metalcastle.net/top-10-highest-selling-ac-dc-albums-until-2022/ |archive-date=17 May 2023 |url-status=live |access-date=25 October 2023}}</ref>
The album received generally mixed to positive reviews. [[AllMusic]] gave the album three out of five stars and complimented both the vocal performance by Brian Johnson and the guitar playing of Angus Young, and said that the album was "arguably [the band's] strongest album in over half a decade."<ref name="allmusic"/> ''Entertainment Weekly'' gave the album a grade of A-, saying that "this is one album that really delivers."<ref name="ew"/> ''Rolling Stone'', on the other hand, gave the album two out of five stars, criticizing its similarity to past AC/DC works, and said that "with ''The Razors Edge'', AC/DC sets a new record for the longest career without a single new idea."<ref name="rs"/> In a 2008 ''Rolling Stone'' cover story [[David Fricke]] wrote: "After a few albums that sounded like old ideas warmed over once too often, this is a near-comeback, busting out with Angus' wasp-army trills in the first song."

To further promote ''The Razors Edge'', the band undertook a [[Razors Edge World Tour|world tour]] starting on 2 November 1990 and ending on 16 November 1991.{{sfn|Engleheart|Durieux|2006|pp=400–409}} Several shows on the Razors Edge World Tour were recorded for the 1992 live album titled ''[[AC/DC Live]]''. The album was produced by Fairbairn, and is considered one of the best live albums of the 1990s, according to Berry Weber of AllMusic.<ref>{{cite web |first1=Barry |last1=Weber |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/r53486 |title=AC/DC – ''AC/DC Live'' |publisher=[[AllMusic]] |archive-date=4 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230904105529/https://www.allmusic.com/album/live-mw0000616074 |url-status=live |access-date=26 October 2023}}</ref> The album was reissued on 25 March 2003 as part of the ''AC/DC Remasters'' series.<ref name="AutoJ4-21" /> It was also reissued on 19 November 2012 on [[iTunes]], alongside their entire catalogue – excluding ''[[T.N.T. (album)|T.N.T.]]'' (1975) and the Australian versions of ''[[High Voltage (1975 album)|High Voltage]]'' (1975), ''[[Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap]]'' (1976) and ''[[Let There Be Rock]]'' (1977).<ref name="tYjOi" /> On 15 March 2024, the album was reissued on gold vinyl for their 50th anniversary, as part of the ''AC/DC 50'' series.<ref name="classic reissue">{{Cite web |last=Hadusek |first=Jon |date=20 February 2024 |title=AC/DC Reissuing Classic Albums on Gold Vinyl for 50th Anniversary |url=https://consequence.net/2024/02/ac-dc-gold-vinyl-50th-anniversary-reissues/amp/ |website=[[Consequence (publication)|Heavy Consequence]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240220212550/https://consequence.net/2024/02/ac-dc-gold-vinyl-50th-anniversary-reissues/amp/ |archive-date=20 February 2024 |url-status=live |access-date=20 February 2024}}</ref>


==Track listing==
==Track listing==
Credits adapted from the liner notes.<ref name="OG liner notes" />
{{Track listing
{{Track listing
|headline = Side one
| headline = Side one
| all_writing = [[Angus Young]] and [[Malcolm Young]]
| all_writing = [[Angus Young]] and [[Malcolm Young]].
| title1 = [[Thunderstruck (song)|Thunderstruck]]
| title1 = [[Thunderstruck (song)|Thunderstruck]]
| length1 = 4:52
| length1 = 4:52
| title2 = Fire Your Guns
| title2 = Fire Your Guns
| length2 = 2:53
| length2 = 2:53
| title3 = [[Moneytalks]]
| title3 = [[Moneytalks]]
| length3 = 3:48
| length3 = 3:45
| title4 = The Razors Edge
| title4 = The Razors Edge
| length4 = 4:22
| length4 = 4:22
| title5 = Mistress for Christmas
| title5 = Mistress for Christmas
| length5 = 3:59
| length5 = 3:58
| title6 = Rock Your Heart Out
| title6 = Rock Your Heart Out
| length6 = 4:06
| length6 = 4:06
}}
}}
{{Track listing
{{Track listing
Line 84: Line 101:
| length7 = 4:10
| length7 = 4:10
| title8 = Got You by the Balls
| title8 = Got You by the Balls
| length8 = 4:30
| length8 = 4:29
| title9 = Shot of Love
| title9 = Shot of Love
| length9 = 3:56
| length9 = 3:57
| title10 = Let's Make It
| title10 = Let's Make It
| length10 = 3:32
| length10 = 3:32
| title11 = Goodbye and Good Riddance to Bad Luck
| title11 = Goodbye & Good Riddance to Bad Luck
| length11 = 3:13
| length11 = 3:14
| title12 = If You Dare
| title12 = If You Dare
| length12 = 3:08
| length12 = 3:11
| total_length = 46:32
| total_length = 46:29
| all_writing =
| title1 =
| length1 =
| title2 =
| length2 =
| title3 =
| length3 =
| title4 =
| length4 =
| title5 =
| length5 =
| title6 =
| length6 =
| title13 =
| length13 =
| title14 =
| length14 =
| title15 =
| length15 =
| title16 =
| length16 =
| title17 =
| length17 =
| title18 =
| length18 =
| title19 =
| length19 =
| title20 =
| length20 =
}}
}}


==Personnel==
==Personnel==
Credits adapted from the album's liner notes.<ref name="OG liner notes" />
*[[Brian Johnson]] – lead vocals
*[[Angus Young]] – lead guitar
*[[Malcolm Young]] – rhythm guitar, backing vocals
*[[Cliff Williams]] – bass guitar, backing vocals
*[[Chris Slade]] – drums, percussion


