Def Leppard’s ‘Rock of Ages’: How Gibberish Led To A Classic
As obvious as it sounds, Def Leppard’s “Rock of Ages” is a song that was inspired by The Bible. The band has the music written, but lyrics were an issue. A bible study group had used the same studio as Def Leppard had the day before. Singer Joe Elliott found a left-behind bible that was opened to the hymn “Rock of Ages.” Joe began singing the phrase and their producer, Robert “Mutt” Lange, thought it was a great fit. The rest of the lyrics followed from there, save one, the iconic opening: “Gunter Gleiben Glauchen Globen.”
Does “Gunter Gleiben Glauchen Globen” Mean Anything?
According to an interview with drummer Rick Allen, the opening lyrics of Def Leppard’s “Rock of Ages” were gibberish courtesy of Mutt Lange. “He (Lange) was getting so tired of saying ‘1,2,3,4’ whenever we counted in. He wanted to inject a bit of humor in there.” Do the words actually mean anything? It’s not likely, but possible. Rick Allen continued, “I wouldn’t put it past Mutt because he actually speaks Dutch.”
More Cowbell!
Mutt Lange produced Pyromania, as well as High ‘n’ Dry, Hysteria, and Adrenalize with Def Leppard. Mutt also has co-writing credits on many of the band’s songs. One of the many talents that Mutt brought to the table was his ability to blend the latest technology with staples of classic rock. The cowbell in “Rock of Ages” helps balance the luxe production and keeps the band sounding rooted, not over-produced.
Def Leppard’s ‘Rock of Ages’ Video: “What the Hell Was I Thinking?”
Joe Elliot recalled the making of the video for “Rock of Ages” in the book, MTV Ruled the World. According to Joe, the video director, David Mallet, asked Joe to “walk down this drawbridge holding this sword.” Joe said he argued with the director at first, saying he felt ridiculous. However, eventually, Joe gave in. Joe said, “I was young and dumb and went ‘OK.’ I look at that now, and I think ‘What the hell was I thinking?'”
The giant sword is pretty hilarious. LOL, way to sell it, Joe! Read on to find out more about Joe Elliot of Def Leppard.
Joe Elliott: 5 Fun Facts About the Def Leppard Frontman
He's a Late in Life Dad
Elliott is a father of three now, but he and his second wife, Kristine, didn’t have their first child, son Finlay, until 2009 when the Def Leppard frontman was 50. Since then, the couple welcomed two more children: Lyla, 7, and Harper, 3.
Elliott told Classic Rock about fatherhood, “It changes everything – and it comes at you like a f*cking express train! It’s not about me anymore. I was fifty when I had my first kid. While everybody else was having kids, I was having a jolly old time.”
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