"Hello America" is a 1980 song by the English

rock Rock most often refers to: * Rock (geology), a naturally occurring solid aggregate of minerals or mineraloids * Rock music, a genre of popular music Rock or Rocks may also refer to: Places United Kingdom * Rock, Caerphilly, a location in Wale ...

band

Def Leppard Def Leppard are an English Rock music, rock band formed in Sheffield in 1977. Since 1992, the band has consisted of Rick Savage (bass, backing vocals), Joe Elliott (lead vocals), Rick Allen (drummer), Rick Allen (drums), Phil Collen (guitar, ...

from their debut album, ''

On Through the Night ''On Through the Night'' is the debut studio album by English rock band Def Leppard, released on 14 March 1980. The album was produced by Tom Allom. It charted at No. 15 on the UK Albums Chart and No. 51 on the ''Billboard'' 200. The album feat ...

''. The lyrics and title of the song are about the fantasies the band had about touring in America.

Background

The single's B-side, "Good Morning Freedom" has only been released on CD in 2018 on the ''Rarities: Volume One'' CD which was part of the ''Collection Part One'' box set. The song was featured on a BBC studio session recorded in 1979 and the show has since been bootlegged. A live version of the song is also included on ''

Viva! Hysteria ''Viva! Hysteria'' is a double live album by the English rock band Def Leppard released on the 22 October 2013. The album was recorded on 29 and 30 March 2013 during the band's residency of the same name at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino (La ...

'', released in October 2013, although Def Leppard have all but disowned ''On Through the Night'' and "Hello America" was one of the first songs to leave the setlist, having never been played live since the release of ''High 'n' Dry''. An alternate recording of the song "Hello America" appeared as a B-side on the "Wasted" single, also an alternate recording. Both were recorded a few months earlier than the main album sessions.

Video

When the song was within the Top 50 in the UK Singles Chart, Mercury Records had the band record a performance for BBC's ''

Top of the Pops ''Top of the Pops'' (''TOTP'') is a British record chart television programme, made by the BBC and broadcast weekly between 1January 1964 and 30 July 2006. The programme was the world's longest-running weekly music show. For most of its histo ...

'', provided that the song advanced the following week. However, the song slipped off the charts, and the video never aired. It is, however, included in the band's video '' Historia''. What makes this video unique is that Rick Allen's drum kit is placed in the front of the stage, while the rest of the band performs behind him. Joe Elliott is wearing a patriotic outfit because of the red and white striped shirt and his blue jeans.

Track listing

7": Vertigo – Phonogram / LEPP1 (UK)

# "Hello America" # "Good Morning Freedom"

Personnel

Def Leppard

Joe Elliott Joseph Thomas Elliott (born 1 August 1959) is an English singer-songwriter, best known as the lead singer and one of the founder members of the hard rock band Def Leppard. He has also been the lead singer of the David Bowie tribute band the ...

– lead vocals *

Steve Clark Stephen Maynard Clark (23 April 1960 – 8 January 1991) was an English musician. He was a guitarist and songwriter for the hard rock band Def Leppard until his death in 1991. In 2007, Clark was ranked No. 11 on ''Classic Rock Magazine's'' "1 ...

– lead guitar *

Pete Willis Peter Andrew Willis (born 16 February 1960) is a retired English guitarist, best known as a founder member of the hard rock band Def Leppard. He was with Def Leppard from 1977 to 1982, when he was fired from the band and replaced by Phil Coll ...

– rhythm guitar *

Rick Savage Richard Savage (born 2 December 1960) is an English musician best known as the bass guitarist and a founder member of the rock band Def Leppard. Savage and lead singer Joe Elliott are the only two remaining original members of the band. With ...

– bass guitar, backing vocals * Rick Allen – drums

Additional personnel

*Chris M. Hughes – synthesizer

Charts

References

{{authority control Def Leppard songs 1980 songs Mercury Records singles Songs about the United States Songs written by Rick Savage Songs written by Joe Elliott Songs written by Steve Clark