AC/DC - WHY THEY MAKE YOU MOVE 

"No worries, I'll just make my own tracks. And I'll play the instruments. And I'll mix 'em. Then I'll do a killer in-depth talk about them. All in a day's work."

Rick doesn't get enough credit for what he does, creating an ACDC song from scratch in it's entirety just so he can dissect it and tell us what makes it amazing, thank you

I've always said this, if you're a musician and you think ACDC is easy and simple, try covering them.

One thing my brother pointed out to me about 30 years ago was that Australian late seventies and early eighties pub rock songs that really swing (from ACDC, The Angels, Cold Chisel, Midnight Oil, Rose Tattoo, Divinyls etc) would often have even hard emphasis on all four beats (whereas successful US rock tunes would emphasise the 2 and 4 more eg Van Halen Jump or Panama or many G&R songs). A lot of Australian rock was hard on all four beats. I can't over emphasise this because there is plenty of overlap, but I think it is rooted in the primitive nature of the pub rock scene. I know there's plenty of four-to-the-floor music in the US, (or even in UK - Pink Floyd Run) but in Australia it took on a greater significance. If this doesn't make sense, maybe talking about the pub rock thing would help give context to the ACDC approach to rhythm. ACDC played over a hundred recorded Australian pub gigs a year, every year from 1973 to 1977 (probably many more unrecorded) . The main thing about pub rock in Australia was that if you didn't make the audience feel the music, make them really feel it, the audience would hurt you, literally and you'd be lucky to get paid or to get out without injury. Likewise, any extra notes or beats that showed pretence would bring a similar response. Perhaps that's why Malcolm went for the school uniform and Bon Scott for the gaudy theatre so they could hide behind the idea they were taking the piss, sending themselves up. Showing off does not go down well, so Australians tend to take the piss to get attention (I know, we are weird). Pink Floyd or Guns & Roses, Cream, Led Zeppelin much as they are respected and loved here, would not have created their sound here in the 1970's or 80's. Heavy Metal and prog rock likewise. A band had to be heavy and hard, with nothing unnecessary in their sound, but also had to to swing it, if they wanted to win their audience over and be asked to came back. If the audience couldn't drink, stomp, holler along or make out to it, the band would be eating beer cans in seconds flat. The irony was that if you were good, the audience wouldn't let you off the stage until you'd played your whole set and all extra songs twice and were literally bleeding. Playing the final gig in a very minor pub band called Who Cares in 1990 (the best known song was called 'Drunk'), I had the gaff tape on my hands wear through after four hours or more, and Pete Gare on guitar was unplugging, when a girl in a lace dress grabbed my hair and hollered "Play another song or I'll break your F...N arm". So that was the pub rock scene. The stage smelled of beer, smoke and the sourness of puke. The band had a job to do - make it loud, make it swing but keep it simple. It's not unique to pub rock, but probably very characteristic of it, and ACDC took it to the Nth degree and in that found their own great sound.

Becoming a one man AC/DC to make one video - that's dedication and one of the many reasons Rick is the best one RU-vid by some distance.

My brother had "Highway to Hell" played at his wedding ... turned out to be more appropriate that we all thought.

It's Phil Rudd. No matter how simple his style is, it just instantly makes you MOVE when you hear it. It's a very instinctive thing, I think. He just knows what to do. It's crude, simple and subtle but irreplacable. One of the greatest drummers.

Amazing how the simplicity of pretty much the same drumming style, singing about, partying, drinking, women, and being bad boys for it, major chords with pentatonic solos every time can be so kickass with a greatest hits list that would be the size of 4 albums of music could exist. Their style never changed yet never sounds dated. They are the epitome of the definition of what rock and roll sounds like yet I have trouble describing them to people unaware of them or mentioning bands similar to them. They are a rock standard and an anomaly at the same time. They will always be on my music rotation as a listener and a guitar player no matter how sophisticated I may become.

Recreating the track! This is a whole new level of cool!

Way to go Rick. If you can’t use them, become them.

So many elements that makes AC DC sound so great, but cannot overlook Phil's drum style. It's a got a swing. That's why Malcolm asked him to come back to the band, that element was missing and was vital.

Rick Beato - Guitar Rick Beato - Bass Rick Beato - Drums The best band

That's the subtle genius of Malcolm Young. It seems simple but you dig into it and you just nod your head in admiration at how clever and catchy it is.

Brilliant video. I remember Angus describing AC/DC’s sound as The Who meets Chuck Berry. Perfectly sums up their groove.

Shame these labels are being so heavy handed when Rick's videos are clearly for educational purposes.

So excited these guys are back with a new album!

