She's Got Balls

Album: High Voltage (1975)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • In Paul Stenning's book AC/DC: Two Sides to Every Glory: The Complete Biography, the story behind this song is revealed. Bon Scott joined the band in September 1974, and at some point his wife complained he'd never written a song about her; lead guitarist Angus Young said: "So he wrote She's Got Balls and she left him!"

    Though this tongue-in-cheek riposte was typical of Scott and was undoubtedly true, his biographer Clinton Walker paints a slightly different picture in his book Highway to Hell: The Life and Death of AC/DC Legend Bon Scott. Bon married Irene Thornton in January 1972. They traveled to the UK with his then band Fraternity where they spent a disastrous 18 months before splitting up and making their way back to Adelaide piecemeal. Bon and Irene's marriage had been strained by this, and shortly after he arrived back home he was involved in a shocking road crash after riding off drunk on his motorbike. He spent three days in a coma before making a miraculous recovery; although Irene stood by him in his darkest hour, his behavior had effectively ended their marriage by the time he auditioned for the Young brothers, though they remained friends after their divorce. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Alexander Baron - London, England
  • AC/DC didn't have a permanent drummer when they recorded the High Voltage album, so they borrowed Tony Currenti from the band The 69ers for most of the songs. On "She's Got Balls," their live drummer Peter Clack played on the recording.
  • According to Mojo magazine, Bon Scott wrote the lyrics in a drunken state. He said in an interview at the time: "When I listen to it back the next morning, I think, hey, did I say that? Did I think that? But out of it you can usually get some pretty good stuff. I'd play it to my mum and if she said, 'That's not very nice.' I'd keep it."

Comments: 10

  • Reichsburg from MoscowAwesome song about real adult humans of the female sex.
    Musicmama, ywnbaw.
  • Noah from Columbus Indiana The live performance at the Bondi Lifesaver was awesome. I think they had fender amps there instead of the usual Marshall because it sounds like a fender amp with a ton of overdrive to try to make it sound like a Marshall. It was more higher pitched and sounded sharper.
  • Kent from Arena, WiIt is the best song ever.
  • Nady from Adelaide, AustraliaYep, I knew there was something about you MusicMama...
  • Nady from Adelaide, AustraliaOh yeah, she's got balls alright, trust me, it's a compliment over here....like if you see a chick thats like tough or watever it's like "yeah mate, she's got balls"
  • Bess from San Diego, CaSurely Irene knew what she was getting into . . . Depends on the kind of woman she was, I guess. I know plenty of girls who wouldn't have appreciated this kind of songs, but I know some who would! (Not me, though.)

    Women certainly need to be tough, though.

    We miss you, Bon!
  • Chris from Paso Robles, CaBon is a bad A$$, hope he's rock'n no matter where he is.
  • Musicmama from New York, NyIt takes balls to be a woman. I know, because I'm one now, after being a boy and a man. Great song!
  • Andrew from Bartlett, TnI don't like that she left Bon.
  • Selina from Perth, AustraliaBon wrote it about his ex-wife Irene...great song, why was she offended??HAHA...i wouldnt've minded :P
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Donnie Iris (Ah! Leah!, The Rapper)

Donnie Iris (Ah! Leah!, The Rapper)Songwriter Interviews

Before "Rap" was a form of music, it was something guys did to pick up girls in nightclubs. Donnie talks about "The Rapper" and reveals the identity of Leah.

Bass Player Scott Edwards

Bass Player Scott EdwardsSong Writing

Scott was Stevie Wonder's bass player before becoming a top session player. Hits he played on include "I Will Survive," "Being With You" and "Sara Smile."

Chris Fehn of Slipknot

Chris Fehn of SlipknotSongwriter Interviews

A drummer for one of the most successful metal bands of the last decade, Chris talks about what it's like writing and performing with Slipknot. Metal-neck is a factor.

Carol Kaye

Carol KayeSongwriter Interviews

A top session musician, Carol played on hundreds of hits by The Beach Boys, The Monkees, Frank Sinatra and many others.

James Bond Theme Songs

James Bond Theme SongsMusic Quiz

How well do you know the 007 theme songs?

Annie Haslam of Renaissance

Annie Haslam of RenaissanceSongwriter Interviews

The 5-octave voice of the classical rock band Renaissance, Annie is big on creative expression. In this talk, she covers Roy Wood, the history of the band, and where all the money went in the '70s.