AC/DC — It's A Long Way To The Top
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Length: 4:56
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Ridin' down the highway
Goin' to a show
Stop in all the by-ways
Playin' rock 'n' roll
Gettin' robbed
Gettin' stoned
Gettin' beat up
Broken boned
Gettin' had
Gettin' took
I tell you folks
It's harder than it looks
It's a long way to the top
If you wanna rock 'n' roll
It's a long way to the top
If you wanna rock 'n' roll
If you think it's easy doin' one night stands
Try playin' in a rock roll band
It's a long way to the top
If you wanna rock 'n' roll
Hotel, motel
Make you wanna cry
Lady do the hard sell
Know the reason why
Gettin' old
Gettin' grey
Gettin' ripped off
Under-paid
Gettin' sold
Second hand
That's how it goes
Playin' in a band
It's a long way to the top
If you wanna rock 'n' roll
It's a long way to the top
If you wanna rock 'n' roll
If you wanna be a star on stage and scream
Look out it's rough and mean
It's a long way to the top
If you wanna rock 'n' roll
Goin' to a show
Stop in all the by-ways
Playin' rock 'n' roll
Gettin' robbed
Gettin' stoned
Gettin' beat up
Broken boned
Gettin' had
Gettin' took
I tell you folks
It's harder than it looks
It's a long way to the top
If you wanna rock 'n' roll
It's a long way to the top
If you wanna rock 'n' roll
If you think it's easy doin' one night stands
Try playin' in a rock roll band
It's a long way to the top
If you wanna rock 'n' roll
Hotel, motel
Make you wanna cry
Lady do the hard sell
Know the reason why
Gettin' old
Gettin' grey
Gettin' ripped off
Under-paid
Gettin' sold
Second hand
That's how it goes
Playin' in a band
It's a long way to the top
If you wanna rock 'n' roll
It's a long way to the top
If you wanna rock 'n' roll
If you wanna be a star on stage and scream
Look out it's rough and mean
It's a long way to the top
If you wanna rock 'n' roll
Comments (479)add comment
This
Is
A
10+
BTW.
DUH.
Is
A
10+
BTW.
DUH.
Just gone from 9 to 10 because of the bagpipes. I once stayed in Anstruther in a pub-hotel with sloping floors upstairs. After I nearly fell into the wardrobe while trying to get ready for bed, I heard bagpipes playing downstairs. So I went back to the bar and the piper was standing on a (fairly small) table playing jigs and reels, and lots of people were dancing. Magic.
Battle of the cover bands a few years ago here in Vangroover. Things looking pretty close until one of the groups started this up. When the piper came out it was done and dusted.
oy, oy, oy, oy.
Of course!
From Tchaikovsky to Bon Scott; only on RP!
Merry Christmas, fellow listeners! : )
From Tchaikovsky to Bon Scott; only on RP!
Merry Christmas, fellow listeners! : )
Totally Rocking.
YEAH! OLD IS GOLD!
RIP BON SCOTT.
RIP BON SCOTT.
MrStatenIsle wrote:
For real rockin' bagpipes I strongly recommend The Red Hot Chilli Pipers who give great gigs and really rip into rock and pop covers. I saw them at a festival in Ullapool, NW Scotland, and they're a grand craic and surely know how to play their pipes.
You wouldn't think you need bagpipes in an AC/DC tune, then they show you!
For real rockin' bagpipes I strongly recommend The Red Hot Chilli Pipers who give great gigs and really rip into rock and pop covers. I saw them at a festival in Ullapool, NW Scotland, and they're a grand craic and surely know how to play their pipes.
mattenuttall wrote:
You beat me to it
Solomon Burke's "Fast Train"
The NutCracker
AC/DC "It's a Long Way to the Top"
I have no idea of the what or why of this sequence, but man I feel more than fine at the moment!
You beat me to it
Tchaikovsky to AC/DC....where else !? 
Solomon Burke's "Fast Train"
The NutCracker
AC/DC "It's a Long Way to the Top"
I have no idea of the what or why of this sequence, but man I feel more than fine at the moment!
The NutCracker
AC/DC "It's a Long Way to the Top"
I have no idea of the what or why of this sequence, but man I feel more than fine at the moment!
LOUDERRRRRRRR !
