Song Meaning & Analysis: It's a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock 'n' Roll) by AC/DC

ARTIST: AC/DC | ALBUM: T.N.T. | RELEASED: 1975

This is one of my favorite AC/DC songs. The song is considered one of AC/DC's signature ones, along with "Back in Black", "Highway to Hell" and "You Shock Me All Night Long." Yes, they have a zillion classics! Speaking of which, just like any other single AC/DC released, this too became a staple on classic rock radio. A video was shot to promote the song on Australian TV( keep in mind that there was no MTV at the time in 1975 ).

The promotional post for the song reads, "ORIGINAL PUNK ROCK." This song is not punk rock! Or at least it doesn't abide by the basic themes of a punk rock song, but it's understandable if they felt like that at the time. It was the mid 1970s, and punk rock scene hadn't matured enough to properly pick and choose its themes.

"It's a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock 'n' Roll)" primarily talks about the hardships AC/DC had to go though the make to the "top." Song is in a way an autobiography of the five members at the time: Bon Scott, Angus Young, Malcom Young, Phil Rudd and Cliff Williams. 

Rock n' roll analysis of lyrics:

Ridin' down the highway - T.N.T. was only AC/DC's second studio album. They couldn't afford an airplane, unlike Led Zeppelin, so it was only buses and road-miles for them at the time.

Stop in all the by-ways - AC/DC used to play in in-between, smaller shows while they on their way from one big concert to another. This is another perk of having a tour bus - you can stop wherever you want to!

Lines #5 to #10 - All the obstacles the band had to go through. It sounds like the band was involve with some altercations, although I personally don't know any. If you're aware of this, please leave a comment below and I'll update this post.

It's harder than it looks - This is one of the most honest lines you'll ever hear about rock n' roll. It "looks" cool to be in a successful rock band, but looks are deceiving, because they had to work really hard to get there.

Hotel, motel / Make you wanna cry - having to stay overnight in hotels/motels with terrible furniture and washrooms.

Lady do the hard sell - "lady" could be attributed to stripes or prostitutes. "hard sell" probably means they don't come cheap :-(

Gettin' old / Gettin' grey - aging is twice as fast when you are in a hectic rock n' roll.

Lines #29 to #32 - financial difficulties AC/DC went through, probably with their management or with record companies.

The chorus basically sums up all the verses.

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1. Ridin' down the highway
2. Goin' to a show
3. Stop in all the by-ways
4. Playin' rock 'n' roll
5. Gettin' robbed
6. Gettin' stoned
7. Gettin' beat up
8. Broken boned
9. Gettin' had
10. Gettin' took
11. I tell you folks
12. It's harder than it looks
13. 
    
14. It's a long way to the top
15. If you wanna rock 'n' roll
16. It's a long way to the top
17. If you wanna rock 'n' roll
18. If you think it's easy doin' one night stands
19. Try playin' in a rock roll band
20. It's a long way to the top
21. If you wanna rock 'n' roll
22. 
    
23. Hotel, motel
24. Make you wanna cry
25. Lady do the hard sell
26. Know the reason why
27. Gettin' old
28. Gettin' grey
29. Gettin' ripped off
30. Under-paid
31. Gettin' sold
32. Second hand
33. That's how it goes
34. Playin' in a band
35. 
    
36. It's a long way to the top
37. If you wanna rock 'n' roll
38. It's a long way to the top
39. If you wanna rock 'n' roll
40. If you wanna be a star of stage and screen
41. Look out it's rough and mean
42. It's a long way to the top
43. If you wanna rock 'n' roll

© 1975 J. Albert & Son (Pty) Ltd

Lyrics from: http://www.acdc.com/us/music/tnt/its-long-way-top-if-you-wanna-rock-n-roll