Bringin' On The Heartbreak / Switch 625

The Zoo Crew is spinning the classic track "Bringin' On The Heartbreak / Switch 625" by Def Leppard from their 1981 album High 'n' Dry, and the Zoo Freaks are loving it. This song pairing is a fan favorite, with "Bringin' On The Heartbreak" flowing seamlessly into the instrumental "Switch 625," a transition often celebrated for its emotional and musical impact. In a 2018 interview, lead singer Joe Elliott called "Bringin' On The Heartbreak" the standout track from High 'n' Dry, noting its enduring appeal as a crowd-pleaser decades later. Fans on Reddit echo this, with one user praising how the bass-driven "Switch 625" rolls right out of the ballad, creating a heavy, unforgettable vibe. Another fan shared a personal story of writing lyrics to the instrumental "Switch 625" as a teenager, showing how the track inspires creativity even without vocals.

The song's journey didn't stop in 1981. When High 'n' Dry was reissued in 1984, a synthesizer-heavy remix of "Bringin' On The Heartbreak" was released as a single, peaking at No. 61 on the US Billboard Hot 100. This remix, featuring new overdubs by producer Robert John "Mutt" Lange, came with a music video shot in Dublin, showcasing replacement guitarist Phil Collen. However, some fans, as noted in a 2011 Popdose article, found the added synths distracting compared to the raw power of the original. The track also caught the attention of Mariah Carey, who covered it for her 2002 album Charmbracelet. Joe Elliott praised Carey’s version, especially her whistle-register vocals, comparing them to Minnie Riperton’s range. The song’s first music video, a live performance from Liverpool in 1981, was filmed for Don Kirshner’s Rock Concert and helped boost the album’s sales when MTV aired it heavily.

Def Leppard formed in Sheffield, England, in 1977, emerging from the working-class steel town with a gritty determination to make it big. The band started as Atomic Mass, with a lineup including Joe Elliott (vocals), Pete Willis (guitar), Rick Savage (bass), and a rotating cast of drummers before Rick Allen joined. Their big break came with the 1979 release of The Def Leppard E.P., a self-funded three-song record that caught the attention of BBC Radio DJ John Peel. This led to a deal with Mercury Records and their debut album, On Through the Night, in 1980, which hit the UK Top 15. Guitarist Steve Clark joined early on, completing the classic lineup that crafted High 'n' Dry. The band’s early days were marked by relentless gigging in local pubs and clubs, building a loyal fanbase through raw energy and catchy hooks, all while navigating the new wave of British heavy metal scene.

Today, Def Leppard remains active, with a legacy cemented by multi-platinum albums and global tours. You can follow them on their official Facebook, Instagram, and X accounts, where they share tour updates and throwbacks like their 2024 post celebrating the 43rd anniversary of "Bringin' On The Heartbreak." Fans also gather on sites like Def Leppard Wiki for detailed band history and on community spaces like the Def Leppard Fan Club on Facebook, where Zoo Freaks can connect with others who still crank up High 'n' Dry and relive the glory days of 80s rock.