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Jul 6, 20234 min read

Def Leppard — High ‘N’ Dry

Updated: Jul 6, 2023

𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐌 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐂𝐑𝐘𝐏𝐓𝐒 - 𝐂𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐁𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐏𝐀𝐒𝐓 𝐀𝐋𝐁𝐔𝐌 𝐑𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐄𝐒 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐘 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐃 𝐑𝐎𝐂𝐊 & 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐕𝐘 𝐌𝐄𝐓𝐀𝐋…

42 years ago today, after “Another Hit And Run”, Def Leppard said to “Let It Go”!

On this day (July 6) in 1981, Def Leppard released their second full-length studio album “High 'N' Dry” via Vertigo Records in the U.K. and Mercury Records in North America.

“High 'N' Dry” was Pete Willis' last full-time album with Def Leppard. It charted at No. 38 on the Billboard 200 and No. 26 on the UK Albums Chart. "High 'N' Dry (Saturday Night)", ranked No. 33 on VH1's 40 Greatest Metal Songs. Following the success of “Pyromania”, the album re-entered in the US chart and reached No. 72 in 1983.

Background:

The band had caught the attention of AC/DC producer Robert John "Mutt" Lange, who agreed to work on “High 'N' Dry”. Lange's meticulous approach in the studio helped them begin to define their sound.

Despite the album's unimpressive sales figures, the band's video for "Bringin' On the Heartbreak" became one of the first Metal videos played on MTV in 1982, bringing the band increased visibility in the US.

The band continued to use the up-and-coming music television industry to reach fans over the years with their unique videos and the extravagance of their concerts.

The Singles:

Def Leppard released two singles from High 'N' Dry.

"Let It Go" was the first single. The b-side of this single contained the album track "Switch 625":

The second single was for "Bringin' On The Heartbreak". The b-side of this single was the non-album track, "Me And My Wine". Both songs were later remixed by Mutt Lang after the release of "Pyromania". You can read more about these remixes below.

High N Dry Tour 1981:

After the album's release, American and European tours followed.

Def Leppard began the first leg of their 22 date European tour in support of High 'N' Dry in Gothenburg, Sweden on June 3rd, 1981, with the last day of that tour ending in San Sebastián, Spain on July 5th, 1981.

They then returned to the UK where they played a 12 date tour from July 13th in Bristol, England, with the last date of that run ending on July 25th in London, England.

They then headed over to the States for their North American tour. This leg ran for 33 dates, beginning on August 2nd, 1981 in New Haven, CT, and ending on September 13th, 1981 in Daytona Beach, FL. Def Leppard were support for Ozzy Osbourne during the Blizzard of Ozz tour.

The band then supported Blackfoot on 55 dates, beginning on September 15th, 1981 in Gainesville, GA and ending on November 22nd, 1981 in San Antonio, TX.

Def Leppard then returned to Europe, where they supported Judas Priest on a 15 date run, beginning on November 27th, 1981 and ending on December 12th, 1981.

More Information:

Pete Willis was later fired on July 11, 1982 due to excessive alcohol consumption on the job and was replaced by Phil Collen of Girl the next day. This personnel change took place during the recording of their third album, “Pyromania”.

“High 'N’ Dry” was reissued on May 31, 1984 with two bonus tracks:

1. "Bringin' On the Heartbreak" (Remix), a similar recording to the 1981 original but with synthesiser and piano overdubs added by Mutt Lange in February 1984. This remix was released later in the year as a single, peaking at No. 61 in the US charts.

2. "Me & My Wine" (Remix), a remixed version of a 1981 B-side, with the remixed version included as the B-side to the remix of “Bringin' on the Heartbreak”.

The intention of these remixes was to make the two songs sound more in the style of Def Leppard's 1983 album “Pyromania”.

Videos for both of the remixed songs were made, featuring Phil Collen (who was not in the band at the time of the album's recording). Both bonus tracks were omitted from the US mid-1990s re-releases of the album, although other countries' releases did include them, but returned when Def Leppard and Mercury came to terms in 2018 and the album was put on digital streaming and downloading platforms.

Critical Reception:

Rating the album 4 out of 5, Steve Huey of AllMusic notes how Def Leppard "continues in the vein of the anthemic, working-class hard rock of their debut. While still opting for a controlled musical attack and melodies as big-sounding and stadium-ready as possible, the band opens up its arrangements a bit more on “High 'N' Dry”, letting the songs breathe and groove while the rhythm section and guitar riffs play off one another."

In a 3.5 out of 5 review, Sputnikmusic writes that "while “High 'N' Dry” cannot claim to be a resounding success as an individual album, it is indeed one from a progression standpoint. Def Leppard is clearly a more confident outfit here and with help from new producer “Mutt” Lange, they allow their compositions to include greater scope in order for the band to find their sound. While this does result in some misses, they are never too far off target and are more than made up for by the album’s highlights which have aged extremely well."

Links to Artists, Albums, and Music Videos:

Click this link to listen to “High 'N' Dry” via Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/album/high-n-dry-remastered/1501776925

Click this link to listen to “High 'N' Dry” via Spotify: High'n'Dry https://open.spotify.com/album/01hjBWXtEMVAM9nt1IZfoH

Click this link to watch the official music video for “Bringin’ On The Heartbreak (Version 1)”: https://youtu.be/f_X5A-BYjO8

Click this link to watch the official music video for “Bringin’ On The Heartbreak (Remix - Version 2)”: https://youtu.be/4g0CJdt-auk

Click this link to watch the official music video for “Me & My Wine (Remix)”: https://youtu.be/Wvwn7SCCa2c

Click this link to follow Def Leppard on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/defleppard

Note: The reviews shared here are for historical reference. The views and opinions expressed within are not always supported (in full or in part) by Into the Wells. — E.N. Wells

Def Leppard — High ‘N’ Dry

The Singles:

High N Dry Tour 1981:

More Information:

Critical Reception:

Links to Artists, Albums, and Music Videos:

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