AC/DC: 5 songs that built its legend

Published by Caroline de Sortiraparis · Published on July 11, 2024 at 06:23 p.m.
This summer, AC/DC returns to Paris after an 8-year absence! For the occasion, the Australian-British band is taking over the Paris-Longchamp racecourse for a one-off set that promises to be over-the-top. But before we meet up with Angus Young, Brian Johnson and the rest of the band live, we'd like to take a look back at 5 of the songs that made AC/DC a legend and a benchmark in the world of hard rock!

Some hard rock and metal bands are legendary. These include Black Sabbath, Metallica, Rammstein, Iron Maiden, Slayer, Motörhead, System of a Down and Guns N'Roses. Another band on this list? AC/DC, of course!

For over 50 years now, AC/DC has been making metalheards all over the world headbang and pogo. Although the history of the Australian-British band has been sadly marked by the death of singer Bon Scott in 1980 and that of co-founder and guitarist Malcolm Young in 2017, AC/DC still continues to inspire many young bands and to set the standard in the field.

The band is now made up of guitarist Angus Young, singer Brian Johnson, guitarist Stevie Young, drummer Phil Rudd and bassist Cliff Williams. The combo has decided to hit the road again this year with a new European tour, dubbed the " Power Up Tour ". After kicking off the tour in Germany, the band continued on to Italy, Spain, Austria and Switzerland, before a much-anticipated show at theHippodrome Paris-Longchamp on August 13, 2024.

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AC/DC in concert at the Hippodrome Paris-Longchamp: this is the concert that's set to light up the west of the capital this summer! To be experienced on Tuesday, August 13, 2024, this musical event is eagerly awaited by many hard rock lovers. But when are the gates due to open? Will there be an opening act? What time will AC/DC take to the stage? How do I get to the Hippodrome Paris-Longchamp by public transport? What objects are prohibited? Here's everything you need to know before coming to the AC/DC concert in Paris this summer! [Read more]

For holders of the precious pass, this will be an opportunity to (re)discover some of AC/DC's greatest hits live. Before this euphoric on-stage experience, we'd like to take a look back at 5 hits that have built the hard rock band's legend!

AC/DC: 5 songs that built their legend

" 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) " is taken from AC/DC's very first opus,"High Voltage", released internationally in 1976. The single, which lasts 5'01 minutes, spent 3 weeks in the UK charts. A must-have for many fans, it is the track that precedes Ennio Morricone's " The Ecstasy of Gold " before every Metallica concert.

Bon Scott plays the bagpipes on this landmark song. Unfortunately for fans of the song, it was never sung live by Brian Johnson, who confessed he never wanted to cover it out of respect for his predecessor Bon Scott.


"Highway to Hell

An indisputable hit for AC/DC, " Highway to Hell" is taken from the eponymous album released in 1979. The song was a resounding success in several European countries in the year of its release, including the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium and the USA. Since 1995, the song has been one of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's " 500 Songs That Shaped Rock 'n' Roll ".

In other news, the single " Highway to Hell " won the 2009 APRA Awards for " Most Played Australian Work O verseas".


"Back in Black

Another must-have hit for AC/DC fans? " Back in Black ", taken from the eponymous album released in 1980. This was the band's first opus to be recorded with Brian Johnson, following the death of Bon Scott on February 19, 1980.

Proof of its success, the song - whose lyrics were written by Brian Johnson - has become a benchmark for all guitarists thanks to its mythical guitar solo. " Back in Black " has been covered many times, including by The Hives, Muse and Carlos Santana.


"Hell Bells

Also taken from the"Back in Black" opus, " Hell Bells " is even the very first track on this record. Considered one of the band's great classics, the track opens with the 13 strokes of a bell tolling the death knell.

For the record, " Hell Bells " was used as the entrance music for former Major League Baseball (MLB) player Trevor Hoffman at home games from 1998 to 2010. And that's not the only sport in which this track is used, as it can also be found in ice hockey with the New Jersey Devils.


"Thunderstruck

Taken from"The Razors Edge" (1990), " Thunderstruck " was written by Angus and Malcolm Young. Here too, the track has proved so popular with fans that AC/DC has played it at every one of its concerts since its release.

The song has been certified platinum single in several countries, including Australia, Denmark, Italy, Mexico and the UK. In October 2021, the track even set a new record, with its clip surpassing one billion views on Youtube!


There are, of course, many other songs for which AC/DC is famous. These include " TNT ", " Shoot to Thrill ", " Whole Lotta Rosie ", " High Voltage " and " Let There Be Rock ". What's your favorite AC/DC song?

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