'''AC/DC'''
===Additional personnel===
* [[Brian Johnson]] – lead vocals
* [[George Marino]] at Sterling Sound, NYC - mastering
* Stewart Young - management
* [[Angus Young]] lead guitar
* [[Malcolm Young]] – rhythm guitar, backing vocals
* [[Cliff Williams]] – bass guitar, backing vocals
* [[Chris Slade]] – drums


'''Production'''
==Charts and certifications==
* Angus Young – [[Songwriter|writing]]
* Malcolm Young – writing
* [[Bruce Fairbairn]] – [[Record producer|producing]]
* [[Mike Fraser (record producer)|Mike Fraser]] – [[Audio engineer|engineering]], [[Audio mixing (recorded music)|mixing]]
* Ian Taylor – additional recording
* Ken Lomas – additional recording
* Brian Dobbs – [[Audio engineer#Sub-disciplines|engineering assistance]]
* Sean Leonard – engineering assistance
* [[George Marino]] – [[Mastering (audio)|mastering]]
* Stewart Young (Part Rock Management) – [[Talent manager#Music managers|management]]


===Album===
==Charts==
{{col-begin}}
{|class="wikitable sortable"
{{col-2}}

===Weekly charts===
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ Weekly chart performance for ''The Razors Edge''
|-
|-
! Chart (1990–2024)
! Year
! Peak<br />position
! Chart
! Position
|-
|-
{{album chart|Australia|3|artist=AC/DC|album=The Razors Edge|rowheader=true|access-date=13 March 2020}}
| rowspan="11" |1990-1991
{{album chart|Australia|3|artist=AC/DC|accessdate=March 13, 2020}}
|-
|-
{{album chart|Austria|11|artist=AC/DC|accessdate=March 13, 2020}}
{{album chart|Austria|11|artist=AC/DC|album=The Razors Edge|rowheader=true|access-date=13 March 2020}}
|-
|-
{{album chart|Canada|1|artist=AC/DC|chartid=9106|accessdate=March 13, 2020}}
{{album chart|Canada|1|artist=AC/DC|chartid=9106|rowheader=true|access-date=13 March 2020}}
|-
|-
{{album chart|Netherlands|19|artist=AC/DC|accessdate=March 13, 2020}}
{{album chart|Netherlands|19|artist=AC/DC|album=The Razors Edge|rowheader=true|access-date=13 March 2020}}
|-
|-
! scope="row" | Finnish Albums ([[Official Finnish Charts|Suomen virallinen lista]])<ref>{{cite book|url=https://musiikkiarkisto.fi/oa/_tiedostot/julkaisut/sisaltaa-hitin.pdf#page=9|first=Timo|last=Pennanen|year=2021|title=Sisältää hitin - 2. laitos Levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla 1.1.1960–30.6.2021|section=AC/DC|page=9|publisher=Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava|location=Helsinki|access-date=25 August 2022|language=fi|archive-date=22 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220122233715/https://musiikkiarkisto.fi/oa/_tiedostot/julkaisut/sisaltaa-hitin.pdf#page=9|url-status=live}}</ref>
{{album chart|Germany|4|artist=AC/DC|accessdate=March 13, 2020}}
| 1
|-
|-
{{album chart|New Zealand|2|artist=AC/DC|accessdate=March 13, 2020}}
{{album chart|Germany4|4|id=1115|artist=AC/DC|album=The Razors Edge|rowheader=true|access-date=13 March 2020}}
|-
|-
{{album chart|Norway|2|artist=AC/DC|accessdate=March 13, 2020}}
{{album chart|Hungary|16|year=2008|week=45|rowheader=true|access-date=28 November 2021}}
|-
|-
! scope="row" | Irish Albums ([[International Federation of the Phonographic Industry|IFPI]])<ref>{{Cite web |title=Top 30 Singles/Albums |date=25 June 2024 |url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/200716728@N03/53815768741/in/dateposted-public/ |publisher=[[International Federation of the Phonographic Industry]] (IFPI) |access-date=26 June 2024 |via=[[Flickr]]}}</ref>
{{album chart|Sweden|5|artist=AC/DC|accessdate=March 13, 2020}}
| 5
|-
|-
{{album chart|Switzerland|2|artist=AC/DC|accessdate=March 13, 2020}}
{{album chart|Italy|79|artist=AC/DC|album=The Razors Edge|rowheader=true|access-date=13 March 2020}}
|-
|-
! scope="row" | Japanese Albums ([[Oricon]])<ref>{{Cite web |title=レイザーズ・エッジ {{!}} AC/DC {{!}} ORICON NEWS |url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/1295/products/37938/1/ |language=Japanese |publisher=[[Oricon]] |access-date=11 November 2023}}</ref>
{{album chart|UK|15|artist=AC/DC|accessdate=March 13, 2020}}
| 35
|-
|-
{{album chart|Billboard200|2|artist=AC/DC|accessdate=March 13, 2020}}
{{album chart|New Zealand|2|artist=AC/DC|album=The Razors Edge|rowheader=true|access-date=13 March 2020}}
|-
|-
{{album chart|Norway|2|artist=AC/DC|album=The Razors Edge|rowheader=true|access-date=13 March 2020}}
| rowspan="2" |1992
{{album chart|New Zealand|39|artist=AC/DC|accessdate=March 13, 2020}}
|-
|-
{{album chart|Germany|55|artist=AC/DC|accessdate=March 13, 2020}}
{{album chart|Spain|53|artist=AC/DC|album=The Razors Edge|rowheader=true|access-date=13 March 2020}}
|-
|-
{{album chart|Sweden|5|artist=AC/DC|album=The Razors Edge|rowheader=true|access-date=13 March 2020}}
|2005
{{album chart|Spain|53|artist=AC/DC|accessdate=March 13, 2020}}
|-
|-
{{album chart|Switzerland|2|artist=AC/DC|album=The Razors Edge|rowheader=true|access-date=13 March 2020}}
| rowspan="3" |2008
{{album chart|Australia|26|artist=AC/DC|accessdate=March 13, 2020}}
|-
|-
! scope="row" | [[UK Albums Chart|UK Albums]] ([[Official Charts Company|OCC]])<ref name="OCC" />
{{album chart|Oricon|174|artist=AC/DC|accessdate=March 13, 2020}}
| 4
|-
|-
{{album chart|Spain|78|artist=AC/DC|accessdate=March 13, 2020}}
{{album chart|UKRock|12|date=20240322|rowheader=true|access-date=25 May 2024}}
|-
|-
{{album chart|Billboard200|2|artist=AC DC|rowheader=true|access-date=13 March 2020|refname=billboard200}}
|2010
{{album chart|Italy|79|artist=AC/DC|accessdate=March 13, 2020}}
|-
|-
|}
|}
{{col-2}}


