AC/DC, High Voltage

Posted in AC/DC, Youtube Favs on November 16th, 2011 by Willie

High Voltage is my favorite AC/DC album, and the song “High Voltage” is one of my favorite songs on there.  I think its a near perfect rock and roll song, the only thing nicking it up for me is the pre-chorus when Bon Scott chants, “HIGH…HIGH…HIGH…”  Always sounded a bit cheesy to me, but goddamn when that refrain kicks in, the song explodes in rock and roll overdrive.  The rest of the song is a funky little number with patented tongue in cheek AC/DC lyrics about embracing an idealized rock and roll lifestyle.  This version is a live TV performance from 1975 on Australia’s “TV Week King of Pops Awards.”  It’s a classic AC/DC performance with Angus vamping around and Bon losing his crazy jacket.  I also love the general presentation TV shows used to have for rock bands in the 60s and 70s.  A big well lit stage with a live band, dramatic camera angles, and just an all around simplistic approach.  It’s the perfect setting for the strait ahead yet outrageous rock and roll band like AC/DC.

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AC/DC Week, It's a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock 'n' Roll)

Posted in AC/DC, Youtube Favs on July 11th, 2011 by Willie

AC/DC week rocks on with their 1975 hit “It’s a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock n’ Roll) from High Voltage. Great title, great lyrics, great song.  The entire song is a musical orgasm of rock and roll simplicity topped off with an excellent bagpipe solo from Bon Scott himself.  This is probably my favorite AC/DC anthem because of the universal truth of the words.  Indeed, it’s near impossible to climb to the top of the rock and roll world without getting your soul scooped out and your body killed.  As we would learn, once Bon reached the top, it did end up killing him.  Too sad because this guy was one in a million.  Rock and roll heaven to follow with a mouse click on that play button below.

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