Def Leppard has consisted of Rick Savage, Joe Elliott, Rick Allen, Phil Collen, and Vivian Campbell (Image: Getty)
Def Leppard are still packing out arenas and playlists nearly 50 years after they first formed in Sheffield. Blending hard rock with radio-friendly hooks, they became one of the biggest bands of the 1980s – and helped define the MTV era with their big hair, bigger choruses and even bigger stage shows.
Their 1987 album Hysteria alone sold over 20 million copies worldwide, spawning hit after hit. But which tracks do fans go back to most often?
Based on Spotify’s streaming data, here are Def Leppard’s ten most played songs of all time:
10 – Armageddon It (Remastered 2017)
48,780,935 streams
Released as the sixth single from Hysteria in 1988, ‘Armageddon It’ was part of an unprecedented string of hits from the album. It reached No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100, contributing to Hysteria becoming the first rock album ever to generate seven charting singles in the US.
Its playful lyrics and glossy production typified the band’s radio-ready style during this era. Produced by Mutt Lange, the song’s tight harmonies and multi-tracked guitars were the result of a famously painstaking studio process that stretched the album’s recording over three years.
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9 – Bringin’ On the Heartbreak (Remastered 2018)
49,347,967 streams
One of the standout tracks from High ‘n’ Dry (1981), this ballad marked a turning point in Def Leppard’s sound. While the album was their second overall, it was the first produced by Mutt Lange, and the layered approach he brought would define their signature sound.
Though the single initially failed to chart, its music video received heavy attention on MTV in the US, becoming one of the first metal ballads to get consistent airplay. The track was reissued in a remixed form in 1984 with additional keyboard parts to appeal to American audiences.
8 – Foolin’
51,098,285 streams
Released in 1983 as the third single from Pyromania, ‘Foolin’’ combined power chords with melodic choruses to create a rock radio favourite. The song peaked at No. 28 on the Billboard Hot 100 and helped solidify the band’s growing popularity in North America.
With a music video that received strong MTV support, the song became a staple of early ’80s rock playlists. Its structure – shifting between quiet verses and explosive choruses – became a hallmark of the band’s dynamic songwriting style.
7 – When Love and Hate Collide
101,723,550 streams
Released in 1995 as the lead single from their greatest hits compilation Vault, this power ballad was a departure from their earlier hard rock sound. Originally written during the Adrenalize sessions but shelved at the time, the track was re-recorded and became one of their most successful UK singles, peaking at No. 2 on the UK Singles Chart.
It also marked their final Top 40 hit in the UK to date. The emotional tone and polished production reflected the changing musical landscape of the 1990s, and the song introduced the band to a new generation of listeners.
6 – Rock of Ages
104,773,348 streams
Featured on the 1983 album Pyromania, ‘Rock of Ages’ opens with the cryptic line “Gunter glieben glauchen globen,” which producer Mutt Lange reportedly used as a studio placeholder. The song quickly became a fan favourite and reached No. 16 on the Billboard Hot 100.
The song has been widely used in films, commercials, and even inspired the title of the hit 2006 Broadway musical Rock of Ages. It’s considered one of the defining rock anthems of the decade.
5 – Animal (Remastered 2017)
115,535,904 streams
The first single released from Hysteria, ‘Animal’ was also the first song recorded for the album. It reached No. 6 in the UK, becoming their first Top 10 hit in their home country. The track took over two years to finalise due to the band’s new direction and producer Mutt Lange’s perfectionist standards.
It blended melodic rock with a more polished pop sheen, setting the tone for the rest of the album. Its success helped reignite interest in the band after drummer Rick Allen’s car accident in 1984, which led to the loss of his left arm.
4 – Love Bites (Remastered 2017)
142,572,535 streams
This track became Def Leppard’s first and only No. 1 hit on the US Billboard Hot 100, topping the chart in October 1988. Initially conceived as a country-tinged song, ‘Love Bites’ was reworked into a dramatic rock ballad by Mutt Lange.
It stands out as one of the most emotional tracks on Hysteria, with lush harmonies and layered guitar textures. Its success helped Hysteria achieve Diamond status in the US, qith over 10 million copies sold. The song has since become one of their most recognised and covered tracks.
3 – Photograph
165,076,731 streams
Often regarded as their breakthrough single, ‘Photograph’ was released in 1983 as the lead single from Pyromania. It reached No. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped the US Mainstream Rock chart. The song’s music video, which featured a Marilyn Monroe lookalike, became one of MTV’s most requested videos and was instrumental in catapulting the band to US stardom.
The track was also ranked No. 13 in VH1’s “100 Greatest Songs of the ‘80s”. With its massive hooks and slick production, it laid the groundwork for the success of Hysteria four years later.
2 – Hysteria (Remastered 2017)
249,603,381 streams
The title track from the band’s best-selling album, ‘Hysteria’ was released as a single in 1988 and reached No. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song features a dreamy, atmospheric sound quite different from the band’s harder-edged earlier material.
Guitarist Steve Clark played a central role in its composition, and the song is widely praised for its intricate layering and melodic sophistication. The track exemplifies the sonic ambition of the Hysteria album, which took over three years to record following Rick Allen’s accident and the band’s shift toward a more polished sound.
1 – Pour Some Sugar On Me (Remastered 2017)
544,729,171 streams
Def Leppard’s most streamed track by a wide margin, this song was a late addition to Hysteria and wasn’t initially planned as a single. However, after fans began requesting it on radio stations, the band released it as the fourth single in 1988. It peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became a defining anthem of the glam metal era.
The song’s success helped propel Hysteria back up the charts, eventually making it one of the best-selling albums of the decade.
Content Source: www.express.co.uk