Given the Dog a Bone

Zoo Freaks, get ready to crank up the volume as The Zoo Crew spins the raw, electrifying "Given the Dog a Bone" from AC/DC's legendary Back in Black album. This track, the fourth on the 1980 release, is a gritty, no-nonsense rocker with a driving riff and suggestive lyrics that embody the band’s cheeky, hard-rock spirit. According to Genius, the song uses the metaphor of "giving the dog a bone" to describe a woman performing oral sex, with lines like “She’s usin’ her head again” delivering a playful, single-entendre punch. Fans on Reddit have debated the song’s title, noting that older vinyls and CDs list it as “Given the Dog a Bone,” while newer releases and digital platforms often use “Givin’ the Dog a Bone,” reflecting the band’s informal, rebellious attitude toward spelling conventions. ACDCfans.net highlights the song’s relentless guitar work and drummer Phil Rudd’s standout performance, with one fan noting how Rudd’s crash cymbals in the first verse add a unique, almost accidental character to the track.

The song’s live performances are rare and cherished. Ultimate Classic Rock reported that AC/DC dusted off “Given the Dog a Bone” in 2016 for the first time since 1980, playing it at select shows during their Rock or Bust tour. Fans on ACDCfans.net raved about the St. Louis performance, praising Angus Young’s Chuck Berry-inspired solo licks and the song’s steamrolling energy. Brian Johnson himself has expressed unapologetic love for the track, with a quote on Reddit stating, “I love Givin’ The Dog A Bone. That’s brilliant. I just like it. It’s a classic. I make no apologies for it whatsoever.” The song’s raw edge inspired a short story by Dave Bruns in the 2024 mystery anthology Back in Black, as noted by the Herald Tribune, showing its cultural reach beyond music.

AC/DC was born in Sydney, Australia, in 1973, founded by brothers Malcolm and Angus Young. The siblings, inspired by their older brother George Young of the Easybeats, started jamming with a raw, bluesy rock sound that rejected the glam and pop trends of the era. According to their Wikipedia bio, the band’s early lineup included drummer Colin Burgess, bassist Larry Van Kriedt, and vocalist Dave Evans, but it stabilized by 1977 with Phil Rudd, Cliff Williams, and Bon Scott. Their name, inspired by the “AC/DC” label on a sewing machine, reflected their high-voltage energy. After years of grinding through Australian pubs, their 1977 album Let There Be Rock broke them internationally, followed by the 1979 hit Highway to Hell. Tragically, Scott’s death in 1980 nearly ended the band, but they recruited Brian Johnson and roared back with Back in Black, cementing their legacy as rock icons.

Stay connected with AC/DC through their official website, Facebook, Instagram, and X accounts, where they share tour updates, reissued vinyls, and behind-the-scenes content. Fans can dive deeper on AC/DC Wiki for detailed discographies and lore or join the vibrant ACDCfans.net community to discuss setlists and rare tracks. On Facebook, groups like AC/DC Fans and AC/DC Worldwide bring Zoo Freaks together to share concert photos, memorabilia, and love for the band’s timeless thunder.