When it comes to rock ’n’ roll, few bands command the same level of respect and raw power as AC/DC. With a career spanning nearly five decades, the Australian icons have delivered some of the most electrifying anthems in rock history—songs like Highway to Hell, Back in Black, and Thunderstruck that never fail to bring stadiums to life.
But for all their stage dominance, there are certain songs the band has deliberately kept out of their live setlists. Sometimes it’s out of practicality, sometimes out of preference, and in a few cases, the reasons are much deeper and more emotional.
“Night Prowler” – A Song Shadowed by Darkness
On the surface, Night Prowler—the closing track of 1979’s Highway to Hell—was just another AC/DC rocker. Written with a cheeky sense of mischief, Malcolm Young once explained it was about something as innocent as sneaking into a girlfriend’s house late at night.
But in the mid-1980s, the song became linked to something far darker. Richard Ramirez, the infamous serial killer later dubbed “The Night Stalker,” was reported to be a fan of AC/DC, and the media tied his crimes to the song’s title.
The connection horrified the band. Brian Johnson later admitted how disturbing it felt to have one of their tracks associated with something so monstrous:
“It just sickens you… to have anything to do with that kind of thing.”
From that moment on, AC/DC distanced themselves from Night Prowler. Though fans occasionally request it, the band has never played it live—and likely never will.
“It’s a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock ’n’ Roll)” – Too Sacred to Touch
If there’s one song that captures the AC/DC spirit, it’s It’s a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock ’n’ Roll). Released in 1975, it was the track that helped launch the band onto the global stage. Its driving riffs, playful bagpipes, and gritty lyrics became an instant calling card.
But for AC/DC, the song is more than a classic—it’s a tribute to Bon Scott, their legendary frontman who died in 1980.
The last time the band played it was in December 1979 at London’s Hammersmith Odeon, just weeks before Scott’s tragic passing. After Brian Johnson joined the band, he felt that performing the track without Bon would be disrespectful. The rest of the band agreed, and ever since, It’s a Long Way to the Top has been retired from their live shows.
For AC/DC, it’s not just a song—it’s Bon’s song. And some things are better left untouched.
Some few band has songs they avoid playing live, but for AC/DC, the reasons go far beyond personal taste. For fans, the absence of songs like It’s a Long Way to the Top and Night Prowler may feel like a loss—but it also speaks volumes about the band’s principles and the way they protect their legacy.
After all, AC/DC has always known one thing better than most: rock ’n’ roll is more than just music—it’s a way of life.