Def Leppard ‘flattered’ by One Direction’s new song

TORONTO — Members of British rock band Def Leppard said Thursday they are flattered by comparisons of their classic “Pour Some Sugar On Me” to a new song by pop act One Direction.

“That is very flattering that all of a sudden these kids think it’s a cool sound,” guitarist Phil Collen told Billboard. “I think a lot of people of their generation aren’t going to connect their music to ours.

“It’s all good.”

Def Leppard denied a British tabloid report that the ’80s band was taking legal action against One Direction over the song “Midnight Memories.”

Collen said the two songs are “very similar in structure” but the chord progression is typical of the blues.

“You don’t get more basic than that,” he said.

Collen told Billboard the song’s reverb-heavy chorus is what it most similar to Def Leppard’s 1987 hit, which he co-wrote.

Ironically, members of Def Leppard joined the celebrity mentors of The Voice on this week’s finale for a performance of “Pour Some Sugar On Me” and One Direction performed “Midnight Memories” on Thursday’s finale of The X-Factor.

BELOW: Listen to One Direction performing “Midnight Memories” on the UK version of X-Factor and watch the music video for Def Leppard’s “Pour Some Sugar On Me.”