Love Bites

Experience Def Leppard's powerful 1988 number one hit, "Love Bites." This standout track from the Hysteria album masterfully blends soft rock sensitivity with arena rock grandeur. A quintessential power ballad, this emotional love song explores the darker side of romance, resonating with listeners worldwide.

Released in the summer of 1988, "Love Bites" showcased a different facet of Def Leppard, moving beyond straightforward hard rock. As a meticulously crafted arena rock power ballad, it combined atmospheric verses with a soaring, layered chorus typical of producer Mutt Lange's style. This soft rock-infused love song captured the anxieties of relationships, striking a chord and becoming the band's only single to top the charts in the US.

Def Leppard achieved massive success with "Love Bites" in 1988, proving their versatility within the arena rock genre. While undeniably a love song, its lyrics delve into themes of jealousy and mistrust, giving the soft rock power ballad a poignant edge. The song's slick production, signature Def Leppard vocal harmonies, and emotive guitar work created an unforgettable listening experience, cementing its place as a classic.

SONG MEANING: "Love Bites" delves into the pain, paranoia, and heartache associated with suspecting a partner of infidelity. The lyrics express the torment of not knowing if your lover is being truthful ("If you've got love in your sights, Watch out, love bites") and the anguish caused when love turns sour ("Love bites, love bleeds, It's bringin' me to my knees"). It's a song about the destructive side of love and betrayal.