AC/DC. The name itself conjures images of raw power, electrifying riffs, and stadium-shaking anthems. For decades, they’ve delivered some of the most iconic rock and roll songs the world has ever heard. But even for a band with such a legendary catalog, not every track can be a “Highway to Hell” or “Back in Black.” Every album, even by the greats, has songs that, while not necessarily bad, might be considered less stellar compared to the absolute bangers.
This is the task one dedicated AC/DC fan undertook: to select the “worst” song from each AC/DC album, from High Voltage to Power Up. It’s a tough job, especially when dealing with albums like Powerage and Back in Black, widely regarded as flawless masterpieces. The criteria isn’t about labeling songs as terrible, but rather picking the one that, in a collection of greatness, stands out as slightly less magnificent. Let’s dive into these controversial picks and understand the reasoning behind them.
Deep Dive into the “Bottom of the Barrel” (AC/DC Style)
Here’s a breakdown of the chosen “worst” songs, album by album, and the rationale behind each selection:
1. High Voltage – “Love Song”
Starting with their debut album High Voltage, the pick is “Love Song.” The justification is simple and humorous: recording an AC/DC “worst” song using an acoustic guitar for the video itself highlights its peculiarity within their discography. It’s a clear departure from their signature high-voltage rock and roll, leaning towards a softer, almost ballad-like feel, which makes it an oddity in their early work.
2. T.N.T. – “Can I Sit Next To You Girl”
From T.N.T., a record packed with hits, “Can I Sit Next To You Girl” gets the nod. The reasoning here points to the earlier Dave Evans version of the song being considered weak. While Bon Scott elevates the track, within the context of T.N.T.‘s overall strength, and avoiding cover songs like “School Days,” this track becomes the least essential.
3. Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap – “There’s Gonna Be Some Rockin'”
Moving to Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap, “There’s Gonna Be Some Rockin'” is chosen over “Rock In Peace.” The argument is that it lacks some of the magic found in simpler, more impactful AC/DC tracks. Songs like “Ain’t No Fun (Waiting ‘Til the Weekend)” demonstrate how AC/DC can create rock anthems with seemingly basic structures, and “There’s Gonna Be Some Rockin'” apparently doesn’t quite reach that level of distilled rock essence.
4. Let There Be Rock – “Crabsody in Blue”
Let There Be Rock is a powerhouse, and “Crabsody in Blue” is deemed the easiest pick for the “worst” song. This suggests it stands out as significantly different in style or quality compared to the rest of the album’s high-energy rock anthems. The title itself hints at a bluesier, perhaps slower tempo, contrasting with the album’s overall fiery rock and roll spirit.
5. Powerage – “Gimmie A Bullet”
Entering the golden era, Powerage, considered by many to be a perfect album, still requires a “worst” song selection. “Gimmie A Bullet” is chosen because it’s the only track on the album without a guitar solo. This highlights the incredibly high standards set by Powerage, where even the absence of a solo can be a differentiating factor in a “worst song” selection.
6. Highway To Hell – “Love Hungry Man”
Another flawless album, Highway To Hell, leads to “Love Hungry Man” as the pick. Interestingly, Angus Young himself has reportedly mentioned this as a weaker track, which adds weight to this selection. In an album filled with timeless classics, even a song deemed “not bad” by most standards can be considered the “worst” by comparison.
7. Back In Black – “Shake A Leg”
Back In Black, arguably the greatest hard rock album of all time, presents an almost impossible challenge. “Shake A Leg” is chosen, with the reasoning that it’s less frequently played live compared to other tracks (excluding “Let Me Put My Love Into You”). Additionally, the lyrical content is suggested to be less impactful than the album’s other emotionally charged songs.
8. For Those About To Rock – “Night Of The Long Knives”
From For Those About To Rock, “Night Of The Long Knives” is selected. The chorus melody is cited as being somewhat irritating, although the song’s riff is acknowledged as strong and fun to play. This demonstrates how subjective musical taste can be, even within the context of a fan’s appreciation for the band.
