AC/DC's iconic "It's A Long Way To The Top" video perfectly encapsulates the band's raw energy and early rock and roll dream.
The Song
"It's a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock 'n' Roll)" is a seminal track by Australian hard rock band AC/DC, released on December 8, 1975, as the opening track of their Australian album T.N.T.. It later appeared as the first track on the international version of High Voltage, released in April 1976. Written by Angus Young, Malcolm Young, and Bon Scott, the song serves as an autobiographical anthem detailing the struggles, hardships, and relentless touring faced by a band striving for success in the music industry.
What makes this track truly distinctive is its unconventional inclusion of bagpipes, played by lead vocalist Bon Scott. This unique fusion of hard rock instrumentation with traditional Scottish bagpipes creates a memorable and rebellious sound, setting it apart from typical rock anthems of the era. The lyrics candidly describe being robbed, assaulted, and cheated by greedy agents, yet accepting these tribulations as part of the journey to stardom.
The Artist
AC/DC formed in Sydney, Australia, in 1973 by Scottish-born brothers Malcolm and Angus Young. With Bon Scott joining as lead vocalist in 1974, the band quickly developed a reputation for their high-energy, blues-infused hard rock sound. Their early years were characterized by constant touring and a relentless drive to make it big, directly inspiring the lyrics of "It's a Long Way to the Top".
The band's lineup for the video featured Bon Scott on vocals and bagpipes, Angus Young on lead guitar, Malcolm Young on rhythm guitar, Mark Evans on bass, and Phil Rudd on drums. This classic lineup defined their early sound and image, laying the groundwork for their future international success.
Chart Performance
In its home country, Australia, "It's a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock 'n' Roll)" achieved notable success, peaking at number 9 on the national charts in 1975. Some sources indicate it reached as high as number 5. This performance solidified its place as one of AC/DC's best early singles.
While specific international chart positions for the single release itself are less prominent compared to later hits, the song's inclusion on the globally released High Voltage album ensured its widespread exposure and enduring popularity, especially in rock circles.
Cultural Impact
The music video for "It's a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock 'n' Roll)" has become a cultural touchstone, particularly in Australia. Filmed on February 23, 1976, for the Australian music television program Countdown, it famously features the band, accompanied by members of the Rats of Tobruk Pipe Band, performing on the back of a flatbed truck traveling down Swanston Street in Melbourne. This raw, candid portrayal of a rock band on the move perfectly embodies the song's message of the arduous journey to success and cemented the video's iconic status.
The song's legacy is further highlighted by its induction into the National Film and Sound Archive's Sounds of Australia in 2012. Its influence extends beyond music; in 2004, Melbourne's Corporation Lane was officially renamed "ACDC Lane" in honor of the band, partly due to the video being filmed nearby. The track has been used in films like School of Rock (2003) and Only the Brave (2017), and has even been adopted as an introduction to Metallica's live performances since 2023, showcasing its lasting appeal across generations and genres.
Fun Facts
- The music video, directed by Paul Drane with David Olney as cameraman, was made on a modest budget of $380.
- While Bon Scott famously played the bagpipes on the track and in the video, he was actually a proficient side drummer in a pipe band, not a bagpipe player, and had to quickly learn or mime the instrument for the recording and performances.
- The inclusion of bagpipes came from co-producer George Young (older brother of Angus and Malcolm), who recalled Scott's past pipe band involvement and suggested adding them for an extra "oomph".
- Despite its popularity, AC/DC chose to retire the song from live performance after Bon Scott's death in 1980, out of respect for their late frontman. Current lead vocalist Brian Johnson does not perform it for this reason.
- The need to tune all other instruments to the bagpipes' B-flat drone made live performances of the song challenging, contributing to it being played live relatively few times (estimated around 30) during Scott's tenure.
- In Australia, a common playful alteration of the chorus is "It's a long way to the shop if you wanna sausage roll" or "Chicko Roll".