Music Blog, Musing, Theme Prompt, Word Prompt

Ring Those Bells!

Written for Thursday Inspiration #312
“Carol of the Bells”. Here’s my response.

© Sound Cloud

For this week’s Thursday Inspiration, Jim Adams asks us to respond to the challenge by using the prompt word caroling’, referring to the song “Carol of the Bells”, another song about Christmas or bells, or anything else we think fits. 

Once again, my response is a musical one. This song has nothing to do with Christmas but it’s one hell of a song about bells.

“Hells Bells” is the first song on AC/DC’s iconic 1980 album Back in Black, the band’s massive comeback album after singer Bon Scott’s death from alcohol poisoning in February 1980. The massive church bell opening signifies a funeral, while the lyrics, written by new singer Brian Johnson, reflect the “raising hell” persona of Scott, with lines like “I’m rolling thunder, pourin’ rain” inspired by a storm during recording. The Back in Black album was recorded in the Bahamas amidst tropical storms, and the sound of thunder directly influenced Johnson’s lyrics, making the song feel almost supernatural. The bell represents death and mourning, but the song’s powerful riff and aggressive lyrics also celebrate the defiant, rebellious spirit of the band and Bon Scott. “Hells Bells” set the tone for the Back in Black album and became a classic rock staple, launching AC/DC’s most successful era with Brian Johnson at the helm. 

This is “Hell’s Bells”, by AC/DC.

Many thanks to Jim Adams for this week’s inspiration. Thanks to you all for stopping by for a look and a listen.

That’s all she wrote, kids. See you on the flip side. 😎

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17 thoughts on “Ring Those Bells!”

  1. Yes … a sensational song choice my friend … I’m tiring quickly, but this is one of favourite versions of “Anthem”, Julie and Perla (Leonard Cohen’s former backing singers) in chorus sing the song straight from their hearts

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