Bundle Drum Sheet & Video – AC/DC – Touch Too Much

“Touch Too Much” is one of those AC/DC songs where everything clicks at once—swagger, melody, and that unmistakable rhythmic drive that makes the track feel alive from the first bar. Released in 1979 on Highway to Hell, the song was born during a period when the band were refining their sound for an international audience, without losing the raw punch that defined them.

The writing took place in London, where Angus and Malcolm Young, Bon Scott, and the band were working closely with producer Mutt Lange. Lange was obsessive about structure and feel, and “Touch Too Much” benefited hugely from that attention to detail. While the guitars worked on that infectious riff and the vocal melody developed its cheeky, flirtatious tone, the rhythm section was quietly shaping the backbone of the song.

For Phil Rudd, this track is a masterclass in controlled power. The drum part isn’t flashy, but it’s perfect. The groove is built on a solid, straight-ahead rock beat, but with a subtle swing that gives the song its sexy, rolling feel. The hi-hat is tight and precise, the snare is deep and authoritative, and the kick drum locks in with Malcolm’s rhythm guitar like a machine. Nothing is wasted. Every hit serves the song.

During the recording sessions, Lange pushed the band to repeat takes until the groove felt absolutely right. For a drummer, that’s heaven and hell at the same time. But you can hear the result: the drums in “Touch Too Much” are relentless and confident, never rushing, never dragging. It’s the kind of beat that makes you nod without even realizing it.

Live, “Touch Too Much” quickly became a favorite. It was played on the Highway to Hell Tour in 1979, where AC/DC were tearing through clubs, theaters, and arenas across Europe, the US, and Australia. On stage, the drums hit even harder. Rudd’s backbeat became a physical force—each snare crack cutting through the guitars, each kick punch pushing the band forward. The crowd didn’t just hear the rhythm, they felt it.

For a fan of the drums, “Touch Too Much” is all about groove discipline. It shows that you don’t need complexity to be powerful. You need consistency, confidence, and that unshakeable pocket. Phil Rudd doesn’t decorate the song—he anchors it. And that’s why, decades later, the beat of “Touch Too Much” still hits exactly where it should: right in the chest.