Jailbreak (AC/DC song)

Infobox Single
Name = Jailbreak

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Artist = AC/DC
from Album = "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap"
B-side = "Show Business" or "Fling Thing"
Released = 1976
Format = 45 RPM
Recorded = 1976
Genre = Hard rock
Length = 4:36
Label = Albert Productions
Producer = Harry Vanda, George Young
Chart position =
Last single = "T.N.T. / Rocker" (1976)
This single = "Jailbreak" (1976)
Next single = "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap / R.I.P. (Rock in Peace)" (1976)Song_infobox
Name = Jailbreak


Artist = AC/DC
Album = Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap
Released = September 20 1976
track_no = 9
Recorded = Summer 1976
Genre = Hard rock
Length = 4:40
Writer = Angus Young, Malcolm Young, Bon Scott
Label = Albert Productions
Producer = Harry Vanda, George Young
[ Chart position = ]
prev = "Ride On"
prev_no = 8
next = Song_infobox
Name = Jailbreak


Artist = AC/DC
Album = '74 Jailbreak
Released = October 1984
track_no = 1
prev =
next = "You Ain't Got a Hold on Me"
next_no = 2

"Jailbreak" is a song by Australian hard rock band AC/DC. It is the ninth and final track of their Australian album "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap", released in September 1976, and was written by Angus Young, Malcolm Young, and Bon Scott.

It was also released as a single, with a B-side of "Fling Thing", in 1976.

"Jailbreak" was dropped from the running order for the international version of "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap". It was not released in the United States, Canada, and Japan until October 1984, as part of AC/DC's "'74 Jailbreak" album.

Composition

The song is about a man, identified as a friend of Scott's, who attempts to escape from prison after receiving a 16-year sentence for murdering his girlfriend's (or spouse's) illicit lover. The man does get out of prison, but he is shot in the back while doing so. It is not specified whether or not the man dies as a result of the gunshot, leaving his final fate open to listener interpretation (however, see "Music video" below). Scott claims the man's actions were "all in the name of liberty."

Live recordings

"Jailbreak" has only been included on one official AC/DC live album: 1992's "", sung by Scott's replacement Brian Johnson. This live recording also features extended guitar solos by Angus Young.

Music video

The music video for "Jailbreak" was filmed in March 1976 for the Australian music programme "Countdown", and was directed by Paul Drane. It was filmed outside a prison, and featured the band's then-current lineup. Rudd and Scott were dressed as prisoners, Evans and Malcolm Young as guards, and Angus Young in matching white shorts and shirt with a seashell pattern (which was the Australian uniform for maximum security prisoners). The Young brothers, Evans and Rudd all appeared to play their instruments, while Scott sang. This video was featured on AC/DC's "Family Jewels" DVD.

Additionally, the band acts out the section of the song that details the protagonist's escape from prison. The protagonist is portrayed by Scott, and he appears to die after being shot in the back by Evans and Malcolm Young. The video is dubbed with the studio track from the "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap" album. [Video Footage and Liner Notes, Family Jewels 2-Disc DVD Set 2005]

An alternate video, which features the band simply playing on a stage, was also filmed. Both can be found on the Internet.

Personnel

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

Production

*Producers: Harry Vanda, George Young

References