Turn It Up To 11
It would have been a very long way to the top if they were using bagpipes early on. LOL Horrible
If you wanna be a star on stage and scream, Look out it's rough and mean, It's a long way to the top, If you wanna rock 'n' roll HELL YEAH! keep ROCKIN'
One of the most inspirin songs in wock and woll. And the bagpipes! OMG the bagpipes! A high-energy march!
Crank up, skin up and rock on ✌️
Play it loud, that's rock and roll!
GHoffmeyer wrote:
Not a fan of AC/DC but this movie is so good. Even better as a parent of kids in this age range who play harp and guitar :) Watching it with them was so fun :)
This was the ending credits song in “School of Rock”. Fantastic energy w Jack Black and the kids. Great movie, too, btw.
Not a fan of AC/DC but this movie is so good. Even better as a parent of kids in this age range who play harp and guitar :) Watching it with them was so fun :)
eileenomurphy wrote:
Actually, for me, it’s the best parts of the song. I gave it a 7, it would be a 4 with the pipes.
I hate the SCREACHING BAGPIPES!!! Good tune, otherwise!
Actually, for me, it’s the best parts of the song. I gave it a 7, it would be a 4 with the pipes.
This was the ending credits song in “School of Rock”. Fantastic energy w Jack Black and the kids. Great movie, too, btw.
Hah! And here I've always felt that the screaming bagpipes were the BEST part of this song :)
eileenomurphy wrote:
Me Too!!
I hate the SCREACHING BAGPIPES!!! Good tune, otherwise!
Me Too!!
I hate the SCREACHING BAGPIPES!!! Good tune, otherwise!
OH, HELL YEAH! CRANK IT, SMOKE IT, DRINK IT UP! My buddy Karlan B. and me used to get quite a heady atmosphere built up to THIS JAM in his black Monte!
kazoo wrote:
The pipes are GITMO TORTURE! ....when the pipes come on, I turn the volume DOWN!
That bagpipe makes me want to confess to a crime I didn't commit. Drilling into my brain.....must...make...it...stop.
The pipes are GITMO TORTURE! ....when the pipes come on, I turn the volume DOWN!
laup wrote:
I agree! PAINFUL! ...when the pipes come on, I turn the volume DOWN!
THE bagpipes screech in your ear like an angry cat , if your wearing headphones and its cranked!!!
I agree! PAINFUL! ...when the pipes come on, I turn the volume DOWN!
ROCK AND ROLL..............................INDEED!
WOW, what great memories. First saw ACDC at the Hammersmith Odeon in 1976 on their 'If you want blood' tour. F****'n awesome. Ronald Belford "Bon" Scott, what a voice!!! 
When I was a kid at school, seeing Angus in School uniform just like mine was awesome, now it just weird.
The world's greatest rock and roll band PERIOD
THE bagpipes screech in your ear like an angry cat , if your wearing headphones and its cranked!!!
Song starts, head starts to nod and grin breaks out on face. Works everytime.
Now that was good- Tchaikovsky to AC/DC, Nutcracker to It's a Long Way to the Top! That's what I love about RP. As Lizard King would say- Long Live RP.
That bagpipe makes me want to confess to a crime I didn't commit. Drilling into my brain.....must...make...it...stop.
wolverine wrote:
Follow this with Steve Earle's Copperhead Road!
MORE BAGPIPE!
Follow this with Steve Earle's Copperhead Road!
Crudely played Aussie hard rock. With bagpipes.
F*vk ya.
F*vk ya.
Rock On R.P !
Syc choice here ; >
Early AC DC ruled!
Never be another Rock Vocalist with that devilish tone!
Syc choice here ; >
Early AC DC ruled!
Never be another Rock Vocalist with that devilish tone!
10 minutes of Waterboys to get to AC/DC. RP makes you earn it, which is why I love RP.
Crank up the voltage and let’s get to the show then get stoned✌️
Richlands VA about 1984, guy I worked for said "AC/DC is flying into Bluefield tonight. Let's go see them." It was after work and he was my ride home so Yeah, why not. We went to the tiny little Bluefield WV airport, found our way back to a gate (those were the days) and this plane was just starting to unload. We sat down and people passed and passed. We didn't see any of the band. Finally we were about to leave and this bunch of tired looking guys come by, one carrying a Strat. My ride stopped, stared and watched his heroes parade by just like regular fellows. Nobody in short pants. "Hmm. Well I guess that's it," he said. "what did you expect?" I asked. He just shrugged. Not much of a story I guess but I was reminded. TLDR: I saw the band get off a plane one time.
Grayson wrote:
Uhhh..... yeah, they got to the top.
