Back to Black

Back to Black is the second studio album by English R&B/soul singer and songwriter Amy Winehouse, released in October 2006 on Island Records. The album has spawned a number of singles such as “Rehab”, “You Know I’m No Good”, “Back to Black”, “Tears Dry on Their Own”, and “Love Is a Losing Game”. Back to Black has received universal critical acclaim, and has been praised for its classic jazz/soul vibe, “vintage production style”, accomplished songwriting, and Winehouse’s mature and emotive singing style. It has appeared on numerous year-end Top Ten Lists produced by The Austin Chronicle (number four), Billboard Magazine (number three), Blender Magazine (number eight), Slant Magazine (number four), Entertainment Weekly (number two), The New York Times (number three) and Time Magazine (number one).

At the 50th Annual Grammy Awards ceremony, Back to Black won five awards, tying the record (with Lauryn Hill, Alicia Keys, Norah Jones, Beyoncé, and Alison Krauss) for the most awards won by a female artist in a single ceremony. The album won Best Pop Vocal Album, while “Rehab” won Best Female Pop Vocal Performance, Song of the Year and Record of the Year; Winehouse also won Best New Artist. So far, the album has sold over 11 million copies. With 5.5 million copies sold in 2007 it was the biggest selling album of the year.

Background

The track “Tears Dry on Their Own” features the backing music from Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell’s 1967 smash hit, “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough”.