The country song that became Def Leppard’s only US #1 hit

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The country song that became Def Leppard’s only US #1 hit

Рет қаралды 6,209

Жыл бұрын

When you think about Def Leppard, country music is probably the last thing that comes to mind. This band helped usher in the second wave of British heavy metal and made it appealing to the masses with a polished, pop element to their songs that are all a far cry from the country genre. But on their fourth album, 1987’s Hysteria, an album created after the horrifying car accident that took drummer Rick Allen’s arm, the band said yes to recording a little song that their producer Mutt Lange brought to them, an acoustic number he had originally written as a country tune that became “Love Bites,” their first chart topper in the US. Unpack the lyrics and history of this song and the incredible triumph of the Hysteria album in the new episode of the Behind The Song podcast.
Music Producer: Christian Lane
Video Director: Eva Empleo
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About Janda:
Behind The Song podcast host and creator Janda Lane is a radio DJ at WDRV-FM in Chicago, the city she calls home with her husband and podcast partner, Christian Lane, and their two cats, Ollie and Liam.
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Пікірлер: 30

@mattwilson5092 Жыл бұрын

Favorite band by far. Forty-five years on and their live show is still incredible! Hooked since I heard "Photograph" when I was 13. Best song ever IMO.

@behindthesongpodcast Жыл бұрын

They really are awesome. Then and now!

@michaeldrysch5177 Жыл бұрын

Awesome job Janda...The back story to this tune is amazing and you tell it so well!!!

@behindthesongpodcast Жыл бұрын

Thank you Michael!

@RCullis47 Жыл бұрын

I love the heartfelt camaraderie that is what Def Leppard defines. They went through so many trials and tribulations that would have ended most relationships much less an entire band. You see very little of that kind of loyalty in the world any more where it seems everything and everyone is so disposable. Def Leppard is a shining example of what love and friendship is supposed to be about. Relationships like this are tough enough in the "normal" world but in the world of entertainment where you not only deal with the pressures and egos of fellow band members but also management, the record label, and the public in a world of big dollars and momentum being at stake, I find it remarkable that Leppard withstood Allen's crash and recovery, Steve Clark's battle with his demons and everything else to boot that they rose from the ashes bigger and stronger than before. Everyone should be blessed with friends and partners like this to put each other first and gamble on losing everything to stay true to their relationship no matter if it's a personal one on one relationships or a high stakes gamble with millions of dollars on the line. Such an admirable bunch of blue collar blokes who rode the wave to success. Sorry for getting long winded but their story is one to be admired.

@behindthesongpodcast Жыл бұрын

I couldn't agree more! They are an inspiration for keeping on keeping on, so to speak.

@RCullis47 Жыл бұрын

Thank you for taking the time to read through my word quagmire. :) Loving your show.. I love music history and trivia.

@sqrly2u Жыл бұрын

I saw Def Leppard In Bremen Germany on March the 11th, 1988, on their Adrenalize tour. That was an age ago! I was 20 years old and in the US Army. Funny what we remember. Good day.

@JayBee3237 Жыл бұрын

I've read that Love Bites started as country song before but there was never more details or any background to the story so I could only wonder in confusion how could it possibly have been a country song? It just did not make any sense. That shouldn't just happen. Thanks for telling the fuller story of this smash hit. It is one of my very favorites by any band.

@behindthesongpodcast Жыл бұрын

You're welcome! Glad you enjoyed it.

@Whitleythe13th Жыл бұрын

thankful for this ma'am...

@behindthesongpodcast Жыл бұрын

You’re welcome!

@kenozyuk527 Жыл бұрын

Interesting backstory on the song! I first heard the album at a party in 88 or so and it was quite epic. To this day my favorite song on it is "Armageddon It".

@behindthesongpodcast Жыл бұрын

Great song!

@mattthomas4570 Жыл бұрын

I didn't realize Mutt and Shania got divorced. I wonder of Mutt is short for some like Mutthew? Nice of the band to support the drummer and keep him on after his accident. I wonder where Def came from like what does that mean? Good job Lanes!

@DrDiff952 Жыл бұрын

Def = hip

@mattthomas4570 Жыл бұрын

@@DrDiff952 thank you! I couldn't figure out why a mute lepard was cool all this time.

