Def Leppard has put out a new song named ‘Just Like 73’ featuring Tom Morello.
The band said their new stadium-ready song brings back the feel of the early ’70s. Def Leppard’s guitarist Phil Collen noted in a statement:
“When I saw David Bowie on TV between 1972 and 1973, everything I thought I knew about music went from black and white to vivid technicolor. Our song ‘Just Like 73’ represents that awakening.”
Joe Elliott added the following after his bandmate:
“It encapsulates a time that burned deep into our DNA. We wanted to celebrate that very important and glorious time.”
Morello mentioned he’s been a fan of Def Leppard for a long time, saying in a separate statement:
“I had a blast rocking a solo on ‘Just Like 73.’ I played ‘Rock of Ages’ in my college cover band almost 40 years ago and here Def Leppard are still killing it in stadiums with a brand new tune that’s one of their best.”
How Is Def Leppard’s Songwriting Process?
This is Def Leppard’s first new original music since 2022’s ‘Diamond Star Halos.’ Vivian Campbell that they approach their songwriting with great seriousness. The musician explained:
“Def Leppard is much more crafted when we write and record records. We frequently just start with a click track because we’re always – We’re always still working on the song with Def Leppard because the craft of songwriting is very, very important to Def Leppard. You know, we’re literally trying to reinvent the wheel. We’re trying to up the bar.”
Campbell further detailed their songwriting process:
“Every day we go into the studio, we’re – We could be working on a song for two weeks, and somebody comes in and says, ‘You know what? I got an idea that’s totally different to what we’re doing, and you can scrap two weeks’ worth of work and start on a whole different interpretation of that song.’ That happens frequently, you know, and it’s worth doing if it elevates the song, which invariably does for us. But with Last in Line, we’re not trying to write hit songs. We’re just trying to capture a feel.”
An animated music video for ‘Just Like 73′ will be released on June 20. The track can also be preordered as a limited edition 7’ single, available starting August 2. Def Leppard’s stadium tour with co-headliner Journey starts on July 6 in St. Louis and ends on September 8 in Denver. Heart, Steve Miller Band, and Cheap Trick will join as special guests at some of the shows.
You can listen to the song below.