Highway to Hell (song)
Encyclopedia
"Highway to Hell" is the opening track of AC/DC
's 1979 album Highway to Hell
and the twelfth track on AC/DC Live
. It was initially released as a single
in 1979.
The song was written by Bon Scott
, Angus Young
and Malcolm Young
while the main guitar riff was created by Angus Young. AC/DC had made several studio albums before and were constantly promoting them via a grueling tour schedule. In 2009
, "Highway to Hell", won the 'Most Played Australian Work Overseas' category at the Australasian Performing Right Association
(APRA) Awards
.
". He stated in the magazine Guitar World
that when you are out on the road on a bus sleeping with a guy's smelly sock in your face, it's like you're on the highway to hell. However, rumours circulated that the band members were Satanists
and the cover of the album named after the song, depicting Angus with devil
horns and tail, added fuel to the fire. The band has denied having anything to do with Satanism, with Malcolm Young commenting: "my mum would kill me for that!"
The single spent 45 weeks on the German Singles Chart, even though it peaked at only No. 30, in its 19th week on that chart.
Scott was found dead, in the back of a friend's car, just over six months after the song was released.
The album named after it became the first million-selling album for AC/DC, reaching No. 17 on the charts. The success of the song and album cemented the career of AC/DC, which — with new lead singer Brian Johnson
— recorded a tribute to Bon Scott, the album Back In Black
, a year later.
Johnson has speculated at least twice about the origins of the lyrics. In October 2009, Johnson told British newspaper Metro
: "it was written about being on the bus on Mt. Hood Highway in Oregon, USA. When the Sun's setting in the west and you're driving across it, it is like a fire ball. There is nothing to do, except have a quick one off the wrist or a game of cards, so that's where Bon came up with the lyrics." In a 2010 interview in The Sydney Morning Herald
on the day of AC/DC's first Black Ice concert in Sydney
, Johnson stated that the lyrics were about the 2,000 miles drive from cities like Sydney
and Melbourne
to Scott's home town of Perth
.
According to legend from Bon Scott
however, the meaning is similar, yet slightly different from these other theories. Scott used to frequent a bar called the Raffles Hotel
in Perth, a very 'Rock n Roll' pub. He frequently would race down the Canning Highway
, a road with many twists and turns that was notorious for numerous road deaths. Scott saw himself as 'living easy, living free' when he was at Raffles.
/ Epic Records
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"...
's 1979 album Highway to Hell
Highway to Hell (album)
Highway to Hell is the sixth studio album by Australian hard rock band AC/DC, released in July 1979. It is also AC/DC's fifth international studio album...
and the twelfth track on AC/DC Live
AC/DC Live
AC/DC Live is a 1992 live album by Australian hard rock band, AC/DC. It was released both as a single album and as a double album...
. It was initially released as a single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
in 1979.
The song was written by 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...
, 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,...
and 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...
while the main guitar riff was created by Angus Young. AC/DC had made several studio albums before and were constantly promoting them via a grueling tour schedule. In 2009
APRA Awards of 2009
The Australasian Performing Right Association Awards of 2009 are a series of awards which include the APRA Music Awards, Classical Music Awards, and Screen Music Awards. The APRA Music Awards ceremony occurred on 23 June at the Peninsula in Melbourne, they were presented by APRA and the...
, "Highway to Hell", won the 'Most Played Australian Work Overseas' category at the Australasian Performing Right Association
Australasian Performing Right Association
The Australasian Performing Right Association is a copyright collective representing New Zealand and Australian composers, lyricists and music publishers. The association's head offices located in Sydney Australia, and it has branch offices in Auckland, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth...
(APRA) Awards
APRA Awards
The APRA Music Awards are several award ceremonies run in Australia and New Zealand by Australasian Performing Right Association to recognise songwriting skills, sales and airplay performance by its members annually....
.
Background
The song and album's title supposedly came after a reporter asked band members if they could describe what life was like being constantly on tour. Angus replied that it was "a fucking highway to hellHell
In many religious traditions, a hell is a place of suffering and punishment in the afterlife. Religions with a linear divine history often depict hells as endless. Religions with a cyclic history often depict a hell as an intermediary period between incarnations...
