The definitive AC/DC playlist

AC/DC's catalog is loaded with memorable tunes. "T.N.T." is one of the most recognizable. The track was released as a single in 1975 and included on the album of the same name (put out only in Australia) and the worldwide-released High Voltage. Complete with a traditionally famous opening riff and notable chants of "Oi! Oi!" The song never achieved chart success but has been beloved in metal circles for nearly 50 years because of it consistent play on classic rock radio.

Looking back, the For Those About to Rock (We Salute You) album from 1981 still doesn't seem to get the credit it deserves, even if it was the band's first to reach No. 1 in the United States. It remains in the shadows of such classics like Highway to Hell and Back in Black. The title track remains the highlight of the record and longtime concert favorite. The simple image of an old-timey cannon remains one of the most iconic album covers in hard rock/heavy metal history.

Originally released on the Australian T.N.T album, then part of the international version of High Voltage. The band, and legendary frontman Bon Scott in particular, often chronicled the good and bad about being in a rock band. There's an autobiographical approach from Scott on "Rock 'N' Roll Singer," an AC/DC deep cut that is one of the hidden gems to the band's early work. It's somewhat criminal that the tune is not celebrated to the level of other AC/DC songs of the era.

When 1978's Powerage was released internationally, AC/DC was still trying to find its way with mainstream listeners. Especially in the United States. This album failed to crack the top 100 in the Billboard 200, but "Riff Raff" is certainly one of the highlights of a record that tends to get lost in the shuffle within AC/DC's expansive catalog. Angus Young's guitar greatness is deliciously on display with this number. While the studio album take is no doubt solid, the live version that opens If You Want Blood You've Got It captures the song at its best.

"If You Want Blood (You've Got It)" was also the title of the band's only live album, from 1978, with Bon Scott on vocals. One year later, the song of the same name was included on Highway to Hell. It was the first album that truly made a serious dent with American audiences, thanks to the band's collaboration with legendary rock producer "Mutt" Lange. This particular track might not be the first from the album that comes to mind, but it can certainly hold its own with the overall greatness of the record.

One of the more comical AC/DC tunes. Full of innuendoes and part of the Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap album that was first released in Australian and across Europe in 1976, but not in the United States until 1981. "Big Balls" can best be described as fun little romp, highlighted by the Bon Scott's dastardly lyrics. AC/DC was a collective of playfully mischievous punks at heart, and this is the perfect musical example. 

The Razors Edge (1990) album was a comeback (hitting No. 2 on the Billboard 200 album chart) for AC/DC after struggling to maintain its critical and commercial success of the late 1970s and early '80s. "Moneytalks" was the second single released from the record, and it reached No. 23 on Billboard's Hot 100 in the United States. The signature AC/DC riffs were back and Brian Johnson's growling, nicotine-fused voiced seemed ready to rock all over again.

Even into the 2000s, AC/DC was making meaningful music that longtime fans and newcomers were eating up. This comes from 2008's Grammy-nominated Black Ice, which hit No. 1 on the Billboard 200 album chart. The hard-rocking, undeniably AC/DC-sounding number also earned a Grammy nomination for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal. The song and album were the last to feature the classic 1980s lineup of the Young brothers, Brian Johnson, bassist Cliff Williams, and drummer Phil Rudd.

The soundtrack to Stephen King's comedy horror film Maximum Overdrive (1986) is actually an AC/DC greatest hits package. The title track to the film was one of three new songs included on the record. "Who Made Who" was essentially written for the movie about machines coming to life and doing harm on society. The track reached No. 33 on Billboard's Hot 100 and was a much-needed hit for the band at that point in their career.

Another gem from the underrated Powerage. "Sin City" opens with even more thunderous guitar work and grinds on with that heavy, blues-fueled hard rock that was starting to grow on fans throughout the world. The song features what's arguably Angus Young's best solo work on the album. Though not a commercial hit for the band, like others of its ilk, "Sin City" has aged well thanks to classic rock radio and streaming services.

Preaching from the pulpit of rock and roll, Bon Scott and Co. offer a history listen to this particular genre of music and its rise to prominence. In the fashion of "...and then God created...." The title track of its 1977 album is an example of AC/DC's penchant for musical theatrics, if you will. It's one of the more creative efforts from a group that influenced the likes of Van Halen and Foo Fighters.

Complete with another legendary guitar riff from the Young brothers, the bluesy "Girls Got Rhythm" is one of the many standout moments from Highway to Hell. It features some of Bon Scott's best squealing lyrics and even a bit of sustained harmony from the boys. It's a perfect example of how well Scott's unique voice and the simplistically stellar guitar work of Angus and Malcolm Young meshed so well together. 

From 1980's Back in Black, the band's first album following the death of Bon Scott. The record was a tribute to Scott and his legacy with the group. It opened with the ominous tolling of a 2000-pound bronze bell, followed by an almost funeral-like guitar riff that ushered the dark, hard-rocking sound of a record that reached No. 4 on the Billboard 200. To some AC/DC and hard rock fans, it was the true introduction to new singer Brian Johnson, who has superbly carried the vocal torch in the post-Bon Scott era of the band.

