Who released the album Back to Black?
Quick answer
Back to Black is the second and final studio album by English singer Amy Winehouse, released in October 2006. Produced mainly by Mark Ronson and Salaam Remi, it mixed 1960s girl-group soul with jazz and R&B. It won Winehouse five Grammy Awards in 2008 and is one of the best-selling albums in UK history.
Key facts
- Artist
- Amy Winehouse
- Released
- October 27, 2006 (UK)
- Producers
- Mark Ronson, Salaam Remi
- Grammys
- 5 in 2008, including Record and Song of the Year for “Rehab”
The sound
Winehouse and Ronson drew on 1960s soul and girl groups like the Shangri-Las and the Ronettes. Much of the album was recorded with the Dap-Kings, a Brooklyn soul band. Winehouse wrote the songs largely about a painful breakup, and her raw, jazzy voice and frank lyrics set it apart from the pop of the time.
Key songs
| Song | Notes |
|---|---|
| “Rehab” | Breakout hit; Grammy for Record and Song of the Year |
| “You Know I’m No Good” | Second single |
| “Back to Black” | The title track |
| “Tears Dry on Their Own” | Built on a Motown classic |
| “Love Is a Losing Game” | A spare, jazzy ballad |
The 2008 Grammys
Winehouse won five Grammys, including Best New Artist, then a record for a British female artist in one night. Unable to get a US visa in time, she performed live via satellite from London.
Amy Winehouse
Born in London in 1983, Winehouse released her debut album, Frank, in 2003. She struggled publicly with addiction, and she died of alcohol poisoning on July 23, 2011, aged 27. The Amy Winehouse Foundation, set up by her family, supports young people affected by substance misuse.
Legacy
Back to Black opened the door for a wave of British soul singers, including Adele and Duffy; see who released the album 21. The 2015 documentary Amy won an Oscar, and the 2024 biopic Back to Black starred Marisa Abela.
For a later British pop album, see who released Future Nostalgia.
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