". He stated in the magazine Guitar World
Guitar World
Guitar World is a monthly music magazine devoted to guitarists. It contains original interviews, album and gear reviews and guitar and bass tablature of approximately five songs each month. The magazine is published 13 times per year...
that when you are out on the road on a bus sleeping with a guy's smelly sock in your face, it's like you're on the highway to hell. However, rumours circulated that the band members were Satanists
Satanism
Satanism is a group of religions that is composed of a diverse number of ideological and philosophical beliefs and social phenomena. Their shared feature include symbolic association with, admiration for the character of, and even veneration of Satan or similar rebellious, promethean, and...
and the cover of the album named after the song, depicting Angus with devil
Devil
The Devil is believed in many religions and cultures to be a powerful, supernatural entity that is the personification of evil and the enemy of God and humankind. The nature of the role varies greatly...
horns and tail, added fuel to the fire. The band has denied having anything to do with Satanism, with Malcolm Young commenting: "my mum would kill me for that!"
The single spent 45 weeks on the German Singles Chart, even though it peaked at only No. 30, in its 19th week on that chart.
Scott was found dead, in the back of a friend's car, just over six months after the song was released.
The album named after it became the first million-selling album for AC/DC, reaching No. 17 on the charts. The success of the song and album cemented the career of AC/DC, which — with new lead singer Brian Johnson
Brian Johnson
Brian Johnson is an English singer and lyricist who has been the lead singer for the rock band AC/DC since 1980. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2003 along with the other members of the band....
— recorded a tribute to Bon Scott, the album Back In Black
Back in Black
Back in Black is an album by Australian rock band AC/DC. It is the seventh Australian and sixth internationally released studio album by the band....
, a year later.
Johnson has speculated at least twice about the origins of the lyrics. In October 2009, Johnson told British newspaper Metro
Metro (Associated Metro Limited)
Metro is a free daily newspaper in the United Kingdom published by Associated Newspapers Ltd . It is available from Monday to Friday each week on many public transport services across the United Kingdom.-History:The paper was launched in London in 1999, and can now be found in 14 UK urban centres...
: "it was written about being on the bus on Mt. Hood Highway in Oregon, USA. When the Sun's setting in the west and you're driving across it, it is like a fire ball. There is nothing to do, except have a quick one off the wrist or a game of cards, so that's where Bon came up with the lyrics." In a 2010 interview in The Sydney Morning Herald
The Sydney Morning Herald
The Sydney Morning Herald is a daily broadsheet newspaper published by Fairfax Media in Sydney, Australia. Founded in 1831 as the Sydney Herald, the SMH is the oldest continuously published newspaper in Australia. The newspaper is published six days a week. The newspaper's Sunday counterpart, The...
on the day of AC/DC's first Black Ice concert in Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
, Johnson stated that the lyrics were about the 2,000 miles drive from cities like Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
and Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
to Scott's home town of Perth
Perth, Western Australia
Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia and the fourth most populous city in Australia. The Perth metropolitan area has an estimated population of almost 1,700,000....
.
According to legend from 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...
however, the meaning is similar, yet slightly different from these other theories. Scott used to frequent a bar called the Raffles Hotel
Raffles Hotel, Perth
Raffles Hotel is located at the corner of Canning Highway and Canning Beach Road in the Perth suburb of Applecross, Western Australia. It is a two-storey hotel designed in the Inter-War Functionalist style and is one of the few examples of a hotel in this style surviving in the Perth metropolitan...
in Perth, a very 'Rock n Roll' pub. He frequently would race down the Canning Highway
Canning Highway
Canning Highway is a mostly 4 lane single carriageway major arterial road in Perth, Western Australia. The speed limit is 60 km/h. It is located south of the Swan River and links Perth with Fremantle, running between The Causeway in Victoria Park and Queen Victoria Street in...
, a road with many twists and turns that was notorious for numerous road deaths. Scott saw himself as 'living easy, living free' when he was at Raffles.
Live recordings
"Highway to Hell" has been included on two official live albums:- LiveLive (AC/DC album)AC/DC Live is a 1992 live album by Australian hard rock band, AC/DC. It was released both as a single album and as a double album...
: This was also released as a single. A video for the single was also released, containing a montage of footage from the Live at DoningtonLive at Donington (AC/DC)Live at Donington is the DVD recording of the AC/DC show at Donington Park on 17 August 1991, and it was the band's third "Monsters of Rock" festival. The two hour show was performed before 72,500 spectators and included real cannons, the Hells Bell, an inflatable Rosie and an inflatable Angus...
home video. - Let There Be Rock: The MovieLet There Be Rock: The MovieLet There Be Rock: The Movie – Live in Paris is a live double CD by the hard rock band AC/DC, released as "Disc Two" and "Disc Three" of the Bonfire box set in 1997....