Go to a sporting event, especially a football game, and there's a good chance "Thunderstruck" will be played at some point. The lead single from The Razors Edge not only became one of AC/DC's most popular songs — reaching Platinum status — but a favorite of athletes and sports teams throughout America. Known for its wailing intro complete with some of Angus Young's best finger work, and Chris Slade tightly tapping his cymbal and chants of "THUNDER!!" The song was featured in such popular films like Varsity Blues, Iron Man 2, and Planes: Fire & Rescue."

A stellar deep cut from Back in Black. However, AC/DC lore has suggested that the surviving band members worked on the track with Bon Scott, prior to his death in 1980. It's an unabashed, sexually-fueled rocker that AC/DC fans had become accustomed to and, frankly, expected from the group. That didn't end with Brian Johnson on vocals, but songs like this underrated offering were more polished thanks to the production of "Mutt" Lange.

The opening to "Back in Black" is right up there with "Smoke on the Water" or "Stairway to Heaven" when in comes to the most memorable guitar riffs in hard rock history. A top-40 hit for AC/DC and the signature song from the album of the same name, it's pure, in-your-face rock and roll without any excuses. As told by members, it's the band's full-on tribute to late signer Bon Scott, the way he'd likely want it. Nothing sad, just loud and aggressive while proving AC/DC was also ready to move on as a force to be reckoned with.

From start to finish, this classic-rock radio staple from Back in Black is simply relentless. Brian Johnson's tale of drug-fueled on the prowl for some extramarital excitement was never released as a single, but it earned continued popularity over the decades thanks to consistent radio and streaming play. Plus the fact that the Back in Black album is pretty much an all-killer, no-filler listening experience. The song was also included in popular films such as Iron Man 2 and Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby.

The closest thing AC/DC came to recording a ballad. "Ride On," sung by a grousing Bon Scott about a broken relationship, dependence on the bottle, and self-reflection with the hope of self-change. It's a slower bluesy track that's made for a smoky bar, and nothing like anybody had heard from the band at that point — or beyond, for that matter. It was released on Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap and also included on the Who Made Who soundtrack. 

Again, Highway to Hell is full of memorable songs. And "Walk All Over You" should be considered in that group, even if the tune is not on the radar of casual hard rock fans. It can also be categorized as one of AC/DC's best deep cuts. A drawn out, yet menacing intro kicks into Angus Young doing his thing while the pace picks up into one of the band's most hard-charging numbers.

In early February 1980, Bon Scott and AC/DC performed this exceptional Highway to Hell number on BBC's famed Top of the Pops. Days later, on Feb. 19, 1980, Scott was found dead from what was officially ruled "acute alcohol poisoning" at age 33. The appearance and television performance of the fast-paced, lewd-and-crude "Touch Too Much" remains an eerie moment in the band's history. However, the track is one that truly exhibits and celebrates the genuine uniqueness of Scott's voice and vocals.

Another signature moment on the band's legacy. "Dirty Deeds," taken from the album of the same name, is a rather conceptual song, put forth through the eyes of a hitman looking for work. Then, offering the services he provides (cyanide, TNT, high voltage) to get the job done in a timely and discrete fashion. The song is made even more memorable by another notable guitar riff that became an instant classic. 

One of the great hard rock/metal blues numbers ever recorded, and that's certainly not a stretch to state. From Let There Be Rock, "Whole Lotta Rosie" is one of AC/DC's most critically acclaimed songs and features what is arguably Angus Young's greatest guitar solo, which is obviously saying a lot. The song is famously about an overweight Tasmanian woman that Bon Scott had partook in a one-high stand and could not get out of his mind. 

One of the most famous guitar riffs in hard rock history came courtesy of Angus Young. Though not a top-40 hit back in the last 1970s, the title track to a phenomenal album has become a classic-rock staple over the decades, and it's perhaps the one tune most prominently associated with AC/DC. The rigors of the road amid a seemingly endless touring schedule reportedly provided inspiration for the Youngs and Bon Scott to craft one of the great rock songs of all time. Simple, yet impactful and the defining moment on a long-lasting legacy.

Released on the Australian T.N.T. album, then as the lead-off track from High Voltage. Written by the Young brothers and Bon Scott, the tune is perhaps best known for its use of the bagpipes, which were special to the Scottish-born Scott. It's sort of an anthem that never really became one, but found new life and mainstream popularity for its inclusion in the 2003 Jack Black film School of Rock. Local H, Dropkick Murphys and Lemmy also delivered some of the better cover version of this all-time AC/DC classic.

The first single released from Back in Black, and still one of the great lustfully, trashy rock songs of all time. It features another special riff from the Brothers Young, a blistering Angus solo, and perhaps Phil Rudd's best drumming with the band. It was also a sign that AC/DC had not skipped a beat with its transition from the beloved Bon Scott to more-than-worthy successor Brian Johnson. "You Shook Me All Night Long" proved that AC/DC was ready to resume its place among the giants of hard rock and heavy metal.