With their release of “Bringin’ on the Heartbreak” in 1981, Def Leppard captivated audiences with their power ballad about unrequited love. The second single from their album “High ‘n’ Dry,” the song initially flew under the radar until MTV gave it new life by playing the music video in heavy rotation.
Written by band members Joe Elliott, Steve Clark, and Pete Willis, “Bringin’ on the Heartbreak” struck a chord with fans and eventually caught the attention of music lovers across the country. The performance video was initially shot for Don Kirshner’s Rock Concert but caught the eye of MTV producers, who added it to their playlist.
Manager Cliff Burnstein shared in the book “Animal Instinct,” “MTV, having nothing to play, liked the idea of this young U.K. rock band, so they picked it up. Slowly but surely, we started getting sales reports on the record, and it started selling about 5,000 copies a week – which was enough to get it back on the charts. This was a whole new ball game.”
Decades later, “Bringin’ on the Heartbreak” remains a signature song for Def Leppard. The band even rearranged it for their live shows, with co-lead guitarist Phil Collen leading the charge. The acoustic arrangement added a new layer to the beloved song’s performance, captivating audiences and inspiring other bands to incorporate acoustic sets into their shows.
Def Leppard’s journey with “Bringin’ on the Heartbreak” showcases the band’s enduring talent and timeless appeal. From its humble beginnings to its rebirth on MTV, the song continues to resonate with fans and stands as a testament to the band’s lasting impact on the music industry.
Peace Nero is a writer and blogger who loves to explore different topics of self-development. She shares her personal experiences in order to help people discover their true purpose in life.