===Singles===
===Year-end charts===
{|class="wikitable sortable"
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ Year-end chart performance for ''The Razors Edge''
! Year
! Single
! Chart
! Position
|-
|-
| 1990
! scope="col" | Chart (1990)
! scope="col" | Position
| "Thunderstruck"
| Mainstream Rock
| 5
|-
|-
! scope="row" | Australian Albums (ARIA)<ref>{{cite web |title=ARIA Top 100 Albums for 1990 |url=https://www.aria.com.au/charts/1990/albums-chart |publisher=[[Australian Recording Industry Association]] (ARIA) |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127050057/https://www.aria.com.au/charts/1990/albums-chart |archive-date=27 November 2020 |url-status=live |access-date=21 March 2021}}</ref>
| 1991
| 17
| "Moneytalks"
| ''Billboard'' Hot 100
| 23
|-
|-
! scope="row" | German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)<ref>{{cite web |title=Top 100 Album-Jahrescharts |url=https://www.offiziellecharts.de/charts/album-jahr/for-date-1990 |trans-title=Top 100 Album Annual Charts |language=de |year=1990 |publisher=[[GfK Entertainment]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160318121353/https://www.offiziellecharts.de/charts/album-jahr/for-date-1990 |archive-date=18 March 2016 |url-status=live |access-date=21 March 2021}}</ref>
| 1991
| 80
| "Are You Ready"
|-
| Mainstream Rock
! scope="row" | New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)<ref>{{cite web |title=Top Selling Albums of 1990 |url=https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/annual-albums/1990-12-31 |publisher=[[Recorded Music NZ]] (RMNZ) |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180314110225/https://nztop40.co.nz/chart/albums?chart=3879 |archive-date=14 March 2018 |url-status=live |access-date=14 February 2022}}</ref>
| 16
| 27
|-
! scope="row" | Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)<ref>{{cite web |title=Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1990 |url=https://hitparade.ch/charts/jahreshitparade/1990/alben |trans-title=Swiss Annual Hit Parade 1990 |publisher=[[Swiss Hitparade]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211030133744/https://hitparade.ch/charts/jahreshitparade/1990/alben |archive-date=30 October 2021 |url-status=live |access-date=21 March 2021}}</ref>
| 28
|}
|}
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|-
! scope="col"| Chart (1991)
! scope="col"| Position
|-
! scope="row" | Australian Albums (ARIA)<ref>{{cite web |title=ARIA Top 100 Albums for 1991 |url=https://www.aria.com.au/charts/1991/albums-chart |publisher=[[Australian Recording Industry Association]] |access-date=21 March 2021 |archive-date=7 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190307171916/http://www.aria.com.au/pages/aria-charts-end-of-year-charts-top-50albums-1991.htm |url-status=live}}</ref>
| 41
|-
! scope="row"| German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.offiziellecharts.de/charts/album-jahr/for-date-1991|title=Top 100 Album-Jahrescharts |trans-title=Top 100 Album Annual Charts |language=de |year=1991 |publisher=[[GfK Entertainment]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150509161510/https://www.offiziellecharts.de/charts/album-jahr/for-date-1991 |archive-date=9 May 2015 |url-status=live |access-date=21 March 2021}}</ref>
| 8
|-
! scope="row"| New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)<ref>{{cite web |title=Top Selling Albums of 1991 |url=https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/annual-albums/1991-12-31 |publisher=[[Recorded Music NZ]] (RMNZ) |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201231193808/https://nztop40.co.nz/chart/albums?chart=3880 |archive-date=31 December 2020 |url-status=live |access-date=12 February 2022}}</ref>
| 2
|-
! scope="row"| Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)<ref>{{cite web |title=Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1991 |url=https://hitparade.ch/charts/jahreshitparade/1991/alben |trans-title=Swiss Annual Hit Parade 1991 |publisher=[[Swiss Hitparade]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210418093536/https://hitparade.ch/charts/jahreshitparade/1991/alben |archive-date=18 April 2021 |url-status=live |access-date=21 March 2021}}</ref>
| 20
|-
! scope="row"| US ''Billboard'' 200<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Top ''Billboard'' 200 Albums – Year-End 1991 |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/1991/top-billboard-200-albums |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150124045927/https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/1991/the-billboard-200 |archive-date=24 January 2015 |url-status=live |access-date=21 March 2021}}</ref>
| 12
|}
{{col-end}}


