Showing posts with label Highway to Hell. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Highway to Hell. Show all posts

Sunday, November 5, 2023

Mutt Lange: Top 100 Songs/Top 20 Albums

Mutt Lange

Top 100 Songs

Producer Mutt Lange was born Robert John Lange on November 11, 1948, in Mufulira, Zambia. His father was a mining engineer from South Africa and his mother was from a prosperous family in Germany. He was nicknamed “Mutt” at an early age. He grew up a fan of country music, particularly Slim Whitman. He and future-wife Stevie Vann played together in the band Hocus during the ‘70s, but the marriage dissolved by decade’s end.

In the late ’70, he wrote and sang for his own band Supercharge, including the 1979 song Do You Believe in Love? which became a hit for Huey Lewis & the News in 1982. He also did his first production work for the Boomtown Rats, most notably on their 1978 #1 UK hit Rat Trap.

During the ‘70s and ‘80s, he did production work for some of the biggest albums in rock history, including AC/DC’s Highway to Hell (1979) and Back in Black (1980), Foreigner’s 4 (1981), and Def Leppard’s Pyromania (1983) and Hysteria (1987). He was also a co-writer on major singles including Def Leppard’s Photograph (1983) and Rock of Ages (1983), Loverboy’s Lovin’ Every Minute of It (1985), and Billy Ocean’s Get Outta My Dreams, Get into My Car (1988).

He also co-wrote one of the biggest hits of the ‘90s, Bryan Adams’ Everything I Do (I Do It for You) and produced his Waking Up the Neighbours album. He met and married Shania Twain in 1993, producing her next three smash albums.

He has also produced or written songs for the Backstreet Boys, Celine Dion, Lady Gaga, Maroon 5, Loverboy, Muse, Nickelback, Britney Spears, Tina Turner, and Dionne Warwick.


Links:

Awards:


Top 100 Songs


Dave’s Music Database lists are determined by song’s appearances on best-of lists, appearances on compilations and live albums by the featured act, and songs’ chart success, sales, radio airplay, streaming, and awards. These are the top 100 songs produced and/or written by Mutt Lange.

DMDB Top 1%:

1. Bryan Adams “(Everything I Do) I Do It for You” (1991)
2. AC/DC “You Shook Me All Night Long” (1980)
3. Shania Twain “You’re Still the One” (1997)
4. AC/DC “Back in Black” (1980)
5. Def Leppard “Pour Some Sugar on Me” (1987)
6. AC/DC “Highway to Hell” (1979)
7. Foreigner “Waiting for a Girl Like You” (1981)

DMDB Top 2%:

8. Def Leppard “Photograph” (1983)
9. Bryan Adams, Sting, & Rod Stewart “All for Love” (1993)
10. Bryan Adams “Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman?” (1995)
11. Def Leppard “Love Bites” (1987)
12. Shania Twain “Man! I Feel Like a Woman!” (1997)
13. The Cars “Drive” (1984)

DMDB Top 5%:

14. Foreigner “Urgent” (1981)
15. The Cars “You Might Think” (1984)
16. Def Leppard “Rock of Ages” (1983)
17. Foreigner “Juke Box Hero” (1981)
18. Shania Twain with Bryan White “From This Moment On” (1997)
19. Shania Twain “That Don’t Impress Me Much” (1997)
20. Billy Ocean “Get Outta My Dreams, Get into My Car” (1988)

21. Def Leppard “Hysteria” (1987)
22. AC/DC “Hells Bells” (1980)
23. Billy Ocean “When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going” (1985)
24. Shania Twain “Forever and for Always” (2002)
25. Def Leppard “Bringin’ on the Heartbreak” (1981)
26. Bryan Adams “Please Forgive Me” (1993)
27. Def Leppard “Foolin’” (1983)
28. Def Leppard “Animal” (1987)

DMDB Top 10%:

29. Heart “All I Wanna Do Is Make Love to You” (1990)
30. Huey Lewis & the News “Do You Believe in Love?” (1982)

31. Bryan Adams “Can’t Stop This Thing We Started” (1991)
32. AC/DC “For Those About to Rock We Salute You” (1981)
33. Def Leppard “Armageddon It” (1987)
34. Michael Bolton “Said I Loved You…But I Lied” (1993)
35. The Cars “Magic” (1984)
36. Maroon 5 “Misery” (2010)
37. Billy Ocean “Loverboy” (1984)
38. Shania Twain “Any Man of Mine” (1995)
39. Def Leppard “Rocket” (1987)
40. Def Leppard “Let’s Get Rocked” (1992)

41. Lady Gaga “You and I” (2011)
42. Def Leppard “Have You Ever Needed Someone So Bad?” (1992)
43. Shania Twain “If You’re Not in It for Love, I’m Outta Here” (1995)
44. Shania Twain “I’m Gonna Getcha Good!” (2002)
45. The Corrs “Breathless” (2000)

DMDB Top 20%:

46. The Cars “Hello Again” (1984)
47. Bryan Adams “The Only Thing That Looks Good on You” (1996)
48. AC/DC “Rock and Roll Ain’t Noise Pollution” (1980)
49. Bryan Adams “Thought I’d Died and Gone to Heaven” (1991)
50. AC/DC “Shoot to Thrill” (1980)

51. The Cars “Why Can’t I Have You?” (1984)
52. Loverboy “Lovin’ Every Minute of It” (1985)
53. Def Leppard “Too Late for Love” (1983)
54. Def Leppard “Stand Up (Kick Love into Motion)” (1992)
55. Def Leppard “Make Love Like a Man” (1992)
56. Bryan Adams “There Will Never Be Another Tonight” (1991)
57. Bryan Adams “Let’s Make a Night to Remember” (1996)
58. The Boomtown Rats “Rat Trap” (1978)
59. Michael Bolton “Can I Touch You…There?” (1995)
60. Bryan Adams “Do I Have to Say the Words?” (1991)

61. Muse “Dead Inside” (2015)
62. Shania Twain “Whose Bed Have Your Boots Been Under?” (1995)
63. Def Leppard “Tonight” (1992)
64. Def Leppard “Promises” (1999)
65. Foreigner “Break It Up” (1981)
66. Barbra Streisand & Bryan Adams “I Finally Found Someone” (1996)
67. Huey Lewis & the News “It Hit Me Like a Hammer” (1991)
68. Shania Twain “You’ve Got a Way” (1997)
69. Nickelback “This Afternoon” (2008)
70. AC/DC “Let’s Get It Up” (1981)

71. Tina Turner “Why Must We Wait Until Tonight” (1993)
72. Shania Twain “Up! (2002)
73. Def Leppard “Women” (1987)
74. Heart “Will You Be There in the Morning” (1993)
75. Shania Twain with Mark McGrath or Billy Currington “Party for Two” (2004)

Beyond the DMDB Top 20%:

76. Michael Bolton “Ain’t Got Nothing if You Ai’t Got Love” (1993)
77. AC/DC “Girls Got Rhythm” (1979)
78. AC/DC “Have a Drink on Me” (1980)
79. The Boomtown Rats “Diamond Smiles” (1979)
80. Eddie Money “Heaven in the Back Seat” (1991)

81. Nickelback “Never Gonna Be Alone” (2008)
82. Nickelback “Something in Your Mouth” (2008)
83. Shania Twain “Don’t Be Stupid (You Know I Love You)” (1997)
84. XTC “This Is Pop?” (1978)
85. Shania Twain “Come on Over” (1997)
86. Maroon 5 “Never Gonna Leave This Bed” (2010)
87. Shania Twain “Don’t” (2004)
88. Shania Twain “It Only Hurts When I’m Breathing” (2002)
89. The Boomtown Rats “Someone’s Looking at You” (1979)
90. The Boomtown Rats “Like Clockwork” (1978)

91. Bryan Adams “18 Til I Die” (1996)
92. The Boomtown Rats “She’s So Modern” (1978)
93. Shania Twain “Love Gets Me Every Time” (1997)
94. Def Leppard “Let It Go” (1981)
95. The Boomtown Rats “Looking After No. 1” (1977)
96. Shania Twain “Honey I’m Home” (1997)
97. Bryan Adams “I’ll Always Be Right There” (1996)
98. City Boy “5.7.0.5.” (1978)
99. Maroon 5 “Give a Little More” (2010)
100. The Cars “Heartbeat City” (1984)


