The idea was to make a hard rock version of Thriller. It took three years, three producers and a number of tragic car accidents for it to finally happen, but it did. The album produced seven hit songs and went on to become one of the biggest sellers, not only of Def Leppard’s career, but in rock music history. Featuring their biggest hit “Pour Some Sugar on Me”, which was added to the album at the last minute, along with other smash hits “Love Bites” and “Armageddon It”.
Fun Fact: The album was originally going to be called Animal Instincts. They changed the title when drummer Rick Allen saw the word “hysteria” in the newspaper and suggested it to the band.
Learn more about the album:
The Awesome Secret Hiding in Def Leppard’s Hysteria Singles
Def Leppard’s Hysteria: 10 Things You Didn’t Know
Interview: Phil Collen on the Making of Def Leppard’s ‘Hysteria’
Essential video:
Listen to the album: