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AC/DC — It's A Long Way To The Top
Album: High Voltage
Avg rating:
7.3

Your rating:
Total ratings: 3723









Released: 1976
Length: 4:55
Plays (last 30 days): 1
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Ridin' down the highway
Goin' to a show
Stop in all the by-ways
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 on stage and scream
Look out it's rough and mean
It's a long way to the top
If you wanna rock 'n' roll
Comments (483)add comment
Why spoil a good thing by doing something else? A 10!
Posted 1 month ago by johnfiva    [ Reply ]
pretty amazing for their time, I listened to them a lot back then!
Posted 1 month ago by lynn01    [ Reply ]
You gotta smile, ACDC is the same playlist as Miles Davis. Just love the diversity of RP. This is what music is all about, diversity!!!!
Posted 6 months ago by mgkiwi    [ Reply ]
"... time to que the bagpipe" haha! Thanks William. That cracked me up!
Posted 6 months ago by dirtbagpook    [ Reply ]
"It's a long way to the shops, if you wanna sausage roll"

Apparently this song has not featured in their live sets since Bon Scott's passing 
Posted 8 months ago by drews    [ Reply ]
This
Is 
A
10+
BTW.

DUH.
Posted 9 months ago by alrobley9    [ Reply ]
Just gone from 9 to 10 because of the bagpipes. I once stayed in Anstruther in a pub-hotel with sloping floors upstairs. After I nearly fell into the wardrobe while trying to get ready for bed, I heard bagpipes playing downstairs. So I went back to the bar and the piper was standing on a (fairly small) table playing jigs and reels, and lots of people were dancing. Magic.
Posted 10 months ago by msbolton    [ Reply ]
Battle of the cover bands a few years ago here in Vangroover.  Things looking pretty close until one of the groups started this up.  When the piper came out it was done and dusted.
Posted 11 months ago by mkane67    [ Reply ]
oy, oy, oy, oy.  
Posted 11 months ago by idiot_wind    [ Reply ]
Of course!
From Tchaikovsky to Bon Scott; only on RP!
Merry Christmas, fellow listeners!   : )
Posted 1 year ago by On_The_Beach    [ Reply ]
Totally Rocking.
Posted 1 year ago by GingerandMe    [ Reply ]
YEAH! OLD IS GOLD!

RIP BON SCOTT.
Posted 1 year ago by salupi    [ Reply ]
 MrStatenIsle wrote:

You wouldn't think you need bagpipes in an AC/DC tune, then they show you!




For real rockin' bagpipes I strongly recommend The Red Hot Chilli Pipers who give great gigs and really rip into rock and pop covers. I saw them at a festival in Ullapool, NW Scotland, and they're a grand craic and surely know how to play their pipes.
Posted 1 year ago by fredriley    [ Reply ]
 mattenuttall wrote:

Solomon Burke's "Fast Train"
The NutCracker
AC/DC "It's a Long Way to the Top"
I have no idea of the what or why of this sequence, but man I feel more than fine at the moment!



You beat me to it 
Posted 1 year ago by redart    [ Reply ]
Tchaikovsky to AC/DC....where else !? 
Posted 1 year ago by redart    [ Reply ]
Solomon Burke's "Fast Train"
The NutCracker
AC/DC "It's a Long Way to the Top"
I have no idea of the what or why of this sequence, but man I feel more than fine at the moment!
Posted 1 year ago by mattenuttall    [ Reply ]
LOUDERRRRRRRR !
Posted 1 year ago by Sbed    [ Reply ]
Turn It Up To 11
Posted 1 year ago by siskinbob    [ Reply ]
It would have been a very long way to the top if they were using bagpipes early on. LOL Horrible
Posted 1 year ago by renegade_X    [ Reply ]
If you wanna be a star on stage and scream, Look out it's rough and mean, It's a long way to the top, If you wanna rock 'n' roll 

