Def Leppard recorded the 1993 hit single "Two Steps Behind," which appeared on the Last Action Hero soundtrack. The song was written by lead singer Joe Elliott and became one of the English hard rock band’s best-known ballads.
Elliott originally demoed the song in 1989 during the sessions for Adrenalize, but the track was set aside. Guitarist Phil Collen later suggested recording it as an acoustic song, and the band cut that version in 1992. It initially appeared as a B-side to "Make Love Like a Man" in the United Kingdom.
When Last Action Hero producers requested a song, Def Leppard was busy touring and could not record an entirely new track. The band supplied the acoustic recording’s multitrack tape, and composer Michael Kamen added orchestral strings for the soundtrack version. The song was later included on Def Leppard’s 1993 compilation album Retro Active.
"Two Steps Behind" reached No. 12 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and No. 5 on the Billboard Album Rock Tracks chart.