Comin’ Under Fire

Zoo Freaks, get ready to crank up the volume as we spin "Comin’ Under Fire" by Def Leppard from their iconic Pyromania album! This track, the eighth on the 1983 release, is a deep cut that’s finally getting its due. Fun fact: it wasn’t until July 2024 that Def Leppard played this song live for the very first time, 41 years after the album dropped! The historic performance happened at The Garage, SiriusXM’s West Coast HQ in Hollywood, during a 12-song set before their stadium tour with Journey. Frontman Joe Elliott introduced it as a never-before-played gem, telling the crowd, “So, enjoy!” Fans on Reddit’s r/defleppard went wild, with one calling it “the underground banger off Pyromania” and another praising the band for “KILLING the big notes” despite the song’s vocal challenges.

Another juicy tidbit comes from Joe Elliott himself, who revealed in a 2023 X post that “Comin’ Under Fire” is his current favorite track from Pyromania. He loves its “great dynamics” and “lovely guitar work,” but admitted he’s puzzled why it was never performed live until recently. The song’s production, helmed by Robert John “Mutt” Lange, features high harmonies largely sung by Lange himself (credited as The Leppardettes), which made it a tough one for Joe to tackle live back in the day. Fans on r/hairmetal have compared it to “Foolin’,” calling it “Foolin’ junior” for its similar vibe but infectious chorus that had ‘80s kids fist-pumping at skating rinks. Oh, and here’s a quirky note: the original Mercury vinyl release accidentally swapped the track listing for “Comin’ Under Fire” and “Action! Not Words,” though they played in the correct order.

Now, let’s rewind to how Def Leppard got their start. Formed in Sheffield, England, in 1976, the band emerged from the working-class steel city as part of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal. It all began when bassist Rick Savage and guitarist Pete Willis, schoolmates with a love for glam and hard rock, recruited singer Joe Elliott. Drummer Rick Allen, barely 15, joined after answering a local ad, and guitarist Steve Clark completed the early lineup. Originally called Atomic Mass, they changed their name to Def Leppard after Joe suggested it, inspired by a school art project (and yes, they tweaked the spelling to avoid sounding too punk). Their DIY ethos shone through when they recorded their debut EP, The Def Leppard EP, in 1979, funded by their own cash and sold at gigs. This caught the ear of BBC Radio, and soon they were opening for bands like AC/DC, building a gritty reputation.

Their big break came with 1980’s On Through the Night, which hit the UK Top 15, but it was 1981’s High ‘n’ Dry, produced by Mutt Lange, that refined their sound and got MTV spinning “Bringin’ On The Heartbreak.” By the time Pyromania dropped in 1983, with Phil Collen replacing Pete Willis, Def Leppard were poised for global domination, blending raw riffs with radio-ready hooks. Today, the band—Joe Elliott, Rick Savage, Rick Allen, Phil Collen, and Vivian Campbell (who joined in 1992)—remains a powerhouse, still rocking arenas worldwide.

Zoo Crew’s got you covered with all the ways to stay connected to Def Leppard! Check out their official site at defleppard.com for tour dates and merch like the sweet “Comin’ Under Fire” T-shirt. Follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and X for the latest updates and throwback posts. For fan vibes, dive into the Def Leppard Wiki or join the Def Leppard Fan Club on Facebook, where Zoo Freaks can geek out with fellow diehards over Pyromania deep cuts and more!