High Voltage (1975 album)
Encyclopedia
High Voltage is the debut studio album
by Australian hard rock
band AC/DC
, released on 17 February 1975. Six of the album's eight songs were written by Angus Young
, Malcolm Young
, and Bon Scott
. "Soul Stripper" was written by Young & Young, and "Baby, Please Don't Go
" is a cover version
of a Big Joe Williams
song. The album was produced by Vanda & Young
at the Albert Studios in Sydney. George is the older brother of Angus and Malcolm, he also played bass guitar for AC/DC.
It was originally released on Albert Productions
in Australia, and has never been reissued by another label in this format. The international version
title High Voltage, has a different track listing and cover art, was issued on Atlantic Records
in 1976.
and the Young brothers (Angus
and Malcolm
) were backed by a different rhythm section than the Mark Evans
/Phil Rudd
combination featured on their next three full-length studio recordings. In Clinton Walker's biography of Scott, Rob Bailey
claims he and Peter Clack
played on the album, but it doesn't make it clear if they played on it all, or on certain tracks. Clack and Bailey were live members of AC/DC at the time. According to Murray Engleheart's book AC/DC: Maximum Rock N Roll, bass duties were shared by Malcolm and older brother George, who also played live with the band infrequently, as well as Bailey. George may have also played some drums, along with Tony Currenti
. Peter Clack and John Proud played on one track each. Malcolm and Angus trade-off lead guitar parts on "Soul Stripper" and "Show Business" and Malcolm plays the solo on "Little Lover". George Young and Harry Vanda
produced the album, which was recorded in 10 days in between gigs at Albert Studios in Sydney. The title and artwork were the suggestion of Chris Gilbey of Albert Productions.
High Voltage led to the first of many AC/DC appearances on Australia's Countdown music program. The band's earliest appearances included a now-legendary live performance of "Baby, Please Don't Go" (featuring Scott dressed as a blonde schoolgirl
) and a filmed performance of "Show Business."
album. Despite its title, the second High Voltage features only two tracks from the original: "She's Got Balls" and "Little Lover", with a majority of 7 songs coming from T.N.T.
, Malcolm Young
, and Bon Scott
, except where noted.
EP, released in the United States
, Canada
, and Japan
in October 1984. "Stick Around" and "Love Song" were later released on the compilation Backtracks
on November 10, 2009. "Show Business" also appeared as the B-side on the American promo-only "Jailbreak
" single. It has evolved from an older song called "Sunset Strip", written by Malcolm Young and the band's original singer Dave Evans
, revamped for the album with new lyrics by Bon Scott.
"Love Song" evolved from an unrecorded song called "Fell In Love", also written by Malcolm Young and Evans. This earlier version of the song had different lyrics, and the finished lyrics as heard on the album were added by Scott. "Love Song" was released as the album's first single (under the title "Love Song (O Jene)") and was backed with "Baby Please Don't Go", but radio preferred the flip. "Stick Around" was about Scott's inability to hold onto a lover for more than one night.
"She's Got Balls" was written about Scott's ex-wife Irene. It was the first AC/DC song for which he wrote lyrics, originally ad-libbed during his first live performance with them. "Little Lover" came from an older song that Malcolm Young had first composed when he was 14. Scott's lyrics are ambiguous, but he later claimed they were about Angus.
Album
An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album...
by Australian hard rock
Hard rock
Hard rock is a loosely defined genre of rock music which has its earliest roots in mid-1960s garage rock, blues rock and psychedelic rock...
band AC/DC
AC/DC
AC/DC are an Australian rock band, formed in 1973 by brothers Malcolm and Angus Young. Commonly classified as hard rock, they are considered pioneers of heavy metal, though they themselves have always classified their music as simply "rock and roll"...
, released on 17 February 1975. Six of the album's eight songs were written by Angus Young
Angus Young
Angus McKinnon Young is a Scottish-born Australian musician, and the lead guitarist, songwriter, and co-founder of the rock and roll band AC/DC. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame along with other members of AC/DC in 2003 and is known for his energetic performances,...