I'm not sure how anyone could say otherwise given that we are listening to one of their songs from 1976 in 2021. This track also having been featured prominently in a major Hollywood movie.
Hmmmm. This does bring up a rather delicate point of rock 'n roll discussion: Did AC/DC ever really even get to a "the top?" I mean, the velvet short pants alone. Who could even with... those. I could only ever look away. Hell, just thinking about 'em makes my ears hurt. And it's not just our olde rockers' universal tinnitus.
Uhhh..... yeah, they got to the top.
I'm not sure how anyone could say otherwise given that we are listening to one of their songs from 1976 in 2021. This track also having been featured prominently in a major Hollywood movie.
pkoelmans wrote:
I delivered some booze to the band maybe the first time they visited London. They were staying in a guest house in Earls Court and the reception guy called up to their room and the whole band came barrelling down the staircase to thank me. Good guys.
I met Angus Young in a bar in Amsterdam in 1980 and he asked me to show him Amterdam's nightlife with some friends. Great guy !
He even crashed out on a matras in the back room and went to Scotland the next day to visit his grandma.
He was already at the top but still modest as one can be.
Pieter Koelmans
The Hague
The Netherlands
pkoelmans@ziggo.nl
He even crashed out on a matras in the back room and went to Scotland the next day to visit his grandma.
He was already at the top but still modest as one can be.
Pieter Koelmans
The Hague
The Netherlands
pkoelmans@ziggo.nl
I delivered some booze to the band maybe the first time they visited London. They were staying in a guest house in Earls Court and the reception guy called up to their room and the whole band came barrelling down the staircase to thank me. Good guys.
47 YEARS!
Damn ballsy with the few snobs that inhabit RP. This is what makes RP enjoyable and special!
Beach Boys then AC/DC. That covers a range of music
The loudest gig I've ever been to. I thought my ears were going to bleed. Awesome.
It's a long way to the shops if you want a sausage roll! Awesome!!
More ACDC please Bill. Especially early stuff
I've never really paid much attention to these guys but this is great.
I like AC/DC, especially with Bon Scott.
Crank up those bagpipes and let’s rock🍻✌️
Pretty amazing to think this song is over 40 years old and it still sounds fresh and still rocks.
Got lots of votes for Australian national anthem...
A massive ten from the hairy bikers🥳
Let's see what the new album and tour are all about. I'm looking for tix!
Many bands could use a little AC/DC DNA!
Could you imagine if Bach had a bit. Wow.
Could you imagine if Bach had a bit. Wow.
Turn that up will you
Its the guitar hooks.
The fidelity of the chords.
Nothing fancy.
All about harmonics and melodics.
The fidelity of the chords.
Nothing fancy.
All about harmonics and melodics.
Yes , classic AC/DC......nice
I had to bump up my rating because of the pipes.
umm...10!
I always liked this song, but my like for it increased a hundred fold after seeing it playd by kids in "School of Rock". which, btw, is in my home town.
michelleaddinall wrote:
Oh my lord...I thought this was a Jack Black/ Tenacious D song written for the School of Rock movie. What a tool I am 
No one knows everything. Isn't it wonderful to learn something new? Oh my lord...I thought this was a Jack Black/ Tenacious D song written for the School of Rock movie. What a tool I am
Still makes me shiver! After 44 years. Just absolutely great stuff!!!
LoudshirtsBand wrote:
unclehud wrote:
Not sure that bagpipes are Australian, but maybe. (Wondering why they didn't use a didgeridoo.)
core band members are Scottish.
love those bagpipes!
unclehud wrote:Not sure that bagpipes are Australian, but maybe. (Wondering why they didn't use a didgeridoo.)
core band members are Scottish.
love those bagpipes!
i remember when this debuted on Countdown it was the video of them on the truck if I remember correctly. So long ago.
The Aussie anthem Its A Long Way To The Shop If You Wanna Sausage Roll....I'm Aussie living in Canada and the Canadiana love this but not when i get excited and start singing along with our sausage roll lol..Thanks RP you are the best .
For a minute there I thought I was hearing Nutbush City Limits ...
Makes my fingers, feet and body shake to the rythm like decades ago - hopefully nobody will see this old guy moving strangely and playing air-guitar :)
such a special band...
Listening to that while working on technical presentations is just inspiring! Love them guys
THIS and "for those about to rock": it does not really get better than that - thanx bill for playing "it's a long way..." again.
