Lucinda Williams doesn’t record many covers. I count exactly two covers in her discography other than this one — a lovely version of Nick Drake’s ‘Which Will’ that appeared on Sweet Old World, and ‘Can’t Let Go,’ by Randy Weeks, which appears on Car Wheels On a Gravel Road, and which, to be honest, I didn’t know was a cover until I just looked it up.
So Williams choice to close out her 2008 album Little Honey with a rollicking version of AC/DC’s classic ‘It’s a Long Way to the Top’ was unexpected. But certainly not unwelcome… Williams’ standard mode is melancholy blues but she rocks out with the best of them.
This song, like every song on Little Honey, really showcases the tight band Williams assembled for these recording sessions. The AC/DC original certainly has its charms (and its bagpipes) but this version sounds to me like a group of people playing in a room together (not unlike the credits sequence of School of Rock, which uses this song to excellent effect).
Goin’ to a show
Stop in all the by-ways
Playin’ rock ‘n’ roll
Gettin’ robbed
Gettin’ stoned
Gettin’ beat up
Broken boned
Gettin’ had
Gettin’ took
I tell you folks
It’s harder than it looks
It’s a long way to the top
If you wanna rock ‘n’ roll
It’s a long way to the top
If you wanna rock ‘n’ roll
If you think it’s easy doin’ one night stands
Try playin’ in a rock roll band
It’s a long way to the top
If you wanna rock ‘n’ roll
Hotel, motel
Make you wanna cry
Lady do the hard sell
Know the reason why
Gettin’ old
Gettin’ grey
Gettin’ ripped off
Under-paid
Gettin’ sold
Second hand
That’s how it goes
Playin’ in a band
It’s a long way to the top
If you wanna rock ‘n’ roll
It’s a long way to the top
If you wanna rock ‘n’ roll
If you wanna be a star of stage and screen
Look out it’s rough and mean
It’s a long way to the top
If you wanna rock ‘n’ roll
It’s a long way to the top
If you wanna rock ‘n’ roll
It’s a long way to the top
If you wanna rock ‘n’ roll
It’s a long way to the top
If you wanna rock ‘n’ roll
Well, it’s a long way
It’s a long way, (so they tell me)
It’s a long way, such a long way
Meet Me In Montauk 
It’s actually hard to hear this song now without thinking of School of Rock. While this may be sacrilege to both AC/DC and Williams, I’d rather listen to Jack Black and Co.’s version:)
Hey, I’m right there with you… those kids are the best!
Okay, first I have to admit that I didn’t even think of any other band but School of Rock when I first started listening to today’s SOTD (while reading e-mail on another page), so I’m shocked to think that they weren’t the original band to record it 😉
Next, I’m in shock to associate Lucinda Williams with this sound. Not at all what I expect of her, not that I know her all that well.
I have no desire to hear more of Lucinda Williams singing a song such as this one, but it’s still cool that she did it.