Vault: Def Leppard Greatest Hits (1980–1995)

Vault: Def Leppard Greatest Hits (1980–1995) is the first greatest hits album and the second compilation album by English hard rock band Def Leppard. The album was originally released in the band's home country on 23 October 1995 by Mercury Records.[1] It was released in North America a week later on 31 October by the same label. Vault went on to be certified gold in four countries, platinum in three and multi-platinum in two. In the US, the album is currently certified 5× platinum by the RIAA, and in June 2011 it topped the five million mark in sales there.[2] It won Metal Edge magazine's 1995 Readers' Choice Award for "Best Hits or Compilation Album."[3]

Vault: Def Leppard Greatest Hits (1980–1995)
Greatest hits album by
Released23 October 1995 (1995-10-23)[1]
Recorded1981–1995
Genre
Length73:13
LabelMercury
Producer
Def Leppard chronology
Retro Active
(1993)
Vault: Def Leppard Greatest Hits (1980–1995)
(1995)
Slang
(1996)
Singles from Vault: Def Leppard Greatest Hits (1980–1995)
  1. "When Love & Hate Collide"
    Released: 2 October 1995[1]

The album featured one newly recorded song, "When Love & Hate Collide", which was released as a single on 2 October 1995.[1]

The collection's track listing varied by region, although none of the releases had any songs from the band's 1980 debut album, On Through the Night on the track listings.

On 23 October 1995, to promote the release of Vault, the band played acoustic shows on three continents in one day: Tangiers, Morocco in Africa, London, England, UK in Europe, and Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada in North America. The feat also made the Guinness Book of World Records.

Overview edit

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic      link
Robert Christgau [4]
Music Week     [5]

One new track was recorded for this collection, "When Love & Hate Collide", previously a leftover from the Adrenalize recording sessions. The ballad became the band's joint highest-charting single in the UK, along with 1992's "Let's Get Rocked", hitting No. 2 in the fall of 1995.

The songs are the original album versions, with the following exceptions:

  • "Pour Some Sugar on Me" is the video edit version. This version actually features an extended, distorted intro, making it longer than the Hysteria version, which has the shorter "Step inside, walk this way" intro.
  • "Rocket" is the single edit, which runs around two and a half minutes shorter than its Hysteria album counterpart.
  • "Bringin' on the Heartbreak" fades out slightly earlier than the High 'n' Dry version, as the High 'n' Dry version segues into "Switch 625".

Artwork, design, and packaging edit

The art direction and design for Vault was handled by Exquisite Corpse with photography by Cythia Levine and Ross Halfin. Most covers of the album have a picture of an actual vault,[6] while a limited edition two disc collection has a picture of a green eye with a vault inside the eye.[7] The CD liner notes featured a three-page summary of the band's history by Peter Mensch, who appeared in two of the group's music videos.[6] Although not featured on the North American release, other liner notes feature a note signed by the band members talking about the group's upcoming album, Slang.[8]

Track variations in different regions edit

Although the releases of Vault had most of the same songs, there were some differences between the releases.

Exclusive to the North American release of Vault:

  • "Miss You in a Heartbeat" (acoustic version)

Exclusive to the European release of Vault:

  • "Action"
  • "Make Love Like a Man"
  • "Heaven Is"

Exclusive to the Japanese release of Vault:

  • "Rock! Rock! Till You Drop"
  • "Can't Keep Away From The Flame" (new track)

"Foolin'" does not appear on the European release, but does appear on the North American release and the Japanese release.

