DEF LEPPARD - How Life & The Grunge Era Influenced Slang

[@AshArcher]

Slang is their most underrated record. A lot of gems hidden there. Not my favourite (Hysteria, Adrenalize and Euphoria are the top three for me) but a truly special album

[@stevenlornie1261]

I would definitely consider it one of their best records. Love the perfect blend of melody, heavy guitars, mature and silly lyrics. It's a great album.

[@seta_souji]

All I Want is Everything is my favorite song from the album. It really is lyrically honest enough to actually speak to me. I'm a huge fan of Def Leppard because they're a different kind of band where you really see how they overcame all the adversities they've gone through. A band that can inspire me is rare, and Def Leppard is one of them.

[@nesshane71]

I've listened to this album since it came out and just now are the lyrics striking a chord. "All I want is everything, am I asking to much?" This is a person pleading for their partners love, every song feels connected in a progression of deteriorating love. Fantastic song writing

[@Anon9953]

I absolutely loved Slang. It was different. Not hard rock, not grunge, but still brilliant

[@malcolmy1815]

The very same for me. My preferred Def Lep album

[@melissacalderon8728]

I loved Slang, I always paid attention to interviews DL were doing and it made total sense to me ❤️ My favorite thing is my then husband knew I was a huge Leppard fan and he went and bought Slang CD for me when it debuted and I was getting off my hospital shift tired and he walked up to me and made my night ❤️ loved him for that moment. Still have the CD too.

[@JimbobZ17]

Saw them on the slang tour. Front row vivian gave my wife 2 guitar picks. One of the best memories of my life. He reached down after love bites gave her one. Glad he is better. Great person. Life long Leppard fan. They opened with hit and run Great concert.

[@dorathycockerham8125]

I loved The "Slang" Album. And I was glad they were trying to do something different.And just in case they were tired or bored doing the same stuff with their older songs.And the songs from the Slang Album had a dark side to them that I really love and I can't really get enough of.

[@lumariadp]

Slang is my favorite album & has been since it was released. I loved the risks they took & the different sound, even though I loved their "classic" sound as well.

[@skritchesdeath5752]

My favourite album of them all... such an emotional album and dark in places. Beautiful.

[@dodgeramsport01]

I didn't understand it when it came out but as i got older I loved it and still do! Thanks Guys!

[@TheKevinGHutton]

I don't like all Def Leppard albums but I do like that one a hell of a lot. It seemed like a new direction that I wish they'd kept going in.

[@cheapseats12]

"Lyrical Honest". Great term by Joe on the album. It is imo that best writing they ever did. It was a much deeper album. Now writing hit pop/rock songs like Photograph and PSSOM are possibly the hardest thing to do successfully, but there is not much depth to it. Slang was a deep album with deep meaning in the songs. Very underrated, beautifully, organic album on their part.

[@denisehedden13]

cheapseats12,your right people don't understand what is happening in the music world Def Leppard members are getting little older like every1 n life & changes are good for all sure it's not 1980s it's 2018 I watched them on MTV growing up with them n a since. I love these Guy's forever and always 🕸🖤🕸

[@carpenoctem775]

Def Leppard are timeless.

[@patriciaestok9329]

Slang is their best album. When I first heard it I admit it got my attention. It was a complete departure from any previous and recent works. And it’s brilliant. You can hear their moods in the tone of each song.

[@bazhoff]

'All I want is everything' is my favourite track from the 'Slang' lp. def leppard just proved that even though grunge was in vogue at the time, the guys did what they do best ... write and perform fantastic songs. The Slang tour was amazing too!!!

[@derekwilliams1660]

People say that "Slang" isn't very good but I think most people compare it to "Pyromania" or "Hysteria" . In my opinion, it's one of their best. I like it because it is raw and unpolished. It's just different.

