AC/DC underwent several line-up changes before releasing their first album, 1975's High Voltage. Membership subsequently stabilised around the Young brothers, singer Bon Scott, drummer Phil Rudd, and bassist Mark Evans. Evans was fired from the band in 1977 and replaced by Cliff Williams, who has appeared on every AC/DC album since 1978's Powerage. In February 1980, about seven months after the release of their breakthrough album Highway to Hell, Scott died of acute alcohol poisoning after a night of heavy drinking. AC/DC considered disbanding, but at Scott's family's request, the remaining members opted to continue the band, bringing in longtime Geordie vocalist Brian Johnson as Scott's replacement. Later that year, the band released their first album with Johnson, Back in Black, which was dedicated to Scott's memory. The album launched AC/DC to new heights of success and became one of the best selling albums of all time.
The band's eighth studio album, For Those About to Rock (We Salute You) (1981), was their first album to reach number one in the United States. Prior to the release of their next album, Flick of the Switch (1983), Rudd left the band and was replaced by Simon Wright, being in turn replaced by Chris Slade in 1989. The band experienced a commercial resurgence in the early nineties with the release of their twelfth studio album The Razors Edge (1990); it was their only album to feature Slade, who was replaced by the returning Rudd in 1994. Rudd has since recorded five more albums with the band, starting with, and including, Ballbreaker (1995). Their fifteenth studio album Black Ice was the second-highest-selling album of 2008, and their biggest chart hit since For Those About to Rock, eventually reaching No.1 worldwide.
The band's line-up remained the same for twenty years, until 2014 with Malcolm Young's retirement due to early-onset dementia (he died in 2017) and Rudd's legal troubles. Malcolm was replaced by his nephew Stevie Young, who debuted on AC/DC's 2014 album Rock or Bust, and on its accompanying tour, previous drummer Chris Slade filled in for Rudd. In 2016, Johnson was advised to stop touring due to worsening hearing loss. Guns N' Roses frontman Axl Rose stepped in as the band's vocalist for the remainder of that year's dates. Long-term bass player and background vocalist Cliff Williams retired from AC/DC at the end of the Rock or Bust tour in 2016 and the group entered a four-year hiatus. A reunion of the Rock or Bust line-up was announced in September 2020 and the band's seventeenth studio album Power Up was released two months later.
AC/DC have sold more than 200 million records worldwide, including 75 million albums in the United States, making them the ninth-highest-selling artist in the United States and the 16th-best-selling artist worldwide. Back in Black has sold an estimated 50 million units worldwide, making it the second-highest-selling album by any artist, and the highest-selling album by any band. The album has sold 25 million units in the US, where it is the fourth highest-selling album of all time. AC/DC were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on 10 March 2003. AC/DC ranked fourth on VH1's list of the "100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock" and were named the seventh "Greatest Heavy Metal Band of All Time" by MTV. In 2004, AC/DC ranked No. 72 on the Rolling Stone list of the "100 Greatest Artists of All Time". Producer Rick Rubin, who wrote an essay on the band for the Rolling Stone list, referred to AC/DC as "the greatest rock and roll band of all time". In 2010, VH1 ranked AC/DC number 23 in its list of the "100 Greatest Artists of All Time".
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AC/DC
Discography
High Voltage (1975) (Australia only)
T.N.T. (1975) (Australia only)
High Voltage (1976) (international version)
Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap (1976)
Let There Be Rock (1977)
Powerage (1978)
Highway to Hell (1979)
Back in Black (1980)
For Those About to Rock (We Salute You) (1981)
Flick of the Switch (1983)
Fly on the Wall (1985)
Blow Up Your Video (1988)
The Razors Edge (1990)
Ballbreaker (1995)
Stiff Upper Lip (2000)
Black Ice (2008)
Rock or Bust (2014)
Power Up (2020)
Borrowed Time
AC/DC Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Gonna get my pay from
I'm in light
When the action is hot
No town, no city
Gonna be free from the jumping jack
Kiss of life, getting gritty
If the mule don't kick you know the mule don't ride
That's the way to go
And I know, and I know
And I know that I'm gonna get it down the road
Cause I'm living on a borrowed time
Do it your way, I'll do it mine
Living on a borrowed time
Don't need a shove, don't need a sign
Call me names, call me crazy
Don't try to stop me when I feel this way
It's a game, (whoopsy daisy)
Here comes another girl to make my day
And I know, yes I know, well I know
That's the way to go
And I know, yes I know
I'm gonna get up when I'm up on the road
(So long, goodbye, good luck, au revoir baby)
(Look out people, never let me loose)
I don't need a sign to show me the way
The lyrics to AC/DC's "Borrowed Time" describe a rebellious and carefree state of mind. The singer of the song is excitedly anticipating getting paid and embarking on a journey. The city or town he's leaving behind is restrictive and uninspiring. He's seeking some excitement and adventure in life when he says "when the action is hot." We hear that he's determined to live his life on his own terms and is ready to enjoy every moment, even when others may call him crazy.
Line by Line Meaning
Got the word, getting ready
I have received the information and I am getting prepared
Gonna get my pay from
I am going to get my well-deserved payment from
I'm in light
I am in the spotlight; I have everyone's attention
When the action is hot
When things get intense, I am there to rise up to the occasion
No town, no city
I don't have any attachments or loyalties to any place or people
Gonna be free from the jumping jack
I am going to live my life on my own terms and won't let anyone control me
Kiss of life, getting gritty
I am taking risks and pushing myself to the limit in order to succeed
If the mule don't kick you know the mule don't ride
If you don't take action, you won't make any progress
And I know, yes I know, well I know
I am confident and certain that
That's the way to go
I am on the right path
And I know, and I know
I am confident and certain that
And I know that I'm gonna get it down the road
I am sure that I will eventually succeed
Cause I'm living on a borrowed time
I am aware that my life is temporary and I need to make the most of it
Do it your way, I'll do it mine
I will live my life my way and won't let anyone dictate my choices
Living on a borrowed time
I am aware that my life is temporary and I need to make the most of it
Don't need a shove, don't need a sign
I don't need external motivation or support to succeed
Call me names, call me crazy
People may criticize me or think I am insane
Don't try to stop me when I feel this way
I am determined and won't let anyone discourage me
It's a game, (whoopsy daisy)
Life is unpredictable and there may be obstacles
Here comes another girl to make my day
A new opportunity or challenge has presented itself
And I know, yes I know, well I know
I am confident and certain that
That's the way to go
I am on the right path
And I know, yes I know
I am confident and certain that
I'm gonna get up when I'm up on the road
I will keep pushing forward and won't give up despite any setbacks
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Angus Young, Brian Johnson, Malcolm Young
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind