Top 10 AC/DC Songs of All Time, Ranked
- Joao Nsita
- Sep 27, 2025
- 13 min read
For fifty years, the formula has been deceptively simple: a primal beat you can feel in your bones, a snarling blues-drenched guitar riff that hooks you in seconds, and a vocalist wailing with the rebellious spirit of rock and roll itself. Yet, in that simplicity, AC/DC forged a sound so powerful, so elemental, and so enduring that they have become a global institution, a multi-generational cornerstone of popular culture. They are the ultimate party-starters, the undisputed kings of the stadium anthem, a band whose thundering power chords are as instantly recognizable as any sound on Earth.
As we look at the cultural landscape of late 2025, the lightning bolt of AC/DC strikes with more potency than ever. On platforms like TikTok and Pinterest, their music is not a relic of the past; it's a vital, living force. The raw, unapologetic energy of their greatest hits has become the soundtrack for a new generation's workout videos, "get ready with me" clips, and celebrations of the "classic rock aesthetic." The fashion and attitude they championed—the denim, the leather, the defiant, working-class swagger—is being embraced by Gen Z as a symbol of authentic, unfiltered rebellion. To listen to AC/DC is to tap into a timeless wellspring of pure, unadulterated energy.
Ranking the ten greatest songs from a catalogue as legendary and consistent as theirs is a near-impossible task, a debate that has raged in pubs and rock clubs for decades. This list is our definitive take, a journey through their monumental legacy, from the raw, bluesy swagger of the Bon Scott era to the stadium-shaking triumphs with Brian Johnson. These are the ten tracks that have defined their sound, dominated the airwaves, and cemented their status as the most electrifying rock and roll band of all time.
We hope you find this article a rockin' and helpful guide to the best of AC/DC! If you enjoy our content, please consider supporting our work with a small donation or by sharing our articles with your friends and family. Your support helps us continue to create insightful and entertaining content.
10. "For Those About to Rock (We Salute You)" (1981)
The Vibe: A thunderous, cannon-blasting, epic concert closer.
In-Depth Analysis: There is no song in the history of rock and roll that announces itself with more authority than "For Those About to Rock (We Salute You)." The title track from their follow-up to the colossal Back in Black, this song was not just a statement; it was a coronation. It was AC/DC, now the biggest band in the world, paying tribute to their legions of fans. The song is a masterclass in slow-burn tension, starting with a deliberate, menacing guitar riff from Angus Young that builds and builds over a steady, marching beat. Brian Johnson’s vocals are a gravelly, commanding sermon, preparing the audience for the impending sonic assault.
The song’s genius is in its explosive, cathartic climax. The chorus is a massive, roaring declaration, but it’s the now-legendary use of real, firing cannons that elevates the song into the realm of myth. Inspired by the 21-gun salutes that Angus and Malcolm Young saw at a royal wedding, the cannons became the ultimate piece of rock and roll theater, the definitive, deafening finale to every AC/DC concert for the next forty years. It’s a song of pure, unapologetic spectacle, a tribute to the power and the glory of a live rock show. It is a song with a truly cinematic scope, a quality it shares with the greatest MCU masterpieces.
External Link: The official live video of "For Those About to Rock" from Donington in 1991 is a perfect showcase of the song's epic, cannon-filled power.
9. "It's a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock 'n' Roll)" (1975)
The Vibe: The ultimate anthem for the struggling, working-class band.
In-Depth Analysis: This is the song that defined the early ethos of AC/DC. Released on their debut international album, High Voltage, it is a raw, honest, and brilliantly unique mission statement. The song is a warts-and-all chronicle of the unglamorous reality of being a touring rock band: the beat-up vans, the shady promoters, and the endless, grueling journey to the top. Bon Scott’s witty, autobiographical lyrics are delivered with a charismatic, winking charm that is utterly irresistible.
What makes this song a true, one-of-a-kind classic is its audacious and brilliant use of bagpipes. Played by Bon Scott himself (a nod to the Young brothers' Scottish heritage), the bagpipe solo is a moment of pure, unexpected genius. It’s a sound that is both completely ridiculous and absolutely perfect, a skirling, chaotic declaration of the band's unique identity. The song is a testament to the band’s working-class roots and their fierce determination. It’s a joyous, defiant, and timeless anthem for anyone who has ever chased a dream against all odds. The song's raw, underdog energy is as compelling as that of the best Eddie Murphy movies from his early career.