HELL YEAH! keep ROCKIN' 
Posted 1 year ago by iomehran    [ Reply ]
One of the most inspirin songs in wock and woll. And the bagpipes! OMG the bagpipes!  A high-energy march!
Posted 1 year ago by jim15    [ Reply ]
Crank up, skin up and rock on ✌️
Posted 2 years ago by Easyrider    [ Reply ]
Play it loud, that's rock and roll!
Posted 2 years ago by Steve_G    [ Reply ]
 GHoffmeyer wrote:

This was the ending credits song in “School of Rock”.  Fantastic energy w Jack Black and the kids.   Great movie, too, btw.


Not a fan of AC/DC but this movie is so good.  Even better as a parent of kids in this age range who play harp and guitar :)  Watching it with them was so fun :)
Posted 2 years ago by red04star    [ Reply ]
 eileenomurphy wrote:
I hate the SCREACHING BAGPIPES!!!   Good tune, otherwise!
 
Actually, for me, it’s the best parts of the song. I gave it a 7, it would be a 4 with the pipes.
Posted 2 years ago by KevinM    [ Reply ]
This was the ending credits song in “School of Rock”.  Fantastic energy w Jack Black and the kids.   Great movie, too, btw.
Posted 2 years ago by GHoffmeyer    [ Reply ]
Hah! And here I've always felt that the screaming bagpipes were the BEST part of this song :)
Posted 2 years ago by matthewtoney    [ Reply ]
 eileenomurphy wrote:

I hate the SCREACHING BAGPIPES!!!   Good tune, otherwise!




Me Too!!
Posted 2 years ago by joejennings    [ Reply ]
I hate the SCREACHING BAGPIPES!!!   Good tune, otherwise!
Posted 2 years ago by eileenomurphy    [ Reply ]
OH, HELL YEAH! CRANK IT, SMOKE IT, DRINK IT UP! My buddy Karlan B. and me used to get quite a heady atmosphere built up to THIS JAM in his black Monte!
Posted 3 years ago by coloradojohn    [ Reply ]
Posted 3 years ago by dcosic5    [ Reply ]
 kazoo wrote:

That bagpipe makes me want to confess to a crime I didn't commit. Drilling into my brain.....must...make...it...stop.




The pipes are GITMO TORTURE! ....when the pipes come on, I turn the volume DOWN!
Posted 3 years ago by eileenomurphy    [ Reply ]
 laup wrote:

THE bagpipes screech in your ear like an angry cat , if your wearing headphones and its cranked!!!




I agree! PAINFUL! ...when the pipes come on, I turn the volume DOWN!
Posted 3 years ago by eileenomurphy    [ Reply ]
ROCK AND ROLL..............................INDEED!
Posted 3 years ago by hdavid7    [ Reply ]
WOW, what great memories. First saw ACDC at the Hammersmith Odeon in 1976 on their 'If you want blood' tour. F****'n awesome. Ronald Belford "Bon" Scott, what a voice!!! 
Posted 3 years ago by mgkiwi    [ Reply ]
When I was a kid at school, seeing Angus in School uniform just like mine was awesome, now  it just weird.
Posted 3 years ago by sajitjacob    [ Reply ]
https://giphy.com/gifs/8YWiyrD...
Posted 3 years ago by paloeguevo    [ Reply ]
The world's greatest rock and roll band PERIOD
Posted 3 years ago by Soopertimes    [ Reply ]

vintage rock hands 70s australia crowd rock and roll sydney hard rock acdc | Acdc angus young, Acdc, Angus young
Posted 3 years ago by drewd    [ Reply ]
THE bagpipes screech in your ear like an angry cat , if your wearing headphones and its cranked!!!
Posted 3 years ago by laup    [ Reply ]
Song starts, head starts to nod and grin breaks out on face. Works everytime.
Posted 3 years ago by ne1    [ Reply ]
Now that was good- Tchaikovsky to AC/DC, Nutcracker to It's a Long Way to the Top!    That's what I love about RP.  As Lizard King would say- Long Live RP.
   