I’m a drummer who’s been playing for 25 years. The first rock band I fell in love with and learned to play was AC/DC. Over the years I grew to love all of the “great drummer bands.” Led Zeppelin, Rush, The Police, Frank Zappa, etc. But my love for AC/DC has never diminished. Their stuff seems simple compared to those other bands, but the combination of the rock solid drums and bass with those legendary guitar riffs locking right in feels so great. A classic band.

*RU-vid strikes AC/DC songs* Rick: "Fine, I'll do it myself!"

Also, an interesting thing is in the bass lines . Cliff Williams didn't always play the root note to Malcolm's rhythm which creates a great amount of tension. eg Back in black third chord is an Amajor but cliff plays the c sharp. makes it sound really cool. love the vid and the channeL Rick.

Malcolm was the arranger but when they were playing he was the rythm guitarist. and Malcolm and Angus worked so well off each other. and Phil of course was the time keeper. and when you put it all together they made a sound that makes people move. its ingenious.

You're a wonderful teacher Mr. Beato!

Aside from the composition and musicianship of the Back In Black album, the production quality is just absolutely amazing. Even compared to many more recent recordings of any artist and genre, it is still a superior production sound.

Best rock band ever. Bon Scott and Freddie Mercury were the two best front men ever to grace the stage. I remember buying if you want blood, the live album as a 13 year old and trying to learn every riff. AC/DC will still sound good in another 50 years.

Even after watching this video, I have no idea what an upbeat or a downbeat is. But AC/DC ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A this is why Phil Rudd is a legend. That beat is lagging ever so slightly on every track he's playing on.

Back in the 80s I purchased Back in Black and George Winston’s Winter Into Spring at the same time. The guy at the checkout counter looked at me like l had lobsters hanging out of my ears. One of the greatest things about watching your videos is that you teach us how and why things work. In this case the drum downbeat vs. guitar upbeat and bass pedal relationship creating ACDCs signature hard-driving sound . For a song writer, this is gold. Thank you Rick for opening our minds. Excellent.

Its funny how so many people joke about Phil Rudds drumming, he doesn't play complicated things, but where it sits amongst the guitar riffs is very hard to replicate!!

My dad was a huge AC/DC fan. I was five when I first remember hearing them. Nothing like that sound. They have definitely been the biggest influence in my own playing. Eventhough I play a lot of music, they were the reason I wanted to play guitar.

It's really amazing when you see that, for the purpose of teaching you music theory, Rick got through all the process of playing every instrument, recording them, mixing and mastering the song, just to recreate it with the same catchy aesthetic - and then teach you. ♥

I cannot say enough how much i love this channel. Entertaining, funny, and super educational. And today you did AC/DC!! It's like christmas without all the crappy music.

Rick, you are the KING, sir! You should put out the next AC/DC album. I saw them in concert in Atlanta at the Omni for the For Those About to Rock tour, and it was a fantastic show. about half way through, Angus got on Brian and Malcolm's shoulders and he jammed like there would be NO TOMORROW while they carried him through the audience on the floor center stage, came RIGHT BY ME. It was beyond spectacular. Fantastic. And you duplicate their sound exceedingly well!

Every time you pick up an instrument I'm floored my dude... You are such a good instrumentalist. You probably threw these together (all things considered) and they sound as good as the originals.

One of my 18-year-old music students didn't know much about rock so I suggested AC/DC (among others). He said they were too heavy and described the Highway To Hell artwork as "shocking." Kids today, eh? Seriously missing out!

Thta's why AC/DC is my favourite band of all times. They got me started on the guitar, they taught me so much. I'm more than ten years into my guitar journey, and still find out things about them that I had never noticed. AC/DC for life

Hands down best music channel ever.

Rick, please inform youtube they have a problem - it seems like the thumbs up button is only letting me give you one thumbs up. I'm pretty sure that a video this cool is supposed to allow me to give you at least ten thumbs up. My friends and I in college used to say that Phil Rudd was the greatest drummer of all time. We sort of said it joking around but in somewhat of a serious way too. I always thought he was sort of playing behind the beat but your explanation of the rhythm is really helpful. So many people mess it up when they try to play their songs. Kudos on putting together all the parts with such great quality and for so many songs! Thank you.

Hey rick could you do a video on why creedence were so successful and how they pieced their songs together

I was born in 81 so my music identity really starts in the 90s. That being said, AD\DC is such a *huge* influence. It's really simple but it sets this standard that never leaves me.

I've played AC/DC cover tunes in live bands for 30+ years and they ALWAYS get people out of their seats and on the dance floor.. one of the best rock bands ever!

What a great excuse to spend the whole day playing ACDC :D

Even the Blockers can't stop Mr. Beato ! ;)

Rick, you've really outdone yourself here! I could watch the "AC/DC create then discuss" videos for hours and hours! Thanks!

