You could be forgiven if you thought Boston’s Hall of Fame rockers, Aerosmith, released their most popular albums in the ’80s; 1987’s Permanent Vacation and 1989’s Pump were part of one of the greatest comebacks in rock history. But neither of those albums sold as well as 1975’s Toys in the Attic, which moved 9 million albums.
“Walk This Way” was the biggest hit, reaching No. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100; “Sweet Emotion” topped out at No. 36. The album itself climbed to No. 11 on the Billboard 200 Album Chart, which is even more impressive when you consider that 1975 was a monster year for rock albums: Aerosmith was up against Springsteen’s Born to Run, Led Zeppelin’s Physical Graffiti, David Bowie’s Young Americans, Bob Dylan’s Blood on the Tracks, and dozens more.
A fresh listen to the whole album is rewarding, but it’s particularly good to sit down with the singles. “You See Me Crying” is solid, but “Walk This Way” and “Sweet Emotion” put the Classic in Classic Rock. Steven Tyler rarely sounded better, and the whole band rocks so hard that those songs have never left the radio.
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Comments
My favorite song by Aerosmith is I don’t want to miss a thing. Anyone still listens to this song? It makes my childhood and current.
I’m a whole hearted Aerosmith listener. I’m 66 years old and they have been a staple
A fresh listen to the whole album (which I did yesterday) is definitely worthwhile. There was so much good music constantly coming out between the ’60s to the mid-’80s it was unbelievable, if not shocking, considering the dearth that followed to this day.
Not in a mean way, but back then I was a ‘music snob’ that rated songs and albums into 5 categories: love, like, okay, dislike, and hate. When listening to the first two on the radio in the car, I’d leave the station alone. The 3rd, I’d change it to see what else was playing, but might go back. The last 2, immediately change it like I would at the start of commercial breaks.
Aerosmith (as a band) then and now, is still wedged in between okay and like. Single and album worthy here, but not concert level. Deep Purple they weren’t, but a good American band nonetheless that millions love. They all work very hard up on that stage