I’ll never forget listening to this album at a very high volume as I was driving a box truck full of overstock housewares down the Garden State Parkway toward Atlantic City. It was the 80’s and well…that’s another story.
Hard to believe that Def Leppard actually got their start in 1977 and didn’t get on the greater music -listening public’s radar until this release in 1983. My buddy Lou B had their first album, and their second and I just didn’t get it not matter how hard he tried to convince me that they were good. This band def paid their dues.
Def Leppard – “Photograph”
Starting out as the band Atomic Mass in 1977 a very young Joe Elliott proposed the name Deaf Leopard and the band was never the same. Producer “Mutt” Lange who was responsible for so many successful bands and acts in the early 80’s and beyond, took Def Leppard the rest of the way – from hard rock to crossover Billboard hit makers.
“Photograph” is from Def Leppard‘s 1983 release “Pyromania” and peaked at 12 on the U.S. Billboard charts. Mutt Lange actually came up with the lyric “All I’ve got is a photograph” and the rest of the song was completed with songwriting contributions from Elliott, Willis, Clark and Savage. The monster hit video received very heavy rotation on MTV and, fun fact, included a flying split off the drum riser that preceded the move that David Lee Roth of Van Halen eventually made famous.
–Lew Hastings
I'm out of luck, out of love Got a photograph, picture of Passion killer, you're too much You're the only one I want to touch I see your face every time I dream On every page, every magazine So wild and free so far from me You're all I want, my fantasy Oh, look what you've done to this rock 'n' roll clown Oh oh, look what you've done Photograph I don't want your Photograph I don't need your Photograph all I've got is a photograph But it's not enough I'd be your lover, if you were there Put your hurt on me, if you dare Such a woman, you got style You make every man feel like a child, oh You got some kinda hold on me You're all wrapped up in mystery So wild so free and far from me You're all I want, my fantasy Oh, look what you've done to this rock 'n' roll clown Oh oh, look what you've done I gotta have you Photograph I don't want your Photograph I don't need your Photograph all I've got is a photograph You've gone straight to my head Oh, look what you've done to this rock 'n' roll clown Oh oh, look what you've done I gotta have you Photograph I don't want your Photograph I don't need your Photograph all I've got is a photograph I want to touch you Oh Photograph Photograph your photograph Photograph Photograph I need only your Photograph I'm out of love Photograph I'm out of love Photograph you're the only one Photograph I want to touch
Written by: Peter Andrew Willis, Robert John Lange, Joseph Thomas Elliott, Richard Savage, Stephen Maynard Clark, Richard John Cyril Allen
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.