In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
Living easy, living free
Season ticket on a one-way ride
Asking nothing, leave me be
Taking everything in my stride
Don't need reason, don't need rhyme
Ain't nothing I would rather do
Going down, party time
My friends are gonna be there too, yeah
I'm on the highway to hell
On the highway to hell
Highway to hell
I'm on the highway to hell
No stop signs, speed limit
Nobody's gonna slow me down
Like a wheel, gonna spin it
Nobody's gonna mess me around
Hey Satan, payin' my dues
Playing in a rocking band
Hey mama, look at me
I'm on my way to the promised land, woo
I'm on the highway to hell
Highway to hell
I'm on the highway to hell
Highway to hell
Don't stop me, eh, eh, ooh
I'm on the highway to hell
On the highway to hell
I'm on the highway to hell
On the highway to
Yeah (highway to hell)
I'm on the highway to hell (highway to hell)
Highway to hell (highway to hell)
Highway to hell (highway to hell)
And I'm going down
All the way
Whoa
I'm on the highway to hell
Season ticket on a one-way ride
Asking nothing, leave me be
Taking everything in my stride
Don't need reason, don't need rhyme
Ain't nothing I would rather do
Going down, party time
My friends are gonna be there too, yeah
I'm on the highway to hell
On the highway to hell
Highway to hell
I'm on the highway to hell
No stop signs, speed limit
Nobody's gonna slow me down
Like a wheel, gonna spin it
Nobody's gonna mess me around
Hey Satan, payin' my dues
Playing in a rocking band
Hey mama, look at me
I'm on my way to the promised land, woo
I'm on the highway to hell
Highway to hell
I'm on the highway to hell
Highway to hell
Don't stop me, eh, eh, ooh
I'm on the highway to hell
On the highway to hell
I'm on the highway to hell
On the highway to
Yeah (highway to hell)
I'm on the highway to hell (highway to hell)
Highway to hell (highway to hell)
Highway to hell (highway to hell)
And I'm going down
All the way
Whoa
I'm on the highway to hell
Lyrics submitted by Demau Senae, edited by LHGL
Highway To Hell Lyrics as written by Malcolm Young Angus Young
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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NJRock, that is correct. Most people think its about Satanism, but you are 100% correct.
What bit of 'Hey Satan, payed my dues' don't you get? If it was to do with ups and downs why would he directly address Satan and tell him that he has done his bit for him?<br /> <br /> Likewise 'promised land' doesn't really make sense if its to do with ups and downs. Its religious imagery that has been inverted to show his religious contentment with eternal damnation.<br /> <br /> If you really want it to be I sorta see that you could view hell as a metaphor for suffering... but its pushing it. Reading it first time through its not the impression I got or the impression I think most people would have. No offence meant...<br /> <br /> I like many of AC/DC's songs, but as a Christian I just don't feel comfortable listening to this particular one.
I think that Hey Satan, payed my dues, means that they felt that they had been through enough hell already and that they didn't need to suffer anymore. And the promised land is the destination where they were going, such as stardom or home. <br /> <br /> Lots of my friends are Christian but they will get up on a karaoke stage with me and sing it anytime.
@BWoodmeyer I think they are pulling the mickey out of those that labelled their music sinful ... this is their big "fuck you" song. We'll sing what we please about, you can't tell us what we can and can't play.