It's a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock 'N' Roll) (5:15)

“It’s A Long Way To The Top (If You Wanna Rock ‘n’ Roll)” is a song by Australian hard rock band AC/DC. It is the first track of their Australian album T.N.T., released in December 1975 (see 1975 in music), and was written by Angus Young, Malcolm Young and Bon Scott. Musically, the song is notable for combining bagpipes with hard rock electric guitars, drums, and bass.

A slightly shorter version of the song is also the first track on the international version of High Voltage, released in May 1976 (see 1976 in music). This is on the original release and the 2003 remastered CD release of the album only. Other CD releases have the full version.

This song is also on the Volts CD of the Bonfire box set, released in 1997.

This was a signature song for Scott, who also played the side drum in Coastal Scottish Pipe Band WA in the 1960s. Current AC/DC lead vocalist Brian Johnson doesn’t perform it, out of respect for his predecessor.

The song is about the travails of using rock ‘n’ roll as a vehicle for success. As detailed by the song,
perils of being in a rock ‘n’ roll band.

In May 2001, Australasian Performing Rights Association (APRA) celebrated its 75th anniversary by naming the Best Australian Songs of all time, as decided by a 100-member industry panel, “It’s A Long Way To The Top (If You Wanna Rock ‘n’ Roll)” was ranked as the ninth song on the list.The song is regularly played during stoppages at AFL matches at the ANZ stadium in Sydney