Watch these behind-the-scenes stories to see how AC/DC created one of the most iconic riffs in rock history:
: Angus developed the iconic opening riff as a technical drill to keep his fingers limber.
: To achieve that distinct, clean sound on the recording, Angus allegedly taped up all the strings on his guitar except for the B-string, a trick he learned from his older brother, producer George Young . Capturing the "Thunder" acdc_thunderstruck
The lyrics were built around the word "Thunder," which the band felt perfectly matched the intensity of the riff. They wanted a title that felt as powerful as their previous classics like Highway to Hell or Powerage . Lead singer contributed high-pitched, electrifying vocals, and the iconic "Thunder!" chant was added to mirror the energy of their earlier hit "T.N.T.". The Ultimate Music Video
The music video was filmed at in London. To make it look like a massive event, the director gave every audience member a free T-shirt that said "I was Thunderstruck" on the front. They even placed small cameras on Angus’s guitar and drumsticks to give fans a "musician's eye view" of the performance. Watch these behind-the-scenes stories to see how AC/DC
For years, the most popular "origin story" was that guitarist was flying in a plane that was struck by lightning. As the legend goes, the aircraft nearly crashed, and Angus, terrified but inspired, began humming a riff to capture the raw power of the storm. While the band often humored this story in early interviews, they later clarified it was largely an urban legend designed to give the song some dramatic flair. The Real Origin: A Finger Trick The song actually began as a guitar exercise.
: When he played this "robotic" exercise for his brother Malcolm Young , Malcolm heard a potential stadium anthem. He immediately added a driving, heavy rhythm underneath it that gave the riff its structure. They wanted a title that felt as powerful
The story of AC/DC’s "" is a blend of rock-and-roll mythology and technical wizardry. Released in 1990 on the album The Razors Edge , it wasn't just another hit; it was the song that single-handedly revitalized the band’s career for a new decade. The Lightning Strike Myth