The Jack
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| "The Jack" | ||
|---|---|---|
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| Song by AC/DC | ||
| from the album T.N.T. | ||
| Released | December 1975 | |
| Recorded | July 1975 | |
| Genre | Hard Rock | |
| Length | 5:53 | |
| Label | Albert Productions | |
| Writer(s) | Angus Young, Malcolm Young, Bon Scott | |
| Producer(s) | Harry Vanda, George Young | |
| T.N.T. track listing | ||
| Rock 'n' Roll Singer (2) |
"The Jack" (3) |
Live Wire (4) |
| "The Jack" | ||
|---|---|---|
 |
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| Song by AC/DC | ||
| from the album High Voltage | ||
| Released | May 1976 | |
| High Voltage track listing | ||
| Rock 'n' Roll Singer (2) |
"The Jack" (3) |
Live Wire (4) |
"The Jack" is a song by Australian hard rock band AC/DC. It is the third track of their Australian album T.N.T, released in December 1975, and was written by Angus Young, Malcolm Young, and Bon Scott. It is also the third track on the international version of High Voltage, released in May 1976.
This is one of AC/DC's most popular songs. It is also one of the few slow-paced songs in the band's catalog, and displays a heavy blues influence.
Contents |
[edit] Composition
Originally titled "The Clap," the song is about a woman with whom the singer has had sexual relations, only to later learn that she has, and has infected him with, gonorrhea. As with its title, "The Jack" uses playing card metaphors to allude to the venereal disease, genitalia, and sexual activity, but originally featured more straightforward lyrics that were often used by Scott (and replacement singer Brian Johnson) at live concerts.
[edit] Influences
According to interviews, the song stemmed from real events when the five members of the band were sharing a house. A groupie who had slept with most if not all of the band contracted the disease and subsequently accused one of them of giving it to her.
[edit] Live recordings
"The Jack" has been included on all of the band's official live albums: If You Want Blood You've Got It (sung by Bon Scott, 1978), Live and its 2 CD Collector's Edition (sung by Scott's replacement Brian Johnson, 1992), Live from the Atlantic Studios (Scott, 1977), and Let There Be Rock: The Movie (Scott, 1979), with the last two being released in 1997 as part of the Bonfire box set. ("Whole Lotta Rosie" is the only other AC/DC song to appear on all five.) Slightly different lyrics are used on some live versions.
[edit] Personnel
- Bon Scott - lead vocals
- Angus Young - lead guitar
- Malcolm Young - rhythm guitar
- Mark Evans - bass
- Phil Rudd - drums
[edit] Production
- Producers: Harry Vanda, George Young
[edit] Trivia
The band played this song in 2003 at a show in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The concert, which featured various bands, was a benefit for the city, which suffered a drop in tourism due to the SARS disease.
