The Jack

Infobox Song
Name = The Jack
Artist = AC/DC
Album = T.N.T.
Released = December 1975
track_no = 3
Recorded = July 1975
Genre = Blues Rock
Length = 5:53
Writer = Angus Young, Malcolm Young, Bon Scott
Label = Albert Productions
Producer = Harry Vanda, George Young
[ Chart position = ]
prev = "Rock 'n' Roll Singer"
prev_no = 2
next = "Live Wire"
next_no = 4Infobox Song
Name = The Jack
Artist = AC/DC
Album = High Voltage
Released = May 1976
track_no = 3
prev = "Rock 'n' Roll Singer"
prev_no = 2
next = "Live Wire"
next_no = 4

"The Jack" is a song by Australian hard rock band AC/DC. It is the third track of their Australian album "T.N.T", released in December 1975, and was written by Angus Young, Malcolm Young, and Bon Scott. It is also the third track on the international version of "High Voltage", released in May 1976.

This is one of the few slow-paced songs in the band's catalog, and displays a heavy blues influence.

Influences

According to interviews, the song stemmed from real events when the five members of the band were sharing a house. A groupie who had slept with most if not all of the band contracted the disease (gonorrhea) and subsequently accused one of them of giving it to her.

Live recordings

"The Jack" has been included on all of the band's official live albums: "If You Want Blood You've Got It" (sung by Bon Scott, 1978), "Live" and its (sung by Scott's replacement Brian Johnson, 1992), "Live from the Atlantic Studios" (Scott, 1977), and "" (Scott, 1979), with the last two being released in 1997 as part of the "Bonfire" box set. ("Whole Lotta Rosie" is the only other AC/DC song to appear on all five.)

The live recordings of "The Jack" have very different lyrics than the original LP versions. Whereas the LP version of the song uses poker metaphors as sexual innuendo, the live version tells the story in a literal manner.

Live Lyrics (not from Studio Version)

She gave me her mindShe gave me her bodyBut it seems to me she gave it to anybodyBut I made her cryAnd I made her screamAnd I curdled her creamBut how was I to know that she had been there beforeShe told me she was a virginShe was number 999 on the Clinical ListAnd I had to fall in love with that dirty little bitch.

In the middle of the song, Angus would put away his guitar and perform a mock striptease. At the end of the striptease, he would turn his back against the crowd and pull down his shorts, revealing boxer shorts with a flag pattern (depending on which country the band is performing) before pulling his shorts back up and retrieving his guitar.

Personnel

* Bon Scott - lead vocals
* Angus Young - lead guitar
* Malcolm Young - rhythm guitar
* Mark Evans - bass
* Phil Rudd - drums

Production

* Producers: Harry Vanda, George Young