[@Nissardpertugiu]

Talk about raw . Fans seemed to forget 1979-1981 def leppard EP, On throught the night and High n dry albums. That was Raw

[@ilknurklkcerkurtulan999]

Unpolished because unmattlanged

[@ilknurklkcerkurtulan999]

@@Nissardpertugiu on through the night still my favourite but i like others too

[@somedaysometime]

it has some of their absolute best songs imo. all i want is everything, blood runs cold, breathe a sigh, deliver me. masterpieces musically and lyrically, miles ahead pyro and hysteria. those two albums excelled in production, but some of the slang songs excelled in songwriting

[@ldesaes]

I love that record. I remember listening to the first track (Truth?) when I bought the cd back in 1996. That was a long time before KZbin and Spotify, so I had no idea of what the album was all about. I only knew the title track, which is in a way a funkier version of classic Leppard. But when Truth? started, it was like being punched in the face: that industrial, heavy and gritty sound was the exact opposite of Let's Get Rocked (the opening track of their previous studio album). I was surprised and amazed. I thought it was the most brilliant thing ever. My only complaint about the Slang album is the material that was left out: Move with Me Slowly, Worlds Collide, Burn Out, Can't Keep Away From the Flame, All on Your Touch... Those are all incredible songs and should have been included. Slang could have been a longer album. So I strongly recommend people to get the Special Edition of Slang, where you can get all the material they recorded for this great overlooked album.

[@charlottetownspud7903]

Slang was basically the only cd i listiened to that summer. Can still remember fooling around with my girlfriend in front of a campfire listiening to it. Such a chill album. Miss those days, no worries, no stress, just hoping she was gonna do what i hoped she would do, LOL. Memories...........

[@kieracartwright5349]

Love this album but then again i love all of def leppard's albums

[@n7ghtmare99]

Slang is one of my favorite records of all time. I'd like to see Def Leppard return to the kind of writing processes they did with Slang, but it doesn't have to be as serious.

[@HughezyEntertainment]

play WE CAN WORK IT OUT on the UK and Ireland tour this year, it's an amazing song.

[@HughezyEntertainment]

and HELLO AMERICA, that song is brilliant.

[@GSHYBR1D]

I'm not from the UK but they need to play those two songs. Although it would probably piss some people off in the UK playing Hello America...

[@AndrewNewZealand]

Well the lyric is actually ♫"We get to work it out"♫, but the song title is "Work It Out"

[@jkerluck]

I loved Slang. It WAS different. And it was also showed just how good these guys are as musicians....something that the more polished albums may have hidden a bit. The guitars and drums just seemed to pop more, and Joe seemed to be having a lot more fun. It felt freeing for them. So many new influences and styles were visible as well. It was refreshing, beautiful and fun. I'm genuinely saddened that many fans didn't see that and enjoy it as the masterpiece it was in it's own right. That's just my 2 cents. 😁

[@babyscream]

My favourite album. Everything they do is magic, but this one was really special for me.

[@JdrD30]

3:07 I did get it Joe ;) Enjoyed it a lot back then and rediscover it every time.

[@shanesixx]

This was a great album definitely in my top 3 Leppard records

[@RyleeStrange]

my fav def lep album. my fav album, period. work it out is the best song DL ever wrote (thanks for that one, viv!).

[@jasonhansen3379]

To this day, Slang is my favorite record of the Def Leppard collection.

[@chyrilpadocino2258]

They are simply fantastic! The best! def Leppard band ever! 💞I love you so much guys😘

[@kennyshipp5973]

Absolutely a Legend love Joe Elliot props to you love Slang Album Def Leppard is my favorite Rock N Roll band from the 80’s I love everyone of there Albums Def Leppard is my hero

[@ncheriyan]

Love the songs on this album esp turn to dust, work it out, deliver me

[@MrDefzilla]

I still think it's one of the top 5 See Leopard albums!

[@bowlochili]

This is why Slang is my favorite DL Album.

[@alainaking8805]

One of my favorite albums, but Hysteria is the best album in my opinion.

[@RichardTuck-v2x]

Slang is a great album. Still one of my favourites today.

[@johnritcher8920]

I honestly hated Slang when it first came out. And I was so glad when they returned to more of a hard rock style later on. But years later Ive given it a chance and listened to it a few times, and I understand better now what they were trying to do.

[@robinstevens9189]

I agree 100%. I felt the same way when it came out. I still NEVER listen to it even though i downloaded the deluxe version a couple years back. I guess I was hoping it would stick with me a second time around.

[@kevinjohnbetts]

It's a hard album to like. But it has some fantastic songs on it. I haven't listened to it as a complete thing for years but 'All I Want Is Everything', 'Where Does Love Go When It Dies' and the title track are permanent features on my Leppard Itunes playlist.

