Okay, I am the lead singer for Hysteria, a tribute band for Def Leppard out of Dallas (or Sheffield, TX, as we refer to it). I like knowing the meaning behind each of their songs, and this one is a bit of a mystery. Here is my take for what it is worth.
When Def Leppard got off of their On Through The Night tour opening for AC/DC and others, they returned to England to find poor reviews of their music. Remember that Mutt Lange what not in the picture then, and they were simply guided by their influence of Led Zep, AC/DC, Queen, Bad Finger, etc. I think that the two British references in the song (Union Jack and the Bulldog) are referring to themselves. To me, this song is about them taking criticism from the music industry and the backlash of their own English fans upset by the perception that the band was trying too hard to appeal to American audiences by recording songs like "Hello America" and touring more in the US. Once Mutt helped them find their successful sound, this song was created to answer back.
Union Jack is back with a hole in his head (the band's pride being hurt from the bad reviews)
He's gettin' badly burned every time (same thing)
He's laughin' at me and dancin' on my sneakers (same thing)
And his sixties songs are blowin' up my speakers (could be saying that the radio didn't embrace them)
I say you got no respect
Respect for authority
You're just playing your dirty tricks
And then come cryin' to me (**to me, this bridge is saying you should have trusted our vision, now that we are charging forward musically. Mutt got it, so why didn't the critics.)
The bulldog lost his bite and his breath has gone bad (They lost their stride until Mutt came along)
And the whole damn world is really laughin' mad (The World was less than impressed)
That is my take, but I could be way off. Anyone have a better take on this?
Okay, I am the lead singer for Hysteria, a tribute band for Def Leppard out of Dallas (or Sheffield, TX, as we refer to it). I like knowing the meaning behind each of their songs, and this one is a bit of a mystery. Here is my take for what it is worth.
When Def Leppard got off of their On Through The Night tour opening for AC/DC and others, they returned to England to find poor reviews of their music. Remember that Mutt Lange what not in the picture then, and they were simply guided by their influence of Led Zep, AC/DC, Queen, Bad Finger, etc. I think that the two British references in the song (Union Jack and the Bulldog) are referring to themselves. To me, this song is about them taking criticism from the music industry and the backlash of their own English fans upset by the perception that the band was trying too hard to appeal to American audiences by recording songs like "Hello America" and touring more in the US. Once Mutt helped them find their successful sound, this song was created to answer back.
Union Jack is back with a hole in his head (the band's pride being hurt from the bad reviews) He's gettin' badly burned every time (same thing) He's laughin' at me and dancin' on my sneakers (same thing) And his sixties songs are blowin' up my speakers (could be saying that the radio didn't embrace them)
I say you got no respect Respect for authority You're just playing your dirty tricks And then come cryin' to me (**to me, this bridge is saying you should have trusted our vision, now that we are charging forward musically. Mutt got it, so why didn't the critics.)
The bulldog lost his bite and his breath has gone bad (They lost their stride until Mutt came along) And the whole damn world is really laughin' mad (The World was less than impressed)
That is my take, but I could be way off. Anyone have a better take on this?
Politically charged.
Politically charged.