Althoughpkoelmans wrote:
I was lucky to see them on their first UK tour at Glasgow University in 1977. Note the bagpipes on this track, played by Bon Scott. Angus, Malcolm and Angus were all born in Glasgow. Always been much loved in Scotland.
This is a 10!
I met Angus Young in a bar in Amsterdam in 1980 and he asked me to show him Amterdam's nightlife with some friends. Great guy !
He even crashed out on a matras in the back room and went to Scotland the next day to visit his grandma.
He was already at the top but still modest as one can be.
Pieter Koelmans
The Hague
The Netherlands
pkoelmans@ziggo.nl
He even crashed out on a matras in the back room and went to Scotland the next day to visit his grandma.
He was already at the top but still modest as one can be.
Pieter Koelmans
The Hague
The Netherlands
pkoelmans@ziggo.nl
Cool and it is on Fire! Superlative!
kingart wrote:
That might be fun to see a lighter side to their music.
They are a fairly weighty band, for the most part.
But I like them both a lot just as they are.
Bands like Arcade Fire need more AC/DC DNA. 10 times the fire.
That might be fun to see a lighter side to their music.
They are a fairly weighty band, for the most part.
But I like them both a lot just as they are.
catchy simple riff + simple lyrics + voltage out the ass 😍
War lange traurig, daß es technicolor nicht mehr gibt. Und ihr steht auf den Schultern von dem Riesen.
I love it
I love it
unclehud wrote:
Not sure that bagpipes are Australian, but maybe. (Wondering why they didn't use a didgeridoo.)
Bon Scott was born in ...wait for it... Scotland.
I was not. Thanks for asking.
Not sure that bagpipes are Australian, but maybe. (Wondering why they didn't use a didgeridoo.)
Bon Scott was born in ...wait for it... Scotland.
I was not. Thanks for asking.
unclehud wrote:Not sure that bagpipes are Australian, but maybe. (Wondering why they didn't use a didgeridoo.)
I was hanging out in a youth club in Freidrichshafen, West Germany in 1980. This song comes on and everyone in the place gets up and goes freaking crazy, dancing and head banging.
AhhtheMusic wrote:
Not sure that bagpipes are Australian, but maybe. (Wondering why they didn't use a didgeridoo.)
...
And, must add, love the bag pipes of their native land incorporated into the rockin' vibe! I think we all need to dance right NOW!
And, must add, love the bag pipes of their native land incorporated into the rockin' vibe! I think we all need to dance right NOW!
Not sure that bagpipes are Australian, but maybe. (Wondering why they didn't use a didgeridoo.)
Fantastic tune for a Thursday morning. Thanks for the shot in the arm.
Thanks for playing this rock gem. My neighbours thank you as well! Now come on!!! More bagpipes!!!!
Who would ever give this a 1?!
Long before Afro-Celt rocked the pipes AC/DC was there!!
wolverine wrote:
ABSOLUTELY
MORE BAGPIPE!
ABSOLUTELY
I will always crack up every time I hear this song after I saw Jack Black do it in that movie about him teaching kids music as a substitute teacher. AC/DC and Jack ROCK!!
And, must add, love the bag pipes of their native land incorporated into the rockin' vibe! I think we all need to dance right NOW!
And, must add, love the bag pipes of their native land incorporated into the rockin' vibe! I think we all need to dance right NOW!
MrStatenIsle wrote:
Absolutely. They never gave in to the urge to do a power ballad in the 80s or throw a little EDM to stay relevant. Bagpipes and huge brass bells otoh are perfectly fine :)
Absolutely. They never gave in to the urge to do a power ballad in the 80s or throw a little EDM to stay relevant. Bagpipes and huge brass bells otoh are perfectly fine :)
It's the bagpipes that got me to a 9.
It's a long way from Scotland to Australia,..... but I'm glad they took their bagpipes with them 
lizardking wrote:
I really like how the wiki article starts off:
AC/DC are an Australian rock band formed in Sydney in 1973 by Scottish-born brothers Malcolm and Angus Young. Their music has been variously described as hard rock, blues rock, and heavy metal; however, the band themselves describe their music as simply "rock and roll".
Rock and Roll it is! Long Live RP!!
Yep, they only do one thing (R&R), and they've done it consistently well for forty-something years.
I really like how the wiki article starts off:
AC/DC are an Australian rock band formed in Sydney in 1973 by Scottish-born brothers Malcolm and Angus Young. Their music has been variously described as hard rock, blues rock, and heavy metal; however, the band themselves describe their music as simply "rock and roll".