The Japanese release features the first official release of the song "Can't Keep Away From the Flame," a song which was later released as a B-side on some of the "Slang" singles. Years later it was included on the deluxe edition of Slang.[citation needed]

Track listing edit

North American release
No.TitleWriter(s)OriginLength
1."Pour Some Sugar on Me" (Historia video edit)Hysteria, 19874:52
2."Photograph"
Pyromania, 19834:08
3."Love Bites"
  • Clark
  • Collen
  • Elliott
  • Lange
  • Savage
Hysteria5:47
4."Let's Get Rocked"
  • Collen
  • Elliott
  • Lange
  • Savage
Adrenalize, 19924:56
5."Two Steps Behind" (acoustic version)ElliottRetro Active and Last Action Hero, 19934:19
6."Animal"
  • Clark
  • Collen
  • Elliott
  • Lange
  • Savage
Hysteria4:05
7."Foolin'"
  • Clark
  • Elliott
  • Lange
Pyromania4:34
8."Rocket" (Visualize video edit)
  • Clark
  • Collen
  • Elliott
  • Lange
  • Savage
Hysteria4:07
9."When Love & Hate Collide"
  • Elliott
  • Savage
Previously unreleased, 19954:18
10."Armageddon It"
  • Clark
  • Collen
  • Elliott
  • Lange
  • Savage
Hysteria5:22
11."Have You Ever Needed Someone So Bad"
  • Collen
  • Elliott
  • Lange
Adrenalize5:19
12."Rock of Ages"
  • Clark
  • Elliott
  • Lange
Pyromania4:02
13."Hysteria"
  • Clark
  • Collen
  • Elliott
  • Lange
  • Savage
Hysteria5:56
14."Miss You in a Heartbeat" (acoustic version)CollenRetro Active4:05
15."Bringin' On the Heartbreak"
  • Clark
  • Elliott
  • Willis
High 'n' Dry, 19814:32
European release
No.TitleWriter(s)OriginLength
1."Pour Some Sugar on Me" (Historia video edit)
  • Clark
  • Collen
  • Elliott
  • Lange
  • Savage
Hysteria4:53
2."Photograph"
  • Clark
  • Elliott
  • Lange
  • Savage
  • Willis
Pyromania4:08
3."Love Bites"
  • Clark
  • Collen
  • Elliott
  • Lange
  • Savage
Hysteria5:47
4."Let's Get Rocked"
  • Collen
  • Elliott
  • Lange
  • Savage
Adrenalize4:56
5."Two Steps Behind" (acoustic version)ElliottRetro Active and Last Action Hero4:19
6."Animal"
  • Clark
  • Collen
  • Elliott
  • Lange
  • Savage
Hysteria4:05
7."Heaven Is"
  • Clark
  • Collen
  • Elliott
  • Lange
  • Savage
Adrenalize3:34
8."Rocket" (Visualize video edit)
  • Clark
  • Collen
  • Elliott
  • Lange
  • Savage
Hysteria4:07
9."When Love & Hate Collide"
  • Elliott
  • Savage
Previously unreleased4:16
10."Action"Retro Active3:40
11."Make Love Like a Man"
  • Clark
  • Collen
  • Elliott
  • Lange
Adrenalize4:15
12."Armageddon It"
  • Clark
  • Collen
  • Elliott
  • Lange
  • Savage
Hysteria5:22
13."Have You Ever Needed Someone So Bad?"
