The Only AC/DC Song Angus Young Struggles With
Angus Young live in 2016 - AC/DC / YouTube
AC/DC built their legacy on the strength of simple, hard-hitting rock and roll. With riffs that hit straight to the gut and choruses that demand to be shouted back, their music rarely strayed from a no-frills formula. Whether it was the explosive energy of “TNT” or the slick swagger of “You Shook Me All Night Long,” AC/DC knew how to deliver unforgettable songs without getting too fancy.
Angus Young, the band’s iconic lead guitarist, became a symbol of this streamlined approach. Known for his schoolboy outfit and fiery solos, his playing style often emphasized feel over flash. But even within the confines of AC/DC’s stripped-back approach, there exists one song that pushes even Angus to his limits.
Unlike most of the band’s catalog, this particular track demands relentless fingerwork and pinpoint precision. And while Angus usually makes guitar theatrics look effortless, he’s been open about this song being a technical challenge—even decades after its release.
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A Comeback Fueled by Loss and Legacy
In the early 1980s, tragedy struck AC/DC when lead singer Bon Scott passed away from alcohol poisoning. It was a moment that could have easily ended the band. But instead of packing it in, Malcolm Young insisted they push forward, bringing in Brian Johnson to fill the void left by Scott.
The result was Back in Black, a thunderous comeback that paid tribute to their fallen frontman while reigniting their momentum. The album was a massive success, but the road ahead would be a mix of highs and safe bets. AC/DC didn’t mess much with their formula, but they also didn’t reinvent the wheel during the following albums.
It wasn’t until 1990’s The Razor’s Edge that AC/DC hit another creative peak. The album delivered one of their most electrifying songs: “Thunderstruck.” With its rapid-fire guitar intro and stadium-sized chorus, it cemented itself as a defining track of the post-Bon Scott era—and the one that gives Angus Young the most trouble.
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The Lick That Almost Didn’t Happen
Interestingly, “Thunderstruck” almost never became a song. Angus originally used the main lick as nothing more than a warm-up drill on his acoustic guitar. The fast-paced pull-off pattern was more of an exercise than a riff meant for a rock anthem. But Malcolm saw the potential and urged Angus to turn it into something bigger.
That nudge led to one of the band’s most recognizable intros, where Angus hammers away at a single string with blazing speed. The energy of the riff never lets up, making it a standout moment in any AC/DC setlist. But while it sounds thrilling to fans, it requires serious control and preparation behind the scenes.
Even for someone of Angus’s skill, it’s not a song he can just rip into cold. He’s admitted that he needs a full hour to warm up before a performance just to get it right. The riff demands a level of intricacy that isn’t typical of the band’s usual meat-and-potatoes guitar work.
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When Flash Meets Precision
Despite its technical demands, the brilliance of the “Thunderstruck” riff lies in its simplicity. It’s mostly based on a basic scale shape, played entirely on one string. But the rapid pull-offs and the need for even articulation turn it into a serious challenge for the fretting hand.
Angus usually brings a level of stage flair to his performances, duckwalking and spinning around without missing a note. But for this track, he kept things grounded—even in the studio. Instead of using hammer-ons for a smoother sound, he picked every note to give the riff a punchier, more aggressive attack.
In a catalog filled with big, brawny riffs and straight-ahead rockers, “Thunderstruck” stands out as the one track that dares to flex some guitar muscle. And even though it gives him a run for his money, Angus continues to tackle it with the same fire he brings to every performance—just with a little extra warm-up time.
