The 10 best Bon Scott AC/DC songs
Planet Rock presents the 10 best songs AC/DC recorded with Bon Scott.
Last updated 27th Jul 2022
While the Bon Scott vs. Brian Johnson debate will continue to rage for as long as the earth keeps revolving, what is beyond dispute is that the songs written by Bon Scott – in collaboration with Angus Young and the much-missed Malcolm Young – not only set the template for what was to follow, but also altered the history of rock music.
And in celebration, here are the 10 best Bon Scott AC/DC songs with which they did precisely that:
10. Ride On
About the closest that early AC/DC ever approached to balladry, ‘Ride On’ is a track that revels in the blues. A lament about overcoming late night loneliness by heading to where the red lights shine, the song is humanised by Bon Scott’s vulnerability and the band’s restrained yet sympathetically mournful delivery.
9. Down Payment Blues
With many aficionados declaring ‘Powerage’ as AC/DC’s high water mark, it’s worth considering the factors that contribute to this opinion. The only album not to marked by sexual innuendo, it distills AC/DC’s classic sound with the hardest and driest mix they ever created. And driving it all were Bon Scott’s most vulnerable and downbeat lyrics, of which ‘Down Payment Blues’ are among his very best. If you want a picture that sums them up, then the image of the “fifty cent millionaire” is it.
8. Gone Shootin’
The story of a doomed love affair with a junkie, ‘Gone Shootin’’ contains the starkest set of lyrics ever written by Bon Scott. Yet juxtaposed against them is the band’s ability to roll as much as it rocks with a groove that’s as deep as it is wide. Heavy without being heavy-handed, this satisfies the head as much as the hips.
7. Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap
Leaving aside the questionable wisdom of a hitman advertising his home phone number, the title track of AC/DC’s second internationally released album hits the spot for all the right reasons. Fuelled by one of the band’s more memorable riffs, Bon Scott mischievously lists a range of dirty deeds in which to dispose of his victims. And is it a coincidence that two of them are AC/DC song titles?
6. Touch Too Much
Rarely played live (except when Axl Rose revived it in 2016), ‘Touch Too Much’ was AC/DC’s biggest hit to date upon its release. Performing the track on Top Of The Pops just 12 days before Bon Scott’s death, it’s satisfying to think of the image of “Venus with arms” being beamed into the living rooms of the nation while winning over new fans.
5. TNT
A song that’s remained firmly ensconced in AC/DC’s set list throughout their career, ‘TNT’ is very much the number that cements Bon Scott’s image as a lover and not a fighter. Because, as he warns you to lock up your womenfolk, it’s not really his fists you should be worrying about anyway…
4. Let There Be Rock
Widely regarded as AC/DC’s first truly great album, ‘Let There Be Rock’’s title track condenses 22 years of rock’n’roll history into just over six minutes of hi-octane brilliance. Everything here was bigger and better than what had gone before and from here on in, there was no looking back.
3. Whole Lotta Rosie (Live)
While the original studio version was recorded while Angus Young’s amp was slowly catching fire, this live reading from AC/DC’s first live album, ‘If You Want Blood (You’ve Got It)’ is where they really turn up the heat. The ‘Angus! Angus!’ chants that usher in the number are arguably now as much a part of the song as the colossal riff that surrounds them and Bon Scott’s lascivious tale of an amorous encounter with a generously proportioned lover.
2. It’s A Long Way To The Top (If You Wanna Rock’n’Roll)
The popular perception of Bon Scott songs is that they’re work of a toilet wall poet yet, as evidenced by ‘It’s A Long Way To The Top (If You Wanna Rock’n’Roll)’ – the opening track of AC/DC’s first internationally released album ‘High Volatage’ – nothing could be further from the truth. Stripping away the romantic view of life on the road, this is an uncompromising look at the realities of the journey from the gutter to the stars that reveals Bon Scott as a lyricist of perception and flair.
1. Highway To Hell
Bon Scott’s death in 1980 came at the moment at where he should’ve started the reaping the rewards of his groundwork, and in ‘Highway To Hell’ it seemed as if he’d finally made sense of the journey of which he’d embarked. Not only one of Angus Young’s most famous riffs but also that of the entire rock cannon, this is exactly what a verbal and aural statement of intent sounds like.