JJ touches on something important at 9:19. One of the "normal" rock polyrhythms is 16th notes counted 333322. Like Who Do You Love, by Bo Diddley. Notice that this is what the brothers Young do at the end of the chorus of Back In Black, but for the *rest* of the chorus they are messing with us! It's 233332...offset from the bar by an 8th note. It's almost like they come back to the normal one at the end to let us know that they were perfectly aware they were messing with us. This is a great example of how rock & roll is about rhythmic counterpoint.

Mutt Lange is a freaking genius. People attach him so much to Def Leppard it's easy to forget he also produced Back in Black, Highway to Hell, Foreigner's 4, The Cars' Heartbeat City, and all of Shania Twain's records until they split up. Lange, Phil Spector, Quincy Jones, and George Martin are your Mt. Rushmore of music producers. I'd also accept arguments for Bruce Fairbairn, for his engineering work alone, but his production catalog is quite impressive as well.

You obviously put a ton of effort into this, and I think it is well worth it. There is a lot of quality information for listeners, musicians, and aspiring producers as well.

Phill Rudd my favorite drummer I love his simple style

Rick, it's genius to make your own tracks. You tackle the copyright/blocking while taking us into the fine details of the music we love as you re-create it. It's a helluva lot of work but it's Fantastic! Thank you.

Malcolm was an atomic clock of a rhythm player. Unshakable precision.

The remix of Back In Black that plays while you set up the drums is awesome! I've also noticed that Bryan Adams does a lot of the same thing with his guitar/drum/bass rhythms. Sometimes musically you'd hardly know it wasn't AC/DC if you listened as only instrumentals in some of his more Rock oriented songs. Well, maybe it's a Mutt Lange thing actually since he produced most all of Bryan Adam's songs and all the AC/DC songs you mentioned...

Sunday morning coffee with Rick. Back in black (with 1 sugar)!

Great to see you doing a video on our favourite Sons from Australia 🇦🇺! Over here we call them “ACCA DACCA”!

this song will always make me happy. Driving with my buddy in HS in his 78 Berlinetta and blasting AC/DC.

Amazing!!! I loved how you recreated the track and I loved seeing all the shots, especially the part showing you set up!!!

Songs that hit on the upbeat are always lively and feel more exciting and active. That's why I think AC/DC is the best purely rock & roll band ever.

The groove that AC/DC got was something I couldn't fully understand or appreciate until I became a seasoned musician. Now I revel in it. I will just pull up back in black or highway to hell and just play the Malcom parts and just groove and LOVE it. This is the act of a real band hooking up in a way that is extremely rare and musically advanced.

I love the way this great guy breaks everything down, and explains in detail every beat and riff. Plus he is a very talented all round multi musician, who plays bass rhythm lead drums all equally as well.

Great mix. Nice and clean. I find that in many ACDC tunes, the use of major chords also contributes to a positive vibe. It elevates us. Listeners are able to pick up the riffs within a seconds and feel the mood without having to hear a lyric. Making basic songs great is an art.

Now you know why all the ACDC clones never got anywhere but ACDC are legends.

AC/DC really are the Occam’s razor of the musical world. Their simplicity is their brilliance because it’s all about HOW they play it.

I'm really grateful someone with your Talent & Skills, has taken to sharing it with us. While immersed in the reasons that I love ac/dc. I stepped back a moment to appreciate the entire delivery. It's amazing that you not only play (everything) beautifully, you go and tie it up with a bow in the editing room. These videos are the best YT has to offer. Thank You!

Cliff must be one of the most underrated bassists ever. You keep hearing Rick reference pedal tones. That’s Cliff!!! Dude knows what he’s doin’!! My God, This is the perfect band!!!

way to go. everyone should rember Malcolm as one of the greatest rock'n roll composers of all times - so highly underrated!

Also the interplay between Malcolm's Gretsch and Angus' SG is signature for them.

Music history, analysis, musicality, tones, production, key features, the "What Makes this..." insider talk, the stems... Man, youre just gold. A growing legend. Much love and respect.

Amazing how You give detailed technical explanation of Something that Angus and Malcolm played only by Instinct . Great video

Gotta love the way you bypassed the RU-vid Bots. Great video showing WHY AC/DC Rocks.

DUDE! Beato is a serious BAMF ! Not just cobbling everything together, not just playing the tasty riffs, but breaking everything down… I’m not even a musician ( beyond the commuter sing along…) but I LOVE getting this play by play from these songs! Great video brother!

AC/DCs music is like a boxing match. Its just left and right hooks (down an up beats) all the way, just straight up throwing punches. The fairly straight meter and high energy makes it great for workouts as well, gets the blood pumping. AC/DC proves how (apparent) simplicity has its place in music, not every band has to be Dream Theatre or King Crimson :D

I had video speed set at 1.25 from a previous video and I spent 5 minutes wondering why you were playing so damn fast... I understand the adrenalin for the song, but man... Hahaha great video!!!

