ROCK MOMENT – AC/DC ‘T.N.T.’

AC/DC’s ‘T.N.T.’ wasn’t just a breakthrough song—it was a statement of intent and a magnet for chaos, both onstage and off. Released in 1975 on their Australian album T.N.T. (and later included on the international High Voltage in 1976), the song captured the young band’s gritty, rebellious spirit. Written by Angus and Malcolm Young with Bon Scott, ‘T.N.T.’ was built on one of the most instantly recognizable riffs in rock, with Scott’s snarling delivery and the now-iconic “Oi! Oi! Oi!” chant that became a rallying cry for fans.

Recording took place at Albert Studios in Sydney under the guidance of producers Harry Vanda and George Young—Angus and Malcolm’s older brother. The sessions were raw and rowdy, with Bon reportedly cracking open beers between takes and jokingly referring to himself as the “power load.” The energy was so wild that studio staff allegedly complained about the sheer volume shaking the walls.

One of the strangest stories tied to ‘T.N.T.’ happened during AC/DC’s early Australian tours. During a 1976 show, the band lit actual sticks of fake dynamite on stage for dramatic effect—only for one to misfire, setting off sparks that singed Angus Young’s schoolboy outfit. He finished the song anyway, unfazed, earning even more cheers from the crowd.

‘T.N.T.’ also stirred controversy when radio stations complained about its aggressive lyrics, calling it too violent for airplay. But that only fueled its appeal. For AC/DC, it was all part of the fun—loud, dangerous, and larger than life. Nearly 50 years later, ‘T.N.T.’ remains rock’s ultimate call to arms, an explosion of raw energy that refuses to fade.