Pyromania cover art

  Studio Album · No. 3

Pyromania Songwriting Credits by Def Leppard

1983 Mercury 10 tracks 45 min

Produced by Robert John "Mutt" Lange  ·  Engineered by Mike Shipley, Nigel Green

Mercury Hard RockHeavy MetalGlam Metal
100%
Authorship
Complete Artist

Holds writing credit on 10 of 10 tracks

Authorship Breakdown 10 / 10 documented

Who wrote the songs?

Scored across the 10 tracks with documented writers, by whether Def Leppard carries a lyricist or composer credit.

100%
10 trackswritten by Def Leppard 0 tracksoutside writers
Def Leppard's roles on this album

Share of the 10 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.

Lyricist100%
Composer100%
Producer0%
Performer100%

By the Numbers

10
Tracks
5
Lyricists
1
Producers
10 million
US Copies Sold
1983
Released
Data Insight

Pyromania is where producer Robert John 'Mutt' Lange becomes a full songwriting partner: his name sits in almost every credit beside Steve Clark, Joe Elliott, Rick Savage and Pete Willis. The band still writes collectively, but Lange's pop instincts reshape the songs into tight, chorus-driven anthems. Pete Willis appears throughout before his departure, so the album captures the original guitar lineup one last time.

Pyromania is the third studio album by Def Leppard, released in January 1983 and the record that turned them into international stars. Working again with producer Robert John 'Mutt' Lange, who now co-wrote nearly every song, the band fused hard rock with pop precision and massive layered choruses. Hits like 'Photograph,' 'Rock of Ages' and 'Foolin'' dominated MTV and radio, and the album sold more than ten million copies in the United States. It marked a turning point in the band's writing: Lange's name appears on most tracks alongside Steve Clark, Joe Elliott, Rick Savage and Pete Willis, who played on the album before leaving during the sessions. Pyromania defined the sound of 1980s arena rock.

Track Listing & Credits 10 tracks

Written by the artist Written by outside writers
#TitleLyricist(s)Composer(s)Producer(s)Performers
1
Rock! Rock! (Till You Drop)
Steve ClarkJoe ElliottRobert John "Mutt" LangeRick Savage Stephen Maynard ClarkJoseph Thomas ElliottRobert John LangeRichard Savage Robert John "Mutt" Lange Joe Elliott (Lead Vocals)
2
Photograph #12
Steve ClarkJoe ElliottRobert John "Mutt" LangeRick SavagePete Willis Stephen Maynard ClarkJoseph Thomas ElliottRobert John LangeRichard SavagePeter John Willis Robert John "Mutt" Lange Joe Elliott (Lead Vocals)
3
Stagefright
Joe ElliottRobert John "Mutt" LangeRick Savage Joseph Thomas ElliottRobert John LangeRichard Savage Robert John "Mutt" Lange Joe Elliott (Lead Vocals)
4
Too Late for Love
Steve ClarkJoe ElliottRobert John "Mutt" LangeRick SavagePete Willis Stephen Maynard ClarkJoseph Thomas ElliottRobert John LangeRichard SavagePeter John Willis Robert John "Mutt" Lange Joe Elliott (Lead Vocals)
5
Die Hard the Hunter
Steve ClarkJoe ElliottRobert John "Mutt" LangeRick Savage Stephen Maynard ClarkJoseph Thomas ElliottRobert John LangeRichard Savage Robert John "Mutt" Lange Joe Elliott (Lead Vocals)
6
Foolin' #28
Steve ClarkJoe ElliottRobert John "Mutt" Lange Stephen Maynard ClarkJoseph Thomas ElliottRobert John Lange Robert John "Mutt" Lange Joe Elliott (Lead Vocals)
7
Rock of Ages #16
Steve ClarkJoe ElliottRobert John "Mutt" Lange Stephen Maynard ClarkJoseph Thomas ElliottRobert John Lange Robert John "Mutt" Lange Joe Elliott (Lead Vocals)
8
Comin' Under Fire
Steve ClarkJoe ElliottRobert John "Mutt" LangePete Willis Stephen Maynard ClarkJoseph Thomas ElliottRobert John LangePeter John Willis Robert John "Mutt" Lange Joe Elliott (Lead Vocals)
9
Action! Not Words
Steve ClarkJoe ElliottRobert John "Mutt" Lange Stephen Maynard ClarkJoseph Thomas ElliottRobert John Lange Robert John "Mutt" Lange Joe Elliott (Lead Vocals)
10
Billy's Got a Gun
Steve ClarkJoe ElliottRobert John "Mutt" LangeRick SavagePete Willis Stephen Maynard ClarkJoseph Thomas ElliottRobert John LangeRichard SavagePeter John Willis Robert John "Mutt" Lange Joe Elliott (Lead Vocals)

Songwriter & Credit Spotlight 10 contributors

More from Def Leppard

Frequently Asked Questions Pyromania

Who wrote Def Leppard's Pyromania?
The band wrote it together with producer Robert John 'Mutt' Lange, whose name appears on almost every track beside Steve Clark, Joe Elliott, Rick Savage and Pete Willis.
Did Mutt Lange co-write Pyromania?
Yes. This is the album where Lange became a full co-writer, and his name is in the credits of nearly every song, shaping their pop-driven hard rock.
What are the big hits on Pyromania?
'Photograph,' 'Rock of Ages' and 'Foolin'' all became MTV and radio staples and pushed the album to huge sales.
How well did Pyromania sell?
It is certified diamond in the United States, with sales above ten million copies.
Did Pete Willis play on Pyromania?
Yes. Pete Willis played rhythm guitar on the album and shares several writing credits before leaving the band during the sessions, replaced by Phil Collen.
Why is Pyromania important?
It defined the sound of 1980s arena rock and turned Def Leppard from a promising band into international stars.

Sources