Sunday, September 20, 2015

This Day in Music History: AC/DC/Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap (09/20)

On this day in 1976, AC/DC released their second international album (third in Australia) called Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap.


The title track would become one of the band's most famous songs, with the narrator inviting people experiencing problems to either call him on 36-24-36, an actual phone number in Australia at the time, or visit him at his home, at which point he will perform assorted unsavoury acts to resolve said problems. Situations in which he offers assistance include those involving lewd high school headmasters and significant others who are either adulterous or who persistently find fault with their partners. The term "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap" is an homage to the cartoon Beany and Cecil, which Angus watched when he was a child. One of the cartoon's characters was named Dishonest John, and carried a business card that read, "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap. Holidays, Sundays and Special Rates."

Another fan-favorite from the album is "Ride On." Atypically for an AC/DC song, it has a sad, slow blues feel and features Scott's reflective lyrics and restrained, soulful delivery. The lyrics concern a man ruminating on the mistakes he has made in a relationship while drinking. It has frequently been cited as one of AC/DC's best songs.


Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap has been certified 6x platinum both in Australia and in the US, selling at least six million copies, becoming the third-highest selling album by AC/DC in the US after Highway to Hell (7x platinum) and Back in Black (22x platinum).

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