A	B	C	D	E	F	G
H	I	J	K	L	M	N
O	P	Q	R	S	T	U
V	W	X	Y	Z	#

Browse Categories Random Songfact Random Category Add to Songfacts SongFAQ Get the Newsletter E-Mail Us Message Boards Songwriter Interviews Song Writing Songfactor's Choice Song Places Song Fallacies

Songfacts:  You can leave comments about the song at the bottom of the page.

AC/DC recorded this a few months after lead singer Bon Scott drank himself to death. The album is a tribute to him, and features his replacement, Brian Johnson, on vocals.

This is the first track on Back In Black, AC/DC's biggest album. It starts off with the church bells tolling 13 times in tribute to Scott. (thanks, Nathan - Willow Spring, NC)

When this became a hit, AC/DC added a 2-ton bell to their stage show.

This played in San Diego when relief pitcher Trevor Hoffman came in for the Padres.

There is an all-female AC/DC tribute band in Seattle called Hell's Belles.

The term "Hell's Bells" is an exclamation of surprise. (thanks, Bertrand - Paris, France)

The album was produced by John "Mutt" Lange who has also produced albums for Def Leppard. Mutt Lange also produced for Shania Twain, who he was married to. (thanks, john - Cheshire, England)

At University of North Carolina football games, this song is played at the start of the fourth quarter. (thanks, Chris - Wilmington, NC)

AC/DC recorded Back In Black in the Bahamas. Johnson explained to Q magazine November 2008 that penning the lyrics to this song was a supernatural and scary experience. The singer explained: "I don't believe in God or Heaven or Hell. But something happened. We had these little rooms like cells with a bed and a toilet, no TVs. I had this big sheet of paper and I had to write some words. I was going, 'oh f--k.' and I'll never forget, I just went (scribbles frantically as if his hand is possessed). I started writing and never stopped. And that was it, hells Bells. I had a bottle of whisky and I went (generous gulps). I kept the light on all night, man."

Johnson told Q magazine how this song played a part in rescuing imprisoned Black Hawk Down pilot Michael Durant following the Battle of Mogadishu in Somalia in 1993. He recalled: "That was the best one. He was shoved in prison, his back was broken. They were kicking him, shooting bullets into him and he was terrified. His pals knew that AC/DC was his favorite band so they hooked up a speaker to the skid of one of the Black Hawks and they were playing Hells Bells over the rooftops. He took his shirt off and- cos his legs were broken- he crawled up to the windows and waved his shirt. That's how they got him out. Ain't that amazing!"

Since this song specifically is a tribute to the late Bon Scott, it's probably a good idea to mention that a statue to Bon Scott was unveiled in 2008 in Fremantle, Western Australia. Here's a little video tour of the statue.
At the same time, as soon as the first lyric is heard, it is unmistakable that the band could not have found a better replacement than Brian Johnson. Johnson puts a manic rage into every syllable and an unearthly howl on the chorus, making a song with scarily sacrilegious lyrics even scarier. By the way, that hat he wears onstage was his brother's idea, to help Brian Johnson keep the sweat out of his eyes. His brother loaned it to him and never got it back.

Comments:

Hell's bells is actually about Australian rules football (AFL). In Australia when a player scores it is sometimes called a "bell" - Melbourne FC is also known as the "demons" and their logo is a devil. This the hells bells, AC DC were football fans.
- Jim , Toronto, ON

The Hell's Bell was cast at the worlds largest Bell Foundary in Loughborough England where some of the worlds most famous bells were cast
- Andrew , Kilcoy, Australia

If you can find the VH1 episode where they do where are they now, AC/DC is featured in it and Brian Johnson is too cool. When He wrote Hells Bells, he said they were in the Bahamas writing songs for the Back in Black album and he wrote this while a hurrican warning was being issued for the Bahamas. It was storming and all hence the opening line I'm rolling thunder and pouring rain, I'm coming on like a hurricane... really a cool interview.
- william , Carlsbad, NM

Not much of a AC/DC fan but this song kicks ass
- Jesse , San Antoino, TX

I started listening to ACDC when I was in about the 5th grade. My parents used to be kinda strict on me, and told me not to listen to this song. I had only heard the very first part, with the bells, and that's it. Finially, I decided to listen to it. I imediately fell in love with it. It's my all-time favorite ACDC song. I'm now a freshman, and they aren't as strict on me, thank God. Because I love this song.
- Tyler , Ashland, KY

Been a Hard Rock fan from the beginning, and a lead guitar enthusist, but this is the song that turned me on to AC/DC. I had a rock & roll prejudice. I preferred that lead guitarist wear long pants. But I hung out in a bar in the early 90's that had Hell's Bells in the jukebox, and the bar's owner (whom I disliked) told me how much he hated the song because of the bells ringing in the intro. Naturally, I'd immediately play Hell's Bells the moment I walked into the bar, and a few more times during the evening. I grew to love the song, started listening to AC/DC, and never turned back. GREAT guitar group.
- Lester , New York City, NY

