Image: AC/DC [YouTube]
AC/DC are one of the most famous hard rock bands in the world and you, too, surely have a favorite song of theirs. In this article we will take you on a journey through the history of the Australian rock legends and introduce you to their five best songs!
The now world-famous rock band was founded in 1973 in Australia, by the brothers Angus and Malcolm Young. Both were originally born and lived in Scotland until their family emigrated to Sydney. Both brothers took on roles as guitarists in the band, with Angus known for his energetic performances on lead guitar and Malcolm always playing rhythm guitar. Bon Scott's unique vocals definitely helped the band achieve its success. The musician tragically passed away early in 1980 and the vocals were taken over by Brian Johnson, who is known for his exceptionally distinctive voice. Malcolm Young passed away in 2017 at the age of 64 as a result of long-standing health problems. Currently, Angus Young is the only remaining founding member in the band, but AC/DC continues and is still undisputedly one of the most influential bands of Rock N Roll!
1. Highway To Hell (1979) - The Classic by AC/DC
No question about it: "Highway To Hell" is by far the most famous song by AC/DC. A captivating rhythm, strong guitar riffs - simply an indispensable part of every rock playlist. The song is the title track of the 1979 album of the same name. The rebellious lyrics, Bon Scott's unmistakable vocals and the catchy chorus make it very hard not to headbang and sing along loudly on the highway. In fact, it was also the last album in which Scott participated. It caused the final international breakthrough for the band, because now they became more than relevant in the USA as well. To this day, an absolute top hit that will never really get old!
2. Thunderstruck (1990) - Pure Energy
There are few songs that convey as much energy as "Thunderstruck". The song became the most successful single of the album The Razors Edge. Brian Johnson gives his best on the vocals, which is also noticeable on stage. Everyone recognizes the guitar riffs when the song is on the radio. The whole audience screams along when the track is played live. That's why they like to play it right at the opening of their concerts, because then everyone is immediately on fire. The album has sold over 7 million copies to date and it will continue to be relevant in the world of rock!
3. TNT (1975) - Masterpiece and Catchy Tune
The song appeared as one of AC/DC's earliest hits on the 1975 album of the same name: TNT. It was the second single from the record after the track "High Voltage". It was also one of the first album releases with Bon Scott on vocals. In fact, he originally took over the vocals because his predecessor Dave Evans didn't show up for a gig - Scott was previously a roadie, so he was responsible for helping the band set up and break down the equipment on their tours.
Overall, the album is considered one of the rock group's greatest masterpieces. Even the popular track "It's a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock 'n' Roll)" is one of the most celebrated in their band's history. It is simply timeless and continues to thrill their fans around the world to this day. Best listen to it again right now:
4. You Shook Me All Night Long (1980) - A Power Ballad
Let's move on to a slightly less raw and hard, but no less powerful song of the band. "You Shook Me All Night Long" from the album Back In Black is the most famous ballad of AC/DC. After all, this album is also one of the best-selling albums of all time! On the tracklist you can also find the hit "Hells Bells" and the namesake "Back In Black". The lyrics of the ballad are the first that Brian Johnson wrote for the band as a new member. Its inspiration comes from cars, as can be clearly seen when listening to the lyrics. There are also already numerous cover versions, even including one by pop singer Celine Dion!
5. Back In Black (1980) - A Real Banger
Here it is, the already mentioned title track of the album Back In Black from 1980. It should not be missing on any setlist, because it has long since played its way into the hearts of the fans.The album is the first comeback of the band after their singer Bon Scott died and is therefore also a tribute to him. The title song reached number 1 in the charts in several countries, including England and Australia. It can also be heard in Marvel's first Iron Man movie. And of course, right here to give you another dose of rock along the way:
Shop AC/DC Merch at Impericon
If you are one of the big fans of these rock n roll anthems and want to show your passion to the outside world, then we at Impericon have just the thing for you. You will find a huge selection of AC/DC Merch in our assortment, from band shirts and hoodies to accessories like patches and key chains. Of course, the mentioned records will not be missing either. Both in CD and vinyl format, we have all the rock music in stock for you. You can find that and much more stylish merch in our Hard Rock category, featuring iconic bands like Guns N' Roses, Aerosmith and the Scorpions. Have fun browsing and rocking out!
