Problem Child

Album: Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap (1976)
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Songfacts®:

  • When vocalist Bon Scott introduced this song at concerts he would say half-jokingly that it was about lead guitarist Angus Young. In his biography of the band, Paul Stenning says it could have been written about any of them, but Angus himself said, "I wasn't really a bad sort of kid". Young did though invariably dress as a schoolboy on stage, so this humorous remark may have had a double meaning.
  • The song was written by Malcolm Young, Angus Young and Bon Scott. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Alexander Baron - London, England, for above 2
  • Bassist Cliff Williams told Hard Rock magazine in 1996: "A friend of mine gave me a phone call telling me AC/DC was looking for a bassist and that my name was on their list. The boys in the band thought they had greater chances to find the right man in England rather than in Australia because the talent pool was more important there. I was auditioned in a small room at the Victoria studio. The first tracks I played were "Live Wire" and "Problem Child" and a few old blues songs if I remember well. The manager of the band told me I had the job. The plan was as follows: I was to leave London to Australia, because we were supposed to prepare the recording of Powerage. But the Australian Immigration Department didn't act cool with me. The guy in charge of my file told me, 'I don't understand why a Brit got the job, an Australian could have had it.' I answered, 'You're crazy, you could have me lose my job.' Yes, I had a few problems but finally I was able to go to Australia where we recorded Powerage." >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Bertrand - Paris, France

Comments: 7

  • Luna Loud from Royal Woods, MichiganThe version from DDDDC is slightly different than the one on Let There Be Rock. I mean, it's the same recording, but on the DDDDC version, after the song ends, the band starts up again with a drum fill and then they play the main riff again until the song fades out. On the LTBR version there is no false ending, when the song ends that's when the song ends, they just cut off the extra part with the fade out. This song is awesome.
  • Xxx from Miami BeachLove the intro when he says cop this, sounds like he is saying f*** this, love towards the end of the song when he says even my mother hates me, I bought my very first AC DC album live if you want blood you got it from the 1978 tour this song was on it
  • Zero from Nowhere, NjThe boys in Judas Priest apparently loved this song so much they made a song called "Devil's Child" and nicked the main riff.
  • Nick from Cairns, AustraliaI AM HOT!!! AND WHEN I'M NOT, I'M COLD AS ICE! GET OUTTA MY WAY!!! JUST STEP ASIDE, OR PAY THE PRICE!..................................................................................................AWESOME DAMN SONG!! if you ever experience great music like this, use my slang and call it acca dacca stuff! :)
  • Austin from Bristow, VaDamn great song. No wonder it appeared on three AC/DC albums (Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap, Let There Be Rock, and If You Want Blood, You've Got It) great for guys like me who tend to snub their schoolmates (which I really enjoy) after a awhile.
  • Jeff from Austin, TxGreat song. As usual, a killer minimalist riff.
  • Selina from Perth, AustraliaOh god great song- AC/DC are a bunch of Problem Children, just like they're fans...such an inspiration :P
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