  • Collen
  • Elliott
  • Lange
Adrenalize5:19
14."Rock of Ages"
  • Clark
  • Elliott
  • Lange
Pyromania4:08
15."Hysteria"
  • Clark
  • Collen
  • Elliott
  • Lange
  • Savage
Hysteria5:55
16."Bringin' On the Heartbreak"
  • Clark
  • Elliott
  • Willis
High 'n' Dry4:32
Japanese release
No.TitleWriter(s)OriginLength
1."Pour Some Sugar on Me" (Historia video edit)
  • Clark
  • Collen
  • Elliott
  • Lange
  • Savage
Hysteria4:52
2."Photograph"
  • Clark
  • Elliott
  • Lange
  • Savage
  • Willis
Pyromania4:08
3."Love Bites"
  • Clark
  • Collen
  • Elliott
  • Lange
  • Savage
Hysteria5:47
4."Let's Get Rocked"
  • Collen
  • Elliott
  • Lange
  • Savage
Adrenalize4:56
5."Two Steps Behind" (acoustic version)ElliottRetro Active and Last Action Hero4:19
6."Animal"
  • Clark
  • Collen
  • Elliott
  • Lange
  • Savage
Hysteria4:05
7."Action"
  • Connolly
  • Priest
  • Scott
  • Tucker
Retro Active3:40
8."Rocket" (Visualize video edit)
  • Clark
  • Collen
  • Elliott
  • Lange
  • Savage
Hysteria4:07
9."When Love & Hate Collide"
  • Elliott
  • Savage
Previously unreleased4:16
10."Rock! Rock! (Till You Drop)"
  • Clark
  • Elliott
  • Lange
  • Savage
Pyromania3:54
11."Armageddon It"
  • Clark
  • Collen
  • Elliott
  • Lange
  • Savage
Hysteria5:22
12."Foolin'"
  • Clark
  • Elliott
  • Lange
Pyromania4:34
13."Have You Ever Needed Someone So Bad?"
  • Collen
  • Elliott
  • Lange
Adrenalize5:19
14."Rock of Ages"
  • Clark
  • Elliott
  • Lange
Pyromania4:08
15."Hysteria"
  • Clark
  • Collen
  • Elliott
  • Lange
  • Savage
Hysteria5:55
16."Bringin' On the Heartbreak"
  • Clark
  • Elliott
  • Willis
High 'n' Dry4:32
17."Can't Keep Away from the Flame"
  • Collen
  • Elliott
Previously unreleased, 19952:36
Bonus live CD (Some editions of the album came with a bonus limited edition live CD recorded at Don Valley Stadium in Sheffield on 6 June 1993.)
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Let's Get Rocked"
  • Clark
  • Collen
  • Elliott
  • Lange
  • Savage
5:00
2."Armageddon It"
  • Clark
  • Collen
  • Elliott
  • Lange
  • Savage
6:12
3."Foolin'"
  • Clark
  • Elliott
  • Lange
4:52
4."Rocket"
  • Clark
  • Collen
  • Elliott
  • Lange
  • Savage
9:28
5."Two Steps Behind"Elliott5:01
6."Pour Some Sugar on Me"
  • Clark
  • Collen
  • Elliott
  • Lange
  • Savage
5:00
7."Rock of Ages"
  • Clark
  • Elliott
  • Lange
5:55
8."Love Bites"
  • Clark
  • Collen
  • Elliott
  • Lange
  • Savage
7:37
9."Photograph"
  • Clark
  • Elliott
  • Lange
  • Savage
  • Willis
7:08

