This is an autobiographical song for AC/DC describing their struggles as they try to make it big by delivering a top notch live show night after night. It was genuine: At the time, they were just getting started and playing some seedy venues with even seedier business associates. The hard work eventually paid off, and several years later the band was selling out arenas. "It's A Long Way To The Top" really summed us up as a band," Angus Young told Rolling Stone. It was the audience that really allowed us to even get near a studio. A study in contrast is the Boston song "Rock And Roll Band," released in 1976. That song tells the story of a similar struggle, but it was completely made up: Boston was a studio act first and foremost and had immediate success with their first album.
According to Bon Scott's biographer Clinton Walker, this tongue-in-cheek song "has become an anthem." It was the band's best single to date reaching #5 in the Australian charts. Heavy metal tracks are usually dominated by ego-tripping guitar solos; this song is unusual because instead of a lengthy guitar solo it features interplay between Angus Young on lead and Bon Scott on the bagpipes. Ronald Belford (Bonnie Scotland) Scott was born in Scotland - as were the Young brothers. The somewhat older Scott arrived in Australia with his family some 11 years before the Youngs emigrated; he learned recorder and drums, and was a proficient bagpipe player.
Lyrics
Ridin' down the highway Goin' to a show Stop in all the byways 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 of stage and screen Look out it's rough and mean 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 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 Well it's a long way It's a long way, you should've told me It's a long way, such a long way
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