You Shook Me All Night Long

"You Shook Me All Night Long" is a straightforward and unapologetic celebration of sexual liberation and a memorable night of passion. The lyrics are a jubilant account of a one-night stand with a woman who is portrayed as powerful, confident, and sexually uninhibited. The song's meaning revolves around the sheer thrill and excitement of this encounter. It's less about love or emotional connection and more about the primal, electrifying energy shared between two people. The narrator is completely captivated by the woman's prowess and charm, expressing a sense of joyous surrender to the experience. The song's enduring appeal lies in its simple, universal theme of fun and exuberance, making it a timeless party anthem.

The song narrates an unforgettable, high-energy encounter with an incredibly captivating woman. The storyteller describes her with a mix of awe and admiration, using metaphors that liken her to a powerful, well-maintained vehicle. She is portrayed as 'the best damn woman' he has ever encountered, possessing an irresistible allure, symbolized by her 'American thighs.' Her presence and actions are overwhelming in the best way possible, leaving him breathless and completely enthralled. The experience is so intense that it feels seismic, as if the very walls are shaking and the earth is quaking. It's a tale of total surrender to a passionate and wild night.

The narrative continues by emphasizing the woman's singular focus and insatiable nature. She is described as 'one of a kind' and relentlessly dedicated to their mutual pleasure, 'working double time on the seduction line.' She seeks no external validation or 'applause'; the experience itself is the reward. The storyteller becomes her sole focus, as she 'made a meal' out of him and was ready for more. After such an intense round, he needs a moment to 'cool down' before being ready to go again, likening the encounter to a boxing match where he's eager to 'take another swing.' The core of the story is the recurring, powerful acknowledgment that this woman's energy and passion completely 'shook' him, creating a memorable and exhilarating all-night experience.

"You Shook Me All Night Long" was recorded in April-May 1980 at Compass Point Studios in Nassau, Bahamas, for the album Back in Black. It holds a significant place in AC/DC's history as it was the first single released with new vocalist Brian Johnson, who had replaced the late Bon Scott. The band, particularly brothers Angus and Malcolm Young, presented Johnson with the music and the title, tasking him with writing the lyrics. Feeling immense pressure to impress his new bandmates, Johnson penned the lyrics in a single night. Being a car enthusiast, he drew inspiration from the parallels between powerful cars and women, which led to the opening lines: "She was a fast machine, she kept her motor clean." The rest of the lyrics were inspired by images of American women he'd seen. The song was produced by Robert John "Mutt" Lange. Despite official credits listing Angus Young, Malcolm Young, and Brian Johnson as songwriters, there has been persistent controversy and claims that Bon Scott had written some of the lyrics, including lines like "She told me to come but I was already there," before his death. However, the band and Johnson maintain he wrote the lyrics for the track.

The lyrics of "You Shook Me All Night Long" are rich with metaphors, primarily centered around cars and physical competition to describe the sexual encounter.

• The Woman as a Car: The opening lines, "She was a fast machine / She kept her motor clean," immediately establish a central metaphor comparing the woman to a high-performance vehicle. This comparison suggests she is powerful, sleek, efficient, and exciting.
• "American Thighs": This iconic phrase serves as a specific, vivid image of the woman's physical allure, grounding the song's fantasy in a tangible (and for the band, exotic) feature. The rock band Veruca Salt later named their debut album after this lyric.
• Sexual Experience as an Earthquake: The lines "'Cause the walls start shaking / The Earth was quaking" use seismic imagery to convey the intensity and all-consuming nature of their lovemaking.
• Encounter as a Boxing Match: The verse "Had to cool me down to take another round / Now I'm back in the ring to take another swing" frames the sexual marathon as a competitive sport, a boxing match where the narrator is eager for the next round.
• "Sightless eyes": This is one of the most debated phrases. Interpretations range from it being a metaphor for her nipples, to her eyes rolling back in ecstasy, to a reference to the blindfolded figure of Justice, implying honesty ("telling me no lies").

