Tag: Steven Tyler

My Sunday Song – “Sweet Emotion” by Aerosmith

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For My Sunday Song #310 and the final in the 10 Song Aerosmith set, we will discuss my all time favorite track, “Sweet Emotion”. The song is another off ‘Toys in the Attic’ and was the first single off the album. It kicks off side two of the album and actually went all the way to #36 just cracking the Billboard Top 40 song chart.

The song is supposedly about Joe Perry’s ex-wife and the riff she caused in the band. I guess she was the Yoko of the band as they did eventually part ways briefly with Joe Perry (he came back after his marriage ended). Steven blasts her for “Talking about things that nobody cares/ wearing things that nobody wears”. And how she was on the side of the stage just shaking her ass for Joe and he was soon eating form her hand. No, no tensions there! The song also is about the infighting in the band as not only were the wives getting in the way, but so were the drugs and egos.

Another Tom Hamilton and Steven Tyler penned track which explains that killer bass opening to the song. Damn Tom is on fire with this one. That bass line is so hauntingly cool and then throw in Perry on the Talk Box and you have a memorable, killer opening. And that vibraslap you hear in the opening, actually broke on their third take from what I’ve read. Tyler’s vocals are pristine and no one can deliver a lyric like him. Perry’s guitar playing is on fire just like the pants in the lyrics. Kramer lays down a great rat-tat-tat right before Perry’s solo and his fills throughout are over the top as he is playing on the twos and fours rather than than ones and threes of the beats which totally blew producer Jack Douglas away. The band shows a more sophisticated side to their writing and they deliver one of my all time favorite Aerosmith tracks. It is a freaking masterpiece.

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My Sunday Song – “Toys in the Attic” by Aerosmith

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For My Sunday Song #309, we are working through “Toys in the Attic” by Aerosmith which is off their 1975 album of the same name. It is the lead off track, but was not a single. Instead it was the B-Side to the single “You See Me Crying”. The album was their third studio album and is one of their biggest selling albums with over 9 million sold as it chock full of Classic Aerosmith tracks including this one.

The song was written by Joe Perry & Steven Tyler and the phrase “Toys in the Attic” is a euphemism for insanity and that is what the song is all about. It talks of a guy that is hearing voices and seeing things yet nothing is real. He is losing his mind and we get to watch it happen in all its glory.

“Toys In the Attic” is rich with the guitar riffs of Joe Perry and Tom Hamilton’s bass groove will get the juices flowing. It is fast-paced, a bluesy and gritty rocker that is almost punk, but so not at the same time. It is a fun-filled pack of goodness and the band just explodes. Steven Tyler’s vocals are on edge, tilting towards the edge of insanity and fits with the them of the song perfectly. You have to listen to the bass as it is front & center and some of Tom’s best work. Really brilliant!!

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My Sunday Song – “Mama Kin” by Aerosmith

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For My Sunday Song #308, we are going back to the beginning with “Mama Kin” off Aerosmith’s debut album simply called ‘Aerosmith’. The song was not a single, but it was the B-Side of “Dream On”. “Mama Kin” is a staple in their live shows and one of the early so called “classic” Aerosmith songs. It is a song that Steven Tyler thought would make them rich and he believed it so much he had the title tattooed on his arm. That is confidence.

The song is about staying in touch with what drives you. According to Tyler, it is the “spiritual force that drives creativity and pleasure.”. Never loose sight of that and let it push you to accomplish everything you dreamed of doing. You could also read it in to it that it is telling you to keep in touch with your roots, where you came from and the family that supported you. Always reach out and drop them a line. Either way is great.

“Mama Kin” has a long intro into the song by Joe Perry with a killer riff and some solid bass lines by Hamilton. There is also a saxophone played throughout the song by David Woodford that really gives it more texture and flavor. The rhythm section on this one is the backbone, but those Perry riffs are also pretty killer. Tyler’s vocals are soulful and yet feel a little sleazy too and full of energy. It is a blast of a song.

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My Sunday Song – “Seasons of Wither” by Aerosmith

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For My Sunday Song #307, we are discussing the song “Seasons of Wither” by Aerosmith. The song is off their 1974 album ‘Get Your Wings’ and though not a single, was one of the great deep cuts. The album only went to #74 on the U.S. Charts but has since sold over 3,000,000 copies in the U.S. alone.

The song was written solely by Steven Tyler who was in a really bad place at the time. You see, he was doing his taxes and he owed a boatload of cash and that but him in a bad mood. He went down in to the basement of the building they were in, grabbed some drugs and Joey Kramer’s dumpster find of a guitar, lit some incense and wrote this song. No, it actually isn’t about taxes. It is about the winter season and the Massachusetts’ landscape which has that melancholy vibe which fit his mood at the time.

