If You Wanna
AC Lyrics


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Ridin' down the highway
Goin' to a show
Stop in all the by-ways
Playin' rock 'n' roll
Gettin' robbed
Gettin' stoned
Gettin' beat up
Broken boned
Gettin' had
Gettin' took
I tell you folks
It's harder than it looks

It's a long way to the top
If you wanna rock 'n' roll
It's a long way to the top
If you wanna rock 'n' roll
If you think it's easy doin' one night stands
Try playin' in a rock roll band
It's a long way to the top
If you wanna rock 'n' roll

Hotel, motel
Make you wanna cry
Lady do the hard sell
Know the reason why
Gettin' old
Gettin' grey
Gettin' ripped off
Under-paid
Gettin' sold
Second hand
That's how it goes
Playin' in a band

It's a long way to the top
If you wanna rock 'n' roll
It's a long way to the top
If you wanna rock 'n' roll
If you wanna be a star of stage and screen
Look out it's rough and mean
It's a long way to the top
If you wanna rock 'n' roll
It's a long way to the top
If you wanna rock 'n' roll
Well, it's a long way




It's a long way, (they tell me)
It's a long way, such a long way (bagpipe!)

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to AC/DC's "It's a Long Way to the Top" are about the struggles and hardships of being in a rock 'n' roll band. The song describes the difficulties the band faces while traveling and performing, including getting robbed, beaten up, and not being paid enough for their shows. The chorus, "It's a long way to the top if you wanna rock 'n' roll," emphasizes the difficult journey that musicians must endure to achieve success in the music industry.


The verses paint a vivid picture of life on the road for a band in the 1970s. The lyrics describe staying at cheap hotels and motels and encountering pushy groupies who try to take advantage of the musicians. The line, "Gettin' old, gettin' grey, gettin' ripped off, underpaid" exemplifies the struggles of trying to make a living as a musician.


Despite the many challenges, the band emphasizes the importance of perseverance and dedication to their craft. The song's bagpipe solo, performed by Bon Scott, adds a unique and memorable element to the track.


Line by Line Meaning

Ridin' down the highway
Traveling down the road


Goin' to a show
Heading to a concert venue


Stop in all the by-ways
Taking breaks at small towns and other stops along the way


Playin' rock 'n' roll
Performing their music genre


Gettin' robbed
Being stolen from


Gettin' stoned
Using drugs


Gettin' beat up
Getting into physical altercations


Broken boned
Suffering physical injuries


Gettin' had
Being tricked or deceived


Gettin' took
Being exploited or cheated


I tell you folks
The reality is


It's harder than it looks
Being a rock star is not as glamorous as it appears


It's a long way to the top
Becoming successful takes a lot of effort and time


If you wanna rock 'n' roll
If you choose to pursue music as a career


If you think it's easy doin' one night stands
If you believe touring and performing concerts is easy


Try playin' in a rock roll band
Playing in a rock band is much more challenging


Hotel, motel
Staying in a variety of accommodations


Make you wanna cry
Very disappointing and tear-jerking


Lady do the hard sell
Being pressured to purchase something


Know the reason why
Understand the motivation behind the hard sale


Gettin' old
Aging


Gettin' grey
Hair turning gray


Gettin' ripped off
Being overcharged or swindled


Under-paid
Not being compensated enough for their work


Gettin' sold
Being marketed and sold as a product


Second hand
Being viewed as used or old


That's how it goes
This is the nature of the music industry


If you wanna be a star of stage and screen
If you aspire to become a famous musician and/or actor


Look out it's rough and mean
Beware of the harsh realities and fierce competition


Well, it's a long way
It's a difficult and arduous journey


It's a long way, (they tell me)
People have warned me that it's a difficult path


It's a long way, such a long way (bagpipe!)
The distance and hardship is emphasized by the sound of the bagpipe




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Angus Young, Malcolm Young, Ronald Scott

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@flyorflying1087

Ridin' down the highway
Goin' to a show
Stop in all the byways
Playin' rock 'n' roll
Gettin' robbed
Gettin' stoned
Gettin' beat up
Broken-boned
Gettin' had
Gettin' took
I tell you, folks
It's harder than it looks
… It's a long way to the top if you wanna rock 'n' roll
It's a long way to the top if you wanna rock 'n' roll
… If you think it's easy doin' one night stands
Try playin' in a rock roll band
It's a long way to the top if you wanna rock 'n' roll
… Hotel, motel
Make you wanna cry
Ladies do the hard sell
Know the reason why
Gettin' old
Gettin' grey
Gettin' ripped off
Underpaid
Gettin' sold
Second hand
That's how it goes
Playin' in a band
… It's a long way to the top if you wanna rock 'n' roll
It's a long way to the top if you wanna rock 'n' roll
… If you wanna be a star of stage and screen
Look out, it's rough and mean
… It's a long way to the top if you wanna rock 'n' roll
It's a long way to the top if you wanna rock 'n' roll
… It's a long way to the top if you wanna rock 'n' roll
It's a long way to the top if you wanna rock 'n' roll
… Well it's a long way
Well it's a long way, you should've told me
It's a long way
Such a long way



@stephentate6974

Everyone is entitled to an opinion, I almost agree. and w/o a doubt they are in the top 5 on about anybody list.
And the genre is "AC/DC" nobody can compete.
The same can be said for Led Zeppelin
And this will draw some criticism I'm sure but Floyd and The Eagles are rightfully at the top of theirs.
None of these can be successfully duplicated or matched, it's just the way it is
Oops my apologies Mr Gibbins. Last but not least
ZZ Top
"Let's drive that old Chrysler to Mexico"
I got to see them all in concert...except our subject matter AC/DC 😢



@joannemaskall937

I'm now 50 years old.

Had the pleasure of being brought up in a house that had a Technics HI-FI system with that glass door and magnet/clicky door press opening on the Left hand side😅

It was surrounded by "Lp's on shelves and the shag pile carpet.

Can feel and smell it now and it's bloody beautiful 😊

HI-FI system belonged to my Step Dad who I lost 6 months ago and this song was his last post/ message to me.

I either cry or smile when I listen to it, it's still 50/50.

Right now it's cry because my youngest son is learning it on guitar xx



All comments from YouTube:

@channel_959

Who's still here in 2024 🎸🤘

@markodimitrijevic-ir6ge

Oh yes😂

@francescoberti7440

Absolutely

@user-fc3ky7sm4m

Definitely me!!

@LynnSillman-sk2kg

Hey. AC DC. Rocks

@LynnSillman-sk2kg

Yeah. Don't. Forget. Cali. Are. Great. Weed. Here. Lol

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@montec636

AC/DC should have their own radio station in every city

@user-bw4oj5ng8k

Fucking ooooh

@matman321

Oooouuu ye😎

@robson3078

If anyone is reading this, I would like to greet this person and thank AC⚡DC for being with us all the time. 🎸🥁 AC/DC FOREVER!

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