Posted 3 years ago by nomnol    [ Reply ]
That bagpipe makes me want to confess to a crime I didn't commit. Drilling into my brain.....must...make...it...stop.
Posted 3 years ago by kazoo    [ Reply ]
 wolverine wrote:
MORE BAGPIPE!{#Dancingbanana_2}



Follow this with Steve Earle's Copperhead Road!
Posted 3 years ago by birdman42    [ Reply ]
Crudely played Aussie hard rock. With bagpipes. 

F*vk ya. 
Posted 3 years ago by kcar    [ Reply ]
Posted 3 years ago by 3Chords    [ Reply ]
Rock On R.P !
Syc choice here ; >
Early AC DC ruled!

Never be another Rock Vocalist with that devilish tone!
Posted 3 years ago by surfrider4life    [ Reply ]
10 minutes of Waterboys to get to AC/DC. RP makes you earn it, which is why I love RP.
Posted 3 years ago by Ironmat    [ Reply ]
Crank up the voltage and let’s get to the show then get stoned✌️
Posted 3 years ago by Easyrider    [ Reply ]
Richlands VA about 1984, guy I worked for said "AC/DC is flying into Bluefield tonight. Let's go see them." It was after work and he was my ride home so Yeah, why not.  We went to the tiny little Bluefield WV airport, found our way back to a gate (those were the days) and this plane was just starting to unload. We sat down and people passed and passed. We didn't see any of the band.  Finally we were about to leave and this bunch of tired looking guys come by, one carrying a Strat. My ride stopped, stared and watched his heroes parade by just like regular fellows. Nobody in short pants. "Hmm. Well I guess that's it," he said. "what did you expect?" I asked.  He just shrugged. Not much of a story I guess but I was reminded.  TLDR: I saw the band get off a plane one time. 
Posted 3 years ago by Geecheeboy    [ Reply ]
 Grayson wrote:
Hmmmm. This does bring up a rather delicate point of rock 'n roll discussion: Did AC/DC ever really even get to a "the top?" I mean, the velvet short pants alone. Who could even with... those. I could only ever look away. Hell, just thinking about 'em makes my ears hurt. And it's not just our olde rockers' universal tinnitus. 
 
Uhhh..... yeah, they got to the top. 

I'm not sure how anyone could say otherwise given that we are listening to one of their songs from 1976 in 2021.  This track also having been featured prominently in a major Hollywood movie.
Posted 3 years ago by h8rhater    [ Reply ]
 pkoelmans wrote:
I met Angus Young in a bar in Amsterdam in 1980 and he asked me to show him Amterdam's nightlife with  some friends.  Great guy ! 
He even crashed out on a matras in  the   back room  and went to Scotland the next day  to visit his grandma.
He was already  at  the  top but still modest as one   can be.
Pieter Koelmans
The Hague
The Netherlands
pkoelmans@ziggo.nl



 
I delivered some booze to the band maybe the first time they visited London. They were staying in a guest house in Earls Court and the reception guy called up to their room and the whole band came barrelling down the staircase to thank me. Good guys.

