The album Back in Black, which did not yet have a title, AC / DC began to record with Bon Scott (Bon Scott). But the legendary singer died, having pretty much gone through alcohol. The musicians continued to work on the record with Brian Johnson, a former member of Geordie.
The new frontman co-wrote several tracks, including Hells Bells. It will be discussed in the article.
Be sure to read about how the sounds of a church bell were recorded and why you decided to make your own.
The history of creation and the meaning of the song Hells Bells – AC / DC
It was written by Angus Young, Malcolm Young and Brian Johnson. Like several other songs from Back in Black, it is dedicated to Bon Scott.
Johnson told how the work on the track went:
Matt [Ланж] says: Brian, today we’re going to work on Hell’s Bells. And I’m like, “Hmm, Hell’s Bells, okay.” And I just recorded “Back in Black” and I was like, “Can I do something darker?” And then, right at that moment, a tropical thunderstorm like I’ve never seen before started. Matt said, “Listen, thunder!” And I answered: “Thunder rolls [rolling thunder]that’s what they say in England. He says, “Thunder rolls – write it down.” And the truth is, it’s like booming! The damn rain poured down in jets, so that you couldn’t hear yourself…
I left. That night the song was ready. I didn’t even hear the track because they were busy working on it. It was concocted in great haste.
Classic Rock
Hells Bells opens the album with bell strikes, setting the tone and overall mood of the record. The Young brothers’ guitars join the deafening rumble, and later Phil Rudd’s drums and Cliff Williams’ bass join them.
What is AC/DC’s Hells Bells about? It can hardly be considered a direct reference to the late Bon Scott, but his death clearly became a source of inspiration for the authors. Share your opinions about the meaning of the composition in the comments.
History of the bell
You can’t play a song called Hells Bells without including the sounds of a real bell. In this case, the option with banal sound effects is inappropriate.
First, they went to a museum located in Leicestershire to record the bell ringing, but the musicians were not satisfied with the result. They ordered their bell from John Taylor Bellfounders.
Making a colossus weighing 910 kg took time. In order not to drag out the work on the album, the band tried to use the bell in the church located not far from the studio.
The venture turned out to be unsuccessful. Pigeons lived on the bell tower, which flatly refused to leave their home. After each blow, they took off, flapping their wings loudly, and then landed again. I had to wait for John Taylor Bellfounders to make a bell.
It was recorded with fifteen microphones. Platt and Lange then worked on the tapes at New York’s Electric Lady Studios. They slowed down the recording to make it sound more sinister.
Release and achievements
Hells Bells opens the album Back in Black. On October 31, 1980, the song was released as the second single from the album.
The track was also included on the Who Made Who (1986) album of songs from the soundtrack of Stephen King’s film Maximum Overdrive. In 1992, it was included on the live album AC/DC Live.
Clip Hells Bells – AC/DC
Let’s watch the live recording of the band, which is considered the official video for the song Hells Bells by AC/DC.
Cover versions
Six Feet Under performed Hells Bells for the Graveyard Classic 2 cover album.
In the style of country music, the band Hayseed Dixie played Hells Bells.
A spectacular version of Hells Bells was presented by the Gregorian group.
This is the sound of Hells Bells played on church bells.
Interesting Facts
- During the introduction, the bell rings thirteen times.
- In 2018, Hells Bells was featured in the trailer for the horror film Overlord.
- Boxer Vitali Klitschko entered the ring under Hells Bells.
- Hell’s Bells, an all-female tribute band that plays AC/DC songs, was founded in Seattle.
Hells Bells Lyrics
I’m a rolling thunder, a pouring rain
I’m comin’ on like a hurricane
My lightning’s flashing across the sky
You’re only young but you’re gonna die
chorus:
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 you, Satan get you
Hell’s bells
Yeah, hell’s bells
You got me ringing hell’s bells
My temperature’s high, hell’s bells
I’ll give you black sensations up and down your spine
If you’re into evil you’re a friend of mine
See my white light flashing as I split the night
Cause if good’s on the left,
Then I’m stickin’ to the right
Chorus
Hell’s bells, Satan’s comin’ to you
Hell’s bells, he’s ringing them now
Hell’s bells, the temperature’s high
Hell’s bells, across the sky
Hell’s bells, they’re takin’ you down
Hell’s bells, they’re draggin’ you around
Hell’s bells gonna split the night
Hell’s bells, there’s no way to fight, yeah
Hell’s bells
BRIAN JOHNSON, ANGUS MCKINNON YOUNG, MALCOLM MITCHELL YOUNG
J. ALBERT & SON(INTERNATIONAL) PTY. LTD
Hells Bells Lyrics
I am the thunder, the pouring rain
I’m coming like a hurricane
My lightning flashes across the sky
You are still young, but you will die.
Chorus:
I will not take prisoners, I will not have mercy,
Nobody can stand the fight.
I have a bell, I’ll take you to hell
I will take you, Satan will take you
hell bells,
Yes, hell bells
You made me ring the hell bells
I’m on fire, hell’s bells
I’ll send dark sensations down your spine.
If you are on the side of evil, you are my friend.
Watch me pierce the night with white flashes.
After all, if good is on the left,
Then I’ll stick to the right side.
Chorus
Hell’s bells, Satan is coming for you
Hell’s bells, he’s already ringing them.
Hell’s bells around the heat
Hell’s bells, all over the sky.
Hell’s bells, they knock you down
Hell’s bells, they’re pulling you along.
Hell’s bells they pierce the night
Hell bells, it’s useless to fight them, yeah
hell bells
