You Shook Me All Night Long – AC/DC

Learn to play “You Shook Me All Night Long” by AC/DC with Licklibrary’s note-for-note guitar lesson, a deep dive into one of the most iconic rock anthems of all time. This powerhouse track, driven by infectious riffs and timeless guitar tones, is a staple for any aspiring rock guitarist. In this lesson, we break down the rhythm and lead parts with precision, focusing on the core techniques that shaped this hard rock classic. Danny Gill breaks down this classic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

About the Guitarists: Angus and Malcolm Young

At the heart of “You Shook Me All Night Long” are the legendary Angus Young and Malcolm Young. Angus, the lead guitarist, is known for his blistering blues-infused solos and high-energy performances. His phrasing, use of pentatonic scales, and classic rock vibrato have made him one of the most influential players in rock history. Malcolm, often overlooked but just as critical, laid down the solid, no-frills rhythm guitar that became AC/DC’s backbone. His sense of timing, groove, and chordal precision made AC/DC’s sound unmistakably tight and powerful. Together, they forged a guitar partnership that defined generations of hard rock.

Song Overview

“You Shook Me All Night Long” is built around tight, punchy rhythm guitar and melodic, expressive lead lines. It’s a masterclass in less-is-more guitar playing, where every note, bend, and strum serves the song. In this Licklibrary guitar lesson, we guide you through each section — verse, chorus, bridge, and solo — ensuring that you capture the feel and nuances that make this track timeless.

Rhythm Guitar Techniques

Power Chords

The foundation of the rhythm parts in this track lies in the use of power chords. These are the bread and butter of rock rhythm playing, providing a thick, punchy sound that cuts through the mix. Mastering power chords builds your fretting hand strength and improves your chord-changing efficiency — essential skills for any guitarist.

Palm Muting

The intro and verse riffs incorporate subtle palm muting to give the guitar a percussive, driving edge. This technique involves lightly resting the side of your picking hand on the strings near the bridge to control sustain. It adds groove and precision to your rhythm playing and is vital in tight, riff-based rock.

String Bending and Bluesy Bends

Throughout the lead parts, particularly in the solo, you’ll encounter expressive string bending and bluesy bends. These bends give the solo its vocal-like phrasing and emotional intensity. Learning proper bending technique helps with intonation control and develops expressive phrasing in your lead playing.

Lead Guitar Techniques

Slides

Slides are used frequently in both rhythm fills and solos, especially to connect pentatonic licks or move between positions fluidly. Sliding improves fretboard navigation and adds smoothness to your transitions.

Vibrato

One of Angus Young’s signature techniques is his expressive vibrato. Vibrato adds character and sustain to held notes, giving your solos personality and feeling. Developing a controlled vibrato is essential for creating a professional, emotive sound.

Hammer-Ons and Pull-Offs

The solo contains a mix of hammer-ons and pull-offs, used to create smooth, flowing legato runs. These techniques reduce the need for excessive picking and enhance speed and fluidity.

Double Stops

Angus uses double stops to enrich melodies and riffs, providing harmonic depth with minimal effort. These two-note intervals add power to lead lines and are an essential part of rock and blues vocabulary.

Benefits of Learning This Song

Studying “You Shook Me All Night Long” not only allows you to add a legendary rock song to your repertoire, but it also strengthens a wide range of essential guitar techniques. You’ll improve your rhythm precision, gain expressive control in lead playing, and better understand how to structure a melodic solo. Plus, the song’s tempo and structure make it accessible for intermediate players while still being rewarding for more advanced guitarists.

This lesson also helps reinforce musical timing, ear training (thanks to the subtle bends and vibrato), and practical fretboard navigation — all crucial skills that apply to countless other songs in the classic rock and hard rock genres.

Techniques Featured in This Lesson

• Power Chords
• Palm Muting
• String Bending
• Bluesy Bends
• Slides
• Vibrato
• Hammer-Ons
• Pull-Offs
• Double Stops

Ready to lock into one of the greatest rock riffs of all time? Dive into this note-for-note guitar lesson for “You Shook Me All Night Long” and play it just like the Young brothers intended.