Gallery: AC/DC's legendary career in photos
AC/DC’s legendary career in photos
Glasgow-born, Sydney-raised siblings Angus Young and Malcolm Young formed AC/DC in 1973 when they were just 18 and 20 years old respectively. The first incarnation of the band also featured bassist Larry Van Kriedt, vocalist Dave Evans, and drummer Colin Burgess.
AC/DC’s legendary career in photos
Angus and Malcolm Young came up with the AC/DC band name when they saw the letters on their sister Margaret's sewing machine. Literally meaning "alternating current/direct current", the brothers said the name perfectly reflected the raw power and electricity of their music. AC/DC's iconic logo (pictured) was designed in 1977 by Gerard Huerta.
AC/DC’s legendary career in photos
Embracing a glam rock sound, AC/DC released just one single with Dave Evans as their frontman, July 1974's 'Can I Sit Next to You, Girl.' The band performed the track on Australian music television show Countdown that summer. The original Australian vinyl is now a highly sought after collector's item.
AC/DC’s legendary career in photos
Abandoning their embryonic glam rock sound, AC/DC ditched vocalist Dave Evans in 1974 and Angus and Malcolm recruited fellow Scottish born, Aussie raised musician Bon Scott as their new frontman on the recommendation of their older brother and producer George Young. Older and more experienced than Angus and Malcolm, Bon Scott had previously been in the bands The Valentines, Fraternity and The Spektors. Pictured is Bon Scott (second left) looking resplendent in red with The Valentines in 1969.
AC/DC’s legendary career in photos
Featuring a cover of Big Joe Williams' 'Baby, Please Don't Go', AC/DC's debut album 'High Voltage' was released in Australia only in February 1975. Produced by Harry Vanda and Malcolm and Angus' older brother George Young, the album peaked on the Australian charts at no.14 and has since gone on to sell 350,000 units.
AC/DC’s legendary career in photos
Shortly after the release of 'High Voltage', AC/DC's line-up evolved to also feature bassist Mark Evans and drummer Phil Rudd alongside the core members of the Young brothers and Bon Scott. Here they are straddling a ladder, naturally.
AC/DC’s legendary career in photos
AC/DC's Australia and New Zealand only album 'T.N.T.' was released a few weeks before Christmas in 1975. 'T.N.T.' saw the band delve into more abrasive, hard-edged rock and roll and featured the album title track, 'High Voltage', 'It's a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock 'n' Roll)' and a re-recording of debut single 'Can I Sit Next to You, Girl.'
AC/DC’s legendary career in photos
Atlantic Records' UK head Phil Carson signed AC/DC on a global deal in December 1975, and the following April the band released their first international album 'High Voltage'; essentially a compilation record featuring songs from their Australian releases 'High Voltage' and 'T.N.T.' To date, 'High Voltage' has sold more than 3 million copies worldwide.
AC/DC’s legendary career in photos
AC/DC's third studio album 'Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap' was released in September 1976 with the Australian and international editions featuring different track-listings and artwork. Released for the first time Stateside in 1981 on the back of the success of 'Back in Black', 'Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap' has sold more than 6 million copies in the US alone.
AC/DC’s legendary career in photos
Here's the Australian artwork for AC/DC's 'Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap' depicting Angus Young flicking the v's and Bon Scott with an almost Popeye-esque right arm. It was created by Kettle Art Productions.
AC/DC’s legendary career in photos
AC/DC's fourth album 'Let There Be Rock' was released on 21st March 1977 and once again the track-list was different on the Aussie and international editions. It features some of AC/DC's biggest tracks including 'Whole Lotta Rosie', 'Dog Eat Dog' and the album title track.
AC/DC’s legendary career in photos
Mark Evans was fired from AC/DC in 1977 allegedly due to a feud with the Young brothers and replaced by English musician Cliff Williams. An experienced bassist, Williams was previously a member of progressive rock band Home and hard rock act Bandit. Pictured is Cliff (on the left) with his Home band mates Laurie Wisefield, Mick Cook and Mick Stubbs in 1973.
AC/DC’s legendary career in photos
Cliff Williams' inaugural album with AC/DC was May 1978's hard rock tour-de-force 'Powerage'. Featuring the single 'Rock 'n' Roll Damnation', although it wasn't an instant commercial success 'Powerage' is rightfully regarded as a classic amongst AC/DC fans.
