Ain't No Fun (Waiting Round To Be A Millionaire)

Album: Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap (1976)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • The genesis of this song appears to be a letter Bon Scott wrote shortly after joining the band. In January 1972, the Scottish-born Ronald Belford Scott married Irene Thornton, a native born Australian. The two traveled to the UK with Bon's band Fraternity, but although they were backed by Hamish Henry, a wealthy idealistic Adelaide music promoter, the tour was a disaster, and the band broke up. His new band would soon establish themselves as the biggest rock group in Australia and one of the biggest in the world, but they were not an overnight success, and in a letter to Irene, Bon included a PS to his brother Graeme: "If you can still manage the other $50 I'd love ya f'rever. It's no fun waiting round to be a millionaire!!!"
  • This Young/Young and Scott composition runs to 7 minutes 31 seconds and has a terrible irony about it; Bon Scott died in London on February 19, 1980 at the age of 33, just as he and his band were becoming a force in rock music. He was most definitely having fun, and if he had managed to wait around a little longer he would just as definitely have become a millionaire many times over. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Alexander Baron - London, England, for above 2

Comments: 6

  • AnonymousWell back in the day in Australia you needed a fast right hand other wise U would get knocked out understood 1 Of The greatest songs of all time
  • Greg B from Van.bcMy guess for fast right hand would be for fighting or guitar playing.
  • Zero from Nowhere, NjWhat does "'Got a rock 'n roll band and a fast right hand" mean?
  • James from Ottawa, OnThere is a spoken line near the end of the song, where Bon says, "Hey Howard, how you doin' baby? Oh yeah, next door neighbor... Get your f*kn' Jumbo Jet out of my airport!" Bon is referring to the billionaire Howard Hughes, with a tongue-in-cheek reference to the imaginary lifestlye of living as a millionaire.
  • Austin from Bristow, VaReminds me me of the tough times I went through during my first two years of high school.
  • Jason from Denver, CoHMMM!! Sounds like my life story.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Female Singers Of The 90s

Female Singers Of The 90sMusic Quiz

The ladies who ruled the '90s in this quiz.

Rick Springfield

Rick SpringfieldSongwriter Interviews

Rick has a surprising dark side, a strong feminine side and, in a certain TV show, a naked backside. But he still hasn't found Jessie's Girl.

Jack Blades of Night Ranger and Damn Yankees

Jack Blades of Night Ranger and Damn YankeesSongwriter Interviews

Revisit the awesome glory of Night Ranger and Damn Yankees: cheesily-acted videos, catchy guitar licks, long hair, and lyrics that are just plain relatable.

Boz Scaggs

Boz ScaggsSongwriter Interviews

The "Lowdown" and "Lido Shuffle" singer makes a habit of playing with the best in the business.

Randy Newman

Randy NewmanSongwriting Legends

Newman makes it look easy these days, but in this 1974 interview, he reveals the paranoia and pressures that made him yearn for his old 9-5 job.

Sugarland

SugarlandSongwriter Interviews

Meet the "sassy basket" with the biggest voice in country music.