Posted 3 years ago by niggy45    [ Reply ]
47 YEARS!
Posted 3 years ago by Webfoot    [ Reply ]
Damn ballsy with the few snobs that inhabit RP. This is what makes RP enjoyable and special!
Posted 3 years ago by snagle.1776    [ Reply ]
Beach Boys then AC/DC.   That covers a range of music
Posted 3 years ago by foolsparadise    [ Reply ]
The loudest gig I've ever been to. I thought my ears were going to bleed. Awesome.
Posted 3 years ago by captbradders    [ Reply ]
It's a long way to the shops if you want a sausage roll! Awesome!!
Posted 3 years ago by ludofealy    [ Reply ]
More ACDC please Bill. Especially early stuff
Posted 3 years ago by dubberdan    [ Reply ]
I've never really paid much attention to these guys but this is great.
Posted 3 years ago by Jakethemuss    [ Reply ]
I like AC/DC, especially with Bon Scott.
Posted 3 years ago by niels1    [ Reply ]
Crank up those bagpipes and let’s rock🍻✌️
Posted 4 years ago by Easyrider    [ Reply ]
Pretty amazing to think this song is over 40 years old and it still sounds fresh and still rocks. 
Posted 4 years ago by bowerp64    [ Reply ]
Got lots of votes for Australian national anthem...
Posted 4 years ago by Sweet_Virginia    [ Reply ]
A massive ten from the hairy bikers🥳
Posted 4 years ago by Easyrider    [ Reply ]
Let's see what the new album and tour are all about. I'm looking for tix!
Posted 4 years ago by indatube1    [ Reply ]
Many bands could use a little AC/DC DNA!
Could you imagine if Bach had a bit. Wow.
Posted 4 years ago by ace-marc    [ Reply ]
Turn that up will you
Posted 4 years ago by PeterMcClelland    [ Reply ]
Its the guitar hooks.

The fidelity of the chords. 

Nothing fancy. 

All about harmonics and melodics.  
Posted 4 years ago by idiot_wind    [ Reply ]
Yes , classic  AC/DC......nice 
Posted 4 years ago by neptunejeff    [ Reply ]
I had to bump up my rating because of the pipes.
Posted 4 years ago by KevinM    [ Reply ]
umm...10!
Posted 4 years ago by More_Cowbell    [ Reply ]
I always liked this song, but my like for it increased a hundred fold after seeing it playd by kids in "School of Rock".  which, btw, is in my home town.
Posted 4 years ago by Jelani    [ Reply ]
 michelleaddinall wrote:
Oh my lord...I thought this was a Jack Black/ Tenacious D song written for the School of Rock movie. What a tool I am 
No one knows everything. Isn't it wonderful to learn something new?  

Posted 4 years ago by daiv    [ Reply ]
Oh my lord...I thought this was a Jack Black/ Tenacious D song written for the School of Rock movie. What a tool I am 
Posted 4 years ago by michelleaddinall    [ Reply ]
Posted 4 years ago by uksminas    [ Reply ]
Still makes me shiver! After 44 years. Just absolutely great stuff!!!
Posted 4 years ago by patmag132    [ Reply ]
 LoudshirtsBand wrote:
 unclehud wrote:

Not sure that bagpipes are Australian, but maybe.  (Wondering why they didn't use a didgeridoo.)
 

 
core band members are Scottish.
love those bagpipes!
Posted 4 years ago by ace-marc    [ Reply ]
i remember when this debuted on Countdown it was the video of them on the truck if I remember correctly. So long ago.
Posted 4 years ago by janac13    [ Reply ]
The Aussie anthem Its A Long Way To The Shop If You Wanna Sausage Roll....I'm Aussie living in Canada and the Canadiana love this but not when i get excited and start singing along with our sausage roll lol..Thanks RP you are the best .
Posted 4 years ago by davinson110    [ Reply ]
For a minute there I thought I was hearing Nutbush City Limits ...
Posted 4 years ago by merrickw    [ Reply ]
Makes my fingers, feet and body shake to the rythm like decades ago - hopefully nobody will see this old guy moving strangely and playing air-guitar :)
Posted 4 years ago by dieter_from_kiel    [ Reply ]
such a special band... 
Posted 4 years ago by geoscientist    [ Reply ]
Listening to that while working on technical presentations is just inspiring! Love them guys
Posted 4 years ago by aerodynamic    [ Reply ]
THIS and "for those about to rock": it does not really get better than that - thanx bill for playing "it's a long way..." again.
Posted 4 years ago by danny_t    [ Reply ]
 Althoughpkoelmans wrote:
I was lucky to see them on their first UK tour at Glasgow University in 1977. Note the bagpipes on this track, played by Bon Scott. Angus, Malcolm and Angus were all born in Glasgow. Always been much loved in Scotland.


