AC/DC - Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap
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On September 20, 1976, “AC/DC” released their third studio album “Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap”, an album that sharpened the band’s identity and locked in the outlaw swagger that would soon make them unstoppable.
If “High Voltage” was the spark and “T.N.T.” the ignition, then “Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap” is where the engine finally roared at full force. This is the album where “AC/DC” stopped sounding like a promising hard rock band from Australia and started sounding like a dangerous, fully formed entity. Everything here feels tighter, nastier, and more confident. The riffs hit harder, the humor is darker, and the attitude is no longer playful rebellion but something far more deliberate and confrontational.
By the time the band entered Albert Studios in Sydney, the chemistry between Angus Young, Malcolm Young, Bon Scott, Phil Rudd, and Mark Evans was undeniable. Malcolm Young’s rhythm guitar dominates the record, setting up that relentless, piston-like groove that would become the backbone of the “AC/DC” sound. Angus Young’s leads are sharp and economical, never flashy for the sake of it, always serving the song with precision and bite. Producer Harry Vanda, alongside George Young, captured the band raw and immediate, resisting polish in favor of power.
Bon Scott is the true star of the album. His voice drips with menace, humor, and charisma, turning every lyric into a character sketch. Whether he’s playing the role of a hired gun, a street-level criminal, or a leering troublemaker, Scott sounds completely believable. His lyrics on this album are witty, provocative, and unapologetically dirty, but always delivered with a grin that makes it impossible not to go along for the ride.
The album opens with “Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap”, one of the most iconic mission statements in rock history. Built on a swaggering riff and a call-and-response chorus, the song feels like a late-night classified ad for chaos. Scott’s delivery turns criminal mischief into a business proposition, and the band backs him with a groove that is impossible to shake.
“Ain’t No Fun (Waiting Round to Be a Millionaire)” slows things down into a blues-soaked strut, giving Scott room to vent frustration and cynicism. The song stretches out, letting the band breathe, and shows that “AC/DC” could build atmosphere just as effectively as they could deliver blunt-force riffs.
“Problem Child” brings the pace back up with pure attitude. Short, sharp, and aggressive, it sounds like a declaration of identity. There is no attempt to soften the edges or justify the behavior. This is defiance as a lifestyle, delivered with a grin and clenched teeth.
Squealer”, open the second side of the vinyl with a darker and heavier vibe that leaves the listener with a raw, unsettling edge.
One of the album’s most underrated moments is “Big Balls”, a song that perfectly captures Bon Scott’s genius for double entendre. On the surface it’s a tongue-in-cheek tale of high-society gatherings. Underneath, it’s pure filth, delivered with theatrical flair and impeccable timing. It is humorous, ridiculous, and somehow still menacing.
The Australian version of the album closes with “Jailbreak”, one of the most dramatic and cinematic songs of the Bon Scott era. Its prison-break narrative, rising tension, and explosive payoff make it a natural finale, ending the album with urgency, attitude, and a sense of outlaw freedom that perfectly encapsulates the spirit of “Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap”.
It is important to note that international versions of the album differ significantly from the original Australian release. The international edition shortened several tracks and altered the running order, removing “R.I.P. (Rock in Peace)” and “Jailbreak”, and adding “Love at First Feel” and the punk-like “Rocker” instead.
Despite being released in 1976, “Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap” did not appear in the United States until 1981, after “AC/DC” had already become global superstars. By then, the album felt like a missing chapter in the band’s story, revealing the roots of their attitude and the raw hunger that fueled their rise. Over time, it has become one of the band’s most beloved records, frequently cited as a definitive Bon Scott era release.
Today, “Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap” stands as a crucial turning point in the “AC/DC” catalog. It is the sound of a band shedding uncertainty, embracing their identity, and committing fully to a philosophy of loud guitars, hard grooves, and zero compromise. It may not have the stadium polish of later albums, but its grit, humor, and danger remain timeless.
For Listening: Spotify, Apple Music