Hysteria, Def Leppard's multimillion-selling album, reaches its 25th anniversary this month. To mark the occasion, we asked our readers to tell us what they think of the album today – and below are some of the highlights.
Guardian.co.uk/music has more than 3m album pages, where you can submit your own review of pretty much any record. See here for information on how to do just that.
DefLeppardess
On August 3 1987 I hugged my newly acquired Hysteria album against me as I quickly made my way home from the record store. I played it pretty much non-stop for the next six months, if not longer. Each song was executed perfectly. I studied every little tiny characteristic of my newly acquired treasure; it was, and still is, absolute perfection. From the political statements of Gods of War to the sexual innuendo of Pour Some Sugar on Me, I could and can only hear some of the most talented singers/musicians to ever grace the music industry.
therealdanosborne
What makes it so good? Mutt Lange's production? The band? The musicianship? Or the songs? It's all four you idiot! The album is quite simply a near perfect combination of the essential ingredients needed for a timeless piece of work to exist. For me it's Led Zeppelin meets the Beatles, it's U2 meets Elton John…
The production, musicianship and most importantly, the ability to write songs, GOOD songs, is what makes people talk about this album 25 years down the line. Will we still be talking about Justin Bieber in the year 2037? I dunno, are people still talking about Donny Osmond? Your Nana doesn't count. Hysteria gets 5 out of 5. Just accept it.
JohnMatC
I was 9 when I first heard Rocket, and I thought it was the first rock'n'roll song in the world. Ever. Love Bites and Pour Some Sugar On Me were/still are two of the best songs ever recorded, songs you sing from the groin whilst karaoking it up with your mates at 3am somewhere.
I never realised as a kid, but the Def Leppard harmonising is completely un-enhanced, which to this day I find amazing. The follow up record Adrenalise was also great, but it got lost to the other genres of music that dominated the charts, and Def Leppard faded in popularity like the other big haired bands of the time.
All in all, it's a five star record, and a tribute to a band who wanted to make a whole, complete album. I'll be buying the re-release for sure.
MrRConnell
Before Hysteria, rock was the black sheep of the music world. Hysteria, along with a few other albums, changed the public's perception of the genre. A ground breaking album, and the re-birth of Rick Allen after his horrific car accident which left him dismembered, his determination and passion is felt strongly through the album.
I highly recommend this album to everyone and anyone. Thanks to Def Leppard for creating this wonderful music.
Stephen Lawrence
Hysteria for me is one of the classic albums of all time. Even 25 years after it was released, the songs sound fresh and full of energy, and the album still sounds like it could be released today and still sell by the truckload.
The sad part is that Steve Clark died before knowing how successful the album would be and that people would still be talking about it 25 years on. His guitar work on Gods Of War and Armageddon It just shows how underrated he was.
Rick Rocker
Love Bites for the lovers, Rocket for the rockers, Hysteria for the hysterical – the singles just kept coming and showed that a rock band could cross over and appeal to lovers of pop or country. The melodies melted the barriers. Hysteria became the sound that other artists aspired to.
Hysteria really is chocolate for the ears. Bryan Adams may have had the summer of 69 but summer 87 belongs to Def Leppard.