==Certifications==
==Certifications==
{{certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Argentina|type=album|artist=AC/DC|title=The Razors Edge|award=Platinum|relyear=1990|certref=<ref name="ARG">{{cite web|title= Discos de Oro y Platino |publisher= [[Argentine Chamber of Phonograms and Videograms Producers|Cámara Argentina de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas]] |access-date= 26 May 2023 |url-status= dead |url= http://www.capif.org.ar/Default.asp?PerDesde_MM=0&PerDesde_AA=0&PerHasta_MM=0&PerHasta_AA=0&interprete=&album=&LanDesde_MM=1&LanDesde_AA=1980&LanHasta_MM=12&LanHasta_AA=2010&Galardon=O&Tipo=1&ACCION2=+Buscar+&ACCION=Buscar&CO=5&CODOP=ESOP |archive-date= 6 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706084844/http://www.capif.org.ar/Default.asp?PerDesde_MM=0&PerDesde_AA=0&PerHasta_MM=0&PerHasta_AA=0&interprete=&album=&LanDesde_MM=1&LanDesde_AA=1980&LanHasta_MM=12&LanHasta_AA=2010&Galardon=O&Tipo=1&ACCION2=+Buscar+&ACCION=Buscar&CO=5&CODOP=ESOP |language= es}}</ref>|note=Spanish Version "El Filo de las Navajas"}}
{{certification Table Entry|type=album|region=Australia|artist=AC/DC|title=The Razor's Edge|award=Platinum|number=5|certyear=2013|relyear=1990|accessdate=25 November 2019}}
{{certification Table Entry|type=album|region=Austria|artist=AC/DC|title=The Razor's Edge|award=Platinum|certyear=1993|relyear=1990|accessdate=25 November 2019}}
{{Certification Table Entry|type=album|region=Australia|artist=AC/DC|title=The Razor's Edge|award=Platinum|number=5|certyear=2013|relyear=1990|access-date=25 November 2019|refname=AUS}}
{{certification Table Entry|type=album|region=Canada|artist=AC/DC|title=The Razors Edge|award=Platinum|number=5|certyear=1991|relyear=1990|accessdate=25 November 2019}}
{{Certification Table Entry|type=album|region=Austria|artist=AC/DC|title=The Razor's Edge|award=Platinum|certyear=1993|relyear=1990|access-date=25 November 2019|refname=AUT}}
{{certification Table Entry|type=album|region=Denmark|artist=AC/DC|title=The Razor's Edge|award=Gold|id=9465|relyear=1990|certyear=2020|accessdate=29 August 2020}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Brazil|artist=AC/DC|title=The Razors Edge|award=Gold|type=album|certyear=2024|relyear=1990|access-date=3 April 2024}}
{{certification Table Entry|type=album|region=Finland|artist=AC/DC|title=The Razors Edge|award=Platinum|salesamount=63,926|certyear=1996|relyear=1990|accessdate=25 November 2019}}
{{Certification Table Entry|type=album|region=Canada|artist=AC/DC|title=The Razors Edge|award=Platinum|number=5|certyear=1991|relyear=1990|access-date=25 November 2019|refname=CAN}}
{{certification Table Entry|type=album|region=France|artist=AC/DC|title=The Razors Edge|award=Gold|certyear=1991|relyear=1990|accessdate=25 November 2019}}
{{Certification Table Entry|type=album|region=Finland|artist=AC/DC|title=The Razors Edge|award=Platinum|salesamount=63,926|certyear=1996|relyear=1990|access-date=25 November 2019|refname=FIN}}
{{certification Table Entry|type=album|region=Germany|artist=AC/DC|title=The Razor's Edge|award=Platinum|number=2|certyear=2001|relyear=1990|accessdate=25 November 2019}}
{{Certification Table Entry|type=album|region=France|artist=AC/DC|title=The Razors Edge|award=Gold|certyear=1991|relyear=1990|access-date=25 November 2019|refname=FRA}}
{{certification Table Entry|type=album|region=Italy|artist=AC/DC|title=The Razors Edge|award=Gold|certyear=2014|relyear=1990|note=since 2009|accessdate=25 November 2019}}
{{Certification Table Entry|type=album|region=Germany|artist=AC/DC|title=The Razor's Edge|award=Platinum|number=2|certyear=2001|relyear=1990|access-date=25 November 2019|refname=GER}}
{{certification Table Entry|type=album|region=New Zealand|artist=AC/DC|title=The Razors Edge|award=Platinum|id=3437|relyear=1990|accessdate=25 November 2019}}
{{Certification Table Entry|type=album|region=Italy|artist=AC/DC|title=The Razors Edge|award=Gold|certyear=2014|relyear=1990|id=650|note=since 2009|access-date=25 November 2019|refname=Italy}}
{{certification Table Entry|type=album|region=Sweden|artist=AC/DC|title=The Razor's Edge|award=Gold|certyear=1991|relyear=1990|accessdate=25 November 2019}}
{{Certification Table Entry|type=album|region=New Zealand|artist=AC/DC|title=The Razors Edge|award=Platinum|relyear=1990|id=1990-12-21|source=newchart|access-date=2024-11-20|refname=NZ}}
{{certification Table Entry|type=album|region=Switzerland|artist=AC/DC|title=The Razor's Edge|award=Platinum|number=2|certyear=1992|relyear=1990|accessdate=25 November 2019}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Spain|artist=AC/DC|title=Stiff upper Lip|award=Platinum|type=album|relyear=1990|certyear=2001|id=acdc-the-razors-edge|access-date=October 13, 2024}}
{{certification Table Entry|type=album|region=United Kingdom|artist=AC/DC|title=The Razors Edge|award=Gold|certyear=1990|relyear=1990|accessdate=25 November 2019}}
{{Certification Table Entry|type=album|region=Sweden|artist=AC/DC|title=The Razor's Edge|award=Platinum|certyear=1995|relyear=1990|access-date=13 July 2022|refname=SWE}}
{{certification Table Entry|type=album|region=United States|artist=AC/DC|title=The Razors Edge|award=Platinum|number=5|certyear=2006|relyear=1990|accessdate=25 November 2019}}
{{Certification Table Entry|type=album|region=Switzerland|artist=AC/DC|title=The Razor's Edge|award=Platinum|number=2|certyear=1992|relyear=1990|access-date=25 November 2019|refname=SWI}}
{{Certification Table Entry|type=album|region=United Kingdom|artist=AC/DC|title=The Razors Edge|award=Gold|certyear=1990|relyear=1990|id=7242-1825-2|access-date=25 November 2019|refname=UK}}
{{Certification Table Entry|type=album|region=United States|artist=AC/DC|title=The Razors Edge|award=Platinum|number=6|certyear=2024|relyear=1990|access-date=8 July 2024|refname=US}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true}}