If Rick Beato speaks highly about an artist/groups musicianship, you know it means something of value...RB get's us almost in the mix on the day, truly behind-the-scene brilliance...🎸🎵🎼🎶

What people don’t appreciate about AC/DC is that even non-rock fans know & love their songs. No other band has managed this.

Bloody Brilliant, I've never seen such an in-depth look at what makes ACDC so great, cheers Rick

Ok finally some ACDC ✊👍

The coolest thing about Highway to Hell is the drum fill into the second verse. Simple but amazingly effective

As a drummer, I really feel the connection between Cliff William’s right hand and Phil Rudd’s is part of the magic of their sound and tightness. The driving eighth-notes they both play are soooo incredible right, it really drives the music along. The bass and hit-hat are LOCKED in.

Syncopation in the riff that emphasizes every beat of the measure. And into those holes Phil plays on “on” beats. Genius riffing plus swinging drummer.

Worth mentioning is how left field "Back In Black" was in 80/81, still a hit!

Another sublime video Mr Beato - You are the best creator / teacher / inspiration and go to guru on You Tube - Thank you for sharing 🙏🏻

I never get sick of AC/DC! I was lucky enough to see them in Denver back in 1996.

Phill Rudd always served the song! Great drum sound and guitar sounds you got Rick!

AC/DC played at my high school in the 70s, beat that 👈😂🤣😆😭

Remember Angus and Malcolm's older brother was George. They grew up with songs like Wedding Ring etc. showing how to put the upbeats against the rhythm section. Aussie pub rock was built on the precedents set in places like Hoadley's Battle of the Sounds.

I love the say you break down the beats, measures, tones and riffs. It is so instructive. Thank you.

I remember learning, "She's got Balls", great riff, with my mate in his bedroom played through a 100w Strauss', back in the early 70s, then we'd go to the "Bondi Lifesaver" the following night and watch them live, what a venue that was.

The "simpleness" is what makes this stuff sound so huge on records...the empty spaces. "Supersonic" by Oasis is another great example of how to make a simple song sound massive on record.

EXCELLENT! Very cool way of discussing AC/DC. You mentioned discussing the vocal part, can't wait! Thanks!!

Those things described here: the pedaling bass and the slightly lagging drums (one beat behind the guitar riffs) are the AC/DC “strut.” Those little subtleties are why their music has more swagger and swing than most metal/hard-rock acts. Rhythm sections are important!

This is the reason why I subscribed to your channel, not just naming theories, styles etc. of Music, but going deep for us to understand what's truly happening to that song.

That's the best sounding BASS on RU-vid.

You mentioned not going into the vocals... My favorite AC/DC vocalist by far is Bon, but Brian Johnson took it to another level. Well done Rick!!! I grew up on "Let There Be Rock" and "High Voltage" when I was a young lad of 12?!? Changed my life in many ways. It still gets me going at almost 52 years old :0)

Rick, just discovered your channel and have been binge watching all weekend. I am not a musician but love music and you, my friend, rock it!

There's something magical about the drumming in ACDC. Simple yet groovy

Thank you Malcolm Young. The world is out of sync without you.

Rick, you rock! I love your videos. They always focus on positives. You make the internet a better place. Thank you.

Best AC/DC analysis I've seen I can well imagine how much work went into making this video. Thank you.

Rick, I love the way you break down the songs by instrument and explain the beats and timing signatures. Awesome stuff man! So enjoy your channel!

Great breakdown, Rick! Malcolm rocked! RIP as you Rock us out of here......

Rick, you are an excellent ambassador to rock music. Thank you. Over the years, many of us know what we like. And it is often hard to communicate to younger people seeking. Today, we can check literally anything out! Rock has just as much to offer new listeners today as it ever did! When you go through the technical elements that make this music great, it not only helps people communicate and explore, but maybe start to do. I find myself going back through some music made then that I did not quite grok. And more often I can! All of this happening means new experiences, new people, new takes on great music. All of rock benefits when we share. You doing what you do matters just like some fan talking a new listener into a little adventure. What happens is the music does what was intended, and that is to get people up, moving, laughing, loving, doing, playing. I still do not fully understand why some are so aggressive about limiting this kind of thing. It isn't like the field is too crowded, or some how anyone or anything is made less. The truth is more. Where is the downside? You said greed. I disagreed, but after thinking, reading a listening for a while now, perhaps you are much closer to the mark. I have a young one coming up right now. Your work is perfect for rekindling that spark related to music, why it matters, that it matters at all. Thanks again.

AC/DC gets recognized as cool and timeless but people don't know why. Thanks for showing everyone. Recreating tracks- AWESOME!

It's the most amazing and credible explanation on all things AC DC. And that enthusiasm for rock music, that Rick has, is unmatched.