Personnel edit

The following people contributed to Vault:[6]

Charts edit

Certifications edit

Region Certification Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[31] 2× Platinum 200,000^
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[32] Gold 25,000^
Japan (RIAJ)[33] Gold 100,000^
Mexico (AMPROFON)[34] Gold 100,000^
New Zealand (RMNZ)[35] Platinum 15,000^
Norway (IFPI Norway)[36] Gold 25,000*
United Kingdom (BPI)[37] Platinum 300,000^
United States (RIAA)[38] 5× Platinum 5,000,000^

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d "Certified Awards Search" (ASPX). British Phonographic Industry. Set Search By to Artist and type "Def Leppard" under Search to see results.
  2. ^ "Week Ending June 12, 2011. Albums: The Tortoise & The Hare – Chart Watch". New.music.yahoo.com. 15 June 2011. Retrieved 13 August 2011.
  3. ^ Metal Edge, June 1996
  4. ^ Christgau, Robert. "Def Leppard". Robert Christgau.
  5. ^ "Review: Def Leppard – Vault" (PDF). Music Week. London: Spotlight Publications Ltd. 14 October 1995. p. 25. ISSN 0265-1548. Archived from the original (PDF) on 30 September 2021. Retrieved 3 February 2022 – via World Radio History.
  6. ^ a b c Vault: Def Leppard Greatest Hits (1980–1995) (CD liner). Def Leppard. Mercury Records. 1995. 314,528,718-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  7. ^ Vault: Def Leppard Greatest Hits (1980–1995) [Limited Edition] (CD liner). Def Leppard. Mercury Records. 1995. 528,657-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  8. ^ Vault: Def Leppard Greatest Hits (1980–1995) (CD liner). Def Leppard. Mercury Records. 1995. PHCR-3035.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  9. ^ "Australiancharts.com – Def Leppard – Vault - Greatest Hits 1980–1995". Hung Medien. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  10. ^ "Ultratop.be – Def Leppard – Vault - Greatest Hits 1980–1995" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  11. ^ "Top RPM Albums: Issue 2826". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  12. ^ "Danishcharts.dk – Def Leppard – Vault - Greatest Hits 1980–1995". Hung Medien. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  13. ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Def Leppard – Vault - Greatest Hits 1980–1995" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  14. ^ "Def Leppard: Vault - Greatest Hits 1980–1995" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  15. ^ "Les "Charts Runs" de chaque Album Classé" (PHP). InfoDisc (in French). Find "DEF LEPPARD" under the drop-down menu to see statistics.
  16. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Def Leppard – Vault - Greatest Hits 1980–1995" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  17. ^ Oricon Album Chart Book: Complete Edition 1970–2005 (in Japanese). Roppongi, Tokyo: Oricon Entertainment. 2006. ISBN 4-87131-077-9.
  18. ^ "Charts.nz – Def Leppard – Vault - Greatest Hits 1980–1995". Hung Medien. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  19. ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  20. ^ "Swedishcharts.com – Def Leppard – Vault - Greatest Hits 1980–1995". Hung Medien. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  21. ^ "Swisscharts.com – Def Leppard – Vault - Greatest Hits 1980–1995". Hung Medien. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  22. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  23. ^ "Official Rock & Metal Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 26 May 2023.
  24. ^ "Def Leppard Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  25. ^ "Norwegiancharts.com – Def Leppard – Vault - Greatest Hits 1980–1995". Hung Medien. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  26. ^ "Def Leppard Chart History (Top Rock Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
  27. ^ "End of Year Album Chart Top 100 – 1995". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  28. ^ "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 1996". Billboard. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  29. ^ "Top 100 Metal Albums of 2002". Jam!. Archived from the original on 12 August 2004. Retrieved 23 March 2022.
  30. ^ "Top Rock Albums – Year-End 2018". Billboard. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
  31. ^ "Canadian album certifications – Def Leppard – Vault". Music Canada. Retrieved 24 April 2019.
  32. ^ "Listen - Danmarks Officielle Hitliste - Udarbejdet af AIM Nielsen for IFPI Danmark - Uge 47". Ekstra Bladet (in Danish). Copenhagen. 26 November 1995.
  33. ^ "Japanese album certifications – Def Leppard – Vault" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved 24 April 2019. Select 1995年10月 on the drop-down menu
  34. ^ "Certificaciones" (in Spanish). Asociación Mexicana de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas. Retrieved 24 April 2019. Type Def Leppard in the box under the ARTISTA column heading and Vault in the box under the TÍTULO column heading.
  35. ^ "New Zealand album certifications – Def Leppard – Vault". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 4 March 2020.
  36. ^ "IFPI Norsk platebransje Trofeer 1993–2011" (in Norwegian). IFPI Norway. Retrieved 24 April 2019.
  37. ^ "British album certifications – Def Leppard – Vault". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 24 April 2019. Select albums in the Format field. Select Platinum in the Certification field. Type Vault in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  38. ^ "American album certifications – Def Leppard – Vault - Greatest Hits". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 21 July 2022.

External links edit