 

Posted 4 years ago by siriusrising    [ Reply ]
This is a 10!
Posted 4 years ago by More_Cowbell    [ Reply ]
I met Angus Young in a bar in Amsterdam in 1980 and he asked me to show him Amterdam's nightlife with  some friends.  Great guy ! 
He even crashed out on a matras in  the   back room  and went to Scotland the next day  to visit his grandma.
He was already  at  the  top but still modest as one   can be.
Pieter Koelmans
The Hague
The Netherlands
pkoelmans@ziggo.nl



Posted 4 years ago by pkoelmans    [ Reply ]
Cool and it is on Fire! Superlative!
Posted 4 years ago by michaellirette    [ Reply ]
 kingart wrote:
Bands like Arcade Fire need more AC/DC DNA.  10 times the fire. 
 

That might be fun to see  a lighter side to their music. 
They are a fairly weighty  band, for the most part.
But I like them both a lot just as they are.
Posted 4 years ago by ace-marc    [ Reply ]
catchy simple riff + simple lyrics + voltage out the ass 😍
Posted 4 years ago by jbuhl    [ Reply ]
War lange traurig, daß es technicolor nicht mehr gibt. Und ihr steht auf den Schultern von dem Riesen.
I love it
Posted 4 years ago by hvonloebbecke    [ Reply ]
 unclehud wrote:

Not sure that bagpipes are Australian, but maybe.  (Wondering why they didn't use a didgeridoo.)
 
Bon Scott was born in ...wait for it... Scotland.

I was not. Thanks for asking.
Posted 4 years ago by ScottFromWyoming    [ Reply ]
 unclehud wrote:

Not sure that bagpipes are Australian, but maybe.  (Wondering why they didn't use a didgeridoo.)
 

Posted 4 years ago by LoudshirtsBand    [ Reply ]
I was hanging out in a youth club in Freidrichshafen, West Germany in 1980.  This song comes on and everyone in the place gets up and goes freaking crazy, dancing and head banging. 
Posted 4 years ago by Theotis    [ Reply ]
 AhhtheMusic wrote:
...
And, must add, love the bag pipes of their native land incorporated into the rockin' vibe!  I think we all need to dance right NOW!
 
Not sure that bagpipes are Australian, but maybe.  (Wondering why they didn't use a didgeridoo.)
Posted 4 years ago by unclehud    [ Reply ]
Fantastic tune for a Thursday morning. Thanks for the shot in the arm.
Posted 4 years ago by marcastuart    [ Reply ]
Thanks for playing this rock gem. My neighbours thank you as well! Now come on!!! More bagpipes!!!!
Posted 4 years ago by cavemanleong    [ Reply ]
Who would ever give this a 1?!
Posted 4 years ago by frisbeepilot    [ Reply ]
Long before Afro-Celt rocked the pipes AC/DC was there!!
Posted 4 years ago by sunybuny    [ Reply ]
 wolverine wrote:
MORE BAGPIPE!{#Dancingbanana_2}
 

ABSOLUTELY
Posted 4 years ago by photolew    [ Reply ]
I will always crack up every time I hear this song after I saw Jack Black do it in that movie about him teaching kids music as a substitute teacher.  AC/DC and Jack ROCK!!

