System reinstall correct way to restore iTunes? HELP

I was having some major computer issues and had to Erase and Install, I backed up my iTunes, now I would like to restore my music and all playlists can you please tell the correct way to do this, so that everything worked as it did before the Erase and Install.
As always thanks for your reply to my Post,
Sebastian

when I open it, I get the blank slate. from there, i don't think i want to add my music as you suggest, since I'll lose my original data (date added, playcount, etc, and playlists) and this is what i am trying to avoid
John hello,
please explain this 'blank slate' does this mean when opened the library is empty ? ... if it is empty there will be no playcounts, playlists or anything else to lose...
If on the other hand you mean the songs and everything else shows but will not play because the iTunes program can not find the data files... then do as I said in my previous post and it will not change anything, only relink the files and if I read you correctly that is what you want... Do not worry as if it is not as you want you simply trash that copy of the iTunes Library and replace with another backup copy rename and all is restored... the point here is, tne data files do not get altered, it is only the Library file that gets updated...
take care John .... TP

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