The song was written by Malcolm Young, Angus Young and Bon Scott.
When vocalist Bon Scott introduced this song at concerts he would say half-jokingly that it was about lead guitarist Angus Young. In his biography of the band, Paul Stenning says it could have been written about any of them, but Angus himself said, "I wasn't really a bad sort of kid". Young did though invariably dress as a schoolboy on stage, so this humorous remark may have had a double meaning.
Bassist Cliff Williams explained:
"A friend of mine gave me a phone call telling me AC/DC was looking for a bassist and that my name was on their list. The boys in the band thought they had greater chances to find the right man in England rather than in Australia because the talent pool was more important there. I was auditioned in a small room at the Victoria studio. The first tracks I played were "Live Wire" and "Problem Child" and a few old blues songs if I remember well. The manager of the band told me I had the job. The plan was as follows: I was to leave London to Australia, because we were supposed to prepare the recording of Powerage. But the Australian Immigration Department didn't act cool with me. The guy in charge of my file told me, 'I don't understand why a Brit got the job, an Australian could have had it.' I answered, 'You're crazy, you could have me lose my job.' Yes, I had a few problems but finally I was able to go to Australia where we recorded Powerage."
Problem Child - Lyrics
Cop this I'm hot And when I'm not, I'm cold as ice Get out my way Just step aside, or pay the price What I want, I take What I don't, I break And I don't want you With a flick (of) my knife I can change your life There's nothing you can do I'm a problem child I'm a problem child, yes I am I'm a problem child And I'm wild Make my stand, no man's land On my own Man in blue, it's up to you The seed is sown What I want, I stash What I don't, I smash And you're on my list Dead or alive I got a .45 And I never miss I'm a problem child I'm a problem child, yes I am I'm a problem child And I'm wild Just runnin' wild Just watch your step Every night Street alight I drink my booze Some run, some fight But I win, they lose What I need, I like What I don't, I fight And I don't like you Say, "Bye, bye" while you're still alive Your time is through I'm a problem child I'm a problem child, yes I am I'm a problem child And I'm wild I'm a problem child (and my mother hates me) I'm a problem child I'm a problem child, yes I am I'm a problem child And I'm wild I'm a problem child (and my mother hates me) I'm a problem child I'm a problem child, yes I am I'm a problem child And I'm wild I'm a problem child (and my mother hates me) I'm a problem child I'm a problem child, yes I am I'm a problem child And I'm wild I'm a problem child (and my mother hates me) You've got your troubles, I've got mine
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