, Malcolm Young
Malcolm Young
Malcolm Young is a Scottish-born Australian guitarist, best known as a founding member, rhythm guitarist, backing vocalist and songwriter for the Australian hard rock band AC/DC. Young was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2003, along with the other members of AC/DC...
, and Bon Scott
Bon Scott
Ronald Belford "Bon" Scott was a Scottish-born Australian rock musician, best known for being the lead singer and lyricist of Australian hard rock band AC/DC from 1974 until his death in 1980...
. "Soul Stripper" was written by Young & Young, and "Baby, Please Don't Go
Baby, Please Don't Go
"Baby, Please Don't Go" is a blues song first recorded by Big Joe Williams in 1935. It is related to a group of early 20th century blues and work songs that include "I'm Alabama Bound", "Another Man Done Gone", and "Don't Leave Me Here", and "Turn Your Lamp Down Low".It has become a blues and rock...
" is a cover version
Cover version
In popular music, a cover version or cover song, or simply cover, is a new performance or recording of a contemporary or previously recorded, commercially released song or popular song...
of a Big Joe Williams
Big Joe Williams
Joseph Lee Williams , billed throughout his career as Big Joe Williams, was an American Delta blues guitarist, singer and songwriter, notable for the distinctive sound of his nine-string guitar...
song. The album was produced by Vanda & Young
Vanda & Young
Vanda & Young are Harry Vanda , and George Young...
at the Albert Studios in Sydney. George is the older brother of Angus and Malcolm, he also played bass guitar for AC/DC.
It was originally released on Albert Productions
Albert Productions
Albert Productions, a division of music publishing and recording company Albert Music, is one of Australia's longest established independent Australian record label to specialise in rock and roll music. The label was founded in 1964 by Ted Albert, whose family owned and operated the Australian...
in Australia, and has never been reissued by another label in this format. The international version
High Voltage (1976 album)
High Voltage is the first internationally-released album by Australian hard rock band AC/DC. It contains tracks from their first two Australia-only issued albums, High Voltage and T.N.T. . Originally released on Atlantic Records, this edition of High Voltage has proven popular, selling three...
title High Voltage, has a different track listing and cover art, was issued on Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz...
in 1976.
Overview
AC/DC was still developing its sound when High Voltage was recorded in November 1974, and Bon ScottBon Scott
Ronald Belford "Bon" Scott was a Scottish-born Australian rock musician, best known for being the lead singer and lyricist of Australian hard rock band AC/DC from 1974 until his death in 1980...
and the Young brothers (Angus
Angus Young
Angus McKinnon Young is a Scottish-born Australian musician, and the lead guitarist, songwriter, and co-founder of the rock and roll band AC/DC. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame along with other members of AC/DC in 2003 and is known for his energetic performances,...
and Malcolm
Malcolm Young
Malcolm Young is a Scottish-born Australian guitarist, best known as a founding member, rhythm guitarist, backing vocalist and songwriter for the Australian hard rock band AC/DC. Young was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2003, along with the other members of AC/DC...
) were backed by a different rhythm section than the Mark Evans
Mark Evans (musician)
Mark Whitmore Evans is an Australian bass guitarist who was an early member of hard rock band AC/DC from March 1975 to June 1977. His playing featured on their albums T.N.T, High Voltage, Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap, Let There Be Rock and 74 Jailbreak...
/Phil Rudd
Phil Rudd
Phillip Hugh Norman Rudd is an Australian drummer. He is best known for his membership of rock band AC/DC from 1975 until 1983, and again from 1994 to present. After the 1977 departure of bass guitarist Mark Evans, he became the only Australian-born member of the band...
combination featured on their next three full-length studio recordings. In Clinton Walker's biography of Scott, Rob Bailey
Rob Bailey (musician)
Rob Bailey is a former bassist with the rock band AC/DC. He joined the band in April 1974, joining Malcolm Young , Angus Young , Dave Evans and Peter Clack ....
claims he and Peter Clack
Peter Clack
Peter Clack is a former drummer with the rock band AC/DC. He joined the band in April 1974, joining Malcolm Young , Angus Young , Dave Evans and Rob Bailey ....
played on the album, but it doesn't make it clear if they played on it all, or on certain tracks. Clack and Bailey were live members of AC/DC at the time. According to Murray Engleheart's book AC/DC: Maximum Rock N Roll, bass duties were shared by Malcolm and older brother George, who also played live with the band infrequently, as well as Bailey. George may have also played some drums, along with Tony Currenti
Tony Currenti
Tony Currenti is an Italian/Australian drummer, best known as a session drummer for Australian hard rock band AC/DC on their 1975 debut album High Voltage. The band's regular drummer, Peter Clack, was sidelined as Currenti recorded most of the drum parts. Currenti was replaced permanently by Phil...
