Joe Elliott Recalls The ‘Inspiring’ Night Out With Mick Jagger

In the latest episode of Consequence’s podcast, ‘The Story Behind the Song,’ Joe Elliott shared an interesting story about his night out with Mick Jagger. According to him, it inspired one of their songs, ‘Excitable,’ which has a more dance-like vibe compared to Def Leppard’s usual rock anthems.

It is no secret that Def Leppard looked up to the Rolling Stones and drew inspiration from their music and shows. In their quest to learn from their predecessors, the band members found themselves in a disco alongside Jagger one evening. The atmosphere was charged as they enjoyed the music, and the track ‘State of Shock,’ began to play, prompting them to return to the studio the following day with a newfound determination to create something similar.

Here is how Joe Elliott revealed the inspiration behind ‘Excitable’:

“One day, we went to a disco. Mick Jagger was in town, and he was in these four studios in this complex. While we were working there, there were so many people who came through. Elton John went in and out. Mink DeVille came in and out. Jagger came in twice. He brought Jeff Beck with him. One night Jagger said, ‘Boy, you want to go out for a drink?

And we went to this disco with Mick and ‘State of Shock’ came on, which he did with Michael Jackson. And we were all listening to him, watching how it didn’t clear the dance floor because it was a rock disco track. We all came back to the studio the next day, going, ‘We need a song like that.’ And that’s where ‘Excitable’ came from. So, we were inspired by things like going for a drink with Mick Jagger or to me going to a sauna or hearing ‘Burundi Black’ on a cassette.”

Below, you can watch the full interview and listen to Def Leppard’s ‘Excitable.’