The 26 Best Def Leppard Songs, from Rock of Ages to Pour Some Sugar on Me

What is Def Leppard's most famous song?

"Pour Some Sugar on Me" is Def Leppard's most famous song, a 1987 track that reached number two in America in 1988 and is still a sing-along at every arena and bar. "Photograph" and "Rock of Ages" made them MTV stars, and "Love Bites" was their only number one in the United States.

Early Def Leppard songs

1. "Hello America", 1980: an early single about dreams of success across the ocean.
2. "Rock Brigade", 1980: a fan favorite from their debut album.
3. "Let It Go", 1981: the riff-heavy opener of High 'n' Dry.
4. "High 'n' Dry (Saturday Night)", 1981: a rowdy weekend anthem.
5. "Bringin' On the Heartbreak", 1981: an early power ballad, later covered by Mariah Carey.

Def Leppard songs from Pyromania

6. "Photograph", 1983: the song that broke them in America.
7. "Rock of Ages", 1983: a stomping anthem with a famous nonsense intro.
8. "Foolin'", 1983: a moody song that explodes into a big chorus.
9. "Too Late for Love", 1983: a slow-burning rocker.
10. "Stagefright", 1983: a fast, live-wire rocker.

Def Leppard songs from Hysteria

11. "Women", 1987: the first American single from the album.
12. "Animal", 1987: their first top ten hit in Britain.
13. "Hysteria", 1987: a shimmering love song and the title track.
14. "Pour Some Sugar on Me", 1987: their signature party anthem.
15. "Armageddon It", 1987: a playful, swaggering top three hit.
16. "Love Bites", 1988: a dark power ballad and their only US number one.
17. "Rocket", 1989: a tribute to the glam rock heroes of their youth.

Def Leppard songs of the 90s and later

18. "Let's Get Rocked", 1992: the fun lead single from Adrenalize.
19. "Make Love Like a Man", 1992: a cheeky rocker.
20. "Have You Ever Needed Someone So Bad", 1992: a heartfelt ballad.
21. "Stand Up (Kick Love into Motion)", 1992: a soaring mid-tempo hit.
22. "Two Steps Behind", 1993: an acoustic ballad from the Last Action Hero soundtrack.
23. "Miss You in a Heartbeat", 1993: a tender ballad from Retro Active.
24. "When Love and Hate Collide", 1995: a ballad that reached number two in Britain.
25. "Promises", 1999: a return to their classic sound on Euphoria.
26. "Now", 2002: a modern rock single from the album X.

Who are Def Leppard?

Def Leppard formed in Sheffield, England, in 1977, when they were teenagers. Singer Joe Elliott, bassist Rick Savage and drummer Rick Allen have been there since the early days, joined by guitarists Phil Collen, who arrived in 1982, and Vivian Campbell, who joined in 1992 after the death of guitarist Steve Clark. Working with producer Robert John "Mutt" Lange, they built a polished, layered sound that brought hard rock to pop radio. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2019.

Pyromania and Hysteria

Pyromania (1983) made Def Leppard stars in America, and it was famously held off the top of the album chart by Michael Jackson's Thriller. Hysteria (1987) took years to make but became one of the best-selling rock albums of all time, with more than 20 million copies sold and seven American singles. Both albums were built on Lange's huge, stacked vocals, a sound that defined 80s rock radio.

The story of Rick Allen

On New Year's Eve 1984, drummer Rick Allen lost his left arm in a car crash. Instead of replacing him, the band waited while he learned to play a custom electronic kit, using his feet to trigger the parts his left arm used to play. When he returned at the Monsters of Rock festival in 1986, the crowd gave him an emotional ovation. His comeback is one of the most inspiring stories in rock.

The story behind Pour Some Sugar on Me

"Pour Some Sugar on Me" was one of the last songs written for Hysteria, when the album was almost finished. Joe Elliott was strumming the idea on an acoustic guitar between takes, and Mutt Lange heard it and convinced the band to finish it. Its chanted, rap-influenced verses were unlike anything they had done before. It took a while to catch on, but once American radio and MTV picked it up in 1988, it became their biggest hit in the United States.

Def Leppard songs for a party or karaoke

For an 80s rock party, play "Pour Some Sugar on Me", "Photograph", "Rock of Ages", "Armageddon It" and "Let's Get Rocked". For karaoke, "Pour Some Sugar on Me" is the classic group sing-along. See our 80s songs for more from the decade.

Def Leppard songs for a wedding

For a rock-loving couple, "Hysteria", "Two Steps Behind" and "Have You Ever Needed Someone So Bad" are lovely slow dances, and "Pour Some Sugar on Me" fills the floor later in the night. See our rock wedding songs and 80s love songs for more.

A rock song about your story

For a Def Leppard fan, a personalized rock song can bring that arena-sized sound to their own story: their name, the memories you share and a chorus made for shouting along. It makes a great birthday or anniversary gift, and our gift ideas for rock music lovers have more ideas.

How to create a personalized rock song

1. Choose a style from 14 genres: rock, pop, acoustic and more.
2. Add their name.
3. Share three memories or details about them.
4. Review the lyrics and edit or regenerate them for free before any music is made.
5. Listen to 4 free 45-second previews and choose your favorite.

The full 3 to 4 minute song costs $35.99, or $40.99 for Premium with four full versions and editable lyrics. You get the MP3, a gift page and the lyrics as a PDF.

Give them an anthem of their own: create a song and hear four previews for free.