[@christianhafer9819]

Kevin Betts I think "All I Want is Everything" , is one of the best songs they ever did. In the 90's for sure.

[@mygalaxy-3654]

@@robinstevens9189 check out the bonus song Raise your Love... its like a 1985 Lep song. Let me know if it hooks ya?

[@jonjudd1322]

"Deliver Me" stuck me from the beginning, I still like it. I think if Slang were put out by an unknown at the time band, it would have been received better.

[@AndrewNewZealand]

Was thinking about Slang a couple of days ago and looking for a place to talk about it. I first heard the album in 2001, I caught up on all Leppard's albums that year, thought it was fine, but I probably appreciate it more now. I didn't really see it as a grunge/alternative album, I thought it was a mix of '90s styles, grunge, britpop/madchester, funk metal, industrial and especially new age e.g "Where Does Love Go When it Dies?", "Blood Runs Cold". I just listened to the band's commentary on the deluxe release including a short, track by track summary from Joe. I think it was Phil who said that Def Leppard might not still be around today if they'd not made that album i.e the band members were frustrated, they needed to do something different. I like how Joe says that the working title of the album was Commercial Suicide. I wonder if it was a case of the album being not Def Leppard enough for some and still too Def Leppard for others. I figure there must've been those who didn't much like the old Def Leppard, but were impressed by Slang. This might seem harsh, but I think some non-fans who hear the claim that Slang is a more honest Def Leppard album will argue "How honest can it be when Joe is still a brit sounding like a yank?". At one time I actually expressed on a Def Leppard forum that I'd like to have seen Joe evolve his voice a bit, maybe sound a little more natural and maybe he has. It doesn't mean that the way he sounds on Pyro or Hysteria is "wrong", his voice is really powerful at times, it has a real charm to it. But the band changed their sound quite a bit with Slang, so I'm curious about how Joe would sound if he, let's say, stripped back his vocals a bit to where he sung more like how he talks(I'll admit that even right from the beginning his own pronunciations would creep into his singing from time to time). It's funny because I think a lot of people view that kind of thing as a failure i.e you're singing and your singing voice "reverts" to sounding more like your speaking voice. I practice singing myself and I get caught up in wanting to put on a big dramatic voice, feeling like my own, ordinary voice is somehow bad singing.

[@davidmoore9162]

Years later, I like the album. I didn't understand it when it first came out.

[@llcruize]

Loving these bits of info from Joe.

[@toddbedusek6263]

One of the bands that survived the 90s ,and didn't have to play clubs and or county fairs etc .like alot of there counter parts ...I saw them on the slang tour at sumnerfest in Milwaukee at the Marcus amphitheatre.sold out 24,000 people .

[@leeutdk8807]

Hands down the best Def Leppard album out there; yes for me beats Hysteria. Remember the build up, the album coming out and the tour and loved everything about it and the fact the band dared to be different. Such a shame it didn’t get the recognition it deserved!! Hysteria is a fantastic album but you don’t need every album to try and be Hysteria #sl@ngwithme

[@grayelizabeth6458]

Great, dark, amazing and beautiful album. Love it!

[@redrocker1055]

It's a great album. It's not "Pyromania" or "Hysteria" but it didn't need to be. Def Leppard was my much older sisters band I never gave them much interest until I saw the video for "When Love & Hate Collide," which obviously is not on "Slang" but it showcased the direction the band was going in with "Slang". Back then I liked that song enough to buy "Slang" which was my first Def Leppard album and because I liked the album I bought the back catalog. To me "Slang" is just as important, if not more so, than "Pyromania" or "Hysteria" to the bands longevity. "Slang" bridged the gap between the 80's and 90's kids and expanded their audience. There were lots of huge bands in the 80's but in my opinion there are really only two bands that really survived, and thrived post 80's metal scene. Def Leppard and Bon Jovi. And I really do think it's because both had albums that bridged the gap for generations. The difference is, I feel, Bon Jovi peeked musically with "These Days" While Def Leppard is still making killer music that I actually want to buy.

[@richwilde6550]

My fave leppard album. I love loads of leppard stuff, but as albums go, I just love Slang. It’s got such a great atmosphere, mega guitar work, top tunes and vocals. Took me a long time to appreciate it fully though!

[@jeffscronce8564]

Although Slang didn’t follow the same concept that DL had done with the previous albums, it was however and album of its time. Considering as Joe said with grunge coming into the fold. Imo Slang was a sleeper, but after the more I listened to it. The more connection I had to it as I did with all the previous releases …

[@gregmilton9979]

Slang, I liked when it was released and I still do like it. If there's one Def Leppard album that I don't really like it is 'X'.

[@mattjoners]

Amazing album Beautiful sadness and hope They did everything xx

[@davidstewart4310]

Loved Slang in 1996....still love it.

[@CarolMarineMom]

They Are So Amazing Live Still Today!! I've been A Huge fan since 1981, High & Dry Album. They Never went away And Still going Strong💕🎵🎵🎵🎵

[@EvelynDefStar]

So I love those guys ❤ they are simply the best ❤

[@marcusdare1688]

My second favourite behind Hysteria 👍

[@denisehedden13]

I grew up with you Guy's from M.T.V. 2 Concert in Atlanta Ga & so did the rest of my family my baby girl had to see you guy's perform. Slang was different but your right about change ups n music my feelings, I love all yall do no problem it's part of the music industry & whom yall have become Change is Good but other's want yall to keep Hysteria Alive that's good but so is all of music. I was born into music by Dad, singer song writer inducted into The Country Music Hall of Fame & Honor in 1987 he loved Rock more I've always admired you guy's n anything you've done. Go with your gut, never give up on your passion for music yall are damn good Artist! I love you Guy's yall got my vote on all you do. 🕸🖤🕸🎤🕸🎸🕸👣🕸🌻🕸🔥🕸👄🕸💣🕸✌🕸☝️🕸

[@ilknurklkcerkurtulan999]

Slang is proof of def leppard is capable of producing a different subgenre of rock music very well. I like this album . All i want is everything. Breathe a sigh and blood runs cold are my top 3 on this album

[@mrbiffo6729]

A criminally unknown & underrated album. Much like Bon Jovi's 'These Days' it's a hidden gem that got lost between the musical changes in the mid-90s and the expectations of fans wanting more of the same. Slang is my favourite album alongside Pyromania & Hysteria.

[@MetalMayhem1978]

I love the song Work it out. Amazing song

[@timst6152]

The best album they ever did.

[@denisehedden13]

WOW! Didn't take long to get word out. Love you Guy's 🕸🖤🕸🎤🕸🎹🕸🎸🕸

[@frogglidd1951]

Guess I preach to rocks hard I love them I always will there always number one in my book I have on the radio and I Crank It Up

[@myaccount2604]

Retroactive had an impact on Slang too. That was the start of them taking things back to basics production wise. Both are great albums if not the commercial successes of their predecessors.

[@virtual_feather]

Best album, I love Slang!

[@OVI-Wan-Kenobi-8]

Funny how Joe Elliott always feels the need to mention Nirvana when he reflects back on the 90s.

[@no_stick_drummer2735]

I think they're about to release a box set I've seen it on Amazon

[@denisehedden13]

No_Stick_Drummer, Awesome I love this song all song's Def Leppard can't go wrong with music. Love's true to heart Proud Fan,🕸🖤🕸🔥🕸🎸🕸

[@denisehedden13]

Slang is Awesome and I love it. You Guy's are so committed to your song's & that's what makes you stronger in music. Every1 I know listen to your tunes my whole Family does & I have a big Family. Can't wait to see you guy's perform again. 🕸🖤🕸👣🕸🌻🕸🎤🕸🎸🕸✌🕸☝️🕸🔥🕸👄👄👄👄👄

[@tanyalynn5264]

It's an awesome album

[@acitvaras]

"All I want is everything" should be a set list fixed song! Along with Work it Out!!

[@Nunya900]

Joe, you don’t have to explain yourself my friend. Grunge music might have made headlines but bands like Def Leppard made history. I’ll also give you credit because you’re a pioneer of 1980s music and you’re still alive and kicking. As for all of the grunge pioneers where are they at? ***Crickets chirping*** Grunge music to me was like a loud gaseous fart: It made an ear splitting noise, created a stink then faded into obscurity. Yeah, it has its place in music history but that’s about all it’s got!

