If there’s one sound associated with AC/DC, it would be Angus Young’s maniacal guitar. But “It’s A Long Way To The Top (If You Wanna Rock ’N’ Roll)” counteracts that with bagpipes, played by lead singer Bon Scott, no less. The first track off of T.N.T. is about a band that is “Gettin’ robbed / Gettin’ stoned / Gettin’ beat up / Broken-boned” on their way to fame and fortune. The idea to include the bagpipes came from Malcolm and Angus’ brother George, who produced the song. Scott had never played the bagpipes before, he was a drummer in a pipe band instead, but he takes up his new task with the same intensity he had as a vocalist. The song’s best aspect, and what makes it an inherently unique song is the call and response between Young’s signature guitar sound and Scott’s blaring bagpipes, as if these two musicians are talking to each other through their instruments, goading each other on and pushing forward. The music fades out the end as if the conversation is continuing, even when the song is over.[Molly Eichel]
