ROCK MOMENT – Def Leppard ‘Women’
Released in 1987, ‘Women’ was one of the standout tracks from Def Leppard’s blockbuster album Hysteria. Although it wasn’t the album’s biggest hit, the song played an important role in introducing the band’s new sound and helping launch one of the most successful rock albums of the 1980s.
The creation of ‘Women’ took place during the long and often difficult recording sessions for Hysteria. The band had set out to create an album that would blend hard rock energy with pop-style hooks that could reach a wider audience. Much of the production was guided by renowned producer Robert John “Mutt” Lange, who pushed the band to perfect every detail of their sound. Recording the album took more than three years, due to both the band’s perfectionist approach and unexpected setbacks, including drummer Rick Allen losing his left arm in a 1984 car accident. Allen’s return with a specially designed electronic drum kit became one of rock’s most inspiring comeback stories.
‘Women’ was built around a heavy guitar riff created by guitarists Steve Clark and Phil Collen. The song was designed to open the album with a bold, powerful sound. Lyrically, frontman Joe Elliott wrote the track as a playful tribute to women, mixing swagger with the band’s signature sense of humor and rock-and-roll attitude.
The song was chosen as the first single released in the United States in 1987. The band and their label hoped the track’s heavy guitars would reassure fans that Def Leppard still had their hard rock edge despite the album’s polished production. While ‘Women’ did not become a major pop hit, it performed well on rock radio and helped build anticipation for Hysteria.
Soon after its release, the album began producing a string of massive hits, including ‘Pour Some Sugar on Me,’ ‘Love Bites,’ and ‘Hysteria.’ The success of these songs turned Hysteria into one of the best-selling rock albums ever.
Today, ‘Women’ remains a fan favorite and a powerful opening track that set the tone for one of the most iconic albums in rock history. It represents the moment Def Leppard reintroduced themselves to the world and began their climb to global superstardom.