==Release history==
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|+ Release history for ''The Razors Edge''
! scope="col" | Region
! scope="col" | Date
! scope="col" | Format
! scope="col" | Label
! scope="col" | {{abbr|Ref.|References}}
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="4" | Various
| 24 September 1990
| rowspan="2" | {{hlist|[[Compact disc|CD]]|[[Cassette tape|cassette]]|[[LP record|LP]]}}
| {{hlist|[[Albert Productions|Albert]]/[[CBS Records International|CBS]]|[[Atlantic Records|Atlantic]]}}
| style="text-align:center" | {{sfn|Elliott|2018|pp=174, 184}}<ref name="disco" /><ref name="Holmgren" />
|-
| 25 March 2003
| {{hlist|Albert|[[Epic Records|Epic]]}}
| style="text-align:center" | <ref name="AutoJ4-21">{{cite magazine |title=Epic Rolls Out First AC/DC Reissues |url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/72503/epic-rolls-out-first-acdc-reissues |access-date=25 October 2023 |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |date=30 January 2003 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150705050228/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/72503/epic-rolls-out-first-acdc-reissues |archive-date=5 July 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| 19 November 2012
| [[Music download|Digital download]]
| [[Columbia Records|Columbia]]
| style="text-align:center" | <ref name="tYjOi">{{cite news|last=Sisario|first=Ben|title=AC/DC Joins iTunes, as Spotify Emerges as Music's New Disrupter|url=http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/11/19/acdc-joins-itunes-as-spotify-emerges-as-musics-new-disrupter/|access-date=6 November 2023|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=19 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121121003526/http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/11/19/acdc-joins-itunes-as-spotify-emerges-as-musics-new-disrupter/|archive-date=21 November 2012|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| 15 March 2024
| LP
| {{hlist|Albert|Columbia}}
| style="text-align:center" | <ref>{{Cite AV media notes |author1=[[Albert Productions]] |author2=[[Columbia Records]] |title=The Razors Edge |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/30093299-ACDC-The-Razors-Edge |others=[[AC/DC]] |type=LP |id=96588-34611-8 |access-date=15 March 2024}}</ref>
|}


==References==
==References==
===Citations===
{{reflist|2}}
{{reflist}}

===Sources===
* {{Cite book |last=Elliott |first=Paul |year=2018 |title=AC/DC: For Those About to Rock |publisher=Harper Grant Books |isbn=978-174379488-3}}
* {{Cite book |last1=Engleheart |first1=Murray |last2=Durieux |first2=Arnaud |title=AC/DC: Maximum Rock & Roll |publisher=[[HarperCollins|HarperCollins Australia]] |year=2006 |isbn=978-0-06-113391-6}}
* {{Cite book |last=Kent |first=David |author-link=David Kent (historian) |year=1993 |title=[[Kent Music Report|Australian Chart Book 1970–1992]] |edition=illustrated |publisher=Australian Chart Book |location=[[St Ives, New South Wales|St Ives, NSW]] |isbn=0-646-11917-6}} '''n.b.''' The Kent Report chart was licensed by [[Australian Recording Industry Association]] (ARIA) from mid-1983 until 19 June 1988.
* {{Cite book |last1=Larkin |first1=Colin |title=The Encyclopedia of Popular Music |date=2007 |publisher=Omnibus Press |location=United Kingdom |isbn=978-1-84609-856-7 |edition=5th Concise}}
* {{Cite book |last=McFarlane |first=Ian |author-link1=Ian McFarlane |title=[[Encyclopedia of Australian Rock and Pop]] |year=1999 |publisher=[[Allen & Unwin]] |location=[[St Leonards, New South Wales|St Leonards, NSW]] |isbn=1-86508-072-1}}
* {{Cite book |last1=McFarlane |first1=Ian |author-link1=Ian McFarlane |last2=Jenkins |first2=Jeff (Foreword) |title=[[Encyclopedia of Australian Rock and Pop]] |year=2017 |location=[[Gisborne, Victoria|Gisborne, VIC]] |publisher=Third Stone Press |edition=2nd |isbn=978-0-9953856-0-3}}
* {{Cite book |last1=Popoff |first1=Martin |author-link1=Martin Popoff |date=1 August 2007 |title=The Collector's Guide to Heavy Metal: Volume 3: The Nineties |publisher=[[Collector's Guide Publishing]] |location=[[Burlington, Ontario]], [[Canada]] |isbn=978-1-894959-62-9}}
* {{cite book |last=Salaverrie |first=Fernando |url=http://www.mediafire.com/file/7q55521w7go6vh6/Spanish_Certifications_for_2000-2002.pdf |title=Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 |language=es |edition=1st |location=Madrid |publisher=Fundación Autor/SGAE |date=September 2005 |isbn=84-8048-639-2 |access-date=13 July 2022}}
* {{Cite book |last1=Strong |first1=Martin Charles |year=1996 |title=The Great Rock Discography |url=https://archive.org/details/greatrockdiscogr00stro/page/2/mode/2up |others=Horse, Harry (illustrator) |edition=3rd |publisher=[[Omnibus Press]] |isbn=9-780862-415419 |access-date=5 March 2024}}


