To create the song's ominous atmosphere, the band wanted a real, heavy bell rather than a sound effect. AC/DC – Hells Bells Lyrics - Genius

The lyrics were written by Brian Johnson , Angus Young , and Malcolm Young during a recording session in the Bahamas.

: Brian Johnson recalls being stuck in a massive tropical thunderstorm while trying to write the lyrics. Producer Mutt Lange pointed out the thunder, and Brian described it as "rolling thunder," a phrase that became the song's opening line.