Here’s the second part of my project of listening to AC/DC and working out which categories their songs fall into. Today we’ll ask ourselves if the songs on the studio album T.N.T. (1975) Australia Only are about

sex

gambling

rocking (the importance of)

or another topic.

The songs

It’s a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock ‘n’ Roll) – rocking (the importance of), supporting lyrical evidence “It’s harder than it looks”.

Rock ‘n’ Roll Singer – rocking (the importance of), supporting lyrical evidence “I gotta be on top some day, I want to be a star”.

The Jack – sex but using gambling metaphors, suddenly AC/DC have got a bit sophisticated, “But how was I to know, that she’d been shuffled before”.

Live Wire – sex, supporting lyrical evidence “And if you need some lovin’, and if you need some man”.

T.N.T. – this is partly sex and partly personal power/ego, supporting lyrical sex evidence “Women to the left of me, and women to the right, supporting lyrical personal power/ego evidence “The man is back in town, don’t you mess me ’round”.

Rocker – rocking (the importance of), supporting lyrical evidence “I’m a rocker, I’m a roller, I’m a right out of controller”.

Can I Sit Next to You Girl – sex, supporting lyrical evidence “Can I sit next to you, and then take you home”.

High Voltage – rocking (the importance of), supporting lyrical evidence “And you ask me why I like to play, I got to get my kicks some way”.

School Days – this is a cover and was originally by Chuck Berry, this is partly sex and partly rocking (the importance of). Supporting sex lyrical evidence “You gotta hear somthin’ that’s really hot, with the one you love you’re makin’ romance”. Supporting rocking (the importance of) lyrical evidence “All day long you’ve been waitin’ to dance, and you feel the music from head to toe”.

Conclusion – This album is 50% about rocking (the importance of), 44% about sex and 6% about personal power/ego. AC/DC’s early ambition is really coming out in this album. Of the sex described lyrically on this album, 75% is of the happy time with a lovely lady variety, with just 25%, described (in The Jack) as being about more complicated relations.

I’m wondering if I should ditch the pie charts? I know some people who love a chart or graph and others who aren’t so enamoured. Let me know if you have a strong opinion. And keep listening to the mighty AC/DC!