Two Steps Behind

Album: Last Action Hero Soundtrack (1993)
Charted: 32 12
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Along with bands like Judas Priest and Iron Maiden, Def Leppard was part of the new wave of British heavy metal in the late '70s and early '80s, but you'd never guess if from listening to this ballad, which is about being there for someone and helping them through the tough times. Their only #1 US hit is also a ballad: "Love Bites."
  • The song first appeared in 1992 when it was included on the UK release of the "Make Love Like A Man" single. The following year, Michael Kamen added orchestration to the song for the Arnold Schwarzenegger movie The Last Action Hero. This version appeared on the movie soundtrack and was also released as a single, becoming a hit.
  • This plays during the end of the VH1 biopic Hysteria: The Def Leppard Story movie, and is featured on several Def Leppard live albums and compilations. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Mitch - Vicksburg, MI
  • "Two Steps Behind" is one of the few Def Leppard songs written entirely by lead singer Joe Elliott. Most of their songs are collaborations between various band members.

Comments: 7

  • Seamus from Colorado This song was written before the movie Last Action Hero was conceived. It was supposed to be on Adrenalize and came out on Retro.it was written in 1989.
  • Alesa Rose from Denver, CoThe story on the making of this video is very interesting...Joe Elliott (singer) was dealing with a tweaked back, taking pain meds and if you watch closely you can see him limp.
  • Anna from Bogota, Columbiaawesome song
  • Sarah from New Castle, Pathis song is really pretty even tho its about some crazy stuff
  • Jeff from Ft. Lauderdale, FlThe electric version of this song is way better than the watered down acoustic version that is all you ever hear anymore. I heard the electric version first and thought it was awesome, then they came out with the acoustic version and you never hear the original electric version anymore. The acoustic is OK in and of itself but the electric rocks way more and is much better to listen to.
  • Joe Bananas from Perth, WaThe producers of The Last Action Hero wanted to use an old Def Leppard song, but the guys wrote this for the movie instead.
  • Danny from Kiev, OtherI respect the drummer of def leppard- one hand...
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Muhammad Ali: His Musical Legacy and the Songs he Inspired

Muhammad Ali: His Musical Legacy and the Songs he InspiredSong Writing

Before he was the champ, Ali released an album called I Am The Greatest!, but his musical influence is best heard in the songs he inspired.

Michael Sweet of Stryper

Michael Sweet of StryperSongwriter Interviews

Find out how God and glam metal go together from the Stryper frontman.

Devo

DevoSongwriter Interviews

Devo founders Mark Mothersbaugh and Jerry Casale take us into their world of subversive performance art. They may be right about the De-Evoloution thing.

Dennis DeYoung

Dennis DeYoungSongwriter Interviews

Dennis DeYoung explains why "Mr. Roboto" is the defining Styx song, and what the "gathering of angels" represents in "Come Sail Away."

Tom Bailey of Thompson Twins

Tom Bailey of Thompson TwinsSongwriter Interviews

Tom stopped performing Thompson Twins songs in 1987, in part because of their personal nature: "Hold Me Now" came after an argument with his bandmate/girlfriend Alannah Currie.

Evolution Of The Prince Symbol

Evolution Of The Prince SymbolSong Writing

The evolution of the symbol that was Prince's name from 1993-2000.