Way back in September I guested on The LeBrain Train where we discussed out favourite lesser known AC/DC tracks. What we in the biz call “Deep Cuts”. We’re going to be doing it again tonight at 7pm EST for ZZ Top, but I thought it would be fun to look back at my AC/DC Deep Cuts first.
A few things before we start: This list is different from the one a gave in September. The songs are the same but the order has been switched up. I originally placed how far in the song is on an album over how much I liked them. That didn’t feel right this time. Only a few tunes in the middle got switched. My #1 is still #1.
Also, I stuck to only picking one track from an album, so that meant I had to leave a lot of good ones on the floor.
Finally, since this is a Nigel Tufnel Top 10, we start at 11. So…
#11. Rock ‘n Roll Singer|T.N.T.(Aus)/High Voltage(INT)
Lyrically, Rock ‘n Roll Singer is a bio piece by Bon Scott. Musically, it just flat out rocks. For some reason though, the song never really took off as a better known track. Heck, the band stopped playing it live in 1976. Well, at least The Cult got a hit out of its riff.
#10. Love at First Feel|Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap(INT)
If there was one thing the International version of Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap got right, was to place Love at First Feel right after the title track. The opening of it sounds like a continuation of Dirty Deeds, but then the bait and switch happens with a tongue-in-cheek shuffle. The band sounds like they are having more fun than usual on this one but I don’t believe they ever played it live.
#9. Baptism By Fire|Rock Or Bust
Baptism By Fire is buried deep on side 2 of Rock or Bust, so there is a good chance you might have missed it. Angus’ main solo is a little on the understated side, but I love the groove of main riff one this one. Especially the hint of Live Wire during the switch from chorus to verse.
#8. Wheels|Black Ice
Wheeeeeeeeeeeels! The annotation Angus pulls off during the bends on this solo make me want to glue his fingers to my palms. The band is cooking during this one. Cooking!
#7. Back In Business|Fly On The Wall
Fly On The Wall is not AC/DC at their best, but Back In Business the band’s sleaziest, greasiest, and downright dirtiest riff they have ever come up with. An easy one to miss with it being the album’s 2nd to last track. Play. It. Loud!
#6. Give It Up|Stiff Upper Lip
However you feel about Stiff Upper Lip, you have to admit that the album is bookended perfectly with the title track to start and Give it Up on the tail end. This song just makes me want to move every time the band hits that dank e-chord!
#5. Shot of Love|The Razors Edge
We already know how well Angus and Malcolm compliment each other, but if you ever needed proof, Shot of Love is it. They are both playing the same chords but their attack is completely different. A gem on The Razors Edge that has never been played live.
#4. Landslide|Flick Of The Switch
Landslide has Brian Johnson’s brilliant “sleazy preacher” intro and one of the band’s most underrated riffs. This got played live when they were supporting Flick of The Switch, but was dropped from the following tours. Heck, the entirety of Flick could be considered a Top 10 Deep Cut list on its own, but Landslide is my fav of the bunch.
#3. Overdose|Let There Be Rock
Maybe its slow ‘n sludgy intro keeps the band from playing it live, but Overdose is a terrific song that is often… overlooked. (See what I did there?) Anyway, the mid-tempo feel of this one has Angus ripping one of his bluesiest solos ever, and Malcolm does his best Malcolm by giving a tune an staggering amount of variation with only three chords. Simply brilliant.
#2. Kicked In The Teeth|Powerage
Powerage‘s closer would have been its opener if I was running camp AC/DC in 1978. Much like Whole Lotta Rosie, the song begins with a call and answer between Bon and the band that before heading off into a riff that is so simple. It is a crime how Angus’ stellar gutiar solo is mostly ignored. I should be hearing this on the radio every where I go instead of Heartache Tonight by the Eagles.