8. "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap" (1976)
The Vibe: A sinister, cartoonishly evil, and hilariously menacing rock and roll classic.
In-Depth Analysis: The title track from their 1976 album is AC/DC at their most playful and menacing. The song is a tongue-in-cheek advertisement for a contract killer, with Bon Scott playing the role of a sinister hitman who is available for any and all nefarious tasks, from simple blackmail to more permanent solutions. The central guitar riff is one of the band’s most iconic—a dark, chugging, and instantly recognizable piece of rock and roll perfection.
Bon Scott’s vocal performance is a masterclass in character work. He delivers the lyrics with a low, conspiratorial growl, a perfect blend of genuine menace and pure, comedic absurdity. The call-and-response backing vocals in the chorus, chanting the title like a demonic jingle, are a stroke of genius. It’s a song that is both genuinely tough and incredibly funny, a perfect example of the band's ability to walk the fine line between hard rock and pure entertainment. Its dark, almost theatrical, humor is a quality shared by some of our favorite spooky season shows.
External Link: The fan-run AC/DC Wiki is a fantastic resource for diving into the history and lyrics of every AC/DC song.
7. "T.N.T." (1975)
The Vibe: The ultimate three-chord, fist-pumping, bar-room brawl of a song.
In-Depth Analysis: If you had to distill the raw, explosive energy of early AC/DC into a single song, "T.N.T." would be it. This is a song of primal, elemental power. It is built on one of the simplest and most effective guitar riffs in rock history, a three-chord monster that is pure, distilled swagger. The song is a declaration of defiant, working-class identity, with Bon Scott proudly proclaiming himself a public nuisance who is "dirty, mean, and mighty unclean."
The genius of "T.N.T." is in its glorious, almost stupid, simplicity. There is not a single wasted note or word. The call-and-response chant of "Oi! Oi! Oi!" is a stroke of pure, populist genius, a moment designed for a massive, beer-soaked crowd to scream along to. It’s a song that is less about listening and more about feeling. It is a physical, visceral experience, a jolt of pure, rock and roll adrenaline that is impossible to resist. It’s a timeless anthem of rebellion that has become a staple at sporting events and parties around the world for a reason: it is pure, explosive fun. It is a song that is as iconic to its genre as the greatest HBO dramas are to television.
6. "Hells Bells" (1980)
The Vibe: A dark, ominous, and triumphant eulogy that marks the beginning of a new era.
In-Depth Analysis: The opening track of Back in Black, "Hells Bells" is one of the most powerful and poignant songs in rock history. Following the tragic death of Bon Scott, the band was faced with an impossible choice. They chose to carry on, and this was the world’s introduction to their new singer, Brian Johnson. The song begins with the slow, mournful tolling of a massive, one-ton bronze bell, a sound that is both a funeral dirge for their fallen friend and a thunderous announcement of their return. The guitar riff that follows is one of the band’s most menacing and iconic, a slow, predatory crawl that builds an incredible sense of dread and anticipation.
Brian Johnson’s vocal performance is a triumph. He doesn’t try to imitate Bon; he brings his own unique, gravel-throated power to the microphone, his shriek-like wail a perfect match for the song's dark, ominous tone. The lyrics are a dark, gothic tale of a soul being dragged to hell, but in the context of the band's real-life tragedy, the song becomes a powerful statement of resilience. It is the sound of a band staring into the abyss and emerging stronger on the other side. It is a dark, powerful, and utterly unforgettable masterpiece. The song's ability to convey such deep emotion is a testament to its artistry, a quality shared by the best TV comedies of the 2010s.
5. "You Shook Me All Night Long" (1980)
The Vibe: The perfect, joyful, and impossibly catchy rock and roll party anthem.
In-Depth Analysis: If "Hells Bells" was the dark, mournful rebirth of AC/DC, then "You Shook Me All Night Long" was the joyous, life-affirming celebration. This is, without a doubt, one of the most perfect and beloved rock songs ever written. It is a pure, unadulterated shot of joy, a celebration of a one-night stand that is as fun and as catchy as it gets. The opening guitar riff is an instant classic, and the chorus is a masterclass in pop-rock songwriting, a massive, singalong hook that is impossible to get out of your head.
