Shot Down in Flames

This song is about a guy who goes out for a night on the town, hoping to hook up with a girl. Although he tries countless times to get with a woman over the course of the night, he fails, thus he gets "Shot down in flames." The lyric comes courtesy of lead singer Bon Scott, who in contrast to the typical swaggering rock frontman, would often sing self-deprecating lines about his romantic foibles, which could be anything from an adventure in low standards to a social disease.

Mutt Lange, who would later helm albums for Shania Twain, The Cars and Foreigner, produced the Highway To Hell LP. He kept it lighthearted on this track, allowing Bon Scott to interject vocals over Angus Young's guitar solo ("That's nice!"), and closing the song with a classic scream from Scott.

This is an example of Bon Scott's very relatable songwriting. "He's writing songs about being kicked in the guts by women, or losing out in love or not having money," said Jesse Fink, author of Bon: The Last Highway. "Basic human issues that we all face at one time or another. I think that's why those songs go so brilliantly with listeners. Think of 'Shot Down In Flames.' He's singing about being turned down by a woman. They're just simple things that work."