10 Classic Aerosmith Songs
Early Aerosmith got slammed for being a second-rate Rolling Stones. Singer Steve Tyler possessed more than a passing resemblance to Mick Jagger. It wasn’t his fault. Jagger just got to the look first. Guitarist Joe Perry was pegged as a Keith Richards knock-off. (Of course, Richards was once dismissed as a Chuck Berry knock-off.)
But Aerosmith wasn’t as deeply steeped in the Blues as the Stones. Their music was Rock based. Helping push the ragged edges with Tyler and Perry, were Brad Whitford (rhythm guitar), Tom Hamilton (bass) and Joey Kramer (drums).
#10. The Other Side
Jim Vallance composed the instrumental parts for the song in late ’88. He then mailed a demo with guitar, piano, bass, drums, and horn synthesizer to Aerosmith singer Steven Tyler, who came up with the lyrics and vocal melody.
#9. Love In An Elevator
The lead single from their third album “Pump” peaked at #5 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #1 on the Mainstream Rock chart.
#8. Janie’s Got A Gun
The song describes a young woman planning her revenge for childhood abuse. It won the band a 1990 Grammy Award for Best Rock Performance.
#7. Walk This Way
Written by Steven Tyler and guitarist Joe Perry, the song was originally released as the second single from the album “Toys In The Attic.”
#6. Last Child
Cash Box, a trade publication, wrote “it’s right in the groove: a straightforward Rock tune with a slick, rhythm-oriented arrangement.”
#5. Sweet Emotion
The song began a string of pop hits that would continue for the remainder of the 1970s.
#4. Walk This Way (Run DMC version)
The song was covered by the Hip Hop group Run-DMC (in collaboration with Aerosmith) and helped revitalize the group’s career in the ’80s. It became an international hit and was a touchstone for the Rap-Rock subgenre.
#3. Dude (Looks Like A Lady)
Steven Tyler came up with the idea after mistaking Mötley Crüe singer Vince Neil for a woman with long blonde hair. Tyler’s bandmates made fun of him, joking about how the “dude looked like a lady”
#2, Dream On
This song was their first major hit and became a Classic Rock Radio staple.
#1. Back In The Saddle
It is one of the group’s most aggressive sounding releases (particularly in sexual themes and emotional tone.
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