Though the tune’s video proved to be common on MTV’s heavy steel specialty programming on the time, the tune didn’t turn out to be a success. Nevertheless, it is sound (use of samples, electro-drums, choir-like vocals, and so forth.) was an especially related strategy that Def Leppard would good on their 1987 blockbuster album, Hysteria, and particularly such tunes as “Pour Some Sugar on Me” and “Rocket. Understandably, super-producer Mutt Lange will get the lion’s share of credit score for serving to create the trademark “Def Leppard sound” – which really coalesced on Hysteria. However what about Spencer Proffer‘s manufacturing on Quiet Riot’s “The Wild and the Younger”?
And would not you recognize it, this tune particularly – in addition to all different phases of the band’s profession – was studied and analyzed in my 2025 guide, Bang Your Head, Really feel the Noize: The Quiet Riot Story. Right here is an excerpt which focuses on the tune:
Up subsequent was the album’s undisputed excessive level, “The Wild and the Younger.” Musically and chorus-wise, the tune sounds unmistakably extra like Def Leppard than something Quiet Riot had carried out beforehand (particularly with the electro drums, samples, and stadium-sung refrain). Actually, “The Wild and the Younger” gave the impression of Hysteria-era Def Leppard a full 12 months BEFORE Hysteria.
Clearly, it was one among their stronger post-Metallic Well being tunes and one of many few tunes on the album through which this new type/strategy really coalesced. And in contrast to many of the different tunes on the LP the place the synths soured issues, it labored wonders on a tune resembling this – the place synths had been used extra for texturing, reasonably than being forcibly crammed down your gullet.
“The Wild and the Younger” would additionally function the album’s lead-off single and video. Performed closely on MTV’s Metallic Music Half Hour program (which aired every day from Monday via Friday within the US) through the summer season, it was immediately noticeable that the “QR ’86 look” was extra Vegas-y than merely spandex-y. In different phrases, a la what Kiss and Mötley Crüe had been sporting on the time (re-inspect the movies for “Tears are Falling” and “Smokin’ within the Boys Room” to catch my drift). Gone had been the striped spandex trousers or striped sleeveless t-shirts of ’83 – though Kevin DuBrow‘s favourite fanged necklace remained in place round his neck.
Storyline-wise, the music video touched upon the entire “steel music is harmful and needs to be banned” motif (which was common on the time, due to such teams because the PMRC, aka, the Dad and mom Music Useful resource Heart). And in addition, reveals the band – after fleeing from obvious metal-hating authority figures – performing the tune…after which finally, halting at gunpoint!
Additionally obvious from viewing the video, was that DuBrow had now magically grown an unlimited quantity of hair. Now, placing all of it in perspective, on the time of this guide’s launch, hair size and steel music means diddly. However again within the ’80s, it was virtually as necessary as the standard of your materials. So, DuBrow understandably opted to seek the advice of some “hair specialists” to supply some much-needed quantity to his beforehand unspectacular mane. However heck, he wasn’t the one one on the time, as each Gene Simmons and Joe Lynn Turner had been two apparent culprits, as effectively.
In 2024, long-time Quiet Riot fan and solid member of The Howard Stern Present, Richard Christy was keen to face by QR III. “I cherished that album, however significantly, the tune ‘The Wild and the Younger.’ If that tune would have been on Situation Crucial and that might have been its first single – reasonably than ‘Mama Weer All Crazee Now’ – I believe we would be speaking about Quiet Riot like we discuss Weapons N’ Roses. As a result of that tune is so good and so catchy. And the riffs are cool and the drums are cool. The refrain is simply so large. If that might have been the primary single off of Situation Crucial, their path would have been completely totally different. They might have remained an enormous band like they had been with Metallic Well being.”
And Christy did not simply cease there regarding his reward for “The Wild and the Younger.” “‘The Wild and the Younger’ is among the biggest songs of the ’80s, so far as I am involved. It is humorous, each time my youngsters are going loopy, I at all times say, ‘You guys are the wild and the younger’ – and I play them that tune!” And since Christy is an exceptionally proficient drummer in his personal proper, it ought to come as no shock that it is Frankie Banali‘s drumming on the tune that additionally makes it a private favourite. “His drumming on ‘The Wild and the Younger’ – that starting drumbeat – is so freaking cool. It is so heavy and I like the reverb they’ve on the drums.”
Sadly, regardless of constant airings on MTV of the video, the one surprisingly stiffed – not even registering a single spot on the Billboard Sizzling 100. Leading to a standout ’80s steel anthem that these days, solely diehard Quiet Riot followers appear to understand.
Bang Your Head, Really feel the Noize: The Quiet Riot Story is offered as paperback, hardcover, and Kindle variations. Click on right here to order.
