Photograph

About this song

Def Leppard's "Photograph" marked the band's move into full-blown pop metal and pop stardom. The song brought the band massive success in 1983, giving them their first #1 on the US Mainstream Rock chart. It is often considered one of the best Def Leppard songs and one of the best hard rock songs ever.

What it's about

Singer Joe Elliott has said the song is more about the general idea of wanting someone who is out of the picture than about any specific person. It is rumored to be about Marilyn Monroe, due to her or a lookalike's appearance in the music video.

Fun facts

• Sampled in 3 other songs, like “Running Through Red Lights by James Fauntleroy”.
• Covered 4 times, including “Photograph by Jani Lane & Warrant (Ft. Erik Turner & Jerry Dixon)”.
• Written by Steve Clark, Pete Willis, Rick Savage, Joe Elliott and Robert John Lange.
• Produced by Robert John Lange.
• Recorded at Parkgate Studios and Battery Studios.