'70s Rock Band Is Suddenly Climbing the Charts 53 Years After Forming
More than five decades after forming in 1973, AC/DC is once again climbing the charts. The legendary Australian rock band's signature hit "Thunderstruck" has re-entered the Billboard Global 200 at No. 190, marking another milestone for one of rock music's most enduring anthems.
The chart return highlights the remarkable staying power of "Thunderstruck," which was originally released in 1990 as the lead single from the band's album The Razors Edge.
While the song first became a worldwide hit more than three decades ago, it continues to attract listeners across streaming platforms and digital music stores, helping keep AC/DC on Billboard's global rankings.
"Thunderstruck" has now spent 143 weeks on the Billboard Global 200 over its lifetime and previously reached a peak of No. 111. Its latest re-entry comes 53 years after AC/DC was founded in Sydney, Australia.
The Billboard Global 200 re-entry adds to another recent achievement for "Thunderstruck."
Earlier this year, the classic rock anthem returned to No. 1 on Billboard's Hard Rock Digital Song Sales chart, where it has now spent an extraordinary 65 weeks atop the ranking. The song remains one of the biggest digital sellers in hard rock and continues to perform strongly on streaming services.
At the same time, "Thunderstruck" continues to appear on several Billboard charts, including Rock Digital Song Sales, Hard Rock Streaming Songs, the Billboard Global 200 and the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. chart. The song's continued success has also helped keep AC/DC's catalog in front of both longtime fans and newer listeners discovering the band's music.
Among AC/DC's chart-topping songs on the Hard Rock Digital Song Sales chart, "Thunderstruck" stands well ahead of the band's other No. 1 hits. "Back in Black" and "Shot in the Dark" each spent two weeks at No. 1, while "Play Ball" debuted atop the chart for one week.
Released in September 1990, "Thunderstruck" quickly became one of AC/DC's defining songs. It reached No. 4 on Australia's ARIA Singles Chart, No. 1 in Finland, and No. 5 on Billboard's Album Rock Tracks chart in the U.S.
Over the years, "Thunderstruck" has become one of the best-selling rock singles ever, with more than 15 million units sold worldwide. It has also earned numerous certifications, including Diamond status in the U.S and Canada.
Beyond radio and streaming, "Thunderstruck" has become a fixture at sporting events, concerts, and major public gatherings, helping introduce the band's music to new generations.
AC/DC has sold more than 200 million records worldwide and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2003. The band's influence has stretched across decades, with albums including Back in Black, Highway to Hell and The Razors Edge remaining staples of classic rock.
Now, 53 years after the band's formation, the latest Billboard Global 200 re-entry shows that "Thunderstruck" continues to resonate with audiences worldwide, proving that one of rock's biggest anthems still has the power to climb the charts.
Related: '70s Rock Legend Is Suddenly Climbing the Charts 56 Years After No. 1 Hit
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This story was originally published July 1, 2026 at 9:07 PM.