Def Leppard - Hysteria Essays - Def Leppard, Hysteria, Women, Now

Def Leppard - Hysteria Def Leppard - HYSTERIA Def Leppards album, HYSTERIA (1987), is a great classic that will be forever remembered. Lead singer Joe Elliot sings songs all based around women, whether the songs be about mans need for a woman or the hardships that come with loving women. The main theme he deals with in this album is mens relationships to women (Adams 68). The relationships he speaks about in his songs are not necessarily love relationships. Elliot advocates his desires for the lusts of a woman in his songs. Def Leppard would rather keep it simple, with quick, punchy guitar riffs and a straight-from-the-crotch philosophy. These songs are devoted to one adolescent fantasy after anotherAnimal, Woman, and Armageddon It are just what you think they arewith music that pounds their hormone-heavy attitudes home. Its rarely more than 6 inches deep, but even mindless fun is still fun (Adams 68). Def Leppards album starts off with the song titled Women. Elliot discusses how In the beginning God made the land and Then He made the water and creatures, then He made manborn with a passion. He goes on to describe that there was something that was missing, something lost. He says that women are what mencant live without. Elliot makes many biblical references in this song. In the second verse, he describes that in the garden, lust began, referring to the Garden of Eden (Fricke 14). This song is a great example of the theme of mens relationships with women concerning mans search for women. Elliot is describing and making reference to the Bible to show that mans instinct and desire for women came from the beginning of time. He uses this powerful reference as a tool to justify his point that men need women. In the song Animal Elliot speaks mostly of his desires for lust. He says, just like a river runs, like a fire needs flame, I burn for you. He then goes on to describe just how he burn(s) for you. He says, I gotta feel it in my blood and I need your touch dont need your love. Elliot is also portrayed as a bit of a teaser. He admits that he uses women: Gonna hunt you like an animal / Gonna take your love n run. This shows the view he has on his value of womens vulnerable feelings of love. He is aware of his own lusts and desires. In this song, he doesnt seem concerned about the womans feelings. In this age of enlightenment, its not often that you hear rock singers coming out with these such lyrics. Not with a straight face, anyway. But Def Leppard wouldnt know the meaning of post-modern irony if it sneaked up and pinched their leather-clad backsides (Briggs). Love Bites is one of Elliots most famous songs. Theres no more to it, this song describes a mans vulnerability in women: his paranoia that a woman is unfaithful to him (Fricke 38). Elliots insecurity is illustrated in this song. He says, Who do you think of, does he look like me?, clearly implying his insecurities with the subject, the girl, hes singing to. Hes worried that the girl will lead him on to fall in love with her and then let him go. He clearly expresses in his song that he doesnt trust the girl. Hes so worried that she wants to use him as a toy, Do you think twice or just touch and see?. In the chorus, he goes on to talk about how he doesnt wanna touch you too much baby, cause making love to you might drive me crazy. He is aware of his handicap around her. He is aware that he cant control his feelings, his thoughts, his emotions when he is around this girl with so much influence on his heart. Elliot describes his fears that if he sleeps with the girl, she will walk out. H e tries to explain to her, but also to himself, that it cant be love if she throws his love around, meaning: if she doesnt take things seriously. He seems to try to convince the girl to treat him right and take his love seriously, yet he seems to