The band goes back to a much darker vibe with “Seasons of Wither” and opens with a blowing wind and an acoustic guitar and both sound so ominous and eerie. Not only does Tyler take on the vocals, he also handles the acoustic guitar duties and equally impressive is the bass groove set by Tom Hamilton who doesn’t get enough credit. I love the pacing and deliver of every note and Tyler might be giving his finest performance on the whole album. And Whitford’s solo is something to talk about as well as that last note goes on forever adding to the dark tone of the song. Totally brilliant track!

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My Sunday Song – “Nobody’s Fault” by Aerosmith

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For My Sunday Song #306, we discuss “Nobody’s Fault” by Aerosmith which is off their 1976 album ‘Rocks”. The album came out on May 14, 1976, but this song was not a single, but it was a B-Side to “Back in the Saddle”. And it did help drive sales of the album which went to #3 on the U.S. Charts and sold over 4,000,000 copies. The song was written by Brad Whitford along with Steven Tyler. “Nobody’s Fault” is one of the band’s favorite songs and might be the heaviest track they’ve ever done.

The idea behind the song came from the band’s fear of earthquakes. I mean this was mid 70’s and there were some huge earthquakes as well as a Charlton Heston movie called ‘Earthquake’. And there was even rumors of a fault line that ran through New Jersey that ran through a nuclear power plant. So, the “Fault” in the title refers to both an earthquake fault line as well as that people & governments need to prepare for earthquakes and it is their fault if they don’t.

The apocalyptic song borders on metal as it starts with an ominous sounding keyboard before a menacing riff comes in an almost Sabbathy way. Tyler’s vocals are hard and fierce with an evil undertone. Also, listen to Kramer’s drumming on this one as it is quite stellar as his fills are perfect. The doom and gloom turn out to be a beautiful track and one of the best deep cuts the band has. It sounds like nothing else on the album and yet totally amazing.

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My Sunday Song – “Eat the Rich” by Aerosmith

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For My Sunday Song #305, we are discussing the opening track “Eat the Rich” off the 1993 Aerosmith album ‘Get a Grip’. “Eat the Rich” was the second single released on April 17, 1993. The song was written by Steven Tyler, Joe Perry and the great Jim Vallance who has written for so many, most notably Bryan Adams. I don’t think the song did much as a single, but the album did go on to sell well over 9,000,000 copies worldwide.

The song was written as a dig against wealthy people who look down upon others with a disdain as if their wealth makes them so much better than everyone else. Funny thing is Aerosmith was quite wealthy at this time, but they didn’t come from money. They had very poor and humble beginnings as they were practically homeless at times. They knew where their money came from and were grateful.

The album kicks off with an “Intro” that should’ve been merged with the first track “Eat the Rich”.  The “Intro” sees Steven Tyler rapping some rhymes along a some cool drumming. And then ends with a riff of “Walk This Way” before going straight in to “Eat the Rich” with some killer tribal drumming by Kramer with a ton of people doing log drumming. There were 6 people credited as log drummers…insane. The song is full of witty lyrics and Tyler just rips through them with ease. It is catchy as hell and the bass groove on this one is sensational along with Perry who slays it on the riffs and the solo. It is a brilliant opening track that gets the juices flowing. So take that Grey Poupon and shove it up your ass. Oh yeah, the song ends with a massive burp. Only fitting!

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My Sunday Song – “Hoodoo/Voodoo Medicine Man” by Aerosmith

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For My Sunday Song #304, we are talking about “Hoodoo/Voodoo Medicine Man” by Aerosmith off their highly successful 1989 album ‘Pump’. The song was written by Steven Tyler and Brad Whitford who does not generally get a lot of writing credits which is a shame. The song was not a single, but it is a personal favorite on the album and I am sure helped it sell over 7 million copies.

The song seems to be about the abuse modern civilization is doing to each other and to Mother Earth. It is like we are all under the spell of a voodoo medicine man as we masturbate with a noose, believe all the corruption and the lies of our politicians. There is an anger in the lyrics and an anger in Steven’s vocals as he sings.

“Hoodoo” is a musical interlude (with Tyler rambling on softly about something) and opens with a khean performed by Randy Raine-Reusch who has handled all the weird instruments used on this album. It is very tribal sounding. A Khean is a mouth organ whose pipes, which are usually made of bamboo, are connected with a small, hollowed-out hardwood reservoir into which air is blown. You learned something new today if you didn’t already know.

After this little interlude, “Voodoo Medicine Man” kicks in and seems to be going for dramatic and epic like “Janie’s Got a Gun” and I think they succeed. Kramers drum barrage is awesome, Hamilton’s bass groove is killer and Tyler’s vocal deliver of the chorus all just gels and totally kicks some ass. Brad gets lead guitar duty and doesn’t let you forget how talented he really is. A full out rocker.

