AC/DC – Rock and Roll Ain’t Noise Pollution

AC/DC– “Rock and Roll Ain’t Noise Pollution” – (1980)

This song was the last track on Back in Black and the final single released from the album. Interestingly, this was the highest charting song from this album in the U.K., peaking at #15.

 

AC/DC – Whole Lotta Rosie

AC/DC – “Whole Lotta Rosie” – (1977)

This is a classic AC/DC tune from the Bon Scott era. It is the last song on Let There Be Rock and the third and final single released from the album and remains not only the most popular track from the album, but one of the band’s most popular songs overall.

 

AC/DC – Shot Down in Flames

AC/DC – “Shot Down in Flames” – (1979)

Highway to Hell was AC/DC’s final album with Bon Scott on lead vocals and it was packed with good hard rock songs. “Shot Down in Flames” is the second-best track on the album, behind the title track, of course. It wasn’t one of the album’s three singles, but I still hear it on classic rock radio from time to time.

 

Top 21 of 1979 – #8

#8 – AC/DC – “Highway to Hell” – (1979)

Highway to Hell was AC/DC’s final album with original front man Bon Scott. The song is a classic, one of AC/DC’s most popular hits (even charting into the top 50 on the Hot 100). I rank it as one of their two biggest tracks, with “Back in Black.” To me, this song stands as Bon Scott’s lasting gift to rock ‘n’ roll.

 

AC/DC – Given the Dog a Bone

AC/DC – “Given the Dog a Bone” – (1980)

Here’s another non-single track from the greatest rock-n-roll album of all time. Don’t agree that it’s the best? Well it’s the second-best-selling album of all time behind Thriller. AC/DC is a band known for their sexual innuendo and this track is a fine example of that. Can’t figure it out? I find that hard to believe, but congratulations on your innocence.

 

AC/DC – Ballbreaker

AC/DC – “Ballbreaker” – (1995)

“Ballbreaker” was the title (and final) track on AC/DC’s 1995 album. This is the only song I’ve ever heard from this album, and it was never a single (the album had three singles and only one of them charted). In any case, this is not AC/DC’s best work – but the album is still certified 2x platinum (that’s over two million sales) by the RIAA. Which is crazy. AC/DC is one of the biggest selling musical acts in history and it’s no wonder – whatever they put out people buy.

 

AC/DC – What Do You Do For Money Honey

AC/DC – “What Do You Do For Money Honey” – (1980)

There’s something about the opening chords of this song that make it seem like it could be any AC/DC song – but I’m sure there are people who think all their songs sound the same. This song was the third track from Back in Black – which happens to be one of the greatest albums in rock history. It was never a single, but it’s one of the songs I like the most on the album – mostly for Brian Johnson’s quick-lyric’d “whaddya do for money honey how do you get your kicks” semi-rap.

 

AC/DC – Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap

AC/DC – “Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap” – (1976)

AC/DC’s third studio album was released in Australia and most of the world in 1976. It wasn’t officially released in the United States until 1981 – which is weird because Bon Scott had already passed away by then and Brian Johnson’s first album with the band, Back in Black was already a huge album. I guess it was a good time to capitalize on the band’s popularity – and it worked because this was their 3^rd-highest selling album. The title track is a good one and was voted the 31^st best hard rock song of all time by VH1, if that means anything to you.

 

What Decade Is It? – Moneytalks

 AC/DC – “Moneytalks” – (1990)

This is easily one of AC/DC’s best songs and it comes off one of their better albums. It’s also one of their biggest hits. AC/DC made a lot of good, hard rock n’ roll music, but some of those songs were able to cross into the mainstream. This is one of those songs that has more of a pop rock feel to it. Brian Johnson’s fantastic vocal delivery as well as the multiple people singing on the chorus really adds to it. It came out in 1990 but it sounds just like – and just as good as – the songs AC/DC did in the 80s. It’s awesome.

 

Top 50 Rock Songs of the 90s – #31

#31 – AC/DC – “Thunderstruck” – (1990)

One of AC/DC’s best songs and, without a doubt, one of the greatest guitar riffs of all time. Watch the video and watch Angus Young hop across the stage tearing it up. And Brian Johnson up there going “Ooohhhh.” But it’s the beginning of this song that cements its place as a rock and roll legend. “Thunder!” as the guitar just keeps building and building. It’s kind of a carryover from the 80s but it was technically released in 1990, which is why it’s here. But, honestly, it’s timeless.

 

AC/DC – That’s The Way I Wanna Rock ‘n’ Roll

AC/DC – “That’s The Way I Wanna Rock ‘n’ Roll” – (1988)

This was the second and final single from AC/DC’s 1988 album Blow Up Your Video. Strange fact I can’t quite believe but then again I’m reading it on Wikipedia: this is the last album that singer Brian Johnson (or anyone not named “Young”) is credited as a songwriter. Malcom & Angus Young wrote all songs on all future albums. If that’s true it’s insane. The album kind of fizzled and didn’t go anywhere and the single didn’t either for the most part but it’s solid 80s AC/DC… the sort of final sendoff to the 1980s from one of the biggest rock groups of the decade.

 

Top 25 Rock Songs of the 80s – #1

#1 – AC/DC – “Back in Black” – (1980)

So for our #1 rock song of the 80s, we go to the beginning of the decade for AC/DC’s rebound album. Bon Scott was the lead singer of AC/DC beginning in 1974 and when he died in 1980, the band brought in Brian Johnson. As Scott’s awesome lyrics helped launch the band into the big time, he wasn’t someone that could easily be replaced. This song was their tribute to him and it rocks. It was a Top 40 hit in the U.S. – which is good, but not great. But it was songs like this that shot this album to the top. Back in Black went on to sell 49 million copies – making it the second highest-selling album of all time. Which goes to show you the boundary-less appeal of AC/DC – a hard rock and heavy metal band that made it big in the mainstream. It’s the greatest rock album of all time. Period. And it’s title song is the best rock song of the 80s.

 

Top 100 Songs of the 80s – #89

#89 – AC/DC – “You Shook Me All Night Long” – (1980)

Back in Black is undeniably one of the greatest rock albums of all time. And it’s certainly one of – if not the – best comeback album of all time. Bon Scott died in February of 1980 and the band then hired Brian Johnson to do the vocals and released the album in July. There are many great AC/DC songs but I think this one stands at the top (if not just barely). It’s a staple at weddings and parties just about everywhere and everyone knows what’s playing when they hear: “She was a fast machine, she kept her motor clean, she was the best damn woman that I ever seen…”