#1. Spellbound|For Those About To Rock (We Salute You)
AC/DC are not known for their lyrics but they do crank out an emotional gem once in a while. Spellbound features some of the best poetry Brian Johnson has come up with:
Beaten by a blind man
Wrong way up a dead end
Screaming through a speed trap
As I tear into a tail pipe
I can do nothing right
I never sleep at night
Can’t even start a fight
My feet have left the ground
Spinning round and round
I don’t know if he is singing about a car crash or if it is a metaphor for another kind of crash, but I dig it. The guitars match the tone of the lyrics too with the walk up to the big riff, the chugging of the chords, and Angus’ attack on the solo. I place this on the same shelf Ride On.
That is the list as it stands right now! Tomorrow? Who knows? If you want to see how the original list stacked up, the full video is right here:
Mike and the other guests do mention all of the songs that were on my cutting room floor, so check it out! And don’t forget to tune in at 7pm EST for tonight’s LeBrain Train as we tackle ZZ Top’s Top 10 Deep Cuts!
Gimme All Your Deep Cuts: It’s ZZ Top lists on the LeBrain Train!
Nice. I really enjoy these shows and of course by now I’ve forgotten all our lists. Good post — and I’m really psyched for tonight. I always have a good time with you.
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Me too! I’m really looking forward to tonight!
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I think tonight I’m going to announce next week’s guest. It’s going to blow your mind. Deke’s doing once again! Biggest name yet….
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Oh man. I thought Deke was saving Alice Cooper for 2022!
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Lol! Deke is fearless so I would not be surprised.
The only one to turn us down so far has been Darrell Dwarf.
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Come on, Darrell!
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Deke just told me who he’s asking next. Someone who I’ve been listening to since 1984.
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Honeymoon Suite is my guess.
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Nice list. Really nice. I’d have What’s Next To The Moon? On mine. Does that count as a deep cut? Love At First Feel is great. As an owner of the the European Dirty Deeds as a very early purchase it’s always been there for me. Odd how they moved so many tracks about on international releases
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Yes, I’d say that counts. It was extremely difficult for me to only pick one song from Powerage.
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Lists like this are fill of tough choices. I’d have Rocker from Dirty Deeds and Night Of The Ling Knives too
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Those were considerations for me too. I had to stick to just one track from an album though or I never would be able to make a list.
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I hear ya. Many of my absolute fave songs are yet to go on my blog for the sake of diversity. The spell correct in my last comment really did a number on me.
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Good on you for going back and making it feel right! Looking forward to tonight’s lists…
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It was good times!
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I literally was thinking about doing this exact type of blog for Rush just last night. Good one and great idea! 😉
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I’d love to read that!
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I love that you revisited your AC/DC Deep Cuts. I agree with you on “Rock ‘n’ Roll Singer,” “Love at First Feel,” “Shot of Love,” “Back in Business,” and “Give It Up.” I found it strange that “Rock ‘n’ Roll Singer” didn’t do as well since it has a killer riff! “Back in Business” is one of the best tracks on ‘Fly on the Wall,’ next to the title track and “Shake Your Foundations.” I know Phil Rudd was no longer in the band when they did their Flick of the Switch tour, but I would be in heaven if I get to see Phil go full metronome for “Landslide”!
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Live Phil going to town on Landslide would be amazing!
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Heck yeah it would, shoot I should’ve included that song in my list of songs the boys should add to their setlist!
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Great list. I do random deep cuts posts from time to time. Keeping it at 11 is a tough one for Acca. But i don’t disagree either. “spellbound” is a nice choice for number 1. There a few tracks from that album that could be classed as Deep cuts.
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Absolutely!
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LeBrain Train gives us a ton of ideas for post, I love it. Nice you changed it up and some great stuff on here too. But most AC/DC list would be nothing but great stuff anyway.
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Well, technically I gave this idea to LeBrain Train so the circle is now complete.
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That’s a cool list Kev. Spellbound is a great track. At certain times that FTATR record knocks on the door at being my favourite. Love that gatefold live shot of the band.
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Oh, I love that gatefold too. It make the vinyl a mush own!
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Nice list fella. Overdose is my favourite AC/DC song full-stop, most days, music doesn’t get any better – well, apart from Up To My Neck In You, but that’s another story.
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Thanks. Yeah, it was hard for me to pick only one tune from Powerage and Flick of the Switch.
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