. Peter Clack and John Proud played on one track each. Malcolm and Angus trade-off lead guitar parts on "Soul Stripper" and "Show Business" and Malcolm plays the solo on "Little Lover". George Young and Harry Vanda
Harry Vanda
Harry Vanda , is a Dutch-born Australian popular music singer, guitarist, songwriter and record producer.-Career:...
produced the album, which was recorded in 10 days in between gigs at Albert Studios in Sydney. The title and artwork were the suggestion of Chris Gilbey of Albert Productions.
High Voltage led to the first of many AC/DC appearances on Australia's Countdown music program. The band's earliest appearances included a now-legendary live performance of "Baby, Please Don't Go" (featuring Scott dressed as a blonde schoolgirl
Schoolgirl
A schoolgirl is a girl attending either primary or secondary school, generally aged between four and eighteen years old.-Academic performance:This has led in some countries to calls for greater equality for education in the school system...
) and a filmed performance of "Show Business."
International release
Released in May 1976, and featuring a different cover, the international version of High Voltage was a compilation of the original Australian edition and its follow-up, the Australia-only T.N.T.T.N.T. (album)
T.N.T. is the second studio album by Australian hard rock band AC/DC, released in December 1975. Seven of the album's nine songs were written by Angus Young, Malcolm Young and Bon Scott...
album. Despite its title, the second High Voltage features only two tracks from the original: "She's Got Balls" and "Little Lover", with a majority of 7 songs coming from T.N.T.
Track listing
All songs were written by Angus YoungAngus Young
Angus McKinnon Young is a Scottish-born Australian musician, and the lead guitarist, songwriter, and co-founder of the rock and roll band AC/DC. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame along with other members of AC/DC in 2003 and is known for his energetic performances,...
, Malcolm Young
Malcolm Young
Malcolm Young is a Scottish-born Australian guitarist, best known as a founding member, rhythm guitarist, backing vocalist and songwriter for the Australian hard rock band AC/DC. Young was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2003, along with the other members of AC/DC...
, and Bon Scott
Bon Scott
Ronald Belford "Bon" Scott was a Scottish-born Australian rock musician, best known for being the lead singer and lyricist of Australian hard rock band AC/DC from 1974 until his death in 1980...
, except where noted.
- "Baby, Please Don't GoBaby, Please Don't Go"Baby, Please Don't Go" is a blues song first recorded by Big Joe Williams in 1935. It is related to a group of early 20th century blues and work songs that include "I'm Alabama Bound", "Another Man Done Gone", and "Don't Leave Me Here", and "Turn Your Lamp Down Low".It has become a blues and rock...
" (Big Joe WilliamsBig Joe WilliamsJoseph Lee Williams , billed throughout his career as Big Joe Williams, was an American Delta blues guitarist, singer and songwriter, notable for the distinctive sound of his nine-string guitar...
) – 4:50 - "She's Got Balls" – 4:51
- "Little Lover" – 5:39
- "Stick Around" – 4:44
- "Soul Stripper" (Angus Young, Malcolm Young) – 6:25
- "You Ain't Got a Hold on Me" – 3:31
- "Love Song" – 5:14
- "Show Business" – 4:46
Songs
Most of the songs on this version of High Voltage were not released outside Australia until 1984, when "Baby, Please Don't Go", "You Ain't Got a Hold on Me", "Soul Stripper", and "Show Business" were included on the '74 Jailbreak'74 Jailbreak
- Personnel :* Bon Scott – lead vocals* Angus Young – lead guitar, rhythm guitar* Malcolm Young – rhythm guitar, lead guitar, backing vocals* George Young – bass guitar, production, backing vocals* Rob Bailey – bass guitar...