==External links==
==External links==
* {{Discogs master|8670|The Razors Edge}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20061020042142/http://www.acdcrocks.com/razorsedge.html Lyrics]


{{AC/DC}}
{{AC/DC}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2011}}
{{Authority control}}


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Latest revision as of 11:37, 18 December 2024

The Razors Edge
Studio album by
Released24 September 1990 (1990-09-24)
Recorded1990
StudioLittle Mountain Sound (Vancouver)
GenreHard rock
Length46:29
Label
ProducerBruce Fairbairn
AC/DC chronology
Blow Up Your Video
(1988)
The Razors Edge
(1990)
AC/DC Live
(1992)
Singles from The Razors Edge
  1. "Thunderstruck"
    Released: September 1990
  2. "Moneytalks"
    Released: 12 November 1990
  3. "Are You Ready"
    Released: 28 March 1991
  4. "Rock Your Heart Out"
    Released: 13 October 1991

The Razors Edge is the twelfth studio album by Australian rock band AC/DC. Released on 24 September 1990, through Albert Productions/CBS Records International in Australasia and Atlantic Records in Europe, it was recorded in 1990 in Little Mountain Sound Studios in Vancouver, Canada, and was mixed and engineered by Mike Fraser and produced by Bruce Fairbairn. It was a major comeback for the band, featuring the hits "Thunderstruck", "Are You Ready" and "Moneytalks". This is the only studio album to feature Welsh drummer Chris Slade, who was the drummer for AC/DC from 1989 to his dismissal in 1994.

Critical commentary for the album was generally mixed, with Alex Henderson of AllMusic complimenting Brian Johnson and Angus Young, while John Mendelsohn from Rolling Stone criticises its similarity to the band's past works. The album reached number 2 on the US Billboard 200 and number 4 on the UK Albums Chart, a smash commercial success that returned the band to a peak equivalent to that of their late 1970s and early 1980s popularity. The album earned multi-platinum certifications in Australia, Canada, Germany, Switzerland and the US. To support The Razors Edge, the band undertook the Razors Edge World Tour, starting in November 1990.

Background

[edit]

In 1987, the band had recorded Blow Up Your Video (1988) with their original producers, Harry Vanda and George Young.[1][2] It was a commercial success – the album reached number 2 in the UK,[3] and Australia.[4] The Blow Up Your Video World Tour began in February 1988 in Perth, Australia. Following live appearances across Europe, rhythm guitarist Malcolm Young announced that he was taking time off touring, principally to begin recovery from his alcoholism. Another member of the Young family, their nephew, Stevie Young, temporarily took Malcolm's place on rhythm guitar.[5][6] In 1989, drummer Simon Wright left the group to work on American heavy metal band Dio's fifth studio album Lock Up the Wolves (1990); he was replaced by Welsh drummer Chris Slade.[6] Brian Johnson was unavailable for several months while finalising his divorce, so the Young brothers wrote all the songs for future albums, a practice they continued for all subsequent releases through Power Up in 2020.[7]

Recording and composition

[edit]
Malcolm Young in 1990

The Razors Edge was recorded at Little Mountain Sound Studios in Vancouver, Canada, and was mixed and engineered by Mike Fraser, produced by Bruce Fairbairn, who had previously worked with Aerosmith and Bon Jovi;[8][9] and mastered by George Marino, at Sterling Sound in New York City.[9] According to the book AC/DC: Maximum Rock & Roll, George Young was involved early on but had to bow out because of personal issues.[10]

According to Guitar World, the opening riff to "Thunderstruck" features Angus Young alternating between fretted notes and playing the open string. In a 1993 interview with Alan di Perna, the guitarist recalls, "I was just fiddling with my left hand when I came up with that riff; I played it more by accident than anything. I thought, 'not bad,' and put it on a tape. That's how me and Malcolm generally work. We put our ideas down on tape and play them for one another."[11] He expanded in greater detail in the liner notes of the 2003 re-release of The Razors Edge:[12]

It started off from a little trick I had on guitar. I played it to Mal and he said "Oh, I've got a good rhythm idea that will sit well in the back." We built the song up from that. We fiddled about with it for a few months before everything fell into place. Lyrically, it was really just a case of finding a good title...We came up with this thunder thing and it seemed to have a good ring to it. AC/DC = Power. That's the basic idea.

"Moneytalks" is also one of AC/DC's biggest hits, peaking at number 23 on the Billboard Hot 100,[13] number 36 on the UK Singles Chart,[3] and number 21 on the Australian ARIA Singles Chart.[14] It is still the band's highest-charting single in the United States, at number 23.[13] During their subsequent world tour, thousands of Angus Bucks – a replica of an American $1 bill but with Angus pictured instead of George Washington – were dropped on the audience during the song.[15] A music video of the song, directed by David Mallet, was also released, featuring a live performance during the tour.[16][17]

Author Murray Engleheart states in his band memoir AC/DC: Maximum Rock & Roll: "On songs like 'Mistress for Christmas' and 'Moneytalks', Malcolm and Angus showed their working-class roots, despite multi-millionaire selling albums, by taking aim at the high flyers in the business world".[18] In a February 1991 interview with Guitar World, Angus Young stated that the funniest song from the album was "Mistress for Christmas", and then said that the song was about Donald Trump. In the same interview, he declared that his best guitar solo on the album was on the title track, which also features a rare foray into finger picking.[19]

