AC/DC – Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap

AC/DC – Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap – Meaning of the song

This song epitomizes AC/DC’s dangerous and mean sound, with Angus Young’s heavy guitar and Bon Scott’s leering, vocals that would have scared the living daylights out of any unsuspecting teenage Pop fans when this song first hit the airwaves (they did it on a national TV show in Australia called Countdown, which was usually frequented by acts like ABBA and Bucks Fizz).

AC/DC lead guitarist Angus Young got the song title from the 1962 animated cartoon series Beany and Cecil. The Show first aired on ABC Television and only ran for one season until the 26 episodes shown were cast as repeats for the next five years until it was recreated in 1968. The specific inspiration for the song name was the cartoon’s main villain, “Dishonest John,” who would carry around a business card that said, “Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap. Holidays, Sundays, and Special Rates.”

Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap –

Lyrics

If you’re havin’ trouble with the high school head

He’s givin’ you the blues

You wanna graduate but not in his bed

Here’s what you gotta do

Pick up the phone, I’m always home

Call me any time

Just ring 362 436 oh

I lead a life of crime

Dirty deeds, done dirt cheap

Dirty deeds, done dirt cheap

Dirty deeds, done dirt cheap

(Dirty deeds and they’re done dirt cheap)

(Dirty deeds and they’re done dirt cheap)

You’ve got problems in your life of love

You got a broken heart

He’s double dealin’ with your best friend

That’s when the teardrops start, fella

Pick up the phone, I’m here alone

Or make a social call

Come right in, forget ’bout him

We’ll have ourselves a ball hey

Dirty deeds, done dirt cheap

Dirty deeds, done dirt cheap

Dirty deeds, done dirt cheap

(Dirty deeds and they’re done dirt cheap)

(Dirty deeds and they’re done dirt cheap)

Yeahhh

If you got a lady and you want her gone

But you ain’t got the guts

She keeps naggin’ at you night and day

Enough to drive you nuts

Pick up the phone, leave her alone

It’s time you made a stand

For a fee, I’m happy to be

Your back door man hey

Dirty deeds, done dirt cheap

Dirty deeds, done dirt cheap

Dirty deeds, done dirt cheap

(Dirty deeds and they’re done dirt cheap) yeah

(Dirty deeds and they’re done dirt cheap)

(Dirty deeds and they’re done dirt cheap)

(Dirty deeds and they’re done dirt cheap)

Concrete shoes, cyanide, TNT

(Done dirt cheap)

Neck ties, contracts, high voltage

(Done dirt cheap)

Dirty deeds, done dirt cheap

Dirty deeds, done dirt cheap

Dirty deeds, do anything you want me to

Done dirt cheap

Dirty deeds, dirty deeds, dirty deeds,

Done dirt cheap, ahhhhh