“It’s a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock ‘n’ Roll)” by AC/DC

AC/DC is an old school musical act you most likely heard of, especially if you’re a fan of rock and roll. In fact even though the band formed in the early-1970s, to this day they are considered the greatest rockers Australia ever produced. But it wasn’t a case of them bursting onto the scene and instantly becoming global superstars. 

The band had to go through the types of ups and downs that all musicians who start from the bottom must endure to become renowned professionals. And that’s what they mean by “it’s a long way to the top, if you want to rock n’ roll”.

The lyrics don’t really go into much detail in that regard, at least not directly. It is actually the pre-chorus which does the best job in terms of illustrating what the homeys went through during their come-up. And summarily, as presented, reaching this goal is one in which you must have patience, as getting there takes a considerable time. 

Then on top of that, along the way you can expect to get “ripped off” and “underpaid”. Indeed in the second verse, the vocalist also seems, in a roundabout way, to compare him and his ilk to prostitutes or at least, through their own endeavors, express an empathy for what female sex workers go through. And in fact in the outro, Bon also insinuates that he had known all of this beforehand, he would have likely chosen a different path in life.

So all lyrics considered, and also taking the title into proper account, we can deem this piece as a warning to other aspiring musicians, though especially rock and rollers. And what they’re being advised, most comprehensively put, is be prepared for some serious struggling before making it big.

Release of “It’s a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock ‘n’ Roll)”

This track served a role on two different studio albums. It was originally released, via Albert Productions, as the second single from AC/DC’s sophomore studio album, “T.N.T.”. The said release date was 8 December 1975. 

The following year it also served as a single from AC/DC’s “High Voltage”, a product of Atlantic Records, which was the band’s first international album.

“It’s a Long Way to the Top” didn’t necessarily have an overly-impressive chart showing. It peaked at number 9 on the Kent Music Report (in the band’s homeland of Australia). Despite this, it is considered to be a bona fide AC/DC classic. For instance, in addition to the two aforementioned albums, it has also appeared on the band’s 1997 box set “Bonfire”. 

Moreover, this song has been utilized on a few TV shows, etc. and is especially highly regarded in the land down under. In Australia, it has been enshrined by the government’s National Film and Sound Archive (since 2012). Also, this track has officially been covered by the likes of the following:

• Motörhead (1998)
• Jack Black (2003)
• Eagles of Death Metal (2019)

Who wrote “It’s a Long Way to the Top”?

This song was written by Angus Young, Malcolm Young (1953-2017) and another musician who was down with AC/DC during the band’s early goings, the late Bon Scott.

More Interesting Facts

Bon Scott passed away, in 1980, at the age of 33. And since this song is considered to be his signature piece, Brian Johnson, who replaced Scott as the group’s lead vocalist, never performed it.

It is unconventional for a rock song – or any song during the modern era – to incorporate a bagpipe. However, such was done on this track, at the insistence of Bon Scott, who also played it therein. And as such, “It’s a Long Way to the Top” wasn’t played too often during his lifetime either, as rendering it live with the bagpipe was difficult.

There are four different videos to this song that are considered legit. The first and primary one, as directed by fellow Aussie Paul Drane, was short specifically for a music-based TV show called Countdown. It was filmed in a part of Melbourne known as Swanston Street. And eventually, that fact contributed (as a further testament to this song’s popularity) to another nearby throughway being renamed “ACDC Lane” in 2004. 

And just to note, the band also recorded the second video to the song on the same day of the first, which was 23 February 1976.