Release and reception

[edit]
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[20]
Collector's Guide to Heavy Metal9/10[21]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music[22]
Entertainment WeeklyA−[23]
Rolling Stone[24]
Select[25]

Released on 24 September 1990,[8][26] through Albert Productions/CBS Records in Australasia and Atlantic Records in Europe,[27] The Razors Edge received generally mixed to positive reviews from critics. Alex Henderson of AllMusic complimented both the vocal performance by Brian Johnson and the guitar playing of Angus Young, and said that the album was "arguably [the band's] strongest album in over half a decade".[20] Greg Sandow of Entertainment Weekly gave the album a very favourable review, saying that "this is one album that really delivers".[23] Canadian journalist Martin Popoff defined the album "tight, highly strung and menacing... entirely worthy of its status as the grand comeback of legendary rock 'n' roll runts".[21] John Mendelsohn of Rolling Stone, on the other hand, gave the album two out of five stars, criticising its similarity to past AC/DC works, and said that "with The Razors Edge, AC/DC sets a new record for the longest career without a single new idea".[24] Mark Putterford of Select marked the album a four out of five, stating that "The Razors Edge comes on like an old friend you haven't seen for a couple of years".[25]

The album was a major comeback for the band, featuring the singles "Thunderstruck" (September 1990);[28] and "Are You Ready" (28 March 1991),[29] which reached number 5 and number 16 respectively on Billboard's Mainstream Rock chart,[30] and "Moneytalks" (12 November 1990),[29] which peaked at number 23 on the Billboard Hot 100.[13] Its fourth single, "Rock Your Heart Out" was released exclusively in Australasia on 13 October 1991.[29] The album peaked at number 2 on the Billboard 200, and stayed on the chart for 77 consecutive weeks.[31] It also reached number 4 on OCC's UK Albums Chart.[3] The Razors Edge received certifications, including 5× Platinum in Australia,[32] Canada,[33] and the US,[34] 2× Platinum in Germany,[35] and Switzerland,[36] Platinum in Argentina,[37] Austria,[38] Finland,[39] New Zealand,[40] Spain,[41] and Sweden,[42] and Gold in France,[43] Italy,[44] and the UK.[45] The album has sold approximately 18.8 million copies worldwide, making it the third highest selling AC/DC album after Back in Black and High Voltage.[46]

To further promote The Razors Edge, the band undertook a world tour starting on 2 November 1990 and ending on 16 November 1991.[47] Several shows on the Razors Edge World Tour were recorded for the 1992 live album titled AC/DC Live. The album was produced by Fairbairn, and is considered one of the best live albums of the 1990s, according to Berry Weber of AllMusic.[48] The album was reissued on 25 March 2003 as part of the AC/DC Remasters series.[49] It was also reissued on 19 November 2012 on iTunes, alongside their entire catalogue – excluding T.N.T. (1975) and the Australian versions of High Voltage (1975), Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap (1976) and Let There Be Rock (1977).[50] On 15 March 2024, the album was reissued on gold vinyl for their 50th anniversary, as part of the AC/DC 50 series.[51]

Track listing

[edit]

Credits adapted from the liner notes.[9]

All tracks are written by Angus Young and Malcolm Young.

Side one
No.TitleLength
1."Thunderstruck"4:52
2."Fire Your Guns"2:53
3."Moneytalks"3:45
4."The Razors Edge"4:22
5."Mistress for Christmas"3:58
6."Rock Your Heart Out"4:06
Side two
No.TitleLength
7."Are You Ready"4:10
8."Got You by the Balls"4:29
9."Shot of Love"3:57
10."Let's Make It"3:32
11."Goodbye & Good Riddance to Bad Luck"3:14
12."If You Dare"3:11
Total length:46:29

Personnel

[edit]

Credits adapted from the album's liner notes.[9]

AC/DC

Production

Charts

[edit]

Certifications

[edit]
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Argentina (CAPIF)[37]
Spanish Version "El Filo de las Navajas"
Platinum 60,000^
Australia (ARIA)[32] 5× Platinum 350,000^
Austria (IFPI Austria)[38] Platinum 50,000*
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[77] Gold 100,000
Canada (Music Canada)[33] 5× Platinum 500,000^
Finland (Musiikkituottajat)[39] Platinum 63,926[39]
France (SNEP)[43] Gold 100,000*
Germany (BVMI)[35] 2× Platinum 1,000,000^
Italy (FIMI)[44]
since 2009
Gold 25,000*
New Zealand (RMNZ)[40] Platinum 15,000^
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[78] Platinum 100,000^
Sweden (GLF)[42] Platinum 100,000^
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[36] 2× Platinum 100,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[45] Gold 100,000^
United States (RIAA)[34] 6× Platinum 6,000,000

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

[edit]
Release history for The Razors Edge
Region Date Format Label Ref.
Various 24 September 1990 [8][26][27]
25 March 2003
[49]
19 November 2012 Digital download Columbia [50]
15 March 2024 LP
  • Albert
  • Columbia
[79]

References

[edit]

