Through The Mists Of Time

Album: Power Up (2020)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • "Through The Mists Of Time" finds Brian Johnson reflecting on how everybody gets older. While he and his bandmates were once youthful and energetic, now with the inevitable passage of time they are a senior band. The AC/DC vocalist told the BBC the song is an "ode to happy times of rock and roll when we were young and daft."
  • Lead guitarist Angus Young wrote the lyrics. Johnson got a shiver when he recorded his song, thinking of the band's late co-founder and rhythm guitarist, Malcolm Young. Angus' brother died from the effects of dementia aged 64 on November 18, 2017. Johnson told The Independent he still sees Malcolm in his mind every time he hears this song being played.

    "Whenever I hear it, I still get goose bumps," he said. "I still think of him. I was thinking of him when I sang it. It’s just these things about the happy days when we first started in the '80s, when I first joined the band. I just remember these very happy, carefree days. And Angus did a magnificent job of putting those lyrics together. I think he really felt it, too, because him and Malcolm were inseparable."
  • Angus Young raided the AC/DC vault of song ideas to record Power Up. Therefore, "Through The Mists Of Time," along with every other track on the album is credited to him and Malcolm Young.

Comments: 2

  • A Cat from The Middle Of NowhereI wish I wasn’t an '08
  • Warrior7r from Midwest UsaThis song is so haunting and sad for me. AC DC has always been there for me and now I come to the realization that I am now an OLD Metal Head myself now retired from the military hell I was one of the last cold war soldiers. It doesn't seem like that long ago I watched Angus, hopping across the stage hyping the crowd while Malcolm and Brian were rocking The Meadow Lands. RIP Malcolm thank you guys for the music that kept my sanity in desperate and low times and the sounds that scared my enemies in hostile territory. Your truly Rock Gods
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Creedence Clearwater Revival

Creedence Clearwater RevivalFact or Fiction

Is "Have You Ever Seen the Rain" about Vietnam? Was John Fogerty really born on a Bayou? It's the CCR edition of Fact or Fiction.

Van Dyke Parks

Van Dyke ParksSongwriter Interviews

U2, Carly Simon, Joanna Newsom, Brian Wilson and Fiona Apple have all gone to Van Dyke Parks to make their songs exceptional.

Chris Squire of Yes

Chris Squire of YesSongwriter Interviews

One of the most dynamic bass player/songwriters of his time, Chris is the only member of Yes who has been with the band since they formed in 1968.

Dick Wagner (Alice Cooper/Lou Reed)

Dick Wagner (Alice Cooper/Lou Reed)Songwriter Interviews

The co-writer/guitarist on many Alice Cooper hits, Dick was also Lou Reed's axeman on the Rock n' Roll Animal album.

Alan Merrill of The Arrows

Alan Merrill of The ArrowsSongwriter Interviews

In her days with The Runaways, Joan Jett saw The Arrows perform "I Love Rock And Roll," which Alan Merrill co-wrote - that story and much more from this glam rock pioneer.

Facebook, Bromance and Email - The First Songs To Use New Words

Facebook, Bromance and Email - The First Songs To Use New WordsSong Writing

Where words like "email," "thirsty," "Twitter" and "gangsta" first showed up in songs, and which songs popularized them.