# AC/DC's Highway to Hell. Did Bon Scott sing a racist verse? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 27, 2014, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ac-dcs-highway-to-hell-did-bon-scott-sing-a-racist-verse/705726 "2014-11-27T00:05:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![sisu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@sisu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sisu)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2014, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ac-dcs-highway-to-hell-did-bon-scott-sing-a-racist-verse/705726/41 "2014-12-02T00:17:26Z")
> [@Wallaby](#): > > Sorry - Bon Scott was a well-educated, classically trained musician. > > Don’t believe me? Check out his work[pre AC/DC](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVlL6uhrBV4). Yes being well educated and classically trained musician doesn’t stop you from being a drunken bogan. This is not meant as disrespect I am as a 48 year old Australian man who grew up in the suburbs have undying respect for AC/DC, for they are the sound track of my youth. ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2014, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ac-dcs-highway-to-hell-did-bon-scott-sing-a-racist-verse/705726/42 "2014-12-02T00:45:07Z")
> [@DonLogan](#): > > Yeah, there’s a long sad history of substituting “ticket” for “nigger” in the_ **published** _ lyrics. > > The Beatles’ Ticket To Ride, and Eddie Money’s Two Tickets to Paradise. And of course, in The Letter by The Boxtops. Sure puts a whole new spin on “She’d got a \*ticket \*to ride”. ---
**Author:** ![Wallaby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/dc4da7/32.png) [@Wallaby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wallaby)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2014, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ac-dcs-highway-to-hell-did-bon-scott-sing-a-racist-verse/705726/43 "2014-12-02T00:56:49Z")
> [@sisu](#): > > Yes being well educated and classically trained musician doesn’t stop you from being a drunken bogan. This is not meant as disrespect I am as a 48 year old Australian man who grew up in the suburbs have undying respect for AC/DC, for they are the sound track of my youth. No worries, man. I’m a 52-year old Eastern Suburbs Melbournite (and probably got a fair bit of bogan in me). The day I was old enough to sneak into a pub to see AC/DC was a big moment for me. Those Youngs wrote my youth, as well - not just AC/DC, but all the Vanda & Young hits as well. They wrote everything good in the 70s. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2014, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ac-dcs-highway-to-hell-did-bon-scott-sing-a-racist-verse/705726/44 "2014-12-02T01:00:23Z")
> [@Crafter\_Man](#): > > _Livin’ easy > Lovin’ free > Sees a nigger on a one way ride_ > > I looped through this verse over and over just now, and I am convinced he is _not_ singing “_ **Season ticket** _ on a one way ride.” > > Am I delusional? Crazy? I dunno. But I did a quick google search and it appears I am not alone on this. Sounds like the N word to me, too. ---
**Author:** ![scabpicker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scabpicker/32/8268_2.png) [@scabpicker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scabpicker)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2014, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ac-dcs-highway-to-hell-did-bon-scott-sing-a-racist-verse/705726/45 "2014-12-02T01:50:10Z")
And _that’s_ why I prefer to be in instrumental bands. ---
**Author:** ![penultima\_thule](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/penultima_thule/32/3833_2.png) [@penultima\_thule](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/penultima_thule)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2014, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ac-dcs-highway-to-hell-did-bon-scott-sing-a-racist-verse/705726/46 "2014-12-02T01:55:02Z")
> [@SykoSkotty](#): > > OK, I’ve researched this before. What I found is that it is the N word in the song. > > Two important things to remember here : An even more important thing: Google any preconceived notion and you’ll find hits, that doesn’t make it research. ---
**Author:** ![stui\_magpie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stui_magpie/32/11010_2.png) [@stui\_magpie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stui_magpie)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2014, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ac-dcs-highway-to-hell-did-bon-scott-sing-a-racist-verse/705726/47 "2014-12-02T03:14:05Z")
> [@SykoSkotty](#): > > OK, I’ve researched this before. What I found is that it is the N word in the song. > > Two important things to remember here : > > 1. In Australia, that word USED to mean “hobo” or “bum”, it does NOT carry the same offensive weight that it does here in the States. " Ummm what? 😕 It’s always meant a person of dark skin, although it’s never in my lifetime been an oft used word and I never heard used to refer to a hob or bum. Our version of a Hobo was probably the swaggie, or swagman so called because they walked around with their bedroll (AKA Swag) on their back. It was also a word not used generally in conjunction with Aboriginals, when someone wanted to use a colloquially insulting term they just used Abo or Coon. ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2014, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ac-dcs-highway-to-hell-did-bon-scott-sing-a-racist-verse/705726/48 "2014-12-02T05:13:51Z")
