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Cody Jinks Releases Steel-Soaked Cover Of AC/DC’s “It’s A Long Way To The Top (If You Wanna Rock ‘N’ Roll)”
TURN IT UP.
Cody Jinks is bringing us a little classic rock and roll on this New Music Friday. The premiere Texas independent artist has a lot in the pipeline for this year, but he’s giving fans something to satiate their hunger for new music in the meantime.
But don’t let that statement fool you into thinking we haven’t had new music from Cody Jinks to enjoy. To close out 2024, he released a phenomenal Lefty Frizzell tribute record, Cody Jinks Sings Lefty Frizzell. So far in 2025, we have seen Jinks branch out of his Texas country comfort zone as he teamed up with Lamb of God guitarist Mark Morton. The duo blended metal with a country twang for the emotional single “Brother,” which will appear on Morton’s upcoming solo project.
Jinks also shared an announcement with his fans earlier this week that he’s “basically done” with his next record…so we have more to look forward to from the “Somewhere In The Middle” singer.
Sneaky edition Jinks here: New music update pic.twitter.com/mk2yF4VSSB
— Cody Jinks (@CodyJinksMusic) February 11, 2025
However, in the meantime, the rock and roll bug must have stuck with Jinks after he collaborated with Martin because today, he shared his rendition of the hit AC/DC song “It’s A Long Way To The Top (If You Wanna Rock ‘N’ Roll).”
Jinks calls the song a thank you to fans who have been riding with him for years:
“‘It’s a Long Way to the Top’ rings true for me now more than ever. We’re talking about a song that transcends time and genres, a song about this crazy business. Plus, it’s fun to play!”
Initially released in 1975 by the famed Australian rock and roll band AC/DC released his song as a part of their second studio record, T.N.T, highlighting the hardships of living life on the road. From greedy agents to being robbed, cheated on, and losing some of those close to you, AC/DC notes that these are horrible events but are part of the climb to the top if you want to 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…”
Jinks puts a stellar country twist on this classic tune, replacing the bagpipe feature of the original track with pedal steel. The steel-soaked melody embodies the gritty Texas country rock sound that Jinks has curated throughout his career. His take on this “It’s A Long Way To The Top (If You Wanna Rock ‘N’ Roll) is exactly how you keep the integrity of a song while putting your spin on it.
Jinks has been covering this song for a while on the road, and since many artists like to throw in some classic hits from rock and roll artists or their country predecessors, this is not the first time I’ve drooled over his take on the track. Hearing it from a studio cut versus live makes it much crisper and more addicting to the ears.
Going from covering Lefty Frizzell to AC/DC and doing them both flawlessly shows Jinks’s unbridled talent. This man does not miss.
Check it out:
We wouldn’t be able to enjoy this stellar cover without the original track. So, while you’re here, fire up the original version from AC/DC.
Cody Jinks 2025 Tour Dates
March 14, 2025–New Orleans, LA–Mahalia Jackson Theatre of Performing Arts
March 20, 2025–Houston, TX–Houston Rodeo
April 6, 2025–Ft. Lauderdale, FL–Tortuga Music Festival
May 2-4, 2025–Arlington, TX–Lone Star Smokeout
May 29, 2025–Columbia, MO–9th Street*
May 30, 2025–Franklin, TN–FirstBank Amphitheater*
May 31-June 1, 2025–Lexington, KY–Railbird Festival
June 5, 2025–St. Catherine, ON–Meridian Centre^
June 6, 2025–Toronto, ON–Coca-Cola Coliseum^
June 7, 2025–Laval, QC–Place Bell^
June 26, 2025–Nampa, ID–Ford Idaho Center Amphitheater*
June 27, 2025–Idaho Falls, ID–Mountain America Center*
June 28, 2025–Casper, WY–Ford Wyoming Center*
July 4, 2025–Abbotsford, BC–Abbotsford Centre^
July 5, 2025–Kelowna, BC–Prosepera Place^
July 10, 2025–Wheatland, CA–Hard Rock Live*
July 11, 2025–Stateline, NV–Lake Tahoe Outdoor Arena at Harveys*
July 12, 2025–Berkeley, CA–Greek Theatre UC Berkeley*
July 17, 2025–Kent, WA–accesso ShoWare Center*
July 19, 2025–Airway Heights, WA–Northern Quest Amphitheater*
July 26, 2025–Morrison, CO–Red Rocks Amphitheatre
August 7, 2025–Asbury Park, NJ–Stone Pony Summer Stage#
August 8, 2025–Philadelphia, PA– The Met Philadelphia presented by Highmark#
August 9, 2025–Baltimore, MD–Pier Six Pavilion*
August 11, 2025–Virginia Beach, VA–The Dome#
August 13, 2025–New York, NY–The Rooftop at Pier 17#
August 15, 2025–Bridgeport, CT–Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater*
August 16, 2025–Boston, MA–Leader Bank Pavilion*
August 17, 2025–Syracuse, NY–Empower Federal Credit Union Amphitheater at Lakeview*
September 18, 2025–Des Moines, IA–Lauridsen Amphitheater at Water Works Park*
September 19, 2025–Indianapolis, IN–Everwise Amphitheater at White River State Park*
September 20, 2025–Youngstown, OH–Youngstown Foundation Amphitheatre*
*with Tanner Usrey
^with Ward Davis
#with Shane Smith & The SaintsThe post Cody Jinks Releases Steel-Soaked Cover Of AC/DC’s “It’s A Long Way To The Top (If You Wanna Rock ‘N’ Roll)” first appeared on Whiskey Riff.