For Those About to Rock (We Salute You) is the eighth album by Australian h… Read Full Bio ↴For Those About to Rock (We Salute You) is the eighth album by Australian hard rock band AC/DC, released in 1981. The album was a follow-up to their highly successful album Back in Black. For Those About to Rock has sold over 4 million copies in the US. It was AC/DC's first, and to date only, No. 1 album in the USA, the first hard rock album ever in history to debut at #1 in the Billboard top 200. In their review, Rolling Stone magazine declared it to be their best album.
The album was the third and final produced for the band by Robert John "Mutt" Lange.
The name of the album was inspired by a book Angus Young read, entitled For Those About To Die, We Salute You, about Roman gladiators. The gladiators' final words to the emperor were "Ave Caesar morituri te salutant" - or, "Hail Caesar, we who are about to die, salute you." The album was re-released in 2003 as part of the AC/DC Remasters series.
Track listing
"For Those About to Rock (We Salute You)" – 5:44
"Put the Finger on You" – 3:25
"Let's Get It Up" – 3:54
"Inject the Venom" – 3:30
"Snowballed" – 3:23
"Evil Walks" – 4:23
"C.O.D." – 3:19
"Breaking the Rules" – 4:23
"Night of the Long Knives" – 3:25
"Spellbound" – 4:39
All songs composed by Angus Young, Malcolm Young and Brian Johnson.
Recorded in a rehearsal space on the outskirts of Paris. The band had found it difficult to come up with their desired sound while on their previous rehearsing location (an abandoned factory in France).
The album became AC/DC's first (and only) US No. 1 album. After its release the band embarked on its first arena tour of North America (late 1981 through early 1982). For the title track, large cannons were placed on stage, set to go off in accordance with the song on the album.
In Spain, early copies of the album featured a sleeve with the colours reversed, i.e., a gold cannon on a black background.
The title track's popularity was such that in every live concert AC/DC has done thereafter, the song is performed as an encore and is always accompanied by firing cannons on stage.
It was re-released in 2003 in CD format. That edition consisted of digitally remastered material from the original masters.
References in popular culture
In the video game Guitar Hero II, the Gibson SG's description has a line which reads: "For those about to rock, we... give you the Gibson SG".
On Nintendo's website, the ad for the Wii version of Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock states "For those about to rock, Wii salute you".
In the movie School of Rock, Jack Black says to the class: "In the words of AC/DC: We roll tonight... to the guitar bite... and for those about to rock... I salute you"
The album was referenced by Beastie Boys on their 1989 single "Shadrach."
Video
Main article: For Those About to Rock (film)
For Those About to Rock was also the name of a movie including live performances by AC/DC, as well as Metallica, The Black Crowes, and Pantera.
Personnel
Brian Johnson - lead vocals
Angus Young - lead guitar
Malcolm Young - rhythm guitar, backing vocals
Cliff Williams - bass, backing vocals
Phil Rudd - drums, percussion
Charts
Album - Billboard (North America)
Year Chart Position
1981 Pop Albums 1
Singles - UK(United Kingdom)
Year Single Chart Position
1981 "For Those About To Rock We Salute You" UK Pop Singles 15
1981 "Lets Get It Up" UK Pop Singles 13
The album was the third and final produced for the band by Robert John "Mutt" Lange.
The name of the album was inspired by a book Angus Young read, entitled For Those About To Die, We Salute You, about Roman gladiators. The gladiators' final words to the emperor were "Ave Caesar morituri te salutant" - or, "Hail Caesar, we who are about to die, salute you." The album was re-released in 2003 as part of the AC/DC Remasters series.
Track listing
"For Those About to Rock (We Salute You)" – 5:44
"Put the Finger on You" – 3:25
"Let's Get It Up" – 3:54
"Inject the Venom" – 3:30
"Snowballed" – 3:23
"Evil Walks" – 4:23
"C.O.D." – 3:19
"Breaking the Rules" – 4:23
"Night of the Long Knives" – 3:25
"Spellbound" – 4:39
All songs composed by Angus Young, Malcolm Young and Brian Johnson.
Recorded in a rehearsal space on the outskirts of Paris. The band had found it difficult to come up with their desired sound while on their previous rehearsing location (an abandoned factory in France).
The album became AC/DC's first (and only) US No. 1 album. After its release the band embarked on its first arena tour of North America (late 1981 through early 1982). For the title track, large cannons were placed on stage, set to go off in accordance with the song on the album.
In Spain, early copies of the album featured a sleeve with the colours reversed, i.e., a gold cannon on a black background.
The title track's popularity was such that in every live concert AC/DC has done thereafter, the song is performed as an encore and is always accompanied by firing cannons on stage.
It was re-released in 2003 in CD format. That edition consisted of digitally remastered material from the original masters.
References in popular culture
In the video game Guitar Hero II, the Gibson SG's description has a line which reads: "For those about to rock, we... give you the Gibson SG".
On Nintendo's website, the ad for the Wii version of Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock states "For those about to rock, Wii salute you".
In the movie School of Rock, Jack Black says to the class: "In the words of AC/DC: We roll tonight... to the guitar bite... and for those about to rock... I salute you"
The album was referenced by Beastie Boys on their 1989 single "Shadrach."
Video
Main article: For Those About to Rock (film)
For Those About to Rock was also the name of a movie including live performances by AC/DC, as well as Metallica, The Black Crowes, and Pantera.
Personnel
Brian Johnson - lead vocals
Angus Young - lead guitar
Malcolm Young - rhythm guitar, backing vocals
Cliff Williams - bass, backing vocals
Phil Rudd - drums, percussion
Charts
Album - Billboard (North America)
Year Chart Position
1981 Pop Albums 1
Singles - UK(United Kingdom)
Year Single Chart Position
1981 "For Those About To Rock We Salute You" UK Pop Singles 15
1981 "Lets Get It Up" UK Pop Singles 13
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For Those About to Rock We Salute You
AC/DC Lyrics
Breaking the Rules Black sheep and a renegade Hot feet in the cool of…
C.O.D. Call of a dog, cry of a bitch The cream of…
Evil Walks Black shadow hangin' over your shoulder Black mark up agains…
Inject the Venom No mercy for the bad if they want it No mercy…
Let's Get It Up Loose lips sink ships So come aboard for a pleasure…
Night Of The Long Knifes Who your leader? Who your man? Who will help you…
Put the Finger on You Ooh, yeah I put the finger on you, yeah My hands all…
Snowballed Crashed out of the market, out on the floor Washed up…
Spellbound Blinded by a bright beam Shattered by the windscreen Stunned…