The band Def Leppard exploded as one of the biggest in the world in the 1980s. And on the album that made the group international success, Pyromania, their melodic style was underlined by the production of Robert Mutt Lange, on one of their biggest hits: Photograph.

Released in January 1983, the songs Photograph and Rock of Ages made the Sheffield rock band superstars. The oldest, vocalist Joe Elliot, was not even 25 years old then. Photograph was their first single and soon exploded on the newly released MTV, which replayed the video in the loop.

Much to everyone’s surprise, the song’s muse was none other than Marilyn Monroe, an icon little associated with rock. According to Joe Elliott at the time, the song was about the obsession of a young man who will never get close to his muse. Photograph spent 6 weeks as the most played song in the US in 1983.

In the MTV video, the photo that becomes the singer’s obsession is one of the actress’s most famous images, the one in the flowing white dress, which was also used as a marketing ploy in the release of The Seven Year Itch. That’s because although they recorded the scene in the studio, the version they tried to record on the street turned into a phenomenon, with the actress being photographed for hours with her dress flying. Her husband at the time, Joe DiMaggio, was irritated by the scene that was “daring” (the actress letting her panties show).

Photograph is still one of the most anticipated songs on the Def Leppard show, who use it to end or open the encore. It is considered one of the best Def Leppard songs and one of the best rock songs of all time. Marilyn deserves the tribute, even more, today, which completes 60 years of her death.

I’m outta luck, outta love
Gotta photograph, picture of
Passion killer, you’re too much
You’re the only one I wanna touch

I see your face every time I dream
On every page, every magazine
So wild and free, so far from me
You’re all I want, my fantasy

Oh, look what you’ve done to this rock n’ roll clown
Oh-oh, look what you’ve done

Photograph
I don’t want your photograph
I don’t need your photograph
All I’ve got is a photograph
But it’s not enough

I’d be your lover, if you were there
Put your hurt on me, if you dare
Such a woman, you got style
You make every man feel like a child, oh

You got some kinda hold on me
You’re all wrapped up in mystery
So wild and free, so far from me
You’re all I want, my fantasy

Oh, look what you’ve done to this rock n’ roll clown
Oh-oh, look what you’ve done
I gotta have you

Photograph
I don’t want your photograph
I don’t need your photograph
All I’ve got is a photograph
You’ve gone straight to my head

Oh, look what you’ve done to this rock n’ roll clown
Oh-oh, look what you’ve done
I gotta have you

Photograph
I don’t want your photograph
I don’t need your photograph
All I’ve got is a photograph
I wanna touch you
Ahh

Photograph
Photograph (your photograph)
Photograph
Photograph (I need only your)
Photograph (I’m outta love)
Photograph (I’m outta love)
Photograph (you’re the only one)
Photograph (I wanna touch)
Photograph
Photograph