Top 10 AC/DC Songs
AC/DC is one of the most legendary bands in the history of rock and roll. Formed in 1973 by Australian brothers Angus and Malcolm Young, the band has written countless hit songs and their impact around the globe is immeasurable. Nearly 50 years later, AC/DC is still recording new music.
Here are Blues Rock Review’s top 10 AC/DC songs.
10. “For Those About To Rock” (We Salute You)
“For Those About To Rock” was released in 1981. It was the title track for AC/DC’s follow-up to 1980’s Back In Black. “For Those About To Rock” is a salute to rock and roll and its fans. Featuring an epic intro, AC/DC has performed the song as a closer to many concerts.
9. “Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap”
“Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap” was the title track from AC/DC’s 1976 release. The track was co-written by Bon Scott, Angus Young, and Malcolm Young. The song later appeared on AC/DC Live in 1992 with Brian Johnson on vocals. It remains one of AC/DC’s most identifiable tracks.
8. “Rock N Roll Train”
“Rock N Roll Train” is probably the most popular song AC/DC has released this century. It was the first single from 2008’s Black Ice and hit #1 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Chart. Anticipation was very high at the time as AC/DC hadn’t put out an album in eight years at that point.
7. “Moneytalks”
“Moneytalks” was released in 1991 and was a part of The Razor’s Edge album. The song was co-written by Angus and Malcolm Young. It was a commercial hit and also appears on AC/DC Live which came out in 1992.
6. “T.N.T.”
“T.N.T’ is the title track from AC/DC’s 1975 release. The track was released as a single in 1976 and is one of the band’s most well known songs from the Bon Scott era.
5. “Highway To Hell”
“Highway To Hell” is the title track from AC/DC’s 1979 album, the final album featuring Bon Scott. The opening riff is iconic and the sing along chorus makes it a fan favorite. The track has been covered by countless artists and remains one of the band’s most memorable tracks.
4. “Hells Bells”
“Hells Bells” appears on Back In Black and is one of the most iconic AC/DC songs. The ringing bell intro is legendary and the track has become immensely popular at sporting events. You know when “Hells Bells” gets played things are about to get serious.
3. “You Shook Me All Night Long”
“You Shook Me All Night” long is featured on 1980’s Back in Black and is one of AC/DC’s biggest hit songs. It’s a track that can play at a bar or a social gathering and everyone knows the words and can sing along. “You Shook Me All Night Long” was the band’s first single after Brian Johnson became the lead singer.
2. “Thunderstruck”
There are few songs that get the blood pumping like “Thunderstruck.” Featuring one of the greatest intros in rock and roll history, “Thunderstruck” is a pure adrenaline track from 1990’s Razor’s Edge. Angus Young’s guitar work is electrifying.
1. “Back In Black”
“Back In Black” is the title track from AC/DC’s 1980 album. It was the first album the band released with new lead singer Brian Johnson following the death of Bon Scott. The track pays tribute to Scott and features one of the best rock riffs of all-time. “Back In Black” is balls to the wall in your face rock and roll at its finest.
IMO “It’s a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock ‘N’ Roll)” and “Let There Be Rock” should be in the top 10 before either “Money Talks” or “Rock N Roll Train”.
Right on the money Kyle. Although IMHO “Rock and Roll Ain’t Noise Pollution” is in Top 10 too.
Shoot to thrill! Killer guitar!
By far not the best ACCA DACCA songs. So far out it’s not even funny.
Don’t forget “A whole lot of Rosie
My fav’ one !!!
Even by trying to stay within the blues rock genre there are some better songs than those on this list.
“Let There Be Rock” and “Whole Lotta Rosie” mentioned above are two that would be in my list. “R.I.P (Rock In Peace)” and “Ride On” from ‘Dirty Deeds…’ while from the two versions of ‘High Voltage (and/or ‘T.N.T’) are “Baby Please Don’t Go”, “The Jack”, “Can I Sit Next To You Girl?” and “School Days” with “Little Lover” as an alternate.
“Highway to Hell” could just about have any song in the top 10 Blues Rock AC/DC tunes but I’d take “Girls Got Rhythm” and “Walk All Over You”. Rounding out would be “Damnation Blues” and “Sin City” from ‘Powerage’.
While albums that have Brian Johnson on vocals don’t feature they do have merit – “Rock n Roll Train”, “Stiff Upper Lip” and “House of Jazz” are all songs that don’t just balls out rock. But let’s be honest, AC/DC left blues rock “Back In Black” and found favour in the harder edged sound.
They got about half of these right.
Really? Kinda far off…way far off
10. You Shook me All Night Long
9. Kicked in the Teeth
8. For Those About to Rock
7. Back in Black
6. High Voltage
5. Hell’s Bells
4. Sin City
3. Whole Lotta Rosie
2. Thunderstruck
1. Let There Be Rock
Angus Rocks has, imho, nailed it.
The first mistake is not listing the top 20 instead of the top 10… Nothing from Who Made Who? D.T., Chase the Ace, Who Made Who?? And how about the Blow Up My Video album? Heatseeker and That’s the way I wanna rock n roll both are great songs? And the Ballbreaker album? Ballbreaker is a tough tune. How do you not include Long way to the top? Stiff Upper Lip? Nightprowler?? Sin City? All fantastic tunes, just like you would expect from AC/DC. This list needs changed to the top 20 or top 25 even. I do think Back in Black is a fair choice for the number one slot, but I also think songs like Hells Bells, and Highway to Hell could be number one just as easily. If you’ve ever been to an AC/DC concert, you’ll definitely understand why. I’ve been lucky enough to attend 5 shows and work at one show on the stage crew… unbelievable!!!
Rosie
Fire Your Guns
Ain’t No Fun
And best of all – Long Way to the Top
Of course – volume up full for all!
There shouldn’t be any tracks in this list recorded after 1980. They’ve been nothing but a slick tribute act since then.
No Gone Shooting or their best Soul Stripper?
Having been an avid ac/dc fan since back in black in 1980 here is my list
1 Whole lotta Rosie
2 Let there be rock
3 Ride on
4 it’s a long way to the top
5 For those about to rock
6 squealer
7 dirty deeds
8 live wire
9 back in black
10 you shook me all nite long
They were my second live show ever back in 1982!!
Lots of other good choices ie problem child, thunderstruck, If you want blood, touch too much, down payment blues etc…
These are all great songs but easily there can be a top fifty