What \*\*stui \*\*said. Sorry **SykoSkotty** , you are totally wrong. My nationality is my cite. What’s yours? ---
**Author:** ![penultima\_thule](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/penultima_thule/32/3833_2.png) [@penultima\_thule](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/penultima_thule)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2014, 11:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ac-dcs-highway-to-hell-did-bon-scott-sing-a-racist-verse/705726/49 "2014-12-02T11:15:37Z")
**Princhester,** At the risk of causing you a severe pain in the occipital, doesn’t this thread remind you of another many moons ago about with a similar recalcitrant who was adamant about the apparent use of “trailhead” in the opening verse of [Men at Work’s Downunder?](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=13934209&postcount=47) ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2014, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ac-dcs-highway-to-hell-did-bon-scott-sing-a-racist-verse/705726/50 "2014-12-02T20:31:47Z")
I’d forgotten all about that. Heh that was quite a funny thread in an exasperating way. ---
**Author:** ![UncleRojelio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/unclerojelio/32/3160_2.png) [@UncleRojelio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleRojelio)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2014, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ac-dcs-highway-to-hell-did-bon-scott-sing-a-racist-verse/705726/51 "2014-12-02T20:50:57Z")
> [@Typo\_Negative](#): > > _Sees a nigger on a one way ride_ > What the hell would that even mean??? In the American South that could refer to the short trip behind a pickup to the lynching tree. ---
**Author:** ![tellyworth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/977dab/32.png) [@tellyworth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tellyworth)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2014, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ac-dcs-highway-to-hell-did-bon-scott-sing-a-racist-verse/705726/52 "2014-12-02T21:02:44Z")
> [@UncleRojelio](#): > > In the American South that could refer to the short trip behind a pickup to the lynching tree. In Australia in the 70’s, it would have had no such meaning. It wouldn’t have meant anything at all. Just another Aussie confirming that “nigger”, while understood as a slur at the time, wasn’t in common use. And the line is most definitely “season ticket…”. If Bon Scott had wanted to use a racial slur, he would have used one of our own. ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2014, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ac-dcs-highway-to-hell-did-bon-scott-sing-a-racist-verse/705726/53 "2014-12-03T00:05:25Z")
> [@UncleRojelio](#): > > In the American South that could refer to the short trip behind a pickup to the lynching tree. But it would make no sense at all in context. Livin easy Lovin free Dragging a black man behind a truck to a lynching! ---
**Author:** ![micky45](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/278dde/32.png) [@micky45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/micky45)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2016, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ac-dcs-highway-to-hell-did-bon-scott-sing-a-racist-verse/705726/54 "2016-03-01T18:33:24Z")
[![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3L0olJLPGZk) Hey guys educate yourselves before you wreck yourselves! They changed the lyrics of the song after united nations determined the word offensive and frowned upon to be used… acdc changed their lyrics but in 1979 it was she’s a nigger on a one way ride, everyone knew it. If you find a old original record those lyrics will also be on the vinyl. Tip look for the vinyl where the bandmates are all on fire and Bon Scott is barely visible because of the flames. If you find a newer one most likely the lyrics inside will already be changed. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2016, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ac-dcs-highway-to-hell-did-bon-scott-sing-a-racist-verse/705726/55 "2016-03-01T18:44:25Z")
