Gods of War (song)
Encyclopedia
"Gods of War" is a song by Def Leppard
and features on their 1987 album Hysteria. The song is one of three tracks that didn't appear on a single during the promotion campaign for the album.
The song features audio clips of British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher
and U.S. President
Ronald Reagan
, both of whom were in office at the time. Crowd chants of "Solidarność" are also heard in the background.
This song is probably their most overtly political song, considering the political quotes and military-themed audio clips. However, it is not their only song with anti-war tones or a dark theme. "Die Hard the Hunter" from their 1983 album Pyromania
describes a returning soldier who is unable to shed his violent mentality. The same album also includes the equally dark song "Billy's Got a Gun
".
A live version of the song appears on the live video In The Round In Your Face that documented the 1987-1988 Hysteria World tour. However, both versions have had different introductions. The live version shows Steve Clark playing completely different notes from the "dark" intro in the studio version.
Although no allegations have been made, various similarities in the instrumental outro of the song have been noticed to the Beatles song 'I Want You (She's So Heavy)'.
Def Leppard
Def Leppard are an English rock band formed in 1977 in Sheffield as part of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal movement. Since 1992, the band have consisted of Joe Elliott , Rick Savage , Rick Allen , Phil Collen , and Vivian Campbell...
and features on their 1987 album Hysteria. The song is one of three tracks that didn't appear on a single during the promotion campaign for the album.
The song features audio clips of British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher
Margaret Thatcher
Margaret Hilda Thatcher, Baroness Thatcher, was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1979 to 1990...
and U.S. President
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
Ronald Reagan
Ronald Reagan
Ronald Wilson Reagan was the 40th President of the United States , the 33rd Governor of California and, prior to that, a radio, film and television actor....
, both of whom were in office at the time. Crowd chants of "Solidarność" are also heard in the background.
This song is probably their most overtly political song, considering the political quotes and military-themed audio clips. However, it is not their only song with anti-war tones or a dark theme. "Die Hard the Hunter" from their 1983 album Pyromania
Pyromania (album)
Pyromania is the third studio album by British rock band Def Leppard, released on 20 January 1983. It featured new guitarist Phil Collen and was produced by Robert John "Mutt" Lange. The album charted at #2 on the Billboard 200 and #18 on the UK Albums Chart.The album was partially recorded with...
describes a returning soldier who is unable to shed his violent mentality. The same album also includes the equally dark song "Billy's Got a Gun
Billy's Got a Gun
"Billy's Got a Gun" is a song by British hard rock band Def Leppard from their multi-platinum 1983 album Pyromania. It garnered airplay in the US as the B-side of "Rock of Ages", reaching #33 on the Mainstream Rock charts....
".
A live version of the song appears on the live video In The Round In Your Face that documented the 1987-1988 Hysteria World tour. However, both versions have had different introductions. The live version shows Steve Clark playing completely different notes from the "dark" intro in the studio version.
Although no allegations have been made, various similarities in the instrumental outro of the song have been noticed to the Beatles song 'I Want You (She's So Heavy)'.