Rock 'N Roll Train

Album: Black Ice (2008)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This was AC/DC's first new single in eight years, their longest gap to date. Black Ice debuted at the top of the album chart selling 784,000 copies the first week. It was AC/DC's first chart-topping release in the US since For Those About To Rock in 1981. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Bertrand - Paris, France
  • This song was one of four tracks on Black Ice that featured the word 'Rock' in the title, the others being "She Likes Rock 'n' Roll," "Rock 'n' Roll Dream" and "Rocking All the Way." Vocalist Brian Johnson explained to Vancouver 24 Hours: "I just think we're trying to tell people that normal service has been resumed. We're back, and this is a rock 'n' roll record. It cannot be mistaken. We're ramming it down their throat, me son! But I must admit, we didn't notice. We went, 'F---ing hell, there's four songs with rock 'n' roll in the title.' But that's just what we do."
  • This featured in promo ads for season 4 of the CBS crime drama Criminal Minds plus in Episode 69 of the show.
  • The song's music video was shot at Black Island Studios in London.
  • In America, the Black Ice album was released exclusively through Wal-Mart and Sam's Club plus the band's website. Johnson explained to Reuters: "A lot of people were saying 'Ah man, you're going to the big Wal-Mart, you're selling out.' Wal-Mart were the only big store to stock all of our albums, every single one of them, and they've never deviated. And they sold AC/DC shirts and pajamas for kids, which we thought was really cool."

Comments: 10

  • Jason from Aurora, CoIt was announced that the Black Ice tour is the second highest grossing tour in music history behind the Rolling Stones bigger bang tour.
  • Ben from Sudbury, OnThis song proves that AC/DC will forever be one of the most popular rock bands ever and even 50 to 70 years from now people will still be jammin' to this song
  • Ben from Sudbury, OnThis is one of the few rock songs I like because it's really enjoyable and at the same time rock
  • Daniel from Baytown, Txthey maybe getting up there, but they still got it. wouldn't be surprised they pump out another album this year. AC/DC Forever!!
  • Austin from Bristow, VaMove over back In black and For Those About To Rock, AC/DC's got a new hit album, the all mighty Black Ice.
  • Wayne from Mauldin, ScAC/DC is the Greatest, always have been, always will!
  • George from Calumet City, IlThis song proves AC/DC has still got it.
  • Nick from Cairns, AustraliaOh yeah I knew that brian and angus is around that age, didnt think brian's 61 yrs old though, lol.Anyway I mean the band has been active and running for over 30 years old. I've heard critics say that they're solos aren't as good as it used to be, like "Back In Black", but i don't care. In fact, the first solo in rock n' roll train was the first solo i learnt on my guitar, heh, which is a good start, lol.
  • Rafi from New York, NyHaha, I agree. i saw them live and it was great!


    And actually Brian is 61 years old and Angus is 55.
    hard to believe huh?
  • Nick from Cairns, AustraliaBest song eva!!!! HAHA!! I got the album the day it got out, and yes it was packed!! Angus is getttin betta with solos, rhythm section still keeps the beat and Brian johnson still pumped to get his throat-searing vocals up. And their over 30 years old!!!
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Music Video Director David Hogan

Music Video Director David HoganSong Writing

David talks about videos he made for Prince, Alabama, Big & Rich, Sheryl Crow, DMB, Melissa Etheridge and Sisters of Mercy.

Rock Revenge Songs

Rock Revenge SongsMusic Quiz

John Lennon, Paul Simon and Lynyrd Skynyrd are some of the artists who have written revenge songs. Do you know who they wrote them about?

British Invasion

British InvasionFact or Fiction

Go beyond The Beatles to see what you know about the British Invasion.

Ian Anderson: "The delight in making music is that you don't have a formula"

Ian Anderson: "The delight in making music is that you don't have a formula"Songwriter Interviews

Ian talks about his 3 or 4 blatant attempts to write a pop song, and also the ones he most connected with, including "Locomotive Breath."

Martin Page

Martin PageSongwriter Interviews

With Bernie Taupin, Martin co-wrote the #1 hits "We Built This City" and "These Dreams." After writing the Pretty Woman song for Go West, he had his own hit with "In the House of Stone and Light."

Chad Channing (Nirvana, Before Cars)

Chad Channing (Nirvana, Before Cars)Songwriter Interviews

Chad tells tales from his time as drummer for Nirvana, and talks about his group Before Cars.