High Voltage

If AC/DC’s debut album sounded like the work of a band that arrived fully formed, it may be because this version wasn’t technically a debut. Released internationally in 1976, it’s a cherry-picked amalgam of their first two Australia-only releases, High Voltage and TNT, which had hit local stores the year prior.

“She’s Got Balls” and “Little Lover” (a song vocalist Bon Scott reportedly wrote for diminutive guitarist Angus Young) were the only two tracks that made the cut from the original High Voltage; it was TNT where the band landed on the AC/DC sound. You know the one: Malcolm Young’s guitar acting as a chugging metronome to his younger brother Angus’ wild-eyed lead.

This international version was released in anticipation of the band’s first visit to the UK, and in acknowledgment of the success they had enjoyed on home turf. It was produced by former Easybeats members George Young—Angus and Malcolm’s older brother—and Harry Vanda. The duo were instrumental in capturing the raw, sweaty intensity of AC/DC’s live show in the studio and refining their mastery of groove and razor sharp blues-influenced rock’n’roll (witness the growling “T.N.T.”).

Scott is at his lascivious best in the raunchy boogie of “She’s Got Balls”, an ode to his former wife Irene that boasts the lyrics “She’s got balls, my lady/Likes to crawl, my lady/Hands and knees all around the floor”, while the bluesy “The Jack” is a cheeky extended metaphor for contracting STIs. “Rock ’N’ Roll Singer”, meanwhile, outlines the blueprint for Scott’s life: “I want to be a star/I can see my name in lights, and I can see the queue/I got the devil in my blood, tellin’ me what to do”.

The aptly-titled “Live Wire” served as the band’s set opener for many years, while “It’s a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock ’N’ Roll)” not only evokes the bumpy road bands must travel to succeed, but manages the rare feat of incorporating bagpipes into a rock’n’roll song. Once High Voltage was unleashed on the world, AC/DC were well and truly on their way.

Tracklisting

Position Title
A1 It’s A Long Way To The Top (If You Wanna Rock ‘N’ Roll)
A2 Rock ‘N’ Roll Singer
A3 The Jack
A4 Live Wire
B1 T.N.T.
B2 Can I Sit Next To You Girl
B3 Little Lover
B4 She’s Got Balls
B5 High Voltage

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Release Images

Release Information

Key Value
Wikipedia URL https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_Voltage_(1976_album)
Format 1× Vinyl (Gold, 180g, 50th Anniversary) LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered, Special Edition, Stereo
Label Columbia
Catalog Number 19658834571
Notes 50th Anniversary special edition as 180 gram gold nugget vinyl. Comes with a printed inner sleeve and includes a print (30x30 cm) with brand new AC/DC anniversary artwork. There are two hype stickers on the outer film on the front. The Amazon exclusive limited edition version of this release comes with a slipmat featuring AC/DC 50th anniversary artwork. The record and the slipmat are packed in a resealable foil bag. A different barcode sticker is applied to the outer film on the back of the LP over the original barcode. [Printed on rectangular hypsticker:] 50th Anniversary Special Edition Gold Coloured Vinyl Includes Unique Insert And Custom Labels [Printed on back cover:] Produced by Vanda & Young for Albert Productions at Albert Studios, Sydney, Australia. Remastered from the original master tapes by George Marino at Sterling Sound. © 1976, 2003 J. Albert & Son (Pty.) Ltd. ℗ 1976 J. Albert & Son (Pty.) Ltd. Made in the EU. [Printed on inner sleeve:] Originally released as [url=https://www.discogs.com/release/368690-ACDC-High-Voltage]Atco 36-142[/url] on September 28, 1976. Recorded at Albert Studios, Sydney, Australia February/March 1978. Additional artifacts courtesy Albert Productions and Arnaud Durieux. [Printed on artwork:] Reverse side photo by Michael Putland archive. 19658834571-11 [Printed on label side B:] © 1976, 2024 J. Albert & Son (Pty.) Ltd. Runouts are etched. Pressing plant identified based on the runout areas. A1 in the runout field = A₁ in the vinyl runout. B1 in the runout field = B₁ in the vinyl runout. [Additional information about the faintly inscribed geometric marks:] In the runouts “1 V △” and “2 + △” are mirrored.
Discogs URL AC/DC - High Voltage