The song was written by Bon Scott, Angus Young and Malcolm Young while the main guitar riff was created by Malcolm Young. The track has become one of the most famous songs in rock history. AC/DC had made several studio albums before and was constantly supporting them by going on a grueling tour schedule.
The song and album's title supposedly came after a reporter asked bandmembers if they could describe what life was like being constantly on tour. Angus replied that it was "a fucking highway to Hell"[citation needed], and the name stuck. 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. Rumours persisted that the band members were satanists, and this comment, and the album cover depicting Angus with devil horns and tail only added fuel to the fire. (The band has denied having anything to do with Satanism, Malcolm having even commented that "me mum would kill me for that!") Nevertheless, this and other songs brought AC/DC its first million-copy-selling album, and sent Highway to Hell to #17 on the charts. Scott would be found dead in the back of a friend's car just over six months later. The success of the Highway to Hell song and album set AC/DC on track to record its most famous album and tribute to Bon, Back In Black, one year later. The song "Highway to Hell" is part of the The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll list.[1] The single was certified Gold by the RIAA for sales in excess of 500,000.
Highway to Hell
AC/DC Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Season ticket on a one-way ride
Asking nothing, leave me be
Taking everything in my stride
Don't need reason, don't need rhyme
Ain't nothing I would rather do
Going down, party time
My friends are gonna be there too, yeah
I'm on the highway to hell
On the highway to hell
Highway to hell
I'm on the highway to hell
No stop signs, speed limit
Nobody's gonna slow me down
Like a wheel, gonna spin it
Nobody's gonna mess me around
Hey Satan, payin' my dues
Playing in a rocking band
Hey mama, look at me
I'm on my way to the promised land, woo
I'm on the highway to hell
Highway to hell
I'm on the highway to hell
Highway to hell
Don't stop me, eh, eh, ooh
I'm on the highway to hell
On the highway to hell
I'm on the highway to hell
On the highway to
Yeah (highway to hell)
I'm on the highway to hell (highway to hell)
Highway to hell (highway to hell)
Highway to hell (highway to hell)
And I'm going down
All the way
Whoa
I'm on the highway to hell
The lyrics to AC/DC's song Highway to Hell describe a sense of freedom and rebellion. The singer is living life on their own terms and is unapologetic about it. They don't need a reason or a rhyme to do what they're doing, and they don't want anyone to slow them down. They're going to party with their friends, and they're headed to the "promised land." However, there is a dark side to this freedom. The singer is on the highway to Hell, and they seem to embrace it, even addressing Satan directly and bragging about playing in a rocking band.
There are several themes at play in these lyrics. The first is the idea of individualism and the desire to live life on one's own terms. This is reflected in the line "Living easy, living free." The second theme is a sense of rebellion against authority, represented by the lack of stop signs and speed limits. Finally, there is a sense of fatalism in the lyrics, as the singer seems to embrace their destination on the "highway to Hell." In this way, the song can be seen as a commentary on the youth culture of the time, who were rebelling against social norms and authority figures.
Line by Line Meaning
Living easy, living free
Living a carefree life without any worries or obligations
Season ticket on a one-way ride
Fully committed to a path with no chance of turning back, like a one-way ticket to a destination
Asking nothing, leave me be
Preferring to be left alone and not needing anything from anyone
Taking everything in my stride
Handling any challenges or obstacles that come my way with ease and confidence
Don't need reason, don't need rhyme
Not requiring any justification or explanation for my actions or decisions
Ain't nothing I would rather do
Finding no greater joy or satisfaction than what I am currently doing
Going down, party time
Heading towards a wild and exciting time filled with celebration and enjoyment
My friends are gonna be there too, yeah
Looking forward to having the company of my friends during the party
No stop signs, speed limit
Having the freedom to move forward at full speed without any restrictions or limitations
Nobody's gonna slow me down
No one can hold me back or prevent me from moving forward towards my goals
Like a wheel, gonna spin it
Taking control of my life and moving forward with no certain direction, like a spinning wheel
Nobody's gonna mess me around
Refusing to let anyone interfere or disrupt my journey
Hey Satan, payin' my dues
Acknowledging that there may be consequences or sacrifices to pay for my actions, even to the point of selling my soul to Satan
Playing in a rocking band
Enjoying the thrill of playing music in a band and having others enjoy my performance
Hey mama, look at me
Boasting of my success and accomplishments, seeking validation from loved ones
I'm on my way to the promised land, woo
Believing that I am heading towards a paradise or utopia where everything will be perfect
Don't stop me, eh, eh, ooh
Challenging anyone who tries to halt my progress, declaring to keep moving forward despite any opposition
And I'm going down, all the way, whoa
Acknowledging that I may be heading towards a dark and dangerous path, but still determined to go through with it all the way
I'm on the highway to hell
Embracing a life of sin and rebellion, heading towards damnation and chaos
Highway to hell
Repeating the catchy phrase of the song, emphasizing the theme of the song
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Angus Young, Malcolm Young, Ronald Scott
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@saddamfromcuf9155
The fact that there’s a stairway to heaven and a highway to hell should tell you who’s expecting more traffic.
@aaliyah6464
Don't forget the "Road to hell"
@cybr69lol
After months of seeing this joke, I STILL dont get it
@aaliyah6464
@@cybr69lol it's songs 😂😂
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Stairway to heaven
High way to hell
Road to hell
@thebonesaw..4634
@@cybr69lol -- The entrance to Heaven only has a stairway (foot traffic only - and it's a climb so, slow foot traffic). Meanwhile, the entrance to Hell... is a god-damn highway.
@cybr69lol
@@thebonesaw..4634 oh, thanks for explaining it to me
@turquesameow9785
The best song to put on the school bus
@twistedmachines2775
iparrot Apple fan don't relate such a good song to something petty as school wait until you work a real job not a desk one but manual labor then this song comes somewhat close
@roseoneal3196
.....currently
@wavy758
iparrot Apple fan true