AC/DC’s legendary career in photos
AC/DC's Malcolm Young, Phil Rudd, Angus Young, Cliff Williams and Bon Scott in 1979.
AC/DC’s legendary career in photos
Produced by Robert John "Mutt" Lange and released in July 1979, AC/DC's blockbuster sixth album 'Highway to Hell' proved to be a colossal commercial breakthrough in the US peaking at no.17 and shifting 7 million copies to date. It was the last album to feature Bon Scott, who died seven months after its release.
AC/DC’s legendary career in photos
Legendary AC/DC vocalist Bon Scott died on 19th February 1980 aged just 33 years old. Following a night of drinking at Camden club Music Machine (now known as KOKO), Bon Scott slept in a Renault 5 car outside his friend Alistair Kinnear's flat in East Dulwich. After Kinnear found Bon lifeless in the vehicle, he was pronounced dead King's College Hospital in Camberwell.
AC/DC’s legendary career in photos
After briefly considering quitting, AC/DC decided to carry on after receiving encouragement from Bon Scott's family. Former Geordie vocalist Brian Johnson successfully auditioned for the band singing 'Whole Lotta Rosie' and Ike & Tina Turner's 'Nutbush City Limits.' Bon Scott was a fan of Johnson having seen Geordie live on trips to the UK.
AC/DC’s legendary career in photos
In April 1980, AC/DC and new vocalist Brian Johnson decamped to Compass Point Studios in The Bahamas to complete songs they had begun working on with Bon Scott. Pictured is Brian Johnson and Angus Young on stage in the early 1980s.
AC/DC’s legendary career in photos
Dedicated to the memory of Bon Scott and produced by Robert John "Mutt" Lange, the resulting album 'Back in Black' was an unprecedented success and has sold more than 50 million units globally including an astonishing 25 million in America. It's the second best-selling album of all time behind Michael Jackson's 'Thriller' and it has spawned the singles 'You Shook Me All Night Long', 'Hells Bells', 'Back in Black' and 'Rock and Roll Ain't Noise Pollution.'
AC/DC’s legendary career in photos
AC/DC's next two albums 'For Those About to Rock We Salute You' and 'Flick of the Switch' were released in November 1981 and August 1983 respectively.
AC/DC’s legendary career in photos
Drummer Phil Rudd's relationship with Malcolm Young deteriorated rapidly during the 'Flick of the Switch' sessions due to Rudd's issues with alcohol and drugs. He exited the band and was replaced by English drummer Simon Wright in the summer of 1983. AC/DC held hundreds of auditions on both sides of the Atlantic before eventually settling on Wright
AC/DC’s legendary career in photos
Here's AC/DC looking resplendent in their swimwear on the beach in Ipanema, Brazil during their South American tour in January 1985.
AC/DC’s legendary career in photos
With Simon Wright on drums, AC/DC released the albums 'Fly on the Wall' and 'Blow Up Your Video' in 1985 and 1988, the latter of which features the fan favourites 'Heatseeker' and 'That's the Way I Wanna Rock 'n' Roll.'
AC/DC’s legendary career in photos
Malcolm Young temporarily took time off from touring during the Blow Up Your Video World Tour in 1988 to recover from alcoholism. His nephew Stevie Young briefly stood in for him.
AC/DC’s legendary career in photos
Following a six-year tenure, Simon Wright left AC/DC in 1989 and joined Ronnie James Dio's eponymous band Dio. AC/DC replaced Simon Wright with distinguished session musician Chris Slade who had previously played with Tom Jones, Uriah Heep, Gary Numan, Manfred Mann's Earth Band and David Gilmour to name but a few.
AC/DC’s legendary career in photos
Released in September 1990 and produced by Bruce Fairbairn (Aerosmith, Bon Jovi), AC/DC's twelfth studio album 'The Razors Edge' was a rip-roaring commercial success and featured the blockbuster single 'Thunderstruck'
AC/DC’s legendary career in photos
Buoyed by the success of 'The Razors Edge', AC/DC embarked on a massive world tour in 1990 and 1991, including a headline slot at Monsters of Rock (immortalised in the 1992 concert film 'Live at Donington') and the spin-off event in the Soviet Union in front of an estimated 1.6 million people. It's widely regarded as one of the largest concerts of all time.
