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
ACDC 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
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, paid my dues
Playing in a rocking band
Hey mama, look at me
I'm on my way to the promised land, whoo!
I'm on the highway to hell
Highway to hell
I'm on the highway to hell
Highway to hell
Don't stop me
I'm on the highway to hell
On the highway to hell
I'm on the highway to hell
On the highway
Yeah, highway to hell
I'm on the 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 of AC/DC's "Highway to Hell" depict the thrilling journey of the singer on a one-way ride to Hell, without any care or concern about the consequences. The first verse of the song sets the tone for the rest of the composition - the singer is living freely and taking everything in his stride. He doesn’t need any reason or rhyme for his actions and is just looking to have a good time. The second verse is more exciting, as the singer lets us know that he is willing to take on any challenge on this free ride. He openly defies Satan and stakes his claim to the promised land, all the while playing in a rocking band.
The chorus, with its catchy and memorable tune, is the highlight of the song. It is heavily focused on the repeated line, “I’m on the highway to hell,” which reinforces the idea of the journey towards the evil place. The rest of the chorus continues to describe the character's ride towards the infernal destination, not stopping at any signal or speed limit. The last verse is the singer's final affirmation that he is indeed on the highway to Hell, and he is determined to make it to the end, no matter the cost.
Overall, "Highway to Hell" is a powerful and iconic rock song that captures the spirit of rebellion and a devil-may-care attitude that defined much of AC/DC's music. It remains one of the band's most popular and beloved tracks and continues to inspire generations of fans who love the sound of classic rock.
Line by Line Meaning
Living easy, living free
Life is easy and carefree, with no restrictions or worries
Season ticket on a one-way ride
Life is like a one-way journey with no turning back or changing direction
Asking nothing, leave me be
I desire nothing and want to be left alone to do whatever I please
Taking everything in my stride
I am taking life as it comes without any worries or struggles
Don't need reason, don't need rhyme
I do not require any explanation or justification for my actions or choices
Ain't nothing I would rather do
There is nothing else I would rather be doing than living this carefree life
Going down, party time
I am headed towards a wild and crazy party
My friends are gonna be there too
I am not alone in my desire for a wild party, as my friends will be there with me
I'm on the highway to hell
My carefree and wild lifestyle is leading me down a path of destruction
No stop signs, speed limit
There are no restrictions or boundaries on my path to destruction
Nobody's gonna slow me down
No one is going to stop me or hinder my journey towards destruction
Like a wheel, gonna spin it
I am taking control of my life and spinning it out of control
Nobody's gonna mess me around
No one is going to challenge or question my choices or actions
Hey Satan, paid my dues
I have sold my soul to the devil and have paid the price for my sins
Playing in a rocking band
I am living a wild and crazy lifestyle as a member of a rebellious rock band
Hey mama, look at me
I am showing off my rebellious lifestyle to my family and society
I'm on my way to the promised land, whoo!
I am headed towards a life of destruction and chaos, which I believe is my desired destination
Don't stop me
No one can stop me from living this wild and rebellious lifestyle
And I'm going down
I am headed towards destruction and chaos
All the way
I am committed to this path of destruction and chaos until the end
Whoa!
Exclamation of excitement or enthusiasm for the wild lifestyle and path towards destruction and chaos
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Angus Young, Malcolm Young, Ronald Scott
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@28ebdh3udnav
My brother and I played this at my dad's funeral. Lets just say not many people were amused and in fact, offended but dam. He told us years before to do so and even told us, "play ACDC at my funeral, I wanna jam for the last time".
@jojot9068
lmao did u actually play it? Also sorry for your dad's loss.
@averyepicguy
F
@christdiedforus1042
Sorry for your dads loss but at least he got to listen to ac dc for the last time
@asbestosdeath
F
@muhammad4273
F
@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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