Denim And Leather

Album: Denim And Leather (1981)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • "Denim And Leather" describes the look of Saxon and their fans. It's one of their early songs, released as the title track to their 1981 album. The band were on the rise at the time, and the song made a strong connection with their fans. It held up as a Saxon classic, played at just about every show throughout their career.
  • Like a lot of Saxon's early material, "Denim And Leather" was built from things the band genuinely loved rather than any grand concept. The musical spark came from Montrose's 1973 debut album, specifically the pounding groove of "Rock Candy." Saxon lifted the feel of that drum pattern and used it as the backbone for what became one of their signature anthems.
  • Saxon were deeply tied to the biker scene, and the "Denim And Leather" back cover photo of the band on motorcycles wasn't staged for effect. "We were a biker band - from me, really," Byford explained to Katrin Riedl of Germany's Metal Hammer magazine. A lifelong motorcycle obsessive, he's owned hundreds of bikes over the years and grew up around engines, speed, and petrol-headed friends. Writing about bikes, leather, and denim was simply writing about his world.
  • By 1981, Saxon had become one of the biggest new heavy metal bands in the UK and Europe, and Byford wanted to flip the spotlight onto the fans. At shows, crowds had begun to adopt a shared look - cutoff denim jackets, leather coats, and patches - turning the audience into a kind of uniformed tribe. "Denim And Leather" was written as a salute to that community, capturing the moment when heavy metal culture could be recognized at a glance by what it wore.

Comments: 2

  • Dan Gillespy. from Courtenay Bc.A perfect classic British metal song that should be played on top 40 radio.
  • Freddie from Monticello NyI just found out about this song on Pandora Music app and yeah I wanted to know more about their lyrics and their meanings...
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Gary Brooker of Procol Harum

Gary Brooker of Procol HarumSongwriter Interviews

The lead singer and pianist for Procol Harum, Gary talks about finding the musical ideas to match the words.

Don Felder

Don FelderSongwriter Interviews

Don breaks down "Hotel California" and other songs he wrote as a member of the Eagles. Now we know where the "warm smell of colitas" came from.

Allen Toussaint - "Southern Nights"

Allen Toussaint - "Southern Nights"They're Playing My Song

A song he wrote and recorded from "sheer spiritual inspiration," Allen's didn't think "Southern Nights" had hit potential until Glen Campbell took it to #1 two years later.

Donnie Iris (Ah! Leah!, The Rapper)

Donnie Iris (Ah! Leah!, The Rapper)Songwriter Interviews

Before "Rap" was a form of music, it was something guys did to pick up girls in nightclubs. Donnie talks about "The Rapper" and reveals the identity of Leah.

Al Kooper

Al KooperSongwriter Interviews

Kooper produced Lynyrd Skynyrd, played with Dylan and the Stones, and formed BS&T.

Emilio Castillo from Tower of Power

Emilio Castillo from Tower of PowerSongwriter Interviews

Emilio talks about what it's like to write and perform with the Tower of Power horns, and why every struggling band should have a friend like Huey Lewis.