Rock or Bust – English Lyrics

• By: AC/DC
• Album: Rock Or Bust

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the raw energy of AC/DC's "Rock or Bust"! This powerhouse track, a testament to the band's enduring spirit, offers an electrifying way to connect with English through its direct, high-energy lyrics and rock anthem structure. You can learn about expressing determination and passion, and enjoy the straightforward, impactful language that makes AC/DC a global phenomenon. Its clear, repetitive chorus makes it easy to follow along, making it an excellent song for immersing yourself in authentic rock English.

[English]

(crowd cheering)

(rock and roll music)

♪ Hey, ya here ♪

♪ Are you ready ♪

♪ We be a guitar band ♪

♪ We play across the land ♪

♪ Shootin' out tonight ♪

♪ Gon' keep you up all right ♪

♪ You hear the guitar sound ♪

♪ Playin' nice and loud ♪

♪ Rock you to your knees ♪

♪ Gonna make your destiny ♪

♪ In rock we trust, it's rock or bust ♪

♪ In rock we trust, it's rock or bust ♪

♪ In rock we trust, it's rock or bust ♪

♪ In rock and roll we trust, it's rock or bust, come on ♪

(rock and roll music continues)

♪ We hear the siren scream ♪

♪ It's sound so lean and mean ♪

♪ We love to shake you down ♪

♪ Know what we're talkin' 'bout ♪

♪ Turn the amps up high ♪

♪ The crowd's gonna hit the sky ♪

♪ We play it fast and loose ♪

♪ Because this night we're gonna pull the fuse ♪

♪ In rock we trust, it's rock or bust ♪

♪ In rock we trust, it's rock or bust ♪

♪ In rock we trust, it's rock or bust ♪

♪ In rock and roll we trust, it's rock or bust ♪

(rock and roll guitar solo)

♪ Hey, ya here ♪

♪ Somebody else's chord ♪

♪ Maybe up to no good ♪

♪ In rock we trust, it's rock or bust ♪

♪ In rock we trust, it's rock or bust ♪

♪ In rock we trust, it's rock or bust ♪

♪ In rock we trust, it's rock or bust ♪

♪ That's right, just a band ♪

(rock and roll music continues)

♪ Yeah, that is true, so true ♪

(rock and roll music ends)

(crowd cheers)

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
rock /rɒk/ A1	noun - a large stone verb - to move gently back and forth noun - rock and roll music
bust /bʌst/ B2	verb - to break or smash something noun - a failure
play /pleɪ/ A1	verb - to perform a piece of music verb - to take part in a game or activity for enjoyment
guitar /ɡɪˈtɑːr/ A1	noun - a musical instrument with strings
sound /saʊnd/ A2	noun - something that can be heard
scream /skriːm/ B1	verb - to cry out in a high pitch noun - a loud, piercing cry
love /lʌv/ A1	verb - to have a strong affection for
shake /ʃeɪk/ A2	verb - to move or vibrate
turn /tɜːrn/ A1	verb - to move in a circular direction
high /haɪ/ A1	adjective - of great vertical extent
hit /hɪt/ A2	verb - to strike forcefully
fast /fæst/ A1	adjective - moving or capable of moving at high speed
loose /luːs/ B1	adjective - not firmly or tightly fixed in place; detached or able to be detached
night /naɪt/ A1	noun - the period of darkness between one day and the next
trust /trʌst/ B1	verb - to believe in the reliability, truth, or ability of someone or something

Key Grammar Structures

• In rock we trust, it's rock or bust

  ➔ Conditional sentences with 'if' implied in the choice 'rock or bust'

  ➔ This phrase suggests a condition where trusting in rock is essential, implying that without trust, there is a 'bust' or failure.

• We be a guitar band

  ➔ Use of subjunctive or non-standard verb form 'be' to emphasize identity or role

  ➔ The phrase emphasizes the band's identity, using a colloquial or non-standard form for stylistic effect.

• Gonna make your destiny

  ➔ Use of 'gonna' as a colloquial contraction for 'going to' indicating future intention

  ➔ The use of 'gonna' emphasizes informal speech and indicates an intention or promise about shaping your future or destiny.

• Play it fast and loose

  ➔ An idiomatic expression meaning to act carelessly or without strict rules

  ➔ The phrase advises to act with flexibility or to take risks, often ignoring strict rules or conventional standards.

• We're gonna pull the fuse

  ➔ Use of 'gonna' for future intention, and 'pull the fuse' as an idiomatic expression meaning to cause a sudden stop or explosion

  ➔ The phrase indicates an action that will cause a sudden or explosive event, often metaphorically threatening to cause chaos or destruction.

• We're here, somebody else's chord

  ➔ Use of possessive 'else's' to show belonging or association with another person's property

  ➔ The phrase emphasizes the idea of being in a place where someone else's property, like a musical chord, is being played, highlighting ownership or situational context.