This was one of the first songs that Brian Johnson wrote with the band, and his lyrics are a brilliant mix of clever innuendo ("She had the sightless eyes, telling me no lies") and pure, joyful enthusiasm. It’s a song that is sexy without being sleazy, a fun and celebratory ode to a good time. It has become a staple at weddings, parties, and bars around the world for a reason. It is a timeless, universal, and utterly perfect rock and roll song that will still be getting people on the dance floor a hundred years from now. Its feel-good energy is as infectious as that of the best holiday rom-coms.
External Link: The official music video for "You Shook Me All Night Long" on YouTube is a classic 80s piece of rock and roll fun.
4. "Let There Be Rock" (1977)
The Vibe: The furious, high-speed, and biblically epic sermon on the birth of rock and roll.
In-Depth Analysis: The title track from their 1977 album is a six-minute, full-throttle explosion of pure, religious devotion to the power of rock and roll. The song is a hilarious and brilliant retelling of the book of Genesis, with rock and roll as the new religion. Bon Scott, in the role of the street-preacher, chronicles the birth of rock, from the first electric guitar to the first drum beat, with a frantic, evangelical fervor. The song is played at a breakneck tempo, a relentless, driving boogie that feels like it’s constantly on the verge of flying off the rails.
The star of the show, however, is Angus Young’s absolutely blistering guitar solo. The final three minutes of the song are a showcase of pure, unadulterated, six-string fury, a chaotic and brilliant display of a guitarist at the absolute peak of his powers. In the iconic live concert film of the same name, Angus famously plays himself into a state of complete, convulsive exhaustion during this song. "Let There Be Rock" is more than just a song; it is the band's sacred text, a furious, joyful, and life-affirming testament to the music that saved their souls. The song’s epic, almost mythic, quality is a feature of many great stories, like the ones on this list of winter fantasy shows.
External Link: The music publication Classic Rock offers fantastic retrospective articles on the making of legendary albums like Let There Be Rock.
3. "Highway to Hell" (1979)
The Vibe: The ultimate, defiant, and gloriously simple rock and roll anthem of freedom.
In-Depth Analysis: The title track from Bon Scott’s final album is his definitive statement, a perfect, three-and-a-half-minute encapsulation of his rebellious, live-fast-die-young ethos. The opening guitar riff is one of the most iconic in all of music history—a simple, powerful, and instantly recognizable call to arms. The song is a joyous, two-fingered salute to the establishment, a celebration of life on the road and the freedom of the open highway.
Bon Scott’s lyrics are brilliant, a winking, tongue-in-cheek ode to a life of sin that is delivered with a charismatic, joyful swagger. The chorus is a massive, fist-pumping, stadium-sized declaration of independence. The song is a masterpiece of simplicity; there is not a single wasted note or moment. It is the sound of a band at the absolute peak of their creative powers, a perfect fusion of hard rock power and pop-song craftsmanship. It is a timeless, universal, and utterly perfect rock and roll anthem that has become a permanent fixture in global pop culture. It is a song that is as iconic to its genre as the best Gilmore Girls characters are to theirs.
External Link: The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame's page on AC/DC is a great resource for understanding the band's incredible impact and legacy.
2. "Thunderstruck" (1990)
The Vibe: A high-voltage, impossibly energetic, and technically dazzling stadium rock masterpiece.
In-Depth Analysis: Opening their 1990 album The Razors Edge with one of the most iconic and difficult-to-play guitar intros of all time, "Thunderstruck" was a massive, global comeback hit that introduced AC/DC to a whole new generation. The opening riff, played by Angus Young using a complex picking and fretting technique, is a breathtaking piece of guitar wizardry that still leaves players in awe today. The song is a relentless, high-energy behemoth, a perfect fusion of a stadium-chant chorus and a driving, almost danceable, beat.
The song is a masterclass in building and releasing tension. The quiet, almost whispered "ah-ah-ah-ah" chants in the verses create a sense of anticipation that explodes in the massive, thunderous chorus. Brian Johnson’s vocals are at their powerful, shrieking best. The song is a pure, unadulterated shot of adrenaline, a track that has become a permanent fixture at sporting events around the world for its ability to instantly energize a crowd. It is a technical, powerful, and utterly electrifying piece of music that proved that, even in the 90s, AC/DC were still the undisputed kings of stadium rock.
