The Early Years 79–81 cover

The Early Years 79–81

Def Leppard · 2020

265 min · 64 tracks · hard rock

A raw and energetic collection of early hard rock anthems that foreshadowed Def Leppard's meteoric rise.

Why this album works

This album is significant as it chronicles the pivotal early years of Def Leppard, offering fans a glimpse into their origins before achieving massive commercial success. The tracks included helped solidify the band's identity and laid the groundwork for their later hits, influencing countless bands in the hard rock genre.
Best for
dynamic journey with peaks raw energy for sing-alongs nostalgic vibes of early years
Context
Released in 2020, 'The Early Years 79–81' compiles Def Leppard's formative material from their initial EP and early albums. This retrospective comes over four decades after the band's debut album, showcasing their development from local UK rockers to a global phenomenon.
Stylistic neighbors
Alice Cooper· Crush 40· Holograf

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

Disc 1

  • 1 Rock Brigade 3:09
  • 2 Hello America Standout 3:28
  • 3 Sorrow Is a Woman 3:54
  • 4 It Could Be You 2:34
  • 5 Satellite 4:28
  • 6 When the Walls Came Tumblin’ Down 4:45
  • 7 Wasted Standout 3:45
  • 8 Rocks Off 3:43
  • 9 It Don’t Matter 3:21
  • 10 Answer to the Master 3:13
  • 11 Overture 7:45

Disc 2

  • 1 Let It Go 4:43
  • 2 Another Hit and Run 4:59
  • 3 High ’n’ Dry (Saturday Night) 3:27
  • 4 Bringin’ On the Heartbreak Standout 4:34
  • 5 Switch 625 3:03
  • 6 You Got Me Runnin’ 4:23
  • 7 Lady Strange 4:39
  • 8 On Through the Night 5:06
  • 9 Mirror, Mirror (Look Into My Eyes) 4:08
  • 10 No No No 3:13

Disc 3

  • 1 When the Walls Came Tumblin’ Down 4:46
  • 2 It Could Be You 2:39
  • 3 Rock Brigade 2:59
  • 4 Satellite 4:00
  • 5 Medicine Man 4:08
  • 6 Answer to the Master 3:25
  • 7 When the Rain Falls 5:39
  • 8 Sorrow Is a Woman 3:44
  • 9 Good Morning Freedom 3:49
  • 10 It Don’t Matter 4:48
  • 11 Overture 7:16
  • 12 Lady Strange 4:55
  • 13 Getcha Rocks Off 4:37
  • 14 Hello America Standout 3:14
  • 15 Wasted Standout 4:53
  • 16 Ride Into the Sun 3:24

Disc 4

  • 1 Ride Into the Sun (Def Leppard E.P. version) 2:53
  • 2 Getcha Rocks Off (Def Leppard E.P. version) 3:39
  • 3 The Overture (Def Leppard E.P. version) 7:46
  • 4 Wasted (early version) 3:04
  • 5 Hello America (early version) 3:07
  • 6 Rock Brigade (early version) 2:49
  • 7 Glad I’m Alive (early version) 4:13
  • 8 Good Morning Freedom 2:59
  • 9 Let It Go (single edit) 4:14
  • 10 Switch 625 (single edit) 3:04
  • 11 Bringin’ On the Heartbreak (single edit) 3:57
  • 12 Me and My Wine (original version) 3:35
  • 13 Bringin’ On the Heartbreak (1984 remix) 4:34
  • 14 Me and My Wine (1984 remix) 3:40

Disc 5

  • 1 Glad I’m Alive 4:30
  • 2 Sorrow Is a Woman 3:48
  • 3 Wasted Standout 3:46
  • 4 Answer to the Master 3:31
  • 5 Satellite 4:18
  • 6 Rock Brigade 2:43
  • 7 Wasted Standout 3:00
  • 8 Good Morning Freedom 3:22
  • 9 Satellite / When the Walls Came Tumblin’ Down 6:11
  • 10 Medicine Man 4:11
  • 11 Overture 7:28
  • 12 Lady Strange 4:59
  • 13 Getcha Rocks Off 5:17

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata