“It had everything”: The 1990 song that saw AC/DC reach their peak
Some riffs feel as though they have fallen out of the sky and landed on the lap of the guitarist lucky enough to play them. In the case of AC/DC, it sounds as if one song arrived after a lightning bolt rained from the sky and smashed into Angus Young’s guitar.
The aptly titled ‘Thunderstruck’ is perhaps one of the most powerful riffs in rock and roll history, charging through the amps of whatever live venue it’s performed at, and sparking fans into a frenzy. In fact, as the musical rabbit hole explorer I am, I’ve often reverted to one gig when diving down the depths of the YouTube archives to feel its power.
AC/DC’s performance at River Plate, Argentina, in 2009, is simply one of the most raucous rock performances I’ve ever seen. An estimated total attendance of nearly 200,000 fans bounced in unison, almost bringing the stadium to its knees as Young ripped into a rendition of ‘Thunderstruck’.
It’s at the two-minute mark where the chaos really starts as the band dips into the sing-along chorus. But what comes before is truly special, a siren call, powered by the electric riff of Young and the tribal chanting of Johnson and the fans, who, in unison, run through the vocal cry at the song’s introduction and swirl this performance into a state of sonic tension.
It’s a rock track of the purest intentions, to get the flame of rebellion lit and send music fans into a state of transcendent resistance. It’s unmistakable, from the very moment it begins, and the band themselves knew that better than anyone.
“The one that I knew from the get-go was going to be fabulous was ‘Thunderstruck’,” Johnson explained, “When you’re a singer, and you’re good into singing something… I just heard that guitar that Angus [Young, guitar] had put on, this was the charge and start! And then, when we all went in together, ‘Oooh-ahh-ahh-aaa-aaaah’, and there was more of that. Then, with that middle part and sound and everything, I just went, ‘Oh, this is promising!’ And then, of course, when you think of all that was done, you got the ‘Thunder!’; it had everything!”
In the very best way possible, it is a track of simplicity. The riff may be anything, but as is the vocal performance from Johnson, which strains at the delivery of every note, the intention of it is simple in its primal ability to deliver a reaction. This isn’t an inflated attempt at psychedelia, or a swirling voyage of songwriting experimentalism; it is rock and roll at its purest, designed to release the valve of human pressure.
Ultimately, that is what AC/DC have always done best, freeing themselves of the complexities of their rivals and instead helping the everyday fan stick it to the man.
As Johnson explained, “I’m an out-and-out basic man, and AC/DC are one of the best rock ‘n’ roll bands in the world, doing things just to the basics, you know.“
