What makes That's the Way I Wanna Rock 'n' Roll by AC/DC notable?

The album was influential in solidifying AC/DC's presence in the hard rock scene during the late 1980s, featuring tracks that received significant airplay on rock radio stations. While it did not achieve the same commercial heights as previous albums, it still maintained a dedicated fanbase and contributed to the band's legacy as rock icons. Released on March 26, 1988, 'That's the Way I Wanna Rock 'n' Roll' came during AC/DC's resurgence after their earlier commercial peak in the late 1970s. This album marked a transitional phase for the band, following the departure of vocalist Brian Johnson due to health issues and the introduction of new influences into their sound.

How many songs are on That's the Way I Wanna Rock 'n' Roll?

That's the Way I Wanna Rock 'n' Roll has 3 tracks, running approximately 11 minutes.

That's the Way I Wanna Rock 'n' Roll

AC/DC · 1988

11 min · 3 tracks · hard rock

A high-octane blend of bluesy riffs and hard-hitting rock rhythms, embodying the spirit of classic rock.

Spotify Apple Music

YouTube Music YouTube Deezer Bandcamp SoundCloud

Own it: Amazon eBay

Top tracks — play these first

→
That's the Way I Wanna Rock 'n' Roll — The title track encapsulates the album's energetic spirit with its catchy hooks and driving guitar riffs, showcasing AC/DC's signature sound.
→
Kissin' Dynamite — With its explosive instrumentation and memorable chorus, this track exemplifies AC/DC's ability to fuse raw energy with lyrical bravado.
→
Borrowed Time — This song offers a more introspective look at themes of mortality and risk, diverging slightly from the band's typical party-centric lyrics while maintaining their hard rock edge.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

50 /100

Foothills

Higher than 23% of albums we've rated

The single showcases solid songwriting and performance typical of AC/DC's style but lacks the depth of their peak albums.

What we noticed

The title track opens with a driving guitar riff that establishes a high-energy tempo, which is maintained throughout the first two tracks.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 5/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. 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 — This single helped solidify AC/DC's presence in late '80s hard rock.
Themes: rock and roll spirit· fleeting moments· electric energy
Career context: Released on March 26, 1988, 'That's the Way I Wanna Rock 'n' Roll' came during AC/DC's resurgence after their earlier commercial peak in the late 1970s. This album marked a transitional phase for the band, following the departure of vocalist Brian Johnson due to health issues and the introduction of new influences into their sound.
Stylistic neighbors: Led Zeppelin· Guns N' Roses· Aerosmith