The Early Years 79–81 cover

The Early Years 79–81

Def Leppard · 2020

265 min · 64 tracks · hard rock

A raw compilation of early hard rock anthems that showcase Def Leppard's formative sound and relentless energy.

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Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Wasted — This track exemplifies the band's gritty beginnings with its infectious hooks and anthemic chorus, encapsulating the youthful exuberance of their early work.
  • →
    Rock Brigade Start here — As one of the standout tracks from their debut EP, this song showcases the band's signature sound and sets the tone for their energetic performances.
  • →
    Bringin’ On the Heartbreak — This track highlights Def Leppard's knack for combining melodic rock with emotional lyrics, foreshadowing their future hits that blended both elements.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • dynamic journey with peaks
  • raw energy for sing-alongs
  • nostalgic vibes of early years
  • for late-night drives
  • wave-like pacing with crescendos

Maybe skip if you

  • prefer concise, standalone tracks
  • seek polished production values

Where this album fits

In the catalog
Deep Cut — Retrospective collection showcasing formative sound, not a primary entry or breakthrough.
Themes
early 80s rock scene· gritty beginnings
Career context
Released in March 2020, The Early Years 79–81 serves as a retrospective collection that documents Def Leppard's rise during their formative years. This compilation arrives nearly four decades after the band's debut album On Through the Night, highlighting their evolution in sound and style leading up to their mainstream breakthrough.
Stylistic neighbors
Bon Jovi· Journey· Mötley Crüe
New to Def Leppard? Find your way in →

Tracklist

Disc 1

  • 1 Rock Brigade Start here 3:09
  • 2 Hello America 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 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 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 Start here 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 3:14
  • 15 Wasted 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 3:46
  • 4 Answer to the Master 3:31
  • 5 Satellite 4:18
  • 6 Rock Brigade Start here 2:43
  • 7 Wasted 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

What to play next

On Through the Night
Listen next

On Through the Night

1980

Continues the raw energy and hard rock sound established in The Early Years.
And There Will Be A Next Time - Live From Detroit
Go back to

And There Will Be A Next Time - Live From Detroit

2017
Full Def Leppard discography Where to start with Def Leppard Artists like Def Leppard
hard rock

If this landed

Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.

Too Fast for Love

Too Fast for Love

Mötley Crüe

Captures the raw energy and gritty vibe of early 80s hard rock anthems.

Van Halen II

Van Halen II

Van Halen

Showcases a similar blend of hard rock riffs and youthful exuberance from the same era.

British Steel

British Steel

Judas Priest

Embodies the foundational elements of hard rock with anthemic choruses and a rebellious spirit.

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata