Night Prowler
THE MANY FACES OF AC/DC Lyrics


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Somewhere a clock strikes midnight
And there's a full moon in the sky
You hear a dog bark in the distance
You hear someone's baby cry
A rat runs down the alley
And a chill runs down your spine
And someone walks across your grave
And you wish the sun would shine
'Cause no one's gonna warn you
And no one's gonna yell attack
And you don't feel the steel
Till it's hangin' out your back
I’m your night prowler, asleep in the day
Night prowler, get outta my way
Yeah I’m the prowler, watch out tonight
Yes I’m the night prowler, when you turn out the light

Too scared to turn your light out
'Cause there's somethin' on your mind
Was that a noise outside the window
What's that shadow on the blind
As you lie there naked
Like a body in a tomb
Suspended animation as I slip into your room
I’m your night prowler, asleep in the day
Yeah I'm the night prowler, get outta my way
Look out for the night prowler, watch out tonight
Yes I’m the night prowler, when you turn out the light

I’m your night prowler, asleep in the day
Yes I’m the night prowler, get outta my way
Look out for the night prowler, watch out tonight
Yes I’m the night prowler, when you turn out the light
I’m your night prowler, break down your door
I’m your night prowler, crawling across your floor
I’m the night prowler, make a mess of you, yes I will
Night prowler
And I’m telling this to you
There ain't nothing
There ain't nothing
Nothing you can do





Shazbot
Nanu nanu

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to AC/DC's "Night Prowler" describe a sinister, mysterious figure who prowls the night, entering people's homes as they sleep. The imagery is chilling, with creeping rats, barking dogs, and crying babies adding to the sense of danger and fear. The singer of the song seems to relish his role as the night prowler, taunting his victims with lines like "I'm the night prowler, get outta my way" and "I'm your night prowler, break down your door." The overall effect is unsettling, leaving the listener with a sense of unease and vulnerability.


There has been controversy over the years about whether or not "Night Prowler" inspired the infamous serial killer Richard Ramirez, who was known as "The Night Stalker." Ramirez reportedly listened to AC/DC's "Highway to Hell" before committing some of his murders, and the lyrics to "Night Prowler" certainly fit with his M.O. However, the band has denied any connection or responsibility for Ramirez's crimes.


Line by Line Meaning

Somewhere a clock strikes midnight
The time is late at night, when most people are asleep and vulnerable.


And there's a full moon in the sky
The moon is at its peak brightness, illuminating the surroundings and casting ominous shadows.


You hear a dog bark in the distance
The barking of a dog signals a possible danger or disturbance in the area.


You hear someone's baby cry
The sound of a crying baby adds a sense of fear and urgency, as if someone is in trouble.


A rat runs down the alley
The rat, a common pest, adds to the environment of fear and danger.


And a chill runs down your spine
The fear and uncertainty of the situation makes the listener physically uncomfortable and apprehensive.


And someone walks across your grave
The superstition of feeling a presence walking over one's grave adds to the sense of foreboding and danger.


And you wish the sun would shine
The darkness and uncertainty of the night makes the listener wish for daylight and safety.


'Cause no one's gonna warn you
The listener is alone and without help or warning in the face of danger.


And no one's gonna yell attack
The attacker is silent and stealthy, making it impossible for the victim to defend themselves or escape.


And you don't feel the steel
The victim is unaware of the attacker's presence and cannot feel the danger until it is too late.


Till it's hangin' out your back
The victim is stabbed or attacked from behind, with the weapon left in the wound.


I’m your night prowler, asleep in the day
The attacker is a night prowler, someone who sneaks around unnoticed during the day and attacks at night.


Night prowler, get outta my way
The attacker warns the victim to stay out of their way, possibly implying that they will harm or kill anyone who stands in their path.


Yeah I’m the prowler, watch out tonight
The attacker intends to strike tonight and wants the victim to be aware and afraid.


Yes I’m the night prowler, when you turn out the light
The attacker strikes when the victim is vulnerable and unsuspecting, when they turn off the lights to sleep.


Too scared to turn your light out
The victim is petrified and unable to take even the smallest action, such as turning off the lights.


'Cause there's somethin' on your mind
The victim is consumed with fear and anxiety, unable to think of anything else.


Was that a noise outside the window
The victim is hyper-aware of their surroundings, listening for any signs of danger.


What's that shadow on the blind
The victim sees a shadow on the window, which could possibly be the attacker watching them.


As you lie there naked
The victim is completely vulnerable and without protection.


Like a body in a tomb
The victim is trapped and helpless, like a corpse in a burial chamber.


Suspended animation as I slip into your room
The attacker sneaks into the room unnoticed, capturing the victim in a motionless state of fear.