A pretty spooky song. Great tribute to Bon Scott.
- austin , Bristow, VA

Buddy: Compared to how many successful American bands there are to successful Australian bands, I think it would be pretty fair if us Aussies boasted a bit about one of our bands being one of the best in the world. Nobody is saying Australia is better than America, or vice versa,so chill out mate, it's just music, not the United Nations.
- nady , adelaide, Australia

This song is so bad ass. Great for those who have a knack for rage.
- austin , Bristow, VA

I seen a TV show about AC/DC on recording Back in Black. Where Angus and Malcom told Brian if he wanted to stay with the band after doing The Back in Black Album and Tour he had to write a song. They had the music but no words. There was a tropical storm that is referred to as him taking over the vocals of AC/DC and becoming a rock legend. Over confident? I think not. AC/DC will live on forever, cause of 2 albums Highway to Hell and Back in Black. Old to New!
- James , Ardmore, OK

Hell's Bells was actually my first curse word. This was on a CD called Who Made Who and was featured in the Emilio Estevez (Sheen) movie called Maximum Overdrive.
- Joel , Columbia, MD

AC/DC=ultimate god-ness. I'm sick of people from the U.S. and Australia arguing who's better than who on AC/DC songs. Australians; don't immediately say you're better than us because I'll rip you a new one. Americans; don't say you're better than Australians because if you do you're too stupid to call yourself an "American." Just enjoy the music. AC/DC from Australia and they are ultimate gods at rock. Same thing with Guns N' Roses and Black Sabbath. Their good musicians and from Britain. There are great rockers everywhere so don't say that America or Australia is better than all. But, unfortunately, mostly America. My country is very ignorant.
- Buddy , SB, NJ

Love this song!!!! It is played on my favorite show Supernatural!!!
- Sarah , LA, CA

guess what, acca dacca is aussie so screw you screw you im an anteater
- Jesse , Melbourne, Australia

Love this song the intro is just so COOOOOOL the bells just make it so realistic!!
- Natascha , Johanesburg, South Africa

We love this song, The Morton Thunder baseball team plays this song when Jonathan Marks comes in at the end of the game to shut the door and get the save!
- brad , Morton, IL

THE best concert opening I have ever seen, bar none.
- B-Man , Detroit, MI

We absolutely love hearing this song while watching baseball games ast Petco Park in San Diego, because it signals the beginning of "Trevor Time" in which future Hall of Fame pitcher Trevor Hoffman comes in to protect the lead and close out the game for the Padres!
- Michael , San Diego, CA

Bon Scott wrote most all the lyrics for the Back in Black album but never got the credit.
- mike , KInston, NC

I love this song and all the songs of Back In Black and I love AC/DC!!
- Andrew , Bartlett, TN

The bell at the start of Back in Black was the best sound they could've used for their respectful tribute. Then it gets into that main riff where you can just tell the thunder from the hurricane is coming for you...right at you, in ya face... Funny, they wanted this bell right, so they went to the guy's that made the church bells, they were a bit skeptical because they wanted the word 'Hell' on a Church bell haha. And can we all get over this Satanist business...and Max, well said... Anyways, great song!
- selina , Perth, Australia

I have the back in black 45
- Dylan , Branson, MO

Fact - The bell in the song was one that was produced and recorded in a bell factory. And it was actually rung by the worker how help construct the bell. They attempted to record bells from various churches thru out England, put one of the biggest problems that came about was the background noises from the birds in the bell tower and other background noise. In fact there is even a picture of the worker ringing the bell in the factory. (All of this info I provided was per ACDC documentary regarding the Back in Black Album on VH1) P.S... it was Mutt Lange he mentioned something about the storm to Brian Johnson in a manner that made him use those opening lines.
- Anthony , Paramus, NJ

The Idea for the Bell came from Malcom Young. He talks about this in the DVD "Making of Back in Black." Says Malcom "I was back there in the toliet taking a Piss and i thought 'hang on, why don't we get a big F#$%ing bell.'"
- Michael , Goshen, IN

Just wanted to add something to Max's comment about the hurricane: I remember Angus doing an interview where he also spoke of the winds being so strong it was making the bells ring at a church on the island and the band could hear the ringing through the violent storm... hence the name "Hells Bells". Awesome song by an awesome group!! Rayzor
- Raymond , Winnipeg, Canada

Ac/DC is a lot of things but as far as I know they are not devil worshipers. A lot of bands write those kind of lyrics for shock value (just look at Alice Cooper). Not one of my fave songs but then I don't really listen to Ac/Dc all that much anymore.
- Joel , Columbia, SC

I love this song! It's soo cool. It sounds like a song from hell, but Max says what is true
- Liz , Richland Center, WI

