Promises

Zoo Freaks, get ready to crank up the volume as The Zoo Crew spins "Promises" by Def Leppard from their 1999 album Euphoria! This track is a turbo-charged rocker that shot to number one on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock chart in June 1999, marking a triumphant return to the band’s classic sound after the experimental vibes of their 1996 album Slang. Frontman Joe Elliott described the song’s creation as a collaborative spark with legendary producer Robert John “Mutt” Lange, who co-wrote it. The band sent Lange a backing track, and over phone calls and faxes, he crafted the melody and lyrics that became “Promises.” Elliott noted in a 1999 interview that the song was instantly recognizable as Def Leppard, saying, “It’s got all the ingredients of how people remember Def Leppard and how I think how people want to hear Def Leppard.” The music video, directed by Wayne Isham, was filmed in May 1999 at Laser Images Studios in Van Nuys, CA, and the Griffith Park Observatory in Los Angeles, adding a cosmic vibe to its high-energy visuals.

Another cool tidbit comes from the song’s production: Lange not only co-wrote “Promises” but also lent additional vocals to it, alongside tracks like “It’s Only Love” and “All Night” from Euphoria. The band’s reunion with Lange for this track was a big deal, as he had been instrumental in shaping their iconic 1980s albums Pyromania and Hysteria. Fans have shown their love for “Promises,” with Def Leppard performing it over 500 times live by December 2022, making it one of their top 25 most-played songs, according to Setlist.fm. In 2018, singer-songwriter Matt Nathanson even covered “Promises” on his Pyromattia album, a tribute to Def Leppard’s catalog, showing the song’s lasting impact. Def Leppard celebrated the 21st anniversary of Euphoria in 2020 with a post on X, highlighting the album’s significance and “Promises” as its standout hit.

Def Leppard got their start in Sheffield, England, in 1976, rising as part of the new wave of British heavy metal. The band formed when bassist Rick Savage, guitarist Pete Willis, and drummer Tony Kenning jammed together in a school music room, soon joined by vocalist Joe Elliott. Originally called Atomic Mass, they changed their name to Def Leppard after Elliott suggested it, inspired by a fictional band name he doodled in school. Guitarist Steve Clark and drummer Rick Allen later joined, solidifying the early lineup. Their DIY ethos led to the self-funded Def Leppard E.P. in 1979, which caught the attention of BBC Radio and landed them a deal with Mercury Records. Their debut album, On Through the Night (1980), hit the UK Top 15, though some fans criticized its Americanized sound. By 1981, High ‘n’ Dry, produced by Mutt Lange, refined their melodic hard rock style, with “Bringin’ On the Heartbreak” becoming an early MTV staple. The 1980s brought massive success with Pyromania (1983) and Hysteria (1987), the latter selling over 25 million copies worldwide, despite challenges like Allen’s 1984 car accident, which cost him his left arm. Since 1992, the band has featured Elliott, Savage, Allen, guitarist Phil Collen, and guitarist Vivian Campbell, cementing their legacy as rock legends.

You can keep up with Def Leppard through their official website, where you’ll find tour dates, music, news, and merch. Connect with them on social media via their Facebook, Instagram, and X accounts for the latest updates and behind-the-scenes content. Fans can dive deeper into the Leppard love on fan-run sites like Def Leppard UK, which offers detailed news and tour history, or Def Leppard Wiki for a community-driven archive. Join the Rock Brigade CommunityReddit or check out the Def Leppard Fans Facebook group to connect with fellow Zoo Freaks and share your passion for the band’s timeless anthems!