EP, released in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, and Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
in October 1984. "Stick Around" and "Love Song" were later released on the compilation Backtracks
Backtracks (AC/DC album)
Backtracks is a box set by Australian hard rock band AC/DC. It was announced on 29 September 2009 and was released on 10 November 2009. This is a collection of the band's studio and live rarities together in one boxset. There are two editions; a Deluxe Edition and a Standard Edition...
on November 10, 2009. "Show Business" also appeared as the B-side on the American promo-only "Jailbreak
Jailbreak (AC/DC song)
"Jailbreak" is a song by Australian hard rock band AC/DC. It is the ninth and final track of their third Australian album Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap, released in September 1976...
" single. It has evolved from an older song called "Sunset Strip", written by Malcolm Young and the band's original singer Dave Evans
Dave Evans (singer)
Dave Evans is an Australian singer best known as the original lead singer of the Australian hard rock band AC/DC from 1973-1974.-AC/DC:...
, revamped for the album with new lyrics by Bon Scott.
"Love Song" evolved from an unrecorded song called "Fell In Love", also written by Malcolm Young and Evans. This earlier version of the song had different lyrics, and the finished lyrics as heard on the album were added by Scott. "Love Song" was released as the album's first single (under the title "Love Song (O Jene)") and was backed with "Baby Please Don't Go", but radio preferred the flip. "Stick Around" was about Scott's inability to hold onto a lover for more than one night.
"She's Got Balls" was written about Scott's ex-wife Irene. It was the first AC/DC song for which he wrote lyrics, originally ad-libbed during his first live performance with them. "Little Lover" came from an older song that Malcolm Young had first composed when he was 14. Scott's lyrics are ambiguous, but he later claimed they were about Angus.
Sales Chart Performance
Album| Chart (1975) | Peak Position |
|---|---|
| Australian Kent Music Report Kent Music Report The Kent Music Report was a weekly record chart of Australian music singles and albums which was compiled by music enthusiast David Kent from May 1974 through to 1998... Albums Chart |
|
Personnel
- Angus YoungAngus YoungAngus McKinnon Young is a Scottish-born Australian musician, and the lead guitarist, songwriter, and co-founder of the rock and roll band AC/DC. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame along with other members of AC/DC in 2003 and is known for his energetic performances,...
– lead guitarLead guitarLead guitar is a guitar part which plays melody lines, instrumental fill passages, guitar solos, and occasionally, some riffs within a song structure... - Bon ScottBon ScottRonald Belford "Bon" Scott was a Scottish-born Australian rock musician, best known for being the lead singer and lyricist of Australian hard rock band AC/DC from 1974 until his death in 1980...
– lead vocals - Malcolm YoungMalcolm YoungMalcolm Young is a Scottish-born Australian guitarist, best known as a founding member, rhythm guitarist, backing vocalist and songwriter for the Australian hard rock band AC/DC. Young was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2003, along with the other members of AC/DC...
– guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, backing vocals - George Young – bass guitar, rhythm guitarRhythm guitarRhythm guitar is a technique and rôle that performs a combination of two functions: to provide all or part of the rhythmic pulse in conjunction with singers or other instruments; and to provide all or part of the harmony, ie. the chords, where a chord is a group of notes played together...
, drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
, backing vocals, productionRecord producerA record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music... - Rob BaileyRob Bailey (musician)Rob Bailey is a former bassist with the rock band AC/DC. He joined the band in April 1974, joining Malcolm Young , Angus Young , Dave Evans and Peter Clack ....
– bass guitar - Tony Currenti – drums
- Peter ClackPeter ClackPeter Clack is a former drummer with the rock band AC/DC. He joined the band in April 1974, joining Malcolm Young , Angus Young , Dave Evans and Rob Bailey ....
– drums - John Proud – drums
- Harry VandaHarry VandaHarry Vanda , is a Dutch-born Australian popular music singer, guitarist, songwriter and record producer.-Career:...
– production
External links
- Lyrics on AC/DC's official website