On 3 August 1987, Def Leppard released Hysteria, an album that went on to sell around 20 million copies worldwide and top charts in several countries. It marked a turning point for the band, being the first record made after drummer Rick Allen lost his left arm in a car accident, and the last to feature guitarist Steve Clark before his death in 1991. The album cemented Def Leppard's shift from their New Wave of British Heavy Metal roots to mainstream rock stardom, surpassing the success of their 1983 album Pyromania.

Hysteria produced seven singles, most notably "Love Bites", which topped the US Billboard Hot 100, along with hits such as "Animal", "Pour Some Sugar on Me" and the title track, though only "Animal" reached the UK top 10. The album's title was reportedly suggested by Allen himself, inspired by the intense global media coverage of his accident. Allen has since spoken about how the supporting tour restored his confidence as a drummer, recalling the audience's reception on his return to the stage as a deeply emotional "validation" after a difficult period.