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)
Meanstreak
AC/DC Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've been to the left, I've been to the right
I've found myself in Abudhabi, just a mirage in the night
Been to the high, I've been to the low
And I've been to lots of places that I didn't want to go
But I ain't see nothing to get me off my ass
And I laughed at all the jokers want to make me walk on glass
I could walk 'fore I could crawl
Animal, animal
Cannibal, cannibal
See 'em fall, see 'em fall
I'm the guy that they call
Meanstreak, I gotta meanstreak
Meanstreak, they call me meanstreak
I just don't know who I want to be
The count of Monte Cristo or the sheik of Arabia
Eaten rich, and I've eaten free
And I'm the perfect culture vulture in the face of poverty
And I ain't met no one who told me I got class
They say never feed the animal, the boy's got too much flash
I'm a guy they just can't teach
And I always kick the castle that's been built up on the beach (heh ha)
Animal, animal
Cannibal, cannibal
See 'em fall, see 'em fall
Cause I'm the guy that they call
What's your name?
Meanstreak
I got a meanstreak
Ooh I got a meanstreak
Ooh I got a meanstreak
want to feel a meanstreak?
They call me meanstreak
All the children say meanstreak
What's my name?
Meanstreak
The song "Meanstreak" by AC/DC talks about the lead singer's experiences of travelling around and the various places he has been to. Even though he has been to many different countries and experienced various things, nothing has been able to knock him off his feet - not even the people who have tried to pull him down. He has always been able to handle himself and get back up when knocked down. The lyrics portray his aggressive demeanor, comparing himself to a wild animal and a cannibal, and portraying himself as fiercely independent, someone who can't be tamed. He sings about not being accepted by many people and not fitting in with the high class or low class groups, stating that he is comfortable being on his own.
The chorus emphasizes his nickname "Meanstreak," which is how many people refer to him. The song's overall message is that he refuses to compromise his individualism and will always be true to himself no matter what.
Line by Line Meaning
Ooh yeah
An expression of excitement and anticipation before starting the song
I've been to the left, I've been to the right
I've explored different paths and directions in my life
I've found myself in Abudhabi, just a mirage in the night
I've been to exotic places and experienced surreal moments that felt like they weren't real
Been to the high, I've been to the low
I've been through ups and downs, good times and bad times
And I've been to lots of places that I didn't want to go
I've been forced or obligated to go to certain places that I didn't want to be in
But I ain't see nothing to get me off my ass
None of those experiences motivated me enough to take action or change my behavior
And I laughed at all the jokers want to make me walk on glass
I ignored or belittled people who tried to challenge me or make me do things I don't want to do
I could walk 'fore I could crawl
I was quick to learn and adapt to new situations, even when I was young
And I was meaner than a bad dog with his back against the wall
I was very aggressive and tough, especially when I was in a difficult or uncomfortable situation
Animal, animal
A chant that emphasizes the animalistic, wild nature of the artist
Cannibal, cannibal
A continuation of the animalistic theme, implying the violent and savage behavior of the singer
See 'em fall, see 'em fall
A taunting phrase that suggests the artist enjoys seeing others fail or suffer
I'm the guy that they call Meanstreak, I gotta meanstreak
The singer's nickname is Meanstreak, and he is proud of his reputation for being tough and aggressive
I just don't know who I want to be
The singer is unsure of his identity and struggles with finding a sense of purpose or direction
The count of Monte Cristo or the sheik of Arabia
Two vastly different archetypes that represent the singer's conflicting desires for wealth and power, or for revenge and justice
Eaten rich, and I've eaten free
The artist has experienced both wealth and poverty, and is comfortable in both situations
And I'm the perfect culture vulture in the face of poverty
The artist is able to enjoy and appreciate different cultures, even in situations of poverty or hardship
And I ain't met no one who told me I got class
Nobody has complimented the singer on his sophistication or elegance
They say never feed the animal, the boy's got too much flash
People warn against indulging or encouraging the singer's wild and flashy behavior
I'm a guy they just can't teach
The artist is stubborn and resistant to change or learning from others
And I always kick the castle that's been built up on the beach
The artist enjoys tearing down or undermining the achievements of others, especially if they appear superficial or insincere
What's your name?
A rhetorical question addressed to the audience or a specific person, as the artist already knows his own nickname
Meanstreak
The singer's nickname, which he repeats for emphasis and as a form of self-identification
I got a meanstreak
A reminder of the artist's tough and aggressive personality
Ooh I got a meanstreak
An expression of pleasure or excitement over the singer's reputation
want to feel a meanstreak?
A challenge or invitation to others to try and match the singer's aggressive behavior
They call me meanstreak
A repeated confirmation of the singer's nickname and reputation
All the children say meanstreak
A boastful claim that even young people admire and respect the artist's toughness and aggression
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ANGUS MCKINNON YOUNG, BRIAN JOHNSON, MALCOLM MITCHELL YOUNG
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind