"When I was younger" or "Back when I was younger."

[Ashraful Haque]

Sometimes I hear people saying 'back when something happened' instead of simply 'when something happened.'
I wonder if it's just an emphasis. Does 'back' add anything extra to the following sentences?
1) (Back) when people were uncivilized...
2) (Back) when I started going to the gym for the first time....
3) (Back) when I was rich, I used only used to buy expensive things.

 

[jutfrank]

Yes, it adds emphasis, to put it simply.

 

[Tdol]

You will also hear back in the day.

 

[Ashraful Haque]

You will also hear back in the day.

I understand why 'back' is used here. Obviously 'in the day' alone wouldn't make any sense. But I think all my sentences work without 'back.'

 

[emsr2d2]

All those sentences are grammatical without "Back". As jutfrank said, it's just for emphasis.