The predominant emotional tone of "You Shook Me All Night Long" is one of pure, unadulterated joy and exhilaration. It's a celebratory and triumphant anthem. This atmosphere is created through a perfect fusion of its musical and lyrical elements. The driving, upbeat tempo, the iconic and energetic guitar riff, and the loud, powerful instrumentation immediately establish a feel-good, party atmosphere. Brian Johnson's raw, high-energy vocal delivery, which sounds like a joyous shout, amplifies this feeling. The lyrics, with their boastful and vivid descriptions of a fantastic sexual encounter, contribute to a sense of confidence and hedonistic fun. There are no moments of doubt or melancholy; the song is a relentless expression of elation from start to finish.

"You Shook Me All Night Long" is one of AC/DC's most enduring and popular songs, cementing its place as a cultural phenomenon. Released in August 1980, it was the band's first single with Brian Johnson and their first to crack the US Top 40, reaching number 35 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song was a cornerstone of the Back in Black album, which became one of the best-selling albums of all time and marked a monumental comeback for the band after Bon Scott's death. The song's universal appeal has made it a staple at sporting events, parties, weddings, and on classic rock radio worldwide. It has been featured in numerous films and TV shows, such as 'Iron Man 2,' and commercials for brands like Applebee's. The song's legacy is evident in its continued chart presence decades later, frequently appearing on Billboard's Hard Rock streaming and digital sales charts. When AC/DC was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2003, they performed the song with Steven Tyler of Aerosmith.

The song follows a simple and effective structure that enhances its catchiness. The rhyme scheme in the verses is a consistent AABB pattern (e.g., machine/clean, seen/been; eyes/lies, thighs/air). This straightforward scheme makes the lyrics easy to follow and remember. The rhythm is a driving 4/4 time signature, characteristic of rock and roll, with a steady, upbeat tempo that invites dancing and celebration. The song's rhythmic foundation is built on the tight interplay between the drums, bass, and Malcolm Young's rhythm guitar, creating a powerful and propulsive groove. The vocal phrasing works in perfect sync with the instrumental rhythm, with Brian Johnson's delivery punching key phrases that align with the main beats, giving the song its signature swagger and energetic feel.

"You Shook Me All Night Long" is a masterclass in straightforward, effective rock and roll. Musically, it's built on one of rock's most iconic guitar riffs, a simple yet infectious G-C-D chord progression in the key of G Major. The interplay between Angus Young's blues-infused lead guitar and Malcolm Young's rock-solid rhythm guitar is fundamental to the AC/DC sound. The arrangement utilizes power chords and open-string riffs, which create a full, dynamic, and powerful sound. Angus Young's solo is celebrated for its expressive bends and signature vibrato. Lyrically, the song is built on double entendres and direct, boastful language. Vocalistically, Brian Johnson's performance is defining. He employs a high-larynx, compressed vocal technique that gives his voice its signature raspy, screaming quality, often shifting between his chest and head voice to hit the high notes. The song's verse-chorus structure is simple and highly effective, making the chorus an unforgettable, anthemic hook.

What is the song 'You Shook Me All Night Long' about?

The song is a celebration of a wild and memorable one-night stand. The lyrics describe an intensely passionate encounter with a woman who is portrayed as powerful, confident, and sexually uninhibited, leaving the singer exhilarated.

Who wrote 'You Shook Me All Night Long'?

The song is officially credited to Angus Young, Malcolm Young, and Brian Johnson. It was the first song Johnson wrote lyrics for after joining AC/DC. While there are rumors that former singer Bon Scott contributed to the lyrics before his death, this has not been officially confirmed by the band.

When was 'You Shook Me All Night Long' released?

The song was released as a single on August 15, 1980. It was the lead single from AC/DC's iconic album 'Back in Black,' which was also released in 1980.

What does the lyric 'She had the sightless eyes' mean?

This is a famously ambiguous lyric with many interpretations. Some fans believe it's a metaphor for the woman's nipples, while others suggest it refers to her eyes rolling back in ecstasy. Another theory is that it alludes to the blindfolded figure of Justice, meaning she was honest and 'telling no lies'.

Was 'You Shook Me All Night Long' Brian Johnson's first song with AC/DC?

Yes, 'You Shook Me All Night Long' was the first single AC/DC released with Brian Johnson as the lead vocalist, following the death of Bon Scott. It was also the first set of lyrics he wrote for the band.

What genre is 'You Shook Me All Night Long'?

The song is primarily classified as Hard Rock and Arena Rock. Its driving rhythm, powerful guitar riffs, and anthemic chorus are defining characteristics of these genres.