[@MrDefzilla]

I thinks it's their third best album, even over Hysteria. A more original album, and the best from any 80s metal act in the 1990s

[@kirstyjohnston6694]

I adored the Album, still do! Love u guys!

[@tmrevenge]

You got successfull enough so you could go back and do what you wanted. To be honest Slang is not in my top 5 Def Albums, but I still like it very much and I think you guys just can't do a bad record.

[@cathyl5888]

Joe’s got pretty eyes! 💗

[@orco2na]

Deliver me All I want is everything my fav 2 songs

[@DefKennyT]

With Slang's 25th Anniversary upon us, I just made a video of all my Slang-era memorabilia including many items I picked up while working in radio in 1996. Enjoy! @j8fE

[@steliosgavrilis_V8]

The best!!!!!

[@soulcraft79]

"Slang" a flawed masterpiece.

[@denisehedden13]

P.S. I'll check out tickets tomorrow. ✌

[@robertnewsome8116]

I think Slang was underrated. I'm my opinion it was a GREAT ALBUM.

[@defpearlpilot]

Hysteria is the first album I EVER bought so it holds a special place in my heart. But SLANG is my second favorite album from them. I’m a child of the 90s and grunge is my sound but I wouldn’t call this a grunge album. I felt like the Leps got to finally stretch their legs and try something new. “Turn to dust” is an incredible song and one of my favorites ever from them. I honestly think the title track is the worst one. I can definitely understand the perspective of the album not being cohesive but that’s probably what I love the most about it. Related to what Joe said, I think it’s very close to their best work.

[@elaineambrose7413]

I liked slang as I could see the elements in the songs and understood them x

[@Paul-up3pb]

Agree with other comments … Slang is underrated. It’s one of their best albums because it is honest. 👍

[@viol8r]

In my opinion Def Leppard shouldve cut the last songs (that weren’t hits) off of hysteria and used them for adrenalize, then released another album before slang.. and then on slang, they should’ve tried to avoid the grunge following a little harder.. good songs on there but it could’ve been better. It’s Def Leppard

[@boigamers9233]

Do what you do

[@brianbellamy5678]

Deliver me and All I want is everything.

[@Kevinmindt]

Simply defined#$=awesome

[@maovslandlords9244]

Slang is an amazing album.

[@Harvest1966]

I've always loved you guys because you've never been afraid to do something different. I love your entire catalog... everything you've ever done!!! Loads of variety and that's important. Why would anyone want to do the same thing over and over again...it gets boring. You guys keep right on doing it your way!!!! I'll always love ya!!!!! 💖💖💖💖💖

[@WhatsCookingTime]

I love Joe and all the guys But . as Vince Neil said life is hard enough work stress etc . and you want to get away from that , grunge was so sad . slang i will never like it just made me sad . like grunge did

[@johnfournier1366]

It's sad when a band gets softer and mellower and loses that edge.

[@bradfordmcdermott2063]

Aa mike slaughter said "mtv president at time didnt want any bands like motely crew, slaughter, warrent hair bands videos on mtv anymore he hated those." So basicly both grunge and hairbands could have co eexisted

[@JonHuhnMedical]

Ah, grunge... the 90's very own disco music.

[@carrie0037]

I love Joe Elliott 🥰💋

[@jackymejia7738]

💕💕💕 No entendeishon😂😂😂

[@apoloflores3871]

Nirvana made everyone reconsider their sound 😹😹😹

[@michelled.blauert7691]

💕❤️💜

[@afreakaboucher1316]

👌👍🤘 .

[@lautarodominguez3121]

Matter queen closed raise rank everybody radical politics ah

[@r.g.armstrong2688]

I hated the album when it came out... Those were tragic years for music: Iron Maiden and Judas Priest left without their singers, Ratt, Europe and Dokken disbanded, Def Leppard did ‘Slang’.

[@mjnation7876]

X is the worst in my opinion. Slang was decent. Work It Out is my favorite on the album.

[@donnavarall8632]

Keep seeking God for he is giving you so much thank him thank him thank him always tell him how high and how wonderful he is and you would bow to him it would make him happy he loves you

[@51249ca]

that is got to be one of the ugliest male t-shirts. Who was his stylist that morning?