This section looks at the 'Slang' UK single release. The first of four singles to be taken from the 'Slang' album in 1996.

"Possibly the most obvious Def Leppard thing on the record."

Def Leppard released their classic Slang single on this day in 1996 in the UK.

The title track and first UK single to be released from the 'Slang' album.

The song reached Number 17 in the UK charts after entering at 18. In total it spent 5 weeks on the Top 100 chart.

The band promoted the single with a Top Of The Pops appearance which was the first time they had performed the song in any form. Only Joe's vocals were live.

"Slang" was then played "live" for the first time in Bangkok, Thailand during the first show of the Slang world tour at the end of May.

This song marked a slight change in direction for the band's sound with Rick Allen playing acoustic drums for the first time since 1981's 'High 'n' Dry' album.

It was originally recorded under a different title - 'Raise Your Love' as revealed in February 2014 on the 'Slang Deluxe Edition' album. The original version included among the many bonus tracks.

The single was released over two CDs. One of which was a special edition featuring a postcard set commemorating the October 1995 'Three Continents In One Day' event when acoustic concerts were played in Morocco, London and Vancouver.

New acoustic song 'Can't Keep Away From The Flame' was included along with a 'Strings & Piano Only' version of 'When Love & Hate Collide'. Plus three live acoustic versions of greatest hits and David Bowie's 'Ziggy Stardust' recorded during the 'Vault' acoustic promo tour.

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."

Slang 1996

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 huge 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."

related pages/releases

• Slang Single
• Slang Album