It was also released as a single - first in Australia in October 1976 with "R.I.P. (Rock in Peace)" as its B-side, and then in the UK in January 1977 as a maxi-single with "Big Balls" and "The Jack" as its B-sides. Once the Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap album was finally released in the US in 1981 the "Dirty Deeds..." single was released there (backed by "Highway To Hell"), where it reached number four on the charts.
The song ranked #24 on VH1's 40 Greatest Metal Songs and in 2009 it was named the 31st best hard rock song of all time also by VH1.
It features a backing vocal consisting of a heavy breathing sound, made on the downbeat during verses. It also features the title in a spoken-word style at the end of the chorus; plus a scream at the end of the song. The full length recording (approximately 4:11) has the title of the song chanted four times starting at 3:09, but on the more common edited version (approximately 3:51) the chant is heard only twice.
The song's narrator invites people experiencing problems to either call him on 36-24-36 or visit him at his home, at which point he will perform assorted unsavoury acts to resolve said problems. Situations in which he offers assistance include those involving lewd high school headmasters and significant others who are either adulterous or who persistently find fault with their partners. As detailed by the song, the "dirty deeds" performed at low cost include:
* Concrete shoes
* Cyanide
* TNT
* Neckties
* Contracts
* High voltage
Two of the services offered share names with AC/DC's first two Australian albums, T.N.T. and High Voltage. They are also the names of songs that appeared on Australia's T.N.T. and the international version of High Voltage.
Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap
AC Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He's givin' you the blues
You want to graduate but not in 'is bed [...but not in his debt]
Here's what you gotta do
Pick up the phone
I'm always home
Call me any time
Just ring
I lead a life of crime
Dirty deeds done dirt cheap
Dirty deeds and they're done dirt cheap
You got problems in your life of love
You got a broken heart
(She's) he's double dealin' with your best friend
That's when the teardrops start, fella
Pick up the phone
I'm here alone
Or make a social call
Come right in
Forget about him
We'll have ourselves a ball
Dirty deeds done dirt cheap
Dirty deeds and they're done dirt cheap
If you got a lady and you want her gone
But you ain't got the guts
She keeps naggin' at you night and day
Enough to drive you nuts
Pick up the phone
Leave her alone
It's time you made a stand
For a fee
I'm happy to be
Your back door man
Dirty deeds done dirt cheap
Dirty deeds and they're done dirt cheap
Concrete shoes, cyanide, tnt
Done dirt cheap
Neckties, contracts, high voltage
Done dirt cheap
The song "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap" by AC/DC is about a man who is always available to carry out dubious and illegal activities for the person who needs them. The lyrics of the song suggest that the singer is someone who is always up to no good and is ready to do dirty work, seeking money in exchange for freeing someone from problems. The first verse of the song is about a high school student who is struggling with his academic and personal life. The singer asks him to make a call to him and make him an appointment to discuss his troubles. In return for money, he agrees to fulfil the wishes of the student by doing anything for him, no matter how illegal or unethical it may be.
The second verse features a man who has relationship problems. He has been betrayed by his lover and his best friend, leading to a broken heart. Once again, the singer offers his services to him, telling him to pick up the phone any time and ring him. He assures him to forget about his problems and to move on with his life.
The final verse features a man who is irritated by his nagging girlfriend and wants to get rid of her. He does not have the courage to break up with her, so he calls the singer, who is always happy to be a "back-door man" and get the job done.
Line by Line Meaning
If you're havin' trouble with your high school head
He's givin' you the blues
You want to graduate but not in 'is bed [...but not in his debt]
Here's what you gotta do
When you face trouble with your Principal and he makes your life hard, and you want to pass out without owing anything to him. Here's what you need to do.
Pick up the phone
I'm always home
Call me any time
Just ring
36 24 36 hey [36 24 36 hey]
I lead a life of crime
Pick up the phone, I lead a life full of criminal activities and I am always available on any day of the week, irrespective of the time to lend my services.
Dirty deeds done dirt cheap
Dirty deeds and they're done dirt cheap
I do dirty deeds for money and my charges are quite affordable.
You got problems in your life of love
You got a broken heart
(She's) he's double dealin' with your best friend
That's when the teardrops start, fella
If you are facing relationship troubles and your partner is cheating on you with your best friend, then that's when you start crying.
Pick up the phone
I'm here alone
Or make a social call
Come right in
Forget about him
We'll have ourselves a ball
If you need help, then you can pick up your phone and give me a call or visit me in person. I don't want you to worry about that cheater while I'm around, and we can enjoy our time together.
If you got a lady and you want her gone
But you ain't got the guts
She keeps naggin' at you night and day
Enough to drive you nuts
If you want to break up with your girlfriend but can't muster enough courage to do so yourself, and she is irritating you day and night.
Pick up the phone
Leave her alone
It's time you made a stand
For a fee
I'm happy to be
Your back door man
Reach out to me, and I will make her go away for a fee. I will be your secret partner in this plan.
Concrete shoes, cyanide, tnt
Done dirt cheap
Neckties, contracts, high voltage
Done dirt cheap
I have experience in performing various illegal activities, such as murder or contract killing, using less expensive but efficient methods.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: ANGUS YOUNG, MALCOLM YOUNG, RONALD BELFORD SCOTT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind