AC/DC - Hells Bells

AC/DC recorded this a few months after lead singer Bon Scott died of acute alcohol poisoning after a night of heavy drinking. The album is a tribute to him, and features his replacement, Brian Johnson, on vocals.

The term "Hell's Bells" is an exclamation of surprise, although in the context of this song, it is used to conjure up images of the underworld and the feeling of raising hell (something Bon Scott was known for).

Because of the harmonics, bells are not easy to record, so Platt placed about 15 microphones with various dynamics in different locations around the foundry to record the sounds. Once it was on tape, Platt brought the recordings to Electric Lady Studios in New York, where he and producer Mutt Lange chose the right combination of bell sounds, put a mix together, and slowed it down to half speed so the one-ton bell would sound like a more ominous two-ton bell. This was integrated into the mix, and the song was completed. Listeners with very sharp ears will notice that the bell when chimed live is an octave higher than than it is on the recording.

Lyrics

I'm rolling thunder pouring rain

I'm coming on like a hurricane

My lightning's flashing across the sky

You're only young but you're gonna die

I won't take no prisoners won't spare no lives

Nobody's putting up a fight

I got my bell I'm gonna take you to hell

I'm gonna get ya Satan get ya

Hells bells

Hells bells, you got me ringing

Hells bells, my temperature's high

Hells bells

I'll give you black sensations up and down your spine

If you're into evil you're a friend of mine

See the white light flashing as I split the night

Cause if good's on the left then I'm sticking to the right

I won't take no prisoners won't spare no lives

Nobody's puttin' up a fight

I got my bell I'm gonna take you to hell

I'm gonna get ya Satan get ya

Hells bells

Hells bells, you got me ringing

Hells bells, my temperature's high

Hells bells

Hells bells, Satan's coming to you

Hells bells, he's ringing them now

Those hells bells, the temperature's high

Hells bells, across the sky

Hells bells, they're taking you down

Hells bells, they're dragging you under

Hells bells, gonna split the night

Hells bells, there's no way to fight

Hells bells