Rock and Roll it is! Long Live RP!!
Yep, they only do one thing (R&R), and they've done it consistently well for forty-something years.
Yes sir, it IS a long way to the top if you want to rock & roll.
Greatest Australian song ever! And the only one with lasting bagpipes
BCarn wrote:
Uh, they're not even in the same genre. Might as well say Bach needs a little AC/DC. Hmmm.
Every band needs a little AC/DC, don't you think?
Uh, they're not even in the same genre. Might as well say Bach needs a little AC/DC. Hmmm.
Every band needs a little AC/DC, don't you think?
Bon didn't play the bagpipes in the studio but was cool on stage when he'd bring it out
rated an 8…but only because I love the movie School of Rock so much. 😂
kingart wrote:
Uh, they're not even in the same genre. Might as well say Bach needs a little AC/DC. Hmmm.
Bands like Arcade Fire need more AC/DC DNA. 10 times the fire.
Uh, they're not even in the same genre. Might as well say Bach needs a little AC/DC. Hmmm.
MrStatenIsle wrote:
I really like how the wiki article starts off:
AC/DC are an Australian rock band formed in Sydney in 1973 by Scottish-born brothers Malcolm and Angus Young. Their music has been variously described as hard rock, blues rock, and heavy metal; however, the band themselves describe their music as simply "rock and roll".
Rock and Roll it is! Long Live RP!!
You wouldn't think you need bagpipes in an AC/DC tune, then they show you!
I really like how the wiki article starts off:
AC/DC are an Australian rock band formed in Sydney in 1973 by Scottish-born brothers Malcolm and Angus Young. Their music has been variously described as hard rock, blues rock, and heavy metal; however, the band themselves describe their music as simply "rock and roll".
Rock and Roll it is! Long Live RP!!
You wouldn't think you need bagpipes in an AC/DC tune, then they show you!
This song is in a category of its own. Not even sure what it would be called. Bon's song.
Saw them warm up Alice Cooper in the 70's. Made him look like a pussy.
"Let's put bagpipes in."
"Yeah ok."
"Yeah ok."
h8rhater wrote:
Bands like AC/DC have no place being compared to Arcade Fire. Bands like Arcade Fire have no place being compared to AC/DC.
Cheap shots at totally unrelated bands, in different genre, from different generations have no place, except to provocate for no apparent reason.
Cheap Shots sounds like an AC/DC album title! And I'm sure it would rock and I'd rate at least one of the songs a 9 (like this one is) Rock on and Long Live RP!!
Bands like AC/DC have no place being compared to Arcade Fire. Bands like Arcade Fire have no place being compared to AC/DC.
Cheap shots at totally unrelated bands, in different genre, from different generations have no place, except to provocate for no apparent reason.
Cheap Shots sounds like an AC/DC album title! And I'm sure it would rock and I'd rate at least one of the songs a 9 (like this one is) Rock on and Long Live RP!!
kingart wrote:
Bands like AC/DC have no place being compared to Arcade Fire. Bands like Arcade Fire have no place being compared to AC/DC.
Cheap shots at totally unrelated bands, in different genre, from different generations have no place, except to provocate for no apparent reason.
Bands like Arcade Fire need more AC/DC DNA. 10 times the fire.
Bands like AC/DC have no place being compared to Arcade Fire. Bands like Arcade Fire have no place being compared to AC/DC.
Cheap shots at totally unrelated bands, in different genre, from different generations have no place, except to provocate for no apparent reason.
Saw em in '78. I've never seen a guy before or since who can somersault across the stage WHILE play guitar - amazing!
kingart wrote:
A rather odd comment really. Arcade Fire do what they do. AC/DC do or did what they did. One could say that many other bands or singers could use a little DNA of another for whatever reason. I'm a big fan of AC/DC but I also like Arcade Fire. Different genres.
Bands like Arcade Fire need more AC/DC DNA. 10 times the fire.
A rather odd comment really. Arcade Fire do what they do. AC/DC do or did what they did. One could say that many other bands or singers could use a little DNA of another for whatever reason. I'm a big fan of AC/DC but I also like Arcade Fire. Different genres.
This has me immediately reaching for the volume to crank it up....all the way to 11.
Timeless classic.
Wow Bill is rockin it today!
Apparently this song has not featured in their live sets since Bon Scott's passing