9. Flick Of The Switch – “Badlands”
Moving into the Brian Johnson era, Flick Of The Switch yields “Badlands.” A personal bias against songs in the key of G is mentioned. While key preference is subjective, it highlights how even subtle musical elements can influence song preference and contribute to a “worst song” selection.
10. Fly On The Wall – “Back In Business”
Fly On The Wall sees “Back In Business” chosen, partly due to its key of G, creating a flow from the previous pick “Badlands.” It was also a close call with “Send For The Man,” suggesting that these tracks might share similar qualities that make them less favored compared to the album’s stronger cuts.
11. Blow Up Your Video – “Ruff Stuff”
From Blow Up Your Video, “Ruff Stuff” is selected based on the chorus melody. “Some Sin for Nuthin'” was considered, but its intro was favored, tipping the scales towards “Ruff Stuff” as the less preferred track. This again emphasizes the nuanced and sometimes very specific reasons behind these “worst song” choices.
12. The Razors Edge – “Let’s Make It”
The Razors Edge brings us to “Let’s Make It,” which is described bluntly as “straight up Garbage” and possibly “one of the worst AC/DC ever made.” This is a strong condemnation, suggesting a significant drop in quality compared to the rest of The Razors Edge and the broader AC/DC catalog. The fact that it was also copyright flagged in the original video adds a humorous layer to its “worst song” status.
13. Ballbreaker – “The Honey Roll”
Ballbreaker‘s “The Honey Roll” is chosen as one of the “more interesting” AC/DC songs. While not considered bad, its different feel compared to the rest of the album makes it stand out as the “worst” pick. This highlights that “worst” doesn’t equate to “bad,” but simply less representative of the typical AC/DC sound within a particular album.
14. Stiff Upper Lip – “Can’t Stand Still”
From Stiff Upper Lip, “Can’t Stand Still” is labeled as simply “bad.” The lack of a compelling riff, a staple of AC/DC’s music, is cited as the main reason. In an album where riffs are usually a strong point, a track lacking in this department is likely to be considered a weaker offering.
15. Black Ice – “Anything Goes”
Black Ice brings a “controversial pick” with “Anything Goes.” Initially considering “Wheels,” the choice shifted to “Anything Goes” based on a negative live experience where the song was unfamiliar and unenjoyable. This illustrates how personal experiences, like a disappointing concert moment, can influence song perception and “worst song” selections.
16. Rock or Bust – “Got Some Rock & Roll Thunder”
Rock or Bust is heavily criticized, with “Got Some Rock & Roll Thunder” as the chosen “worst.” The entire album is disliked, and tracks like “Rock The Blues Away” are also mentioned for weak lyrics. The song “Got Some Rock & Roll Thunder,” particularly its live performance and use of claps, is deemed particularly unfavorable.
17. Power Up – “No Man’s Land”
Finally, from Power Up, “No Man’s Land” is selected. Despite Power Up being considered a return to form after Rock or Bust, “No Man’s Land,” again due to being in the key of G, is picked as the least favorite. It’s described as “liveable without,” suggesting it’s not a standout track on an otherwise solid album.
Final Verdict: “Worst” is Still AC/DC
This exploration of “worst” AC/DC songs is clearly a subjective and lighthearted exercise. It’s a testament to the band’s incredible catalog that even their “least favorite” tracks often have valid reasons for being chosen, and are still listenable songs. The process reveals the nuances of fan preferences, highlighting how factors like song structure, melody, key, lyrics, and even live experiences can shape individual opinions.
Ultimately, even the “worst” AC/DC songs are still AC/DC songs, carrying that unmistakable rock and roll DNA. This list isn’t about dismissing any part of their discography, but rather engaging in a fun, critical listening exercise that reminds us of the incredibly high bar AC/DC has set for themselves over decades of rock and roll dominance. What are your “least favorite” AC/DC tracks? The discussion is open!