@route2070 Жыл бұрын

I heard Shania getting cheated on was the reason for some of her songs, not sure if that was Mutt or a boyfriend, but apparently they got divorced in 2010, after all of her hit songs for...him cheating on her. How do you cheat on your meal ticket and someone who looks like Shania?

@behindthesongpodcast Жыл бұрын

Shania and Mutt divorced and each of them are now with their formerly married best friends. It’s a Fleetwood Mac-esque romantic drama!

@hawnyfox3411 Жыл бұрын

@@behindthesongpodcast = I heard that Shania walked in on them while they were "Going At It" (Ahem !) Bizarre that it ended-up like a 4 x 4 crossover - Why he cheated on her is baffling ! Like to mention that I actually met Phil Collen in my local London Pub back in early 1982 I was (& still am) a HUGE fan of the mighty band "U.F.O" & used to see them each year. "Girl" were their support group for TWO years in a row - on the "No Place To Run" album & 1981's follow-up, "The Wild, The Willing & The Innocnet" & Phil Collen was at the time "Girl"s lead guitarist. "Girl" supported Glam rock outfit "Janine" at our local Pub & at half-time after playing a blistering set, Phil came out to where our collective Church group were seated, two of my mates went to speak to him. We all chatted for about 15mins & I asked him "Why aren't YOU the main act, here ?" (he laughed) A few months later, I bought "Pyromania" & was STUNNED to see him on the album sleeve !!!!!! Finally, in April 1988, I saw Def Leppard on the "Hysteria" tour at Wembley Arena (London), after I'd bought TWO tickets for the show, as far back as Nov' 1987, when the album was released, here, in the U.K Overjoyed that I actually got to see the mighty Steve Clark, on stage, playing HIS Alpine-White Gibson Les Paul Custom, on this outstanding album, tour & live show - I still have the ticket-stubs Played this album to death, as I was one of the first folks on the planet to own a copy (vinyl) Laughably, as my then Beautiful wife thought they were "too heavy" (not !), I gave the other ticket to my old High-school team-mate, Adrian, who bought "Hysteria" even before I did !!!!!! Can still remember travelling back home on the crowded London Underground, around midnight & getting stuck at London's "Mile End" station, as someone had committed suicide further ahead (train). It all just seems like yesterday to me, yet, it was as long ago as April 1988 Went back to Wembley Arena just 14 days later to see "Rush" on thier "Hold You Fire" tour** **(this time with my pretty wife, who kicked herself when she fell in love with "Hysteria", later !!!!

@DEVAULT. 2 ай бұрын

What did Willis have to say about Clarke's cause of death, versus the band's firing's motive when they kicked him out ?

@DrDiff952 Жыл бұрын

Def Leppard is my all time favorite band!

@behindthesongpodcast Жыл бұрын

😁🙌

@misterknightowlandco 8 ай бұрын

Only #1 hit? Does she mean only top 40 pop hit? Cuz I’m pretty sure every single on Pyromania and Hysteria hit #1 on the rock charts 😂

@rodgerrodger1839 Жыл бұрын

Another album from my crazy 80's past. My nose starts to bleed when I hear this album....

@behindthesongpodcast Жыл бұрын

😂 We hear ya.

@rodgerrodger1839 Жыл бұрын

@@behindthesongpodcast Its cool. I hit 32 years sober today. 83-89 were a alcoholic,coke fueled porn movie. I use to run with Bay Area bands. Oh the pain. By 89 I had lost my restaurant, car, dignity, 1.4 million brain cells a night. I turned in my straw and drinking helmet.... My buddies were hocking they're guitars for blow.. I watched my friend lose his beautiful Gibson Firebird. Sunburst,three gold pickups,great tone....All for blow...They thought they were stars.....Nope. Just drug addicted coke heads like me. I'm retired, married and we've traveled all over this country and Europe. You can do lots of cool shit when you're not pushing money up your nose. My wife and I love your shows. You have the greatest name in the world. Everytime I listen to your program it brings back some interesting times in my life. Some were crazy fun. Then,the fun ended. People started to OD. People crashed cars,Dui's. No rock dreams came true for any of us. Just tragedy. I survived nicely, I didn't want to die. Lots of my buds are dead or homeless now. Thank you for your fabulous show and your diligence. We look forward to your next episode. Be safe.

@behindthesongpodcast Жыл бұрын

@@rodgerrodger1839 Congratulations on your sobriety! Clarity is a wonderful thing. Well done. Thanks so much for the kind words, as well, and thank you for watching!