List of accolades
- Ranked No. 254 on Rolling StoneRolling StoneRolling Stone is a US-based magazine devoted to music, liberal politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J...
magazine's list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. - Ranked No. 152 on the 500 Greatest Classic RockClassic rockClassic rock is a radio format which developed from the album-oriented rock format in the early 1980s. In the United States, the classic rock format features music ranging generally from the late 1960s to the late 1980s, primarily focusing on the hard rock genre that peaked in popularity in the...
Songs compiled by 94.5 XKRWXKRWXKR is a radio station in Port Clinton, Ohio, broadcasting on 94.5 MHz with a classic rock format. The station is known as 94.5 XKR, Toledo's Classic Rock Station.-WRWR:...
. - Ranked No. 23 on The Top 500 Heavy Metal Songs of All TimeThe Top 500 Heavy Metal Songs Of All TimeThe Top 500 Heavy Metal Songs of All Time is a book by Martin Popoff who is the editor in chief and writer of the Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles magazine as well as the senior editor of bravewords.com...
, a book by Martin Popoff. - The master ringtone was certified Gold by the RIAA in June 2007 for sales in excess of 500,000.
Chart performance
| Chart | Peak position |
|---|---|
| German Singles Chart | 30 |
| US Billboard Hot 100 | 47 |
UK
Released 1992 by ATCOAtco Records
ATCO Records is an American record label owned by Warner Music Group, currently operating through WMG's Rhino Entertainment.-Beginnings:Atco Records was founded in 1955 as a division of Atlantic Records. It was devised as an outlet for productions by one of Atlantic's founders, Herb Abramson, who...
- "Bonny"/"Highway to Hell (Live)"
- "Hells Bells (Live)"
- "The Jack (Live)"
Germany and France
Released 1992 by ATCOAtco Records
ATCO Records is an American record label owned by Warner Music Group, currently operating through WMG's Rhino Entertainment.-Beginnings:Atco Records was founded in 1955 as a division of Atlantic Records. It was devised as an outlet for productions by one of Atlantic's founders, Herb Abramson, who...
- "Highway to Hell (Live)"
- "Hell Ain't a Bad Place to Be (Live)"
- "High Voltage (Live)"
Australia
Released 1992 by Albert ProductionsAlbert 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...
/ Epic Records
Epic Records
Epic Records is an American record label, owned by Sony Music Entertainment. Though it was originally conceived as a jazz imprint, it has since expanded to represent various genres. L.A...
- "Bonny"/"Highway to Hell (Live)"
- "High Voltage (Live)"
- "Hell Ain't a Bad Place to Be (Live)"
US and Canada
Released 1992 by ATCOAtco Records
ATCO Records is an American record label owned by Warner Music Group, currently operating through WMG's Rhino Entertainment.-Beginnings:Atco Records was founded in 1955 as a division of Atlantic Records. It was devised as an outlet for productions by one of Atlantic's founders, Herb Abramson, who...
- "Highway to Hell (Live)"
- "Hell Ain't a Bad Place to Be (Live)"
- "The Jack (Live)"
- "High Voltage (Live)"
- "Back in Black (Live)"
Personnel
- 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 - 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 Guitar - 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...
— Rhythm Guitar, Backing Vocals - Cliff WilliamsCliff WilliamsClifford Williams is an English bassist and backing vocalist, who has been a member of the Australian hard rock band AC/DC since mid-1977. He had started his professional music career in 1967 and was previously in the British groups Home and Bandit. His first studio album with AC/DC was Powerage...
— Bass Guitar, Backing Vocals - Phil RuddPhil RuddPhillip 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...
— Drums
Use in popular culture
- The song is featured in the 2011 Family GuyFamily GuyFamily Guy is an American animated television series created by Seth MacFarlane for the Fox Broadcasting Company. The series centers on the Griffins, a dysfunctional family consisting of parents Peter and Lois; their children Meg, Chris, and Stewie; and their anthropomorphic pet dog Brian...
season 10 episode 7 Amish GuyAmish Guy"Amish Guy" is the seventh episode of the tenth season of the animated comedy series Family Guy. The episode originally aired on Fox in the United States on November 27, 2011. The episode follows the Griffin family after their car breaks down in Amish country on their way back from a vacation...
