This section looks at the 'Foolin'' USA/Canada single release. The third and final song to be released from the 'Pyromania' album in North America and third chart hit.
"The first thing that springs to mind is the video."
Def Leppard released their classic Foolin' single on this day in 1983 in the USA and Canada.
Released on 18th August 1983, 'Foolin'' was the third and final single from the album in North America.
The Pyromania album had been released there on 20th January.
It climbed up to Number Two on 14th May after 15 weeks on the Billboard chart.
Foolin' went on to peak at Number 28 and spent 14 weeks on the Hot 100 chart.
Def Leppard 1983
'Photograph' reached Number 12 in May with 'Rock Of Ages' following it as the second Top 20 hit when it got to Number 16 on 13th August.
The promo video was filmed at a small theatre in Elizabeth, New Jersey.
The single was released in late September in Canada and came with the custom sleeve design shown above.
The US release did not have a picture sleeve.
Read some quotes about this song.
Def Leppard 1983
Def Leppard Foolin' - 2005 Band Quotes
Phil Collen
"The first thing that springs to mind is the video. And we made some really naff ones. I may blush a bit but I don't get embarrassed about the hair or clothes. I have really good memories of playing guitar with Steve in the video."
Rick Allen
"I once met Billy Idol in his dressing room and he said. 'Aren't you the guy that does that song F-F-F-Fooling?' He was taking the piss. But you could say that it hit home with fans and other musicians."
Def Leppard Foolin' - 2005 Band Quotes
Joe Elliott
"It wasn't on the original British Edition of 'Vault'. But it was a huge, huge song for us in the States. The UK just wasn't ready for us back in 1983. But it was certainly a key 'Pyromania' moment."
Def Leppard Foolin' - 1996 Band Quotes
Rick Savage
"Once again it was Steve Clark who came up with this jangly idea."
"Steve was great at writing little pieces of songs - inspirational eight-bar bits."
"He'd write a bit and then leave it for other peopel to finish."
"Steve was never logical about making songs make sense."
"He'd come up with these riffs that would blow your mind."
"And 'Foolin'' is a great example."
Def Leppard 1983
Joe Elliott 1983 Interview Quotes
"On Pyromania, Mutt was able to give us his undivided attention. We did a lot of the songs live in the studio, and we kept the overdubs to a bare minimum. What you hear on the record is exactly what we played."
"This album really shows what we're capable of doing. It's a very solid rock and roll LP, but we've been able to incorporate a lot of melody into each song...a little melody isn't going to hurt anybody."
US MTV started playing the High 'n' Dry music videos including 'Bringin' On The Heartbreak' which resulted in extra sales for the album and it re-entered the Billboard Top 200 chart on 25th September 1982. The album was certified Gold on 17th December and the money helped to fund the Pyromania album.
Watch all the Pyromania album promo videos on this YouTube Playlist
related pages/releases
explore def leppard tour history