Top 20 Albums


Dave’s Music Database lists are determined by album’s appearances on best-of lists as well as chart success, sales, critics’ ratings, and awards. These are the top albums which prominently feature Mutt Lange as a producer and/or songwriter.
  1. AC/DC Back in Black (1980)
  2. Shania Twain Come on Over (1997)
  3. Def Leppard Hysteria (1987)
  4. AC/DC Highway to Hell (1979)
  5. Def Leppard Pyromania (1983)
  6. Shania Twain Up! (2002)
  7. Foreigner 4 (1981)
  8. Shania Twain The Woman in Me (1995)
  9. Shania Twain Greatest Hits (compilation: 1994-04, released 2004)
  10. Def Leppard Vault (compilation: 1980-1995, released 1995)

  11. Bryan Adams Waking Up the Neighbours (1991)
  12. Def Leppard Adrenalize (1992)
  13. Bryan Adams The Best of Me (compilation: 1984-1999, released 2001)
  14. The Cars Heartbeat City (1984)
  15. Def Leppard High ‘N’ Dry (1981)
  16. Nickelback Dark Horse (2008)
  17. AC/DC For Those About to Rock We Salute You (1981)
  18. Muse Drones (2015)
  19. Maroon 5 Hands All Over (2010)
  20. Bryan Adams 18 Til I Die (1996)

Resources and Related Links:


DMDB Encyclopedia Entries for:


First posted 11/11/2018; updated 11/5/2023.

Friday, July 25, 1980

AC/DC released Back in Black

Back in Black

AC/DC


Released: July 25, 1980


Peak: 4 US, 12 UK, 1 CN, 11 AU Click for codes to charts.


Sales (in millions): 30.0 US, 0.1 UK, 50.0 world (includes US and UK), 62.82 EAS


Genre: hard rock/heavy metal


Tracks:

Click on a song title for more details.
  1. Hell’s Bells [5:09]
  2. Shoot to Thrill [5:14]
  3. What Do You Do for Money Honey [3:33]
  4. Givin’ the Dog a Bone [3:30]
  5. Let Me Put My Love into You [4:12]
  6. Back in Black [4:13]
  7. You Shook Me All Night Long [3:28]
  8. Have a Drink on Me [3:57]
  9. Shake a Leg [4:03]
  10. Rock and Roll Ain’t Noise Pollution [4:12]

Total Running Time: 41:31


The Players:

  • Brian Johnson (vocals)
  • Angus Young (guitar)
  • Malcolm Young (rhythm guitar, backing vocals)
  • Cliff Williams (bass)
  • Phil Rudd (drums)

Rating:

4.651 out of 5.00 (average of 34 ratings)


Quotable: One of “hard rock's greatest achievements” – Greg Prato, AllMusic.com


Awards:

(Click on award to learn more).

The Bon Scott Years

The Young brothers Malcolm (rhythm guitar) and Angus (lead guitar) formed AC/DC in Australia in 1973. They went through a variety of personnel changes in their early years but cemented their identity with the arrival of vocalist Ron Belford “Bon” Scott (originally the band’s chauffeur), CS in 1974. They released their first album, High Voltage, in 1975. They released five more albums in the last half of the decade, culminating with 1979’s Highway to Hell.

The band appeared “poised for worldwide breakthrough success” AM since the album became their first in the United States to reach gold status. Then tragedy struck. Scott went on a drinking spree and was found dead in the back seat of a car, having choked on his own vomit. 500

The Arrival of Brian Johnson

Bon Scott’s dad told the band at the funeral, “You can’t stop, you have to find someone else.” CM After two days of mourning, Malcolm called Angus and they went back to work. Five months later, the result was “this smoking album with the most prophetic title ever.” ZS It “is the ultimate example of a band turning a career-threatening negative into a remarkable positive.” AM It “is one of the greatest comeback stories in rock history.” CQ

New vocalist Brian Johnson “was a perfect fit” CQ “with a voice like gravel and swagger to boot.” CQ He “was as willing to shred the upper end of his voice as Scott had been” TM and “had the same bluesy edge as Scott” AM but “sang with more power and conviction.” AM The band was able to retain “their core identity as world class hard-rock riffers” CQ even as Johnson stamped “his own personality, not to mention distinctive rasp, on the record.” VH1 He “sings as if he’s being tortured – and thoroughly enjoying it.” TL


