It's a Long Way to the Top
80s Rock/Hair/Metal and MTB Series: Installment #1
As promised, here on Paseando MTB in the year 2025, we’re gonna have a little fun with a new monthly series featuring 1980s rock/hair/metal bands and their music, fitting them into the wonderful world of mountain biking. I was a kid collecting cassettes in the 80s through Columbia House and BMG Music, going to the corner store to get money orders to pay for them, using paper route, dishwasher and lawn mowing money to do so.
To get this going, we’re starting with AC/DC. I figured there are countless other bands that are quintessential 80s bands (we’ll get to those later), but no band spans the decades, including the 1980s, with what rock and roll is all about more than the band from down under. I’m going to say that for straight forward guitars, drums, vocals, there is not a better band ever. Put on any of their albums and you’re bound to throw a fist in the air (!).
In all the moving around over the years, I’ve lost some.
If I had to pick only one song that speaks to mountain biking, and I am right now, it’s this one:
I know, it’s from the 1976 album (international release), High Voltage. It’s not an 80s song. You’re correct. I don’t care.
Put that song on and think about why you ride. You’re out there, pedaling away, having a great day, fatigue sets in, that climb is up ahead, you know it’s gonna kick your ass, you keep pedaling, and when you crest out, you feel good, in all that grimaced tiredness glory.
(Unless you’re an e-biker! Then this would be your song!)
Want an 80s AC/DC song that is the perfect trail name? Go Zone from the Blow Up Your Video album is that song. It’s all about finding a way to enjoy this thing called life, the way I interpret it. Mountain biking is one of those ways, at least for a few hours while in the saddle.
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Well.....ya nailed it! Funny but I've been on an AC/DC kick lately and Long way to the top has always been my favorite. I was in Tahoe last fall on a bike trip and had my friends listening to AC/DC every morning on way to the trails.
Fly on the wall is a great album.
I was lucky to have an older cousin that made me my first copy of an Anthrax tape. Was hooked ever since.
"Your Mom won't be happy about this" lol