Album: Powerage (1978)

License This Song 

Songfacts®:

• This song is described in Paul Stenning's biography of the band as "a tale of struggle as a rock 'n' roller on welfare". Although the Young brothers came from a solid if not prosperous family, vocalist and lyricist Bon Scott had seen some hard times.
• A detailed account of Bon's early career is given in Clinton Walker's dedicated biography, the aptly named Highway To Hell. Like most true Rock stars, Bon was not an overnight success. His first band, The Spektors, played the Perth circuit in 1965 merging with The Winztons the following year to form The Valentines. When the band moved to Melbourne they fell on hard times; in Sydney they were "strapped for cash, pooling funds to eat fish 'n' chips." The Valentines broke up in August 1970, and Bon was asked by Bruce Howe, the leader of Fraternity, to join his group, but even though the band had a wealthy backer, an Adelaide entrepreneur named Hamish Henry, they were to spend a disastrous 18 months in the UK before splitting up. On his return to Adelaide, Bon was involved in a horrific road crash that nearly cost him his life, and when he auditioned for AC/DC he was in the process of separating from his wife. For him if not for the Youngs, "Down Payment Blues" was a song that was clearly written from the heart. >>>

  Suggestion credit:
  Alexander Baron - London, England, for above 2

Comments: 9

• John from PennsylvaniaIsn't it, "Got myself a sailing boat, but I can't afford a gust of wind"?
• Richie Rich from Portland OregonThe entire Powerage album has always been extremely underrated.
  
  The song down payment blues is a song each of us can relate to. The way the song quietly simmers on the back burner and then frantically boils over is a metaphore of the frantic desperation of poverty. Most of us only a paycheck away from oblivion. I have a rather fond memory of my wife years ago in our youth listening to it with me, both of us laughting at Bon's hopeless, sardonic lyrics,
  
  "Sheriff knocking on my door, Ain't it funny how the time flies."
• John Delmos from Lebec CaliforniaOne of the very best songs they ever did, bought this album in whatever 76 77 when it came out, was in the navy. they are always best.
• Paul from UkMy favourite song ever - the guitars, bass and drums keep building and releasing intensity with Bon's wonderful melody and lyrics over the top. I love it.
• Martin from EnglandShows Bon’s brilliance as a lyricist/poet and a great tune too.
• Zero from Nowhere, NjGreat song from an underrated album
• Randy from New Hartford, NyThis was one of those songs that I knew I was gonna love right from the first few notes- even though at the time I had no clue who did it. It remains as one of my top 5 AC/DC songs.
• Austin from Bristow, VaVery sad song. It shows that the boys from AC/DC went through some tough times before sucess was theirs.
• Selina from Perth, AustraliaThis is a great song from Bon n the boys- someone comment!!!...
  Explains alot about the early life of the band who were ready to get their kick-start but livin off the strerets n sharin beds with rats. Rock On AC/DC ! :)

More Songfacts:

Invisible TouchGenesis

The Genesis song "Invisible Touch" was inspired by the Prince-written Sheila E. track "The Glamorous Life."

Shake It OffTaylor Swift

Taylor Swift's "Shake It Off" was inspired by how she'd learned to deal with all the false rumors that circulated about her. She realized she could either let it get to her or "just shake it off."

The ReflexDuran Duran

"The Reflex" became a #1 hit for Duran Duran when Nile Rodgers remixed it using a sampler. Simon Le Bon refuses to say what it's about, but says it's "kind of childish song."

Louie LouieThe Kingsmen

"Louie Louie" was first recorded in 1955 by an R&B singer named Richard Berry, and his lyrics are easy to understand. When The Kingsmen recorded the hit version, their lyrics were indecipherable.

Burning Down The HouseTalking Heads

"Burning Down The House" by Talking Heads was inspired by chant band members heard at a P-Funk show where the crowd yelled, "burn down the house... burn down the house."

She Loves YouThe Beatles

"She Loves You" by The Beatles was the song that convinced Ozzy Osbourne to make music his life. The Beatles were a big influence on him because they were also poor kids from a small town in England.

Editor's Picks

Tommy JamesSongwriter Interviews

"Mony Mony," "Crimson and Clover," "Draggin' The Line"... the hits kept coming for Tommy James, and in a plot line fit for a movie, his record company was controlled by the mafia.

Steely DanFact or Fiction

Did they really trade their guitarist to The Doobie Brothers? Are they named after something naughty? And what's up with the band name?

David GraySongwriter Interviews

David Gray explains the significance of the word "Babylon," and talks about how songs are a form of active imagination, with lyrics that reveal what's inside us.

JJ Burnel of The StranglersSongwriter Interviews

JJ talks about The Stranglers' signature sound - keyboard and bass - which isn't your typical strain of punk rock.

Tim McIlrath of Rise AgainstSongwriter Interviews

Rise Against frontman Tim McIlrath explains the meanings behind some of their biggest songs and names the sci-fi books that have influenced him.

George ClintonSongwriter Interviews

When you free your mind, your ass may follow, but you have to make sure someone else doesn't program it while it's wide open.