This section looks at the 'Slang' single entering the UK chart. The first of three Top 40 hits from the 'Slang' album in 1996.
"Live this song has always been a favourite with the fans."
Def Leppard's classic Slang single peaked at Number 17 in the UK charts on this day in 1996.
The title track and first UK single to be released from the 'Slang' album.
The single was released on 22nd April 1996 and was the first of four UK singles from the album of the same name.
It entered at Number 18 on 4th May before rising to 17 in its second week helped by another Top Of The Pops performance.
It spent five weeks in total on the Top 100 chart.
On the same day the single also went to Number One on the Rock Singles chart having been at Number 2 the week before.
The late George Michael was at Number One with the single 'Fastlove'.
Other rock acts in the Top 40 that week included Manic Street Preachers (9) and Oasis (36).
Just above Def Leppard in the chart at Number 16 was Robert Miles with electronic hit 'Children'. His death, at the age of 47, was announced on 10th May 2017.
UK Singles Chart - 11th May 1996
- 01 - George Michael - Fastlove
- 02 - Mark Morrison - Return Of The Mack
- 03 - Gina G - Ooh Aah...Just A Little Bit
- 04 - Suggs & Louchie Lou/Michie One - Cecilia
- 05 - Blur - Charmless Man - (New Entry)
- 17 - Def Leppard - Slang - (New Entry/Peak Position)
UK Rock Singles Chart - 11th May 1996
- 01 - Def Leppard - Slang - (Peak Position)
- 02 - Honeycrack - King Of Misery
- 03 - Terrorvision - Celebrity Hit List
- 04 - AC/DC - Hail Caesar - (New Entry)
- 05 - Babylon Zoo - Animal Army
The first of three singles from the 'Slang' album to hit the Humber One spot on the new UK Rock chart in 1996.
Slang - Song Description By Phil Collen 1996
"Contrary to popular belief this song is not about shagging! In fact, it's more of a safe sex anthem (avoiding contact and the like)."
"We wanted to blend metal guitars with an almost James Brown kind of thing over a modern dance track then add some Latin percussion and stuff."
"It's very hard to make those hybrid or fusion type songs work, but we really nailed it!"
Joe Elliott - May 1996 Biography Quote
"Possibly the most obvious Def Leppard thing on the record. We wanted to get a thing going, a cross between a Kinksy, Stonesy rock song and a rap thing."
Joe Elliott - 2004 Best Of Quote
"The title track is the only song that sounds like it doesn't belong on that album. We kinda ripped off the way David Bowie did 'Fame'. With the title descending during the chorus. Those quirky little things are the fun part of making music."
Joe Elliott - 2014 Song Commentary
"The title track Slang for me is the one song on the album that is a bit of a throwback to our original sound."
"In other words loads and loads of backing vocals."
"I personally love the bit that we stole from (David) Bowie's 'Fame' which was the descending line in the chorus."
"Live this song has always been a favourite with the fans."
"Often on stage we see hug big banners that just say 'Please play Slang'."
"So obviously occasionally we do."
Phil Collen - 2004 Best Of Quote
"It's about phone sex. Safe sex. And all that goes with it. Listen again. It's about being raunchy and wild. But safe."
Vivian Campbell - 2004 Best Of Quote
"I had no idea it was about sex over the phone! It's zappy and still fun to play. Phil was into R&B. And he brought in the funk element."
Rick Allen - 2004 Best Of Quote
"When we were in South America. It's latin feel prompted many young ladies to come up on stage and dance with us."
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