Citations

[edit]
  1. ^ Elliott 2018, p. 169.
  2. ^ Prato, Greg. "AC/DC – Blow Up Your Video". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 4 September 2023. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  3. ^ a b c d "AC/DC Songs and Albums | Full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on 5 November 2020. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  4. ^ Kent 1993, p. 11.
  5. ^ Olivier (26 December 2021). "Simon Wright recalls Stevie Young Replacing Malcolm Young on AC/DC's Blow Up Your Video World Tour". Sleaze Roxx. Archived from the original on 3 September 2023. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  6. ^ a b
  7. ^ Elliott 2018, p. 173.
  8. ^ a b c Elliott 2018, pp. 174, 184.
  9. ^ a b c d Albert Productions; ATCO Records. The Razors Edge (CD). AC/DC. 7567-91413-2. Retrieved 11 November 2023.
  10. ^ Engleheart & Durieux 2006, pp. 398–399.
  11. ^ di Perna, Alan (7 February 2008). "AC/DC: Hard as a Rock". Guitar World. Archived from the original on 8 November 2022. Retrieved 10 November 2023.
  12. ^ Young, Angus (2003). The Razors Edge (booklet). AC/DC. Epic Records.
  13. ^ a b c "AC/DC Chart History (Billboard Hot 100)". Billboard. Archived from the original on 28 November 2021. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  14. ^ Hung, Steffen. "AC/DC – 'Moneytalks'". Australian Charts Portal (Hung Medien). Archived from the original on 2 November 2023. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  15. ^ Sobolev, Jacob. "Top 30 AC/DC Guitar Songs You Must Learn – Tabs Included". Rock Guitar Universe. Archived from the original on 9 February 2023. Retrieved 10 November 2023. While the band played 'Moneytalks' during their world tour they dropped thousands of Angus Bucks at the audience.
  16. ^ "AC/DC Videography". IMVDb. Archived from the original on 18 August 2023. Retrieved 6 March 2024.
  17. ^ "Moneytalks (Official HD Video)". AC/DC. 7 March 2013. Archived from the original on 29 June 2023. Retrieved 10 November 2023 – via YouTube.
  18. ^ Engleheart & Durieux 2006, p. 400.
  19. ^ Gilbert, Jeff (15 October 2011). "Angus Young of AC/DC Discusses Guitar Riffs and Brown Gibson SG's in 1991 Guitar World Interview". Guitar World. Archived from the original on 3 April 2018. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  20. ^ a b Henderson, Alex. "AC/DC - The Razors Edge review". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 1 April 2019. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
  21. ^ a b Popoff 2007, p. 42.
  22. ^ Larkin 2007, p. 34.
  23. ^ a b Sandow, Greg (5 October 1990). "The Razors Edge". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on 31 October 2020. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
  24. ^ a b Mendelsohn, John (15 November 1990). "The Razors Edge". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 13 June 2018. Retrieved 16 September 2017.
  25. ^ a b Putterford, Mark (October 1990). "AC/DC: The Razors Edge – Still Razor Sharp". Select. No. 4. p. 94. Retrieved 6 March 2024 – via Select Magazine Scans.
  26. ^ a b Durieux, Arnaud. "AC/DC Discography: The Razors Edge". ac-dc.net. Archived from the original on 24 December 2016. Retrieved 11 November 2023.
  27. ^ a b Holmgren, Magnus. "AC/DC". Australian Rock Database. Archived from the original on 6 December 2003. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
  28. ^ Strong 1996, p. 3.
  29. ^ a b c Hung, Steffen. "AC/DC Discography". Hung Medien. Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 5 March 2024.
  30. ^ "AC/DC Chart History (Mainstream Rock Airplay)". Billboard. Archived from the original on 17 November 2021. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  31. ^ a b "AC DC Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 13 March 2020.
  32. ^ a b "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2013 Albums" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 25 November 2019.
  33. ^ a b "Canadian album certifications – AC/DC – The Razors Edge". Music Canada. Retrieved 25 November 2019.
  34. ^ a b "American album certifications – AC/DC – The Razors Edge". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 8 July 2024.
  35. ^ a b "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (AC/DC; 'The Razor's Edge')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 25 November 2019.
  36. ^ a b "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards ('The Razor's Edge')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien. Retrieved 25 November 2019.
  37. ^ a b "Discos de Oro y Platino" (in Spanish). Cámara Argentina de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas. Archived from the original on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 26 May 2023.
  38. ^ a b "Austrian album certifications – AC/DC – The Razor's Edge" (in German). IFPI Austria. Retrieved 25 November 2019.
  39. ^ a b c "AC/DC" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved 25 November 2019.
  40. ^ a b "New Zealand album certifications – AC/DC – The Razors Edge". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
  41. ^ Salaverrie 2005, p. 962.
  42. ^ a b "Guld- och Platinacertifikat − År 1987−1998" (PDF) (in Swedish). IFPI Sweden. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 May 2011. Retrieved 13 July 2022.
  43. ^ a b "French album certifications – AC/DC – The Razors Edge" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved 25 November 2019.
  44. ^ a b "Italian album certifications – AC/DC – The Razors Edge" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved 25 November 2019.
  45. ^ a b "British album certifications – AC/DC – The Razors Edge". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 25 November 2019.
  46. ^ Erel, Eray (6 March 2022). "Top 10 Highest-Selling AC/DC Albums Until 2023". Metal Castle. Archived from the original on 17 May 2023. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  47. ^ Engleheart & Durieux 2006, pp. 400–409.
  48. ^ Weber, Barry. "AC/DC – AC/DC Live". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 4 September 2023. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
  49. ^ a b "Epic Rolls Out First AC/DC Reissues". Billboard. 30 January 2003. Archived from the original on 5 July 2015. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  50. ^ a b Sisario, Ben (19 November 2012). "AC/DC Joins iTunes, as Spotify Emerges as Music's New Disrupter". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 21 November 2012. Retrieved 6 November 2023.
  51. ^ Hadusek, Jon (20 February 2024). "AC/DC Reissuing Classic Albums on Gold Vinyl for 50th Anniversary". Heavy Consequence. Archived from the original on 20 February 2024. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  52. ^ "Australiancharts.com – AC/DC – The Razors Edge". Hung Medien. Retrieved 13 March 2020.
  53. ^ "Austriancharts.at – AC/DC – The Razors Edge" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved 13 March 2020.
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Sources

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