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My Sunday Song – “No Surprize” by Aerosmith

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For My Sunday Song #303, we are talking about the song “No Surprize” off the Aerosmith’s 1979 album ‘Night in the Ruts’. It wasn’t the band’s most successful album as the drugs had really taken hold of them by this time. It was amazing an album was even made. The album went to #14 on the Billboard Album Charts, but didn’t stay for long. It was panned by the critics and fans alike. But it isn’t half bad (it ain’t half good either). One of the best songs is “No Surprize” yet it was never released as a single so now we will give it its dues.

The opening track of the album was “No Surprize” which took a long while to write. Joe and Steven had been working on a song together and Steven was having trouble with the lyrics. After two months of blockage, Steven finally got his second wind and wrote a great song that tells the story of the band. It covers from the humble beginnings in 1971, the struggles of making it, the drug problems and the wondering where their royalties were. I can tell you, they went in to the drugs!! Lots and Lots and Lots of Drugs!! There is a cool line in it with “Vaccinate your ass with a phonograph needle” and I wonder now if that would work to battle Covid. Probably not.

The song is a mix of blues and old time rock & roll with a Chuck Berry vibe on guitar coming from Perry. It is rough and raw and Tyler’s vocals a real grit to them like he had lived a tough life and currently he was doing just that. Hamilton and Kramer were the heart of the song laying down a great rhythm and keeping the song driving forward while Joe and Brad laid down some cool riffs. It is a down and dirty rock song, just the way I like it.

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My Sunday Song – “Kings And Queens” by Aerosmith

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For My Sunday Song #302, we are talking about the song “Kings And Queens” from the bands 1977 album ‘Draw the Line’. The song was released on February 21, 1978 and it only made it to #70 on the Billboard Hot 100. It was written by most of the band including Steven Tyler, Joey Kramer, Tom Hamilton and Brad Whitford. It was not written with Joe Perry and one of the rare times that was the case, but drugs will do that. However, producer Jack Douglas managed to get a writing credit as well as he did a lot on this album as someone had to keep pushing the band forward.

Lyrically it seems more like a Zeppelin or even early Genesis as they delve in to sorcery knights and swords and stuff. It has this whole Medieval Knights of the Round Table vibe. It is also a rather violent look at the time and does not paint a glamorous picture. Tyler has stated that it is about all those that died during the period of the Holy Wars. With that being said, there is no rosy picture to paint. It should be dark and eerie and they captured that feel nicely both lyrically and sonically.

Side 2 of the album kicks off with one of the band’s best song called “Kings and Queens”. The song feels epic, grand and far beyond anything else they have ever done. The bass is extremely heavy, it has a mandolin by Jack Douglas, a banjo by Paul Prestopino, Tyler on piano and the rest of the band all in a world of their own making. Tyler gives what might be one of his greatest vocal performances as this song hits the mark on every aspect. It is so out of left field, yet so magical. Pure perfection!

Give the song a listen and let me know what you think. I think it should’ve gone higher than #70 on the Billboard Charts, but thats just me. Thanks for stopping by and I hope you all have a wonderful and Happy Sunday.

“Kings And Queens”

Long ago in days I’m told
Were ruled by Lords of greed
Maidens fared with gold
They dared to bare their wombs that bleed

Kings and queens and guillotines
Taking lives denied
Starch and parchment laid the laws
When bishops took the ride
Only to deceive

Oh I know I lived this life afore
Somehow know now truths I must be sure
Tossin turnin’ nightmares burnin’ dreams of swords in hand
Sailin’ ships the Viking spits the blood of father’s land
Only to deceive

Living times of knights and mares
Raising swords for maidens fair
Sneer at death fear only loss of pride

Living other centuries
Deja vu or what you please
Follows true to all who do or die

Screams of no reply they died
Screams of no reply and died
Lordy lordy and then then they died
Lordy no then they died

Live and do or die
Long ago were days I told…Lord they died
Kings and queens and guillotines…
Live and no reply they died
Long ago were days I told…
Kings and queens and guillotines…

Written by Steven Tyler, Brad Whitford, Joey Kramer, Tom Hamilton and Jack Douglas

The Original vs. The Cover – “Let The Music Do The Talking”

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For this round of The Original vs. The Cover, we are battling out with “Let the Music Do the Talking” which will pit The Joe Perry Project against Aerosmith. Wait, isn’t Joe Perry in both of those…why yes he is!! The Joe Perry Project released an album in March 1980 with this song as the lead off track and the name of the album. Aerosmith did it 5 years later as the lead off track as well on their 1985 album ‘Done with Mirrors’.

How did this song come about? Well, Joe Perry got in to a major fight with Steven Tyler and the band over their wives, plus drugs and other band issues. He left the band and immediately started work on an album. Columbia Records was real hesitant on giving him a deal with all the struggles he had with Aerosmith. But they did and this song just kind of came in to being. Joe had a lot to prove that he could make it on his own and he felt the music should do the talking for him rather than shooting off his own mouth. And he was right. When he rejoined Aerosmith, the band loved the song and wanted to cover it, so they did.

Which one is better? We will see.

THE JOE PERRY PROJECT:

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