AC/DC Recorded Only One Love Song and No One Knows About It

AC/DC is a rock band that created an iconic signature sound and has notably stuck with it. Their raw energy and unique edge made the band one of the hardest-hitting hard rock bands of the 1970s. What you know not know is that the band recorded a love song. Their debut album, High Voltage, was released exclusively in Australia and New Zealand in 1975. They released their first international album in 1976, High Voltage, with the same name but a drastically different track list. On the original High Voltage, a love song was the single. It was pushed by their label at the time and couldn’t be any further from the hard rock tracks the band is known for.

The song was left off the 1976 international release of High Voltage and shelved by the group shortly after release. Early fans didn’t like the track compared to their hard rock songs.

“Love Song (Oh Jene)” is an interesting look into a direction the band could’ve gone if the song had become a hit. But it would be their cover of “Baby, Please Don’t Go” that garnered the most attention. The blues cover was released as the B-side single. “Love Song (Oh Jene)” features a soft approach, similar to The Rolling Stones. Lead singer Bon Scott, known for his raw and gritty vocal style, was restrained on this track. All in all, the song isn’t horrible, just doesn’t fit the sound the band became known for.

Guitarist Angus Young Considers “Love Song (Oh Jene)” His Most Regrettable Track

In an interview with Vulture in 2020, Angus Young stated, “On our first album, High Voltage, we did a love song called ‘Love Song.’ That was very different for us. I didn’t know if we were trying to parody love songs of the time because Bon Scott wrote the lyrics. I don’t even remember what the words are.”

Young went on to say, “I remember that song because the guy who worked for us at our record label told us that’s what was on the local radio at the time, very soft music. His thought was that we should release that song because it’ll probably get some airplay. I remember thinking, ‘Who in their right mind would want this to go out?’”

“We are very fortunate, though, because all of the radio stations that had seen us live knew this was not who we were. So, these stations started to flip the record over and play the other song, which was a cover of a blues standard called ‘Baby, Please Don’t Go.’ We actually scored a hit from that B-side. That was one saving grace of the song.”

The song was featured on their 2009 compilation album, Backtracks. The album featured songs previously released exclusively in Australia, along with rarities and live cuts. Ultimately, AC/DC did what they set out to do: generate signature-sounding hard rock tracks. “Love Song (For Jene)” was luckily forgotten, but highlights an interesting fork in the road as the band’s first single release.