1. "Back in Black" (1980)
The Vibe: The ultimate, timeless, and perfect rock and roll song. The definitive statement of resilience.
In-Depth Analysis: Taking the top spot on our list is the title track from what is arguably the greatest rock and roll album ever made. "Back in Black" is more than just a song; it is a monument. Written as a direct tribute to their fallen singer, Bon Scott, the song is the ultimate statement of defiance, resilience, and triumph in the face of tragedy. The guitar riff is, without a doubt, the greatest and most iconic riff in rock history—a cool, swaggering, and impossibly heavy piece of blues-based perfection that is the sonic definition of "cool."
Every single element of this song is perfect. The rhythm section is locked into an unshakeable, deep-in-the-pocket groove. Brian Johnson’s vocal performance is the best of his career, a raw, powerful, and celebratory roar. The lyrics are a brilliant tribute to Bon, not a mournful eulogy, but a celebration of his rock and roll spirit. It is the sound of a band not just surviving, but coming back stronger and more powerful than ever. It is a song that is impossibly heavy and impossibly catchy at the same time. It is timeless, iconic, and the single greatest achievement in a career full of them. It is, simply put, a perfect rock and roll song. It is a true masterpiece, a work of art that is as enduring as any of the greatest films of all time.
External Link: You can explore the incredible sales data and history of the album Back in Black on the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) website.
Conclusion
The legacy of AC/DC is a testament to the timeless, elemental power of rock and roll. For fifty years, they have been the undisputed masters of the guitar riff, the stadium anthem, and the simple, powerful song that can make you feel invincible. The ten tracks on this list are a journey through the heart of one of the greatest and most beloved bands in history. They are a celebration of two incredible frontmen, one legendary guitar hero, and the most powerful rhythm section in the business. In a world of fleeting trends, the music of AC/DC is a permanent and glorious monument, a thunderous and joyful noise that will continue to shake us, all night long, for generations to come.
We hope you found this article a rockin' and helpful guide! If you enjoy our content, please consider supporting our work with a small donation or by sharing our articles with your friends and family. Your support helps us continue to create joyful and informative content.
For more on finding the perfect music or movies to match your mood, check out these other articles from That Love Podcast:
FAQs
Who were the two main singers of AC/DC? The two iconic lead singers of AC/DC were Bon Scott (from 1974 until his death in 1980) and Brian Johnson (from 1980 to the present, with a brief hiatus).
What is the best-selling AC/DC album? Back in Black (1980) is their best-selling album and is one of the best-selling albums of all time by any artist, with an estimated 50 million copies sold worldwide.
Who are Angus and Malcolm Young? Angus and Malcolm Young were the two Scottish-born Australian brothers who founded AC/DC in 1973. Malcolm was the brilliant rhythm guitarist and the band's primary musical leader, while his younger brother Angus is the iconic lead guitarist, famous for his schoolboy uniform and energetic stage presence.
Why does Angus Young wear a schoolboy uniform on stage? The idea reportedly came from his sister, Margaret. When he was young, Angus would rush home from school and practice his guitar without changing out of his uniform. His sister suggested he wear it on stage, and it has since become his iconic, signature look.
What does the name AC/DC stand for? The name AC/DC stands for "Alternating Current/Direct Current," which the Young brothers reportedly saw on the back of a sewing machine. They felt it perfectly captured the raw, electric energy of their music.
Are AC/DC still touring? As of 2025, AC/DC has continued to tour periodically with a lineup that includes Angus Young, Brian Johnson, and Stevie Young (who replaced his uncle, Malcolm, after his passing). Always check their official website for the most current tour information.
What is the song "Thunderstruck" about? Angus Young has said that the song's title was inspired by a real-life incident where a plane he was on was struck by lightning. The lyrics are more abstract, capturing a feeling of high-voltage energy and excitement.
Did Bon Scott really play the bagpipes on "It's a Long Way to the Top"? Yes, he did. Bon Scott had been in a pipe band in his youth and played the bagpipes on the original recording. It has since become one of the most unique and iconic elements of their early sound.
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Totally agree! AC/DC's energy is unmatched. That primal beat gets everyone moving. Speaking of getting instruments ready to rock, a good Chromatic Bass Tuner is essential for laying down those killer bass lines properly!