Mutt Lange

Producer Mutt Lange had worked with AC/DC on their Highway to Hell album and gave the band “a meatier sound.” CS He returned behind the boards for Back in Black. Prior to AC/DC, he’d worked with acts like Graham Parker and the Boomtown Rats. His work with AC/DC, however, cemented him as one of the most successful rock producers of all time. He would later work on blockbuster albums like Foreigner 4 as well as Def Leppard’s Pyromania and Hysteria.

Lange’s “penchant for sonic perfection and pop accessibility would keep the wheels moving.” CQ Lange “helped the group focus its high voltage rock,” AM crafting “a delicate balance of power and finesse that defined the commercial side of heavy music for years.” TM

Meat and Potatoes Rock and Roll

“It doesn’t get any simpler than this meat-and-potatoes rock and roll.” CRS Critics knocked the band for its “testosterone-laden paeans to sex, booze, and more sex and more booze,” RV but “AC/DC was never a band to bother with any niceties in their music.” CRS They charged forward with “completely straight-ahead guitar power chords, brutal beats pounded out in 4/4 time, and blistering vocals on top.” CRS

The rhythm section of bassist Cliff Williams and drummer Phil Rudd “fuse traditional blues with stadium rock dramatics.” CM They get “right near the boiling point and then hang there, waiting for the schoolboy-uniform–wearing Angus Young to deliver demonically twisted lead guitar that pushes things over the edge.” TM

Legacy

“Coming after years of synthesized disco and overproduced AOR, Back in Black proved once again the resilience of live, loud, and melodic rock, and listeners immediately responded.” TB Author Chris Smith goes so far as to say that AC/DC “rescued heavy metal.” CS He says in 1980, “metal dinosaurs like Deep Purple and Black Sabbath were losing their touch…and newcomers like Van Halen and Ted Nugent were hard to take seriously….AC/DC…remind[ed] everybody what heavy metal was all about: alienated teenagers bobbing their heads in unison to crunchy power chords, banshee screams, and a thundering rhythm section.” CS

It was one of “the greatest hard-rock album of the decade” RV and “one of rock’s all-time classics.” AM “For many, [it is] the essential hard-rock record of the modern era.” TB It “might be the purest distillation of hard rock ever;” 500 it “is a ten-song feast of tightly wound, enormously disciplined stomp rock” TM infused with “the relentless logic of a sledgehammer.” sup>500 ''This is the goes-to-11 playlist of men behaving badly the world over..” EW’12 Rolling Stone called it “the leanest, meanest record of all time.” CM

The Songs

Here’s a breakdown of each of the individual songs.

Hell’s Bells

AC/DC

Writer(s): Brian Johnson, Angus Young, Malcolm Young


Released: 10/31/80 (single), Back in Black (1980)


B Side: “What Do You Do for Money Honey”


First Charted: 3/28/81


Peak: 3 CL, 50 AR, 7 AU, 6 DF Click for codes to charts.


Sales (in millions): 3.0 US, 0.40 UK, 4.60 world (includes US + UK)


Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, -- video, 621.76 streaming

Awards:

(Click on award to learn more).

About the Song:

The “eerie Hells BellsAM served as an “ominous opener.” CQ “It could be the most perfect opening to any album. For a full 20 seconds there’s nothing but the lone, eerie sonics of a giant ringing church bell. Then Malcolm Young plays an impossibly slow, circular rhythm guitar riff that is pure funeral march,” CM making for a fitting farewell to Bon Scott.

Shoot to Thrill

AC/DC

Writer(s): Brian Johnson, Angus Young, Malcolm Young


Released: Back in Black (1980)


First Charted: 4/11/81


Peak: 4 CL, 60 AR, 98 UK Click for codes to charts.


Sales (in millions): -- 1.0 US


Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, -- video, 561.13 streaming


About the Song:

The unforgettable opener “Hell’s Bells” is followed by “the melodic Shoot to Thrill,” AM a minor album rock hit in the beginning days of that chart’s history.

