What makes Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap by AC/DC notable?

The album is notable for its title track, which became a staple in AC/DC's live repertoire and showcased their signature sound. Its success helped establish the band's early notoriety in Australia and laid the groundwork for their later global impact with albums like 'Highway to Hell' and 'Back in Black'. In 1976, AC/DC was rapidly gaining momentum with their relentless touring following the release of their debut album. 'Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap' was their third Australian studio album, which solidified their reputation in the hard rock scene right before they broke into international markets.

How many songs are on Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap?

Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap has 4 tracks, running approximately 19 minutes.

Released 50 years ago

Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap

AC/DC · 1976

19 min · 4 tracks · hard rock

Explosive live performances fuelled by gritty riffs and anthemic choruses, embodying the raw energy of classic rock.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap (live) — This title track encapsulates AC/DC's signature blend of catchy hooks and rebellious themes, making it a defining anthem of their early career.
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Whole Lotta Rosie (live) — A fan favorite, the track showcases powerful vocals and electrifying guitar work, capturing the essence of AC/DC's high-octane performance style.
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Back in Black (live) — Though originally from a later album, this live rendition demonstrates AC/DC’s ability to energize audiences with its iconic riff and sing-along chorus.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

64 /100

Treeline

Higher than 79% of albums we've rated

The album combines catchy riffs with humor and energy, solidifying AC/DC's hard rock identity.

What we noticed

The album opens with a high-energy title track that sets a raucous tone, followed by tracks that maintain a consistent mid-tempo pace.
Several songs feature call-and-response vocal patterns, enhancing the anthemic quality and encouraging audience participation.
The last two tracks, 'Ride On' and 'Jailbreak', shift to a slower tempo, providing a contrast to the preceding high-energy songs.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — Helped establish AC/DC's early notoriety in Australia and solidified their sound.
Themes: Australian rock scene· cheeky rebellion· live performance energy
Career context: In 1976, AC/DC was rapidly gaining momentum with their relentless touring following the release of their debut album. 'Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap' was their third Australian studio album, which solidified their reputation in the hard rock scene right before they broke into international markets.
Stylistic neighbors: Led Zeppelin· Guns N' Roses· Aerosmith