AC/DC’s legendary career in photos
A number of concerts on The Razors Edge World Tour featured on the 1992 live album 'AC/DC Live', which, along with AC/DC's 1978 live album 'If You Want Blood You've Got It', is widely and rightfully regarded as a classic.
AC/DC’s legendary career in photos
AC/DC released the standalone single 'Big Gun' for the Arnold Schwarzenegger movie Last Action Hero in 1993, and the following year Phil Rudd returned to AC/DC with Chris Slade departing on amicable terms.
AC/DC’s legendary career in photos
'Ballbreaker', AC/DC's first album in half a decade, was released in September 1995 with Rick Rubin and Mike Fraser on production duties. It featured the singles 'Hard as a Rock', 'Hail Cesar' and 'Cover You in Oil.'
AC/DC’s legendary career in photos
AC/DC's Cliff Williams, Phil Rudd, Brian Johnson, Malcolm Young and Angus Young in 1996.
AC/DC’s legendary career in photos
AC/DC's fourteenth album 'Stiff Upper Lip' came out shortly after the turn of the millennium and saw George Young take on production duties once again.
AC/DC’s legendary career in photos
AC/DC were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2003 alongside The Clash, Elvis Costello & The Attractions, The Police and The Righteous Brothers. They were inducted by Aerosmith's Steven Tyler with Angus Young, Phil Rudd, Malcolm Young, Brian Johnson, Cliff Williams and Bon Scott all honoured. AC/DC played 'Highway to Hell' and 'You Shook Me All Night Long' at the ceremony, and were joined by Tyler for their performance of the latter.
AC/DC’s legendary career in photos
On 1st October 2004, Corporation Lane in central Melbourne was renamed ACDC Lane in the band's honour. The street is emblazoned with tributes to AC/DC and in 2018 Bon Scott was honoured with a 'bas-relief' sculpture - a low relief carved from a wall – on ACDC Lane. It's three metres high, two metres wide and protrudes 15cm.
AC/DC’s legendary career in photos
On 25th October 2008, a bronze statue of Bon Scott was dedicated at Fremantle Fishing Boat Harbour in Western Australia, where the late singer was brought up. The life-size statue depicts Bon standing on top of a Marshall speaker. Bon is buried in the town's cemetery, and is apparently the most visited grave in Australia. Eight years later in April 2016 a life-sized bronze statue of Bon was revealed by former AC/DC bassist Mark Evans in Bellies Brae Car Park in Kirriemuir, Scotland.
AC/DC’s legendary career in photos
AC/DC's first album in eight years, 'Black Ice', was unleashed to the world in October 2008 and featured the singles 'Rock n' Roll Train', 'Big Jack', 'Anything Goes' and 'Money Made.' It was produced by Brendan O'Brien and recorded at The Warehouse Studio in Vancouver, British Columbia. Sadly, it proved to be Malcolm Young's final AC/DC album.
AC/DC’s legendary career in photos
AC/DC's Malcolm and Angus Young in a Toronto hotel room in 2009 during the Black Ice World Tour.
AC/DC’s legendary career in photos
As well as providing the soundtrack to Marvel superhero movie Iron Man 2, 2010 saw AC/DC headline Download Festival in triumphant style. Testament to their legendary status, AC/DC brought their own stage to Download Festival, which sat alongside the Main Stage. Download booker Andy Copping told Planet Rock it was his proudest Download moment ever, explaining: "They hasn't done a festival in nearly 10 years, and they weren't looking to play festivals, but I convinced them to play. Yes, they brought their own stage, yes, they brought a whole load of demands, but it's AC/DC, and I would do the same again. It was an important part of Download's growth that we got a band like AC/DC and it was an incredible day: we had over 100,000 people in that year. I feel that was my biggest, most inspired and best booking."
AC/DC’s legendary career in photos
AC/DC's trio of December 2009 shows at the River Plate Stadium in Argentina were released as the DVD 'Live at River Plate' in May 2011. The concerts featured arguably the most enthusiastic crowd in the history of rock music. Also documenting the concerts, AC/DC's first live album in two decades, 'Live at River Plate', came out in September 2012.