> [@micky45](#): > > Hey guys educate yourselves before you wreck yourselves! They changed the lyrics of the song after united nations determined the word offensive and frowned upon to be used... acdc changed their lyrics but in 1979 it was she's a nigger on a one way ride, everyone knew it. If you find a old original record those lyrics will also be on the vinyl. Tip look for the vinyl where the bandmates are all on fire and Bon Scott is barely visible because of the flames. If you find a newer one most likely the lyrics inside will already be changed. Nothing you wrote is supported by the video you linked to. And you’re wrong. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2016, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ac-dcs-highway-to-hell-did-bon-scott-sing-a-racist-verse/705726/56 "2016-03-01T18:46:47Z")
> [@micky45](#): > > They changed the lyrics of the song after united nations determined the word offensive and frowned upon to be used… acdc changed their lyrics but in 1979 it was she’s a nigger on a one way ride, everyone knew it. I was not aware that the United Nations had the power to make a pop band change the lyrics of a song, especially considering that they haven’t done anything about the thousands of other songs that use that word. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2016, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ac-dcs-highway-to-hell-did-bon-scott-sing-a-racist-verse/705726/57 "2016-03-01T18:47:37Z")
> [@micky45](#): > > Hey guys educate yourselves before you wreck yourselves! They changed the lyrics of the song after united nations determined the word offensive and frowned upon to be used... acdc changed their lyrics but in 1979 it was she's a nigger on a one way ride, everyone knew it. If you find a old original record those lyrics will also be on the vinyl. Tip look for the vinyl where the bandmates are all on fire and Bon Scott is barely visible because of the flames. If you find a newer one most likely the lyrics inside will already be changed. _checks join date_ Just what I thought. Anyhow, should be pretty easy to find these records with original lyrics on them, no? How 'bout a picture? ---
**Author:** ![Biffster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biffster/32/339_2.png) [@Biffster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffster)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2016, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ac-dcs-highway-to-hell-did-bon-scott-sing-a-racist-verse/705726/58 "2016-03-01T19:20:57Z")
> [@SykoSkotty](#): > > OK, I’ve researched this before. What I found is that it is the N word in the song. > > Two important things to remember here : > > 1. In Australia, that word USED to mean “hobo” or “bum”, it does NOT carry the same offensive weight that it does here in the States. I was in Sydney during the whole Paula Deen fiasco, and every newspaper I picked up used the word repeatedly when covering the story. In plain print, the N word used over and over. I showed it to one of the people I was working with and they couldn’t understand why it was so offensive. Different culture, different country, different expressions. > > 2. That song was written in 1979. They’ve since changed the “official” lyrics listed on their website because of the modern way of thinking when it comes to that word. > > EDIT: another note…why would you need a “season ticket” if it’s a “one way ride?” The actual lyric is “_send_ a N\*\*\*\*\* on a one-way ride” which I understand as “get rid of the bums in my life.” Best post here. The season ticket would be a waste if the journey is only one time in one direction. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2016, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ac-dcs-highway-to-hell-did-bon-scott-sing-a-racist-verse/705726/59 "2016-03-01T19:23:38Z")
> [@Biffster](#): > > Best post here. The season ticket would be a waste if the journey is only one time in one direction. Well, no. You can start off in one part of the continent and end up at the other. I’ve done season tickets like that. Not a waste at all unless you want to return to your starting point and, well, that’s kind of completely opposite of the point of the song. ---
**Author:** ![Biffster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biffster/32/339_2.png) [@Biffster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffster)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2016, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ac-dcs-highway-to-hell-did-bon-scott-sing-a-racist-verse/705726/60 "2016-03-01T19:28:18Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > [Here’s the first hit on Bon Scott singing it live](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOTMw0o1ELM). I think it’s pretty clear there he sings “season ticket.” That could have been “she’s a digger.” Definitely didn’t hear “season ticket” myself. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ac-dcs-highway-to-hell-did-bon-scott-sing-a-racist-verse/705726.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ac-dcs-highway-to-hell-did-bon-scott-sing-a-racist-verse/705726.md?page=4)