View source for The Razors Edge (AC/DC album)

{{good article}}
{{short description|1990 studio album by AC/DC}}
{{Use Australian English|date=November 2023}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2023}}
{{Infobox album
| name         = The Razors Edge
| type         = studio
| artist       = [[AC/DC]]
| cover        = Razorsedge.jpg
| alt          = 
| released     = {{start date|1990|09|24|df=yes}}
| recorded     = 1990
| studio       = [[Little Mountain Sound Studios|Little Mountain Sound]] (Vancouver)
| genre        = [[Hard rock]]
| length       = 46:29
| label        = * [[Albert Productions|Albert]]/[[CBS Records International|CBS]]
* [[Atlantic Records|Atlantic]]
| producer     = [[Bruce Fairbairn]]
| prev_title   = [[Blow Up Your Video]]
| prev_year    = 1988
| next_title   = [[AC/DC Live]]
| next_year    = 1992
| misc         = {{Singles
 | name        = The Razors Edge
 | type        = Studio
 | single1     = [[Thunderstruck (song)|Thunderstruck]]
 | single1date = September 1990
 | single2     = [[Moneytalks]]
 | single2date = 12 November 1990
 | single3     = [[Are You Ready (AC/DC song)|Are You Ready]]
 | single3date = 28 March 1991
 | single4     = Rock Your Heart Out
 | single4date = 13 October 1991
}}
}}

'''''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==
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 that continued for all subsequent releases through ''[[Power Up (album)|Power Up]]'' in 2020.{{sfn|Elliott|2018|p=173}}

==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 [[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}}

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, 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>

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>

==Release and reception==
{{Album ratings
| 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>
| rev2 =''[[Martin Popoff|Collector's Guide to Heavy Metal]]''
| rev2Score = 9/10{{sfn|Popoff|2007|p=42}}
| noprose = yes
| rev3 = ''[[The Encyclopedia of Popular Music]]''
| 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 = ''[[Mojo (magazine)|Mojo]]''
| rev5score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/details/mojo_mag_june_94|title=Mojo Magazine June 2024 - Page 94|website=[[Mojo (magazine)|Mojo]]|last=Fricke|first=David|date=1 June 2024|access-date=3 April 2025}}</ref>
| rev6 = ''[[Q (magazine)|Q]]''
| rev6score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040912120358/http://www.q4music.com:80/nav?page=q4music.artist.review&fixture_review=117605&fixture_artist=146580|title=AC/DC Razor's Edge|website=[[Q (magazine)|Q]]|last=Kane|first=Peter|date=12 September 2004|access-date=3 April 2025}}</ref>
| rev7 = ''[[Rolling Stone]]''
| rev7Score = {{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>
| rev8 = ''[[Select (magazine)|Select]]''
| rev8Score = {{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>
| rev9 = ''[[Uncut (magazine)|Uncut]]''
| rev9score = 7/10<ref>{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/details/uncut_mag_may_2024_46|title=Uncut Magazine May 2024 - Page 46|website=[[Uncut (magazine)|Uncut]]|last=Moody|first=Paul|date=1 May 2024|access-date=3 April 2025}}</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=usurped }}</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 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 8× Platinum in Canada,<ref name="CAN" /> 6× Platinum in the US,<ref name="US" /> 5× Platinum in Australia,<ref name="AUS" /> 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>

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/ |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==
Credits adapted from the liner notes.<ref name="OG liner notes" />
{{Track listing
| headline = ''The Razors Edge'' track listing
| all_writing = [[Angus Young]] and [[Malcolm Young]]
| title1 = [[Thunderstruck (song)|Thunderstruck]]
| length1 = 4:52
| title2 = Fire Your Guns
| length2 = 2:53
| title3 = [[Moneytalks]]
| length3 = 3:45
| title4 = The Razors Edge
| length4 = 4:22
| title5 = Mistress for Christmas
| length5 = 3:58
| title6 = Rock Your Heart Out
| length6 = 4:06
| title7 = [[Are You Ready (AC/DC song)|Are You Ready]]
| length7 = 4:10
| title8 = Got You by the Balls
| length8 = 4:29
| title9 = Shot of Love
| length9 = 3:57
| title10 = Let's Make It
| length10 = 3:32
| title11 = Goodbye & Good Riddance to Bad Luck
| length11 = 3:14
| title12 = If You Dare
| length12 = 3:11
| total_length = 46:29
}}

==Personnel==
Credits adapted from the album's liner notes.<ref name="OG liner notes" />

'''AC/DC'''
* [[Brian Johnson]] – lead vocals
* [[Angus Young]] – lead guitar
* [[Malcolm Young]] – rhythm guitar, backing vocals
* [[Cliff Williams]] – bass guitar, backing vocals
* [[Chris Slade]] – drums

'''Production'''
* [[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]]

==Charts==
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}

===Weekly charts===
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ Weekly chart performance for ''The Razors Edge''
|-
! Chart (1990–2024)
! Peak<br />position
|-
{{album chart|Australia|3|artist=AC/DC|album=The Razors Edge|rowheader=true|access-date=13 March 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|rowheader=true|access-date=13 March 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>
| 1
|-
{{album chart|Germany|4|id=1115|artist=AC/DC|album=The Razors Edge|rowheader=true|access-date=13 March 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>
| 5
|-
{{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>
| 35
|-
{{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}}
|-
{{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}}
|-
{{album chart|Switzerland|2|artist=AC/DC|album=The Razors Edge|rowheader=true|access-date=13 March 2020}}
|-
! scope="row" | [[UK Albums Chart|UK Albums]] ([[Official Charts Company|OCC]])<ref name="OCC" />
| 4
|-
{{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}}
|-
|}
{{col-2}}

===Year-end charts===
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ Year-end chart performance for ''The Razors Edge''
|-
! scope="col" | Chart (1990)
! scope="col" | Position
|-
! 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>
| 17
|-
! 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>
| 80
|-
! 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>
| 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==
{{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|access-date=25 November 2019|refname=AUS}}
{{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|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=Canada|artist=AC/DC|title=Razor's Edge|award=Platinum|number=8|certyear=2024|relyear=1990|access-date=27 December 2024|refname=CAN}}
{{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=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=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=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=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=Poland|artist=AC/DC|title=The Razor's Edge|award=Platinum|certyear=2024|relyear=1990|access-date=June 13, 2025}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Spain|artist=AC/DC|title=The Razors Edge|award=Platinum|type=album|relyear=1990|certyear=2001|id=acdc-the-razors-edge|access-date=13 October 2024}}
{{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=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}}

==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==
===Citations===
{{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==
* {{Discogs master|8670|The Razors Edge}}

{{AC/DC}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Razors Edge, The}}
[[Category:1990 albums]]
[[Category:AC/DC albums]]
[[Category:Albert Productions albums]]
[[Category:Atlantic Records albums]]
[[Category:Atco Records albums]]
[[Category:Albums produced by Bruce Fairbairn]]
[[Category:Albums recorded at Little Mountain Sound Studios]]