AC/DC’s legendary career in photos
In July 2014, AC/DC announced that Stevie Young had replaced Malcolm Young in the band due to Malcolm's ill health and they were releasing a new album entitled 'Rock or Bust'. They said in a statement: "Unfortunately, due to the nature of Malcolm's condition, he will not be returning to the band. AC/DC will undertake a world tour in support of Rock or Bust in 2015." Malcolm's last concert with the band was in Bilbao, Spain in June 2010. It later transpired he was battling dementia.
AC/DC’s legendary career in photos
AC/DC's first album not to feature Malcolm Young, 'Rock or Bust', was released in November 2014 and reached number three on the UK album chart.
AC/DC’s legendary career in photos
AC/DC drafted in drummer Chris Slade once again in early 2015 for the Rock or Bust Tour due to legal issues Phil Rudd was facing in New Zealand. In July of that year, Rudd was sentenced to eight months' home detention after admitting drug charges and threatening to kill a former assistant. Pictured is Phil Rudd arriving at court wearing an AC/DC leather jacket.
AC/DC’s legendary career in photos
In March 2016, Brian Johnson quit the Rock or Bust Tour, with AC/DC explaining: "Brian Johnson, has been advised by doctors to stop touring immediately or risk total hearing loss." He thanked the band for their support in his departing statement.
AC/DC’s legendary career in photos
Following intense speculation and rumours, AC/DC announced in April 2016 that Guns N' Roses frontman Axl Rose was joining them to perform the final two legs of the Rock or Bust Tour in North America and Europe. Unfortunately for Axl, he broke his foot at Guns N' Roses' show in Los Angeles that April and he was forced to use Dave Grohl's throne (used when he broke his foot in Sweden) for the early AC/DC shows.
AC/DC’s legendary career in photos
Following the conclusion of the Rock or Bust Tour at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia on 20th September 2016, Cliff Williams announced he was retiring from AC/DC. "Thanks to everybody who supported us on this tour, it's been a hell of a tour, it's been great," Cliff said. "It's time for me to step out, and that's all."
AC/DC’s legendary career in photos
Just three weeks after his older brother George passed away, legendary AC/DC guitarist and co-founding member Malcolm Young died on 18th November 2017 following a lengthy battle with dementia. He was 64 years old. Pictured is a tribute on ACDC Lane, Melbourne.
AC/DC’s legendary career in photos
Following two years of intense speculation after band members were spotted at The Warehouse Studios in August 2018, in September 2020 AC/DC announced their return with their seventeenth studio album 'Power Up'. Excitingly, Brian Johnson, Cliff Williams and Phil Rudd were all on board for the new record.
AC/DC’s legendary career in photos
Released on 13th November 2020, AC/DC's seventeenth studio album 'Power Up' serves as a tribute to Malcolm Young, much like 'Back in Black' was a tribute to Bon Scott four decades earlier. Preceded by the single 'Shot In The Dark', 'Power Up' boasts 12 new AC/DC tracks and it was produced by Brendan O'Brien.
AC/DC confirmed for Power Trip
In March 2023, it was announced that AC/DC will make their live comeback at Californian mega-festival Power Trip on Saturday 7th October. Appearing alongside Metallica, Iron Maiden, Guns N' Roses, Tool and Judas Priest, the show is their first since they played the Wells Fargo Center way back in 2016 when Axl Rose was singing with the band.
AC/DC recruit new drummer for Power Trip
AC/DC recruited new drummer Matt Laug, in September 2023, for their performance at Power Trip in place of Phil Rudd. Sharing a snippet of audio from rehearsals, AC/DC wrote on 9th September: "PWR UP for Power Trip! Listen to the rehearsal of the boys powering up with Cliff Williams, who's coming out of retirement for the festival and Matt Laug on drums." No explanation has been provided about Phil Rudd's absence at Power Trip, however some fans are speculating that it could be due to visa issues stemming from his home detention in July 2015.
Sadly, in December 2023 the news was revealed that original AC/DC drummer Colin Burgess had sadly died aged 77. Announcing the news, the band paid tribute to Colin, writing: 'Very sad to hear of the passing of Colin Burgess. He was our first drummer and a very respected musician. Happy memories, rock in peace Colin.'