The blood in my veins
Was running right through my brain
There was a cop with a gun
Who was running around insane
Three-fifty arrests
No bulletproof vest
Now ain’t that a shame?
We wanted to play
Play for the crowd
Law said, “No way, ’cause you’re on your way out”
Bedlam in Belgium
Bedlam in Belgium
The place was a-jumpin’
And the booze was goin’ down
There’s a curfew in town
You’ll be working overtime
We don’t play just for pay
So we’d like to stay
Stay just the same
He gave me a crack in the back with his gun
Hurt me so bad I could feel the blood run
Bedlam in Belgium
It was bedlam in Belgium
Bedlam in Belgium
Came for a good time and left on the run
Bedlam in Belgium, yeah
Who’s to blame?
It’s a shame
Bedlam
In Belgium
It was bedlam
Yeah
Get it ready
Stayed on the stage, cops in a rage
Crowd yelled for more, it was war, war, war
Bedlam in Belgium
It was bedlam in Belgium
Bedlam in Belgium
Came for a good time and left on the run
Bedlam in Belgium
It was bedlam (in Belgium)
It was bedlam (in Belgium)
It was bedlam
And the law got the drop on
Me
Chaos on Stage: The Story Behind “Bedlam In Belgium”
“Bedlam In Belgium” by AC/DC captures the raw energy and rebellious spirit that defines the band’s legacy. The lyrics recount a night of utter turmoil during a live performance in Belgium, where the band clashed with local law enforcement. The vivid storytelling places listeners right in the middle of the mayhem—blood pumping, crowds roaring, and police trying to shut down the show. This song reflects both the unpredictability of rock ‘n’ roll and the relentless passion of AC/DC, who refused to back down even as chaos erupted around them. The phrase “bedlam in Belgium” becomes a rallying cry for freedom and defiance, immortalizing a night when music triumphed over authority.
Song Credits
- Artist: AC/DC
- Songwriters: Angus Young, Malcolm Young, Brian Johnson
- Release Year: 1983
- Label: Atlantic Records