What Do You Do for Money Honey

AC/DC

Writer(s): Brian Johnson, Angus Young, Malcolm Young


Released: 10/31/80 (B side of “Hell’s Bells”), Back in Black (1980)


Peak: 26 CL Click for codes to charts.


Sales (in millions): --


Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, -- video, 58.75 streaming


About the Song:

On What Do You Do for Money Honey. producer Mutt Lange “made sure that every walloping rhythm guitar supporting [Brian] Johnson’s tales of lasciviousness…weighed in at industrial strength – and was executed with surgical precision.” TM

Givin’ the Dog a Bone

AC/DC

Writer(s): Brian Johnson, Angus Young, Malcolm Young


Released: Back in Black (1980)


Peak: 18 CL Click for codes to charts.


Sales (in millions): --


Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, -- video, 38.09 streaming


About the Song:

Givin’ the Dog a Bone breaks the rules of chivalry and grammar – this testosterone filled romp’s passion for bangin’ is less focused on hips than heads.” TL

Let Me Put My Love into You

AC/DC

Writer(s): Brian Johnson, Angus Young, Malcolm Young


Released: Back in Black (1980)


Peak: -- Click for codes to charts.


Sales (in millions): --


Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, -- video, 39.45 streaming


About the Song:

“Though unabashed in its misogyny – Let Me Put My Love into You would be nicer if it were a request rather than a command.” AM

Back in Black

AC/DC

Writer(s): Brian Johnson, Angus Young, Malcolm Young (see lyrics here)


First


Released: 12/21/80 (single), Back in Black (1980)


B Side: “What Do You Do for Money Honey”


First Charted: 12/13/80


Peak: 37 BB, 39 CB, 35 GR, 54 HR, 1 CL, 51 AR, 27 UK, 65 AU, 4 DF Click for codes to charts.


Sales (in millions): 7.0 US, 1.8 UK, 11.72 world (includes US + UK)


Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, 1091.79 video, 2220.77 streaming

Awards:

(Click on award to learn more).

About the Song:

After five successful albums in their native Australia, AC/DC were finally being embraced by an international market with 1979’s Highway to Hell, an album which went top 10 in the UK and top 20 in the U.S. Then tragedy struck. Rock singer Bon Scott died on February 19, 1980. On his death certificate, the official cause was listed as acute alcohol poisoning. The group considered disbanding, but on the advice of their producer, Mutt Lange, brought in Brian Johnson for an audition. Scott himself had seen him perform with his former band Geordie back in 1973 and talked up the singer to the rest of the band. SF By the end of March, he had the job as the new singer for AC/DC.

Among the new songs recorded by the group was a song called “Back in Black,” which was a tribute to Scott. Guitarist Malcolm Young already had the main guitar riff down and the group already had the idea for the title before it had any words. SF Johnson recalled that the band asked him to write the lyrics, saying “it can’t be morbid – it has to be for Bon and it has to be a celebration.” WK Johnson responded with words such as “Forget the hearse, ‘cause I never die” and what he considered “mumbo jumbo” lines like “Nine lives. Cats’ eyes. Abusing every one of them and running wild.” The band, however, told Johnson “they saw Bon’s life in that lyric.” WK

While the song wasn’t a big hit from a chart standpoint, its iconic opening guitar riff with its “proud peacock strut” TM made it into what The Guardian called “a classic metal anthem.” WK Metal Hammer magazine said, “There are rock songs that appeal to metal fans. And there are metal songs that appeal to rock fans. Then there is ‘Back in Black’ – a rock song and metal song that appeals to everyone…and it all hangs on that monumental, no-nonsense, three-chord monster of a riff.” WK

“Few recorded riffs have proven catchier, with axeman Angus Young peppering blues runs between massive power chords. You couldn’t have chosen a better song to introduce Brian Johnson. In a gutsy move, the lyrics are eerily self-referential (‘I’m let loose/ From the noose/ That’s kept me hanging about’) and Johnson snarls ‘em with intent.” CQ

You Shook Me All Night Long

AC/DC

Writer(s): Brian Johnson, Angus Young, Malcolm Young (see lyrics here)


Released: 8/19/80 (singe), Back in Black (1980)


B Side: “Have a Drink on Me”


First Charted: 9/6/80


Peak: 36 BB, 42 CB, 26 GR, 42 HR, 1 CL, 38 UK, 8 AU, 3 DF Click for codes to charts.