. - The song is featured in the 2010 20th Century Fox20th Century FoxTwentieth Century Fox Film Corporation — also known as 20th Century Fox, or simply 20th or Fox — is one of the six major American film studios...
film Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief. - The song is featured in the 2010 Paramount PicturesParamount PicturesParamount Pictures Corporation is an American film production and distribution company, located at 5555 Melrose Avenue in Hollywood. Founded in 1912 and currently owned by media conglomerate Viacom, it is America's oldest existing film studio; it is also the last major film studio still...
film Iron Man 2Iron Man 2Iron Man 2 is a 2010 American superhero film featuring the Marvel Comics character Iron Man, produced by Marvel Studios and distributed by Paramount Pictures. It is the sequel to 2008's Iron Man, the second film in a planned trilogy and is a part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Directed by Jon...
. - The song is featured in the 2010 Paramount PicturesParamount PicturesParamount Pictures Corporation is an American film production and distribution company, located at 5555 Melrose Avenue in Hollywood. Founded in 1912 and currently owned by media conglomerate Viacom, it is America's oldest existing film studio; it is also the last major film studio still...
film Megamind, along with its trailers. - The song is featured in the 2008 Top Gear season 12Top Gear (series 12)The 12th series of Top Gear contained eight episodes, and premiered on 2 November 2008, with the usual presenting team of Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, James May and The Stig. Clarkson was injured while filming the series, after crashing a lorry through a brick wall at 56 mph in the first...
episode 1. - The song is featured in the 2005–present TV show SupernaturalSupernaturalThe supernatural or is that which is not subject to the laws of nature, or more figuratively, that which is said to exist above and beyond nature...
. - The song is featured in the 2003 New Line CinemaNew Line CinemaNew Line Cinema, often simply referred to as New Line, is an American film studio. It was founded in 1967 by Robert Shaye and Michael Lynne as a film distributor, later becoming an independent film studio. It became a subsidiary of Time Warner in 1996 and was merged with larger sister studio Warner...
film Final Destination 2Final Destination 2Final Destination 2 is a 2003 supernatural horror film and the sequel to the 2000 film Final Destination and was directed by David R. Ellis. It was written by Jeffrey Reddick, Eric Bress and J. Mackye Gruber. The film stars Ali Larter, A. J. Cook, Michael Landes and Tony Todd...
. - The song is featured in the 2000 New Line CinemaNew Line CinemaNew Line Cinema, often simply referred to as New Line, is an American film studio. It was founded in 1967 by Robert Shaye and Michael Lynne as a film distributor, later becoming an independent film studio. It became a subsidiary of Time Warner in 1996 and was merged with larger sister studio Warner...
film Little NickyLittle NickyLittle Nicky is a 2000 American comedy film directed by Steven Brill. It stars Adam Sandler as Nicky, one of Satan's three sons.-Plot:The story revolves around a struggle to determine which of Satan's three sons will succeed their father as ruler of Hell...
. - The song is featured in the 1999 The SimpsonsThe SimpsonsThe Simpsons is an American animated sitcom created by Matt Groening for the Fox Broadcasting Company. The series is a satirical parody of a middle class American lifestyle epitomized by its family of the same name, which consists of Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie...
season 10 episode 18 Simpsons Bible StoriesSimpsons Bible Stories"Simpsons Bible Stories" is the eighteenth episode of The Simpsons tenth season. It first aired on the Fox network in the United States on Easter, 1999. It is the first of The Simpsons now annual trilogy episodes, and consists of four self-contained segments. In the episode the Simpsons all fall...
. - The song is featured in the 1998 WWE pay per view SummerSlamSummerSlam (1998)SummerSlam was the eleventh annual SummerSlam professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by the World Wrestling Federation . It took place on August 30, 1998 at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York....
.
See also
- Stairway to Heaven/Highway to HellStairway to Heaven/Highway to HellStairway to Heaven/Highway to Hell was a 1989 compilation album featuring bands that performed at the Moscow Music Peace Festival. It was released by the Make a Difference Foundation. Each song is a cover of a famous solo artist or rock band who had suffered a drug- or alcohol-related death. The...
- Quiet RiotQuiet RiotQuiet Riot is an American Heavy Metal band. They are best known for their hit singles "Metal Health" and "Cum On Feel the Noize". They were founded in 1973 by guitarist Randy Rhoads and bassist Kelly Garni, under the original name Mach 1, before changing the name to Little Women and finally Quiet...
covered the song on their 1999 studio release, Alive & WellAlive and Well (Quiet Riot album)Alive and Well is a the ninth studio album by heavy metal band Quiet Riot. It was a reunion of the classic 80's Quiet Riot lineup of Kevin DuBrow, Rudy Sarzo, Carlos Cavazo, and Frankie Banali...
.