Highway To Hell is one of the most famous songs by the Australian hard rock band AC/DC. It was released in 1979 as the first single and title track of their sixth album, Highway To Hell. The song was written by the band's guitarist brothers Angus and Malcolm Young, along with their lead singer Bon Scott, who also provided the distinctive vocals.
The song is a celebration of the band's rebellious and hedonistic lifestyle, as they toured relentlessly around the world. The title is often attributed as a phrase Angus Young used to describe touring in America, where they faced many challenges and dangers. However, there is a more literal explanation, as Highway To Hell was the nickname of the Canning Highway in Australia, which ran through Fremantle, where Bon Scott lived, and ended at a bar called The Raffles. The highway had a steep decline at the end, and many drivers had been killed speeding over that intersection after a night out.
The song was a commercial breakthrough for AC/DC, reaching the top 20 in the United States and the top 10 in many other countries. It also became a rock anthem and a staple of their live shows. However, tragedy struck soon after the release of the album, as Bon Scott died on February 19, 1980, at the age of 33. He had been out drinking with friends in London, and was left to sleep in a car parked outside a friend's flat. He choked to death on his own vomit, and was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital.
Bon Scott's death was a huge shock and a loss for the band and their fans. The band considered disbanding, but decided to continue with a new singer, Brian Johnson. Their next album, Back in Black, was a tribute to Bon Scott, and became one of the best-selling albums of all time. Highway To Hell remains one of the most popular and influential songs by AC/DC, and a testament to Bon Scott's legacy as one of the greatest rock singers of all time.
Interestingly, the song was almost banned by the BBC, who considered it too offensive and blasphemous. However, the band's manager, Peter Mensch, managed to convince the BBC that the song was not about the devil, but about the band's tour bus. He said: "It's a metaphor for being on the road. It's not about Satan. It's not about anything. It's just a rock and roll song." The BBC accepted his explanation, and allowed the song to be played on the radio.