What's next to the Moon

Song_infobox
Name = What's Next to the Moon


Artist = AC/DC
Album = Powerage
Released = May, 1978
track_no = 6
Recorded = February-March 1978
Genre = Hard rock
Length = 3:31
Writer = Angus Young, Malcolm Young, Bon Scott
Label = Atlantic Records
Producer = Harry Vanda, George Young, Angus Young
prev = Sin City
prev_no = 5
next = Gone Shootin'
next_no = 7

"What's Next to the Moon" is the sixth track on the AC/DC album, Powerage, released in 1978. This song was only played live 3 times in the band's career, all three during their 2003 mini-tour. The lyrics were written by Ronald (Bon) Scott. The music was written by Angus Young and Malcolm Young.

The song seems to tell the story of a sexually dissatisfied man who vents his frustration by threatening his lover with various forms of bodily harm, and perhaps death. Examples include the tying of his lover to the railroad tracks and high-altitude defenestration ("It's a long way down"). Whether these actions are actually to be performed, or represent a form of internal escapism is up for debate. In the final verse, the man is called to task for his deeds by the authorities. He proclaims his innocence, claiming his erstwhile paramour died as the result of a myocardial infarction ("heart attack"). One suggested interpretation of this final stanza is that the term "heart attack" is a double-entendre, playing on the romantic connotations of the heart in Western culture. This would imply that there was indeed physical assault committed, but that it was motivated by strong feelings of romantic love. This would be consistent with recurring themes of misogyny present in Bon Scott's later verse. While obviously debatable, this interpretation does illustrate the rich wealth of subtextual hermeneutics possible in AC/DC's lyrics.

On some early Australian pressings of the album, the title was simply "Next to the Moon".

The song features a unique vocal arrangement for an AC/DC song. The first two verses and first chorus are sung solely by Bon Scott. After the second verse, Malcolm Young sings backing vocals on the chorus, then the two sing harmoniously with Cliff Williams on the third verse and third chorus. It is the only AC/DC song to feature a whole verse sung by Malcolm Young or Cliff Williams.

Personnel

*Bon Scott – lead vocals
*Angus Young – lead guitar
*Malcolm Young – rhythm guitar, backing vocals
*Cliff Williams – bass guitar
*Phil Rudd – drums

Resources

AC/DC live at Donington (audio commentary).

External links

* [http://www.acdcrocks.com/ AC/DC's official website]
* [http://www.acdcrocks.com/powerage.html / Lyrics]