Sales (in millions): 7.0 US, 1.0 UK, 11.35 world (includes US + UK)


Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, 467.63 video, 1730.39 streaming

Awards:

(Click on award to learn more).

About the Song:

AC/DC’s Back in Black has become such a mainstay on “best albums of all time” lists now that it is easy to forget the uncertainty the band faced when the album was released in 1980. On February 19 of that year, the band’s lead singer, Bon Scott, died after a drinking binge. It was Scott’s father who encouraged the band to find a new singer and soldier on. SF Brian Johnson stepped in and the band found the greatest success of their career.

Guitarists Angus and Malcom Young already had the title and the chords but needed words. Johnson supplied his “gravelly, raspy vocals and easy-to-learn, almost exultant, double-entendre lyrics.” AMG (“She told me to come but I was already there”). The song is “unabashedly sleazy.” CQ It is basically “a night-after bragging session with a heavy dose of swagger and pomp.” AMG It “was equal parts naughty and proud, pop-tinged yet stomp-worthy,” AMG which probably explains the song’s popularity at strip clubs. SF

The inspiration for the “primo dance-metal banger You Shook Me All Night Long500 came while the band was recording in the Bahamas. Never a band known for “deep, meaningful lyrics,” SF Johnson turned images of American girls into lyrics where he compared women to cars in lines like “She was a fast machine/ She kept her motor clean.” SF Johnson said it “just fell into place so I can’t claim any credit on that thing.” SF Of the Young brothers’ work, he said, “It’s one of the greatest rock and roll riffs I’ve ever heard in my life.” SF

It has “a simple beat; a melodic, heavy rock-boogie riff; a shrill, pumping guitar solo” AMG with “strutting blues-based guitar heat.” sup>500 The “pop-tinged guitar chords give the song a slap-on-the-back, beer-swilling friendliness” AMG which is probably why it has become “a hard rock staple…popular at sporting events and bars, and…one of…hard rock’s most memorable party anthems.” AMG Johnson told USA Weekend he considers the song the highlight of the band’s catalog because “It was the first song I wrote with the guys and it has a special groovy beat that won’t let you go. It has such a special place in my heart…it might be one of the best rock songs ever written – if I do say so myself.” SF

Have a Drink on Me

AC/DC

Writer(s): Brian Johnson, Angus Young, Malcolm Young


Released: 8/19/80 (B side of “You Shook Me All Night Long”), Back in Black (1980)


First Charted: 8/19/80


Peak: 8 CL, 32 DF Click for codes to charts.


Sales (in millions): --


Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, -- video, 103.17 streaming


About the Song:

“Not a single weak track is included; even the lesser-known album tracks are strong (Have a Drink on Me, Shake a Leg).” AM

Shake a Leg

AC/DC

Writer(s): Brian Johnson, Angus Young, Malcolm Young


Released: Back in Black (1980)


Peak: -- Click for codes to charts.


Sales (in millions): --


Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, -- video, 27.38 streaming


About the Song:

“Not a single weak track is included; even the lesser-known album tracks are strong (Have a Drink on Me, Shake a Leg).” AM

Rock and Roll Ain’t Noise Pollution

AC/DC

Writer(s): Brian Johnson, Angus Young, Malcolm Young


Released: 11/7/80 (single), Back in Black (1980)


B Side: “Hell’s Bells”


First Charted: 11/29/80


Peak: 6 CL, 15 UK, 7 AU, 14 DF Click for codes to charts.


Sales (in millions): -- US, -- UK, 0.10 world (includes US + UK)


Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, -- video, 112.19 streaming


About the Song:

AC/DC wraps up their metal masterpiece with “the album-closing battle cry Rock and Roll Ain't Noise Pollution,” AM an “epic…that says it all: ‘We’re just talkin’ about the future / Forget about the past / It’ll always be with us / It’s never gonna die, never gonna die.’” CM

Resources/References:


Related DMDB Pages:


First posted 7/22/2012; last updated 7/19/2026.