Beating Around the Bush

Hey there, Zoo Freaks, it’s your groovy Zoo Crew spinning the platters that matter on THE ZOO radio station! Right now, we’re cranking up the electrifying riffs of AC/DC with their high-voltage track “Beating Around the Bush” from the legendary 1979 album Highway to Hell. This song is a gritty, fast-paced banger, and it’s got some wild trivia to share. Fans on the ACDCfans.net forum have called it a “fucking powerful song,” praising the tight rhythm work of Malcolm Young and the blistering solo by Angus Young, noting how the band locks in like a well-oiled machine. Some eagle-eared listeners point out the main riff bears a striking resemblance to Fleetwood Mac’s “Oh Well, Pt. 1,” with music journalist Phil Sutcliffe describing it as “almost a tribute” to the blues-rock classic. Amazingly, Fleetwood Mac never pursued legal action, even though the song’s credits go solely to Angus Young, Malcolm Young, and Bon Scott. Over on Reddit, fans have hailed its raw energy, with one user calling it “rock n’ roll at its purest—dirty, grungy, juvenile… bliss.” The song’s cheeky lyrics, like “I was talking birds, and you was talking bees,” have sparked debate, with some on SongMeanings suggesting it’s a double entendre for, well, let’s just say some very adult activities. This track never got the live treatment it deserved, which fans on ACDCfans.net call a “crime,” but it remains a cult favorite for its relentless boogie and Bon Scott’s snarling vocals.

Let’s dive into how AC/DC got their start, because these Aussie rockers didn’t just stumble into greatness. Formed in Sydney in 1973 by brothers Malcolm and Angus Young, the band was a family affair with a nod to their Scottish roots—both were born in Glasgow before migrating to Australia as kids. Their older brother George Young, a member of the 1960s hitmakers The Easybeats, played a huge role early on, producing their first five albums alongside Harry Vanda. The name “AC/DC” came from a spark of inspiration when their sister Margaret saw the abbreviation for “alternating current/direct current” on a sewing machine—talk about a jolt of creativity! Bon Scott, the band’s iconic frontman for “Beating Around the Bush,” joined in 1974 after a chance meeting with the Young brothers while he was driving a van for another band. His rough-and-tumble background, including stints as a dock worker and a stint in a pipe band, gave him the gritty edge that defined AC/DC’s early sound. By the time Highway to Hell dropped, the band had honed their bluesy, hard-rock style through relentless touring in Australia and Europe, building a loyal fanbase with their raw energy and Angus’s schoolboy-uniformed antics. Sadly, Bon Scott’s death in 1980 marked the end of an era, but Brian Johnson stepped in, and the band’s legacy roared on.

Wanna keep up with AC/DC? Check out their official website at acdc.com for tour dates, merch, and more. They’re rocking the socials too—follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and X for the latest updates, like their 2023 post about recording Highway to Hell at Roundhouse Studios in London. For the Zoo Freaks who live and breathe AC/DC, join the diehard fans at ACDCfans.net, a buzzing community dissecting every riff and lyric. You can also connect with fellow headbangers in Facebook groups like AC/DC Fans, where devotees share vinyl hauls, concert stories, and love for the band’s 50-year legacy. So, crank up “Beating Around the Bush,” let those riffs hit you like a thunderbolt, and stay wild, Zoo Freaks!