And, must add, love the bag pipes of their native land incorporated into the rockin' vibe!  I think we all need to dance right NOW!
Posted 5 years ago by AhhtheMusic    [ Reply ]
 MrStatenIsle wrote:
 
 
Absolutely. They never gave in to the urge to do a power ballad in the 80s or throw a little EDM to stay relevant. Bagpipes and huge brass bells otoh are perfectly fine :)
Posted 5 years ago by cosmiclint    [ Reply ]
It's the bagpipes that got me to a 9.
Posted 5 years ago by mrpixel    [ Reply ]
It's a long way from Scotland to Australia,..... but I'm glad they took their bagpipes with them   
Posted 5 years ago by redart    [ Reply ]
 lizardking wrote:

I really like how the wiki article starts off: 

AC/DC are an Australian rock band formed in Sydney in 1973 by Scottish-born brothers Malcolm and Angus Young. Their music has been variously described as hard rock, blues rock, and heavy metal; however, the band themselves describe their music as simply "rock and roll".

Rock and Roll it is!  Long Live RP!!
 

Yep, they only do one thing (R&R), and they've done it consistently well  for forty-something years.
Posted 5 years ago by MrStatenIsle    [ Reply ]
Yes sir, it IS a long way to the top if you want to rock & roll.
Posted 5 years ago by unclehud    [ Reply ]
Greatest Australian song ever! And the only one with lasting bagpipes
Posted 5 years ago by Sweet_Virginia    [ Reply ]
 BCarn wrote:

Uh, they're not even in the same genre. Might as well say Bach needs a little AC/DC. Hmmm.
 
Every band needs a little AC/DC, don't you think?
Posted 5 years ago by 3Chords    [ Reply ]
Bon didn't play the bagpipes in the studio but was cool on stage when he'd bring it out
Posted 5 years ago by ToddyWoddy    [ Reply ]
rated an 8…but only because I love the movie School of Rock so much. 😂
Posted 5 years ago by KristinCredit    [ Reply ]
 kingart wrote:
Bands like Arcade Fire need more AC/DC DNA.  10 times the fire. 
 
Uh, they're not even in the same genre. Might as well say Bach needs a little AC/DC. Hmmm.
Posted 5 years ago by BCarn    [ Reply ]
 MrStatenIsle wrote:
You wouldn't think you need bagpipes in an AC/DC tune, then they show you!
 
I really like how the wiki article starts off: 

AC/DC are an Australian rock band formed in Sydney in 1973 by Scottish-born brothers Malcolm and Angus Young. Their music has been variously described as hard rock, blues rock, and heavy metal; however, the band themselves describe their music as simply "rock and roll".

Rock and Roll it is!  Long Live RP!!
Posted 5 years ago by lizardking    [ Reply ]
You wouldn't think you need bagpipes in an AC/DC tune, then they show you!
Posted 5 years ago by MrStatenIsle    [ Reply ]
This song is in a category of its own. Not even sure what it would be called. Bon's song.
Posted 5 years ago by johnrah    [ Reply ]
Saw them warm up Alice Cooper in the 70's. Made him look like a pussy.
Posted 5 years ago by tcseeley    [ Reply ]
https://www.facebook.com/danny...
Posted 5 years ago by eddiesaintlouie    [ Reply ]
"Let's put bagpipes in."

"Yeah ok."
Posted 5 years ago by MattRudely    [ Reply ]
 h8rhater wrote:

Bands like AC/DC have no place being compared to Arcade Fire.  Bands like Arcade Fire have no place being compared to AC/DC.  

Cheap shots at totally unrelated bands, in different genre, from different generations have no place, except to provocate for no apparent reason.


 
Cheap Shots sounds like an AC/DC album title!  And I'm sure it would rock and I'd rate at least one of the songs a 9 (like this one is) Rock on and Long Live RP!!
Posted 5 years ago by lizardking    [ Reply ]
{#Bananajam}
Posted 5 years ago by Michallik    [ Reply ]
 kingart wrote:
Bands like Arcade Fire need more AC/DC DNA.  10 times the fire. 
 
Bands like AC/DC have no place being compared to Arcade Fire.  Bands like Arcade Fire have no place being compared to AC/DC.  

Cheap shots at totally unrelated bands, in different genre, from different generations have no place, except to provocate for no apparent reason.


Posted 5 years ago by h8rhater    [ Reply ]