Foolin’

Zoo Freaks, get ready for some wild trivia about "Foolin’" by Def Leppard from their explosive album Pyromania, spinning now on THE ZOO! This mid-tempo rocker, released as the third single in August 1983, hit #28 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #9 on the Mainstream Rock chart. The song’s paranoid vibe, with Joe Elliott questioning reality under a tormenting love, was shaped by producer Mutt Lange, who earned a writing credit alongside Elliott and guitarist Steve Clark. The iconic music video, shot in June 1983 at the Ritz Theatre in Elizabeth, New Jersey, and directed by David Mallet, is a gothic trip with fire, dark passageways, and Elliott bound to the band’s triangle logo. A quirky highlight? Dancer Perri Lister, Billy Idol’s then-girlfriend, plays a harp—despite no harp in the track! The video’s text commentary on the Historia compilation cheekily notes, “Indeed, a face without eyes,” riffing on Idol’s “Eyes Without a Face.” Fun fact: Joe Elliott got a bit too close to the action, with explosions during the tunnel scene burning the hair off his arms, nearly landing him in the hospital. He later called it “suffering for your art” in a 2023 band post.

Another juicy tidbit comes from the song’s cultural ripple. “Foolin’” was so catchy it even inspired the title of an episode of the Canadian teen drama Degrassi: The Next Generation, which often named episodes after ‘80s hits. Fans at the roller rink back in ’83 couldn’t get enough of it either, with one writer recalling it blaring more than any other Pyromania track, fueling air guitar sessions and fist-pumping choruses. The song’s chugging rhythm and “Fa-fa-fa-foolin’” hook were pure energy, making it a staple for teen angst and rockin’ vibes. The Pyromania album itself, a glam metal masterpiece, was a tough beast to record. Producer Mutt Lange’s perfectionism pushed the band to the brink—Joe Elliott’s voice was shredded after just two songs, and guitarist Pete Willis was fired mid-session for being too drunk to play, replaced by Phil Collen.

Now, let’s rewind to how Def Leppard kicked off their rock ‘n’ roll journey. Formed in 1976 in Sheffield, England, the band emerged from the working-class steel town as part of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal. It all started when teenage mates Pete Willis (guitar) and Rick Savage (bass) jammed together, soon joined by Joe Elliott (vocals), who was just 17 and working as a factory apprentice. Drummer Tony Kenning and guitarist Steve Clark rounded out the early lineup, with Rick Allen joining as a 15-year-old prodigy in 1978. They took their name from a fictional band Elliott doodled in school, “Deaf Leopard,” tweaking it to avoid sounding too punk. Their DIY ethos shone through with the self-released Def Leppard EP in 1979, recorded for £600 and sold out of Elliott’s bedroom. The raw energy of tracks like “Getcha Rocks Off” caught BBC Radio 1’s ear, landing them a deal with Mercury Records. Their debut album, On Through the Night (1980), hit the UK Top 15, and by 1981’s High ‘n’ Dry, producer Mutt Lange polished their sound, setting the stage for Pyromania’s global domination.

Want to keep up with Def Leppard? Check out their official website for tour dates, merch, and news. Connect with the band on Facebook, Instagram, and X for the latest updates and throwback posts. Zoo Freaks looking to vibe with fellow fans can join the Def Leppard Fans Facebook group, a lively spot for sharing memories and concert hype. For deep dives into the band’s history, fan-run sites like Def Leppard UK offer tour archives, discographies, and more. So crank up “Foolin’” and let the Pyromania fire burn, Zoo Crew style!