I’m your night prowler, break down your door
The attacker is capable of breaking down doors and gaining entry through force.


I’m your night prowler, crawling across your floor
The attacker moves stealthily and quietly, crawling across the floor unnoticed.


I’m the night prowler, make a mess of you, yes I will
The attacker intends to cause serious harm or even kill the victim, and takes pleasure in the destruction and chaos they cause.


And I’m telling this to you
The attacker speaks directly to the victim, perhaps taunting or warning them.


There ain't nothing
The victim is completely helpless and unable to escape or fight back.


There ain't nothing
The situation is hopeless and the victim is doomed.


Nothing you can do
The victim is powerless and unable to change their fate.


Shazbot
This is not a valid line from the song.


Nanu nanu
This is not a valid line from the song.




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS

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

@yotelodije8943

AC/DC - Night Prowler

Somewhere a clock strikes midnight
And there's a full moon in the sky
You hear a dog bark in the distance
You hear someone's baby cry
A rat runs down the alley
And a chill runs down your spine
And someone walks across your grave
And you wish the sun would shine
'Cause no one's gonna warn you
And no one's gonna yell attack
And you don't feel the steel
Till it's hangin' out your back
I’m your night prowler, asleep in the day
Night prowler, get outta my way
Yeah I’m the prowler, watch out tonight
Yes I’m the night prowler, when you turn out the light

Too scared to turn your light out
'Cause there's somethin' on your mind
Was that a noise outside the window
What's that shadow on the blind
As you lie there naked
Like a body in a tomb
Suspended animation as I slip into your room
I’m your night prowler, asleep in the day
Yeah I'm the night prowler, get outta my way
Look out for the night prowler, watch out tonight
Yes I’m the night prowler, when you turn out the light

I’m your night prowler, asleep in the day
Yes I’m the night prowler, get outta my way
Look out for the night prowler, watch out tonight
Yes I’m the night prowler, when you turn out the light
I’m your night prowler, break down your door
I’m your night prowler, crawling across your floor
I’m the night prowler, make a mess of you, yes I will
Night prowler
And I’m telling this to you
There ain't nothing
There ain't nothing
Nothing you can do

Shazbot
Nanu nanu

Writers: RONALD BELFORD SCOTT, ANGUS MCKINNON YOUNG, MALCOLM MITCHELL YOUNG



@victordanielfonseca1173

Lyrics:
Somewhere a clock strikes midnight
And there's a full moon in the sky
You hear a dog bark in the distance
You hear someone's baby cry
A rat runs down the alley
And a chill runs down your spine
And someone walks across your grave
And you wish the sun would shine
'Cause no one's going to warn you
And no one's going to yell, "Attack!"
And you don't feel the steel
Till it's hanging out your back

I'm your night prowler, asleep in the day
Night prowler, get out of my way
Yeah, I'm the night prowler, watch out tonight
Yes, I'm the night prowler, when you turn out the light

Too scared to turn your light out
'Cause there's something on your mind
Was that a noise outside the window?
What's that shadow on the blind?
As you lie there naked
Like a body in a tomb
Suspended animation
As I slip into your room
I'm your night prowler, asleep in the day
Yeah, I'm the night prowler, get out of my way
Look out for the night prowler, watch out tonight
Yes, I'm the night prowler, when you turn out the light
I'm your night prowler, asleep in the day
Yes, I'm the night prowler, get out of my way
Look out for the night prowler, watch out tonight
Yes, I'm the night prowler, when you turn out the light
I'm your night prowler (break down your door)
I'm your night prowler (crawlin' 'cross your floor)
I'm the night prowler (make a mess of you) Yes, I will
Night prowler
And I'm tellin' this to you
There ain't nothin'
There ain't nothin'
Nothin' you can do
"Shazbot, nanu nanu"



All comments from YouTube:

@stevehislop

Probably the most underrated song ever from AC/DC.

@jamiepaxton3191

Only 3rd shifters get this one…. Lol

@andrewjohnston4076

One of my top 10 tunes, they rock.

@guaporeturns9472

@Jamie Paxton and us vampires

@nic8817

Touch too much

@bruceglover7867

​@Guapo Returns leave us vampires alone
Tonight..😊

24 More Replies...

@RichardJohnson-xq9jl

You can't make up the story behind this brand of ROCK and ROLL!!! Totally iconic and kickass all the way to the end.

@ghwoods1

This album introduced me to ACDC....and this song was the hook. Absolutely every song on this album is epic IMO.

@jhonnydleon

1979: This song is awesome.
1990: This song is awesome.
2000: This song is awesome.
2023: This song is awesome.
2030: This song is awesome.
2090: This song is awesome.
2100: This song is awesome.

@rhabdoviridae

Yep!

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