AC/DC Was Just Ranked the No. 1 Group of the 1980s—Beating 49 Other Legends

Although the 1980s were memorable because of the pop music (think George Michael, Madonna), anyone who lived through the decade knows it was also a heyday for rock music, especially heavy metal hair bands.

But which 1980s-era rock band was the best? There is a lot of competition for the top spot. Fans of Ranker.com ranked the top 50 rock bands of the decade, and one band came out on top: AC/DC. The band formed in 1973. However, by the 1980s, AC/DC was making history and thrilling fans.

"AC/DC, fronted by Brian Johnson (since 1980) with guitarist Angus Young, is known for electrifying riffs and high-energy stage presence," Ranker explained. "Their 1980 album Back in Black became one of the best-selling albums of all time (50 million+ copies), featuring anthems like 'Back in Black' and 'You Shook Me All Night Long.' Their influence on rock is solidified by their unwavering popularity."

Two members of the band have died over the years; Bon Scott in 1980 (the lead singer, whose body was discovered in a car) and guitarist Malcolm Young in 2017.

AC/DC Had Stiff Competition to Be Named the Best 1980s Rock Band

AC/DC had a lot of competition, and certainly, other fans have their favorites. The band beat out the likes of Metallica (#2) and Queen (#3) to earn the top ranking. Van Halen was fourth, and Def Leppard rounded out the top five. You can see the full ranking of all 50 bands here.

The band started in Australia. "The Australian rock group was started by two Scottish-born brothers in Sydney. Malcolm Young played rhythm guitar. His younger brother Angus Young, who’s known for his schoolboy uniform, plays lead guitar," Rock 95 explained.

"Over the years, AC/DC has sold over 200 million records. They became the 9th highest-selling artist in the US and the 15th best worldwide," Rock 95 wrote.

What Is the Meaning Behind the Lyrics to AC/DC's Classic Song, 'You Shook Me All Night Long?'

One of the most memorable AC/DC songs is "You Shook Me All Night Long." But what did the lyrics mean?

"The pressure was on. Brian Johnson had just joined AC/DC following the death of former vocalist Bon Scott in 1980," American Songwriter explained. "Guitarists Angus and Malcolm Young told their new singer that they had a song called 'You Shook Me All Night Long' that needed lyrics. Wanting to impress his new bandmates, Johnson wrote the lyrics to the band’s classic song that same night."

In 2014, Johnson spoke about the song's creation. “I had to impress somebody,” he said in the interview with Absolute Radio.

According to American Songwriter, the legendary opening line, "She was a fast machine / She kept her motor clean" was meant to explore "the similarities between women and cars. In AC/DC language: they (women and cars) move fast, and it’s exciting to see all the different models."

The rest of the song "was also partly inspired by images of American women—and their thighs—images planted in Johnson’s head while the band was in The Bahamas," according to American Songwriter.

Related: Netflix Quietly Adding Iconic 1980s Coming-Of-Age Movie