It's A Long Way To The Top
AC Lyrics


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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' gray
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

It's a long way
It's a long way




It's a long way
Such a long way

Overall Meaning

AC/DC's "It's A Long Way To The Top" is a song that tells the story of the struggles and hardships faced by a rock 'n' roll band trying to make it in the music industry. The lyrics describe the realities of life on the road and the obstacles that come with it, including being robbed, getting stoned, beaten up, and broken boned. The song captures the frustration of being underpaid and getting ripped off, while struggling to make a name for oneself in a business that is tough and unforgiving.


The chorus of the song, "It's a long way to the top if you wanna rock 'n' roll," is a reminder that success in the music industry doesn't come overnight. It takes hard work, dedication, and perseverance to reach the top. The lyrics also touch upon the challenges faced by women in the industry, who are subject to the hard sell and are not always given the recognition they deserve.


Overall, AC/DC's "It's A Long Way To The Top" is a realistic portrayal of the difficulties and challenges that come with being a musician trying to make it in the entertainment industry. It's a reminder that success isn't handed to anyone, and that it takes a lot of hard work and perseverance to achieve one's dreams.


Line by Line Meaning

Ridin' down the highway
Traveling on the road


Goin' to a show
Heading to play live music


Stop in all the byways
Taking breaks in small towns


Playin' rock 'n' roll
Performing a genre of music


Gettin' robbed
Being a victim of crime


Gettin' stoned
Using drugs


Gettin' beat up
Being physically assaulted


Broken boned
Suffering fractures


Gettin' had
Being deceived or cheated


Gettin' took
Being swindled or conned


I tell you folks
Let me tell you


It's harder than it looks
It's more difficult than it appears


It's a long way to the top
Becoming successful is difficult


If you wanna rock 'n' roll
In the context of music


If you think it's easy doin' one-night stands
If you believe it's simple to perform for one night


Try playin' in a rock roll band
Experience being in a band that plays rock music


Hotel, motel
Sleeping quarters while on tour


Make you wanna cry
Extremely disappointing or unpleasant


Ladies do the hard sell
Women aggressively attempt to sell things


Know the reason why
Understand the motive or explanation


Gettin' old
Aging


Gettin' gray
Hair turning gray due to aging


Gettin' ripped off
Being overcharged or scammed


Underpaid
Not being paid enough for the work done


Gettin' sold
Being marketed or promoted


Second-hand
Used or previously owned


That's how it goes
That's just the way things are


If you wanna be a star of stage and screen
If you aspire to be famous in the entertainment industry


Look out it's rough and mean
Be aware it's a tough and cruel industry


Such a long way
Very far




Lyrics © DistroKid, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
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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