Andrew, Dublin, Ireland - dont get worked up. This song was written about a hurricane that hit an island where the band was staying. It was very unexpected, so they wrote a song about it. In fact, none of AC/DC's songs have anything to do with Hell. Highway to Hell is about their first American tour, Hell Aint A Bad Place to Be is about an ugly groupie, etc. Like many heavy metal bands, AC/DC referred to hell just to watch people dedicate their lives to calling them satanists. The best part is, it worked.
- Max , Brooklyn, NY

When I become a pro "wrassler" I am going to come out to this song.
- Mel , Lubbock, TX

hells bells is an amizing song both in concerts and just listening to anytime, i have learned to play this song on my guitar and have perfected it
- zack , glendale, AZ

Perfect intro to Back in Black IMO. I could totally see this song blaring from helicopter speakers in Nam.
- Travis , Waterloo, NY

Bon was the far better entertainer, but Brian is a better Heavy Metal singer, Bons buried in Freo,35 minutes from my home!
- Dylan , perth, Australia

haha AC/DC found got there name from there sister finding it on a sewing machine (if you dont believe buy the BONFIRE SET), And there is no bisexual terms too it According to Wikipedia (free website encylopedia) And my opnion is that Hells bells is the song dedicated to bon for his death, and back in black is the song for the new member brian.
- Chase , Sedona, AZ

The ominous ringing of the church bells to the slow dragging riff at the start the song winds out to be a full on blast. A shout it out loud party anthem."Hells Bells" is not as good as "Highway to Hell" but it still sounds much harder. With the combination of heavy riffing and screechy, powerhouse vocals "Hells Bells" turns out to be another classic for the AC/DC cannon.
- AC/DC_misfit , Millmerran, Australia

the first lines rollin thunder, pourin rain, are from when the band was sitting around thinking up lyrics, with th weather as inspiration. I got this ACDC cd/dvd thing, and it has a interview about the major songs on it.
- Evan , Porter, IN

Good song. I bet Hells Bells partially inspired Metallica to write For Whom The Bell tolls, another great song that starts with a ringing bell. The other half of Metallica's inspiration was Ernest Hemigway's novel For Whom The Belll Tolls.
- Billy , Boston, MA

Pure evil, an insparation to the fiery imps of hell.....nice lyrics too.
- Galina , New London, CT

are you sure it was from the vacuum cleaner? i heard it was a sewing machine
- Ryan , Ray, MI

Angus and Malcom Young saw the name on their sister's vacuum cleaner when they were younger and named the band after that./.. Their sister also let them know it was another name for Bisexuality
- Luke , Manchester, England

The New York Football Giants play this right before opening kickoff at home games.
- Andrew , New City, NY

there are many references to bon scott. "your'e only young, but your'e gonna die", "hells bells, theyr'e callin for you." these could all be references to bon scott as back in black is a tribute album.
- zain , richmond, Canada

in answer to Joey, it doesn't stand for that, Angus and Malcolm's sister saw it on the family vacuum cleaner and suggested it. They thought it was cool and stuck with it.
- Josh , Las Vegas, NV

who was that that said acdshe they probly listen to barney and friends. This is a relly good song with a good intro with lots of distortion just the way i like it.
- Nathan , ohsweken, Canada

by the way joey richmond ac/dc is battery currents
- Nathan , ohsweken, Canada

not bothered looking at the other songs by them, but is it factual that AC/DC means Anti-Christ/Devil's Children?
- Joey , Richmond, VA

the bell rings 13 times
- nn , nbn, Greenland

Actually, the line is "If GOOD's on the left, then I'm stickin' to the right!"
- Steven , Congers, NY

its a good song defenetly AC/DC sound
- adriana , Monterrey, Mexico

Wicked song that intros a great record. Back in Black forever.
- Shana , Pembroke, Canada

This song is obviously about hell and how they say it's a good place to be. It's an anti-Christ song. One of the lines in it is "If God's on the left, then I'm stickin' to the right!". Well, there you have it.
- Andrew , Dublin, Ireland

Hell's Belles? I prefer AC/DShe.
- Nick , San Francisco, CA

oh, and Tom... AC/DC wasn't really known for their use of symbolism...
- Nick , San Francisco, CA

The Bell in the beginning of this song reminds me of Big Ben, the big bell on which the hours are still struck on the clock at the tiptop of Saint Stephen's Clock Tower in London, England.
- Annabelle , Eugene, OR

Anyone else noticed the symbolism of the bells in this song? As it's the first song of the album, and the bells open the song, it suggests that the band are in church, at Bon Scott's funeral. That's what I think anyway.
- Tom , Trowbridge, England

actually, the bell in the beginning is the actual bell they use in their live shows
- alex , Sacramento, CA

The churchbells heard in beginning of the song are actual church bells from an abbey in England.
- Kim , New Orleans, LA

this group is amazing.this is just one of their great songs . AC DC IS THE BEST!!!!
- joe , oshawa, Canada

Let there be rock ,and rock n roll damnation another 2 great songs from Akka Dakka
- pete , nowra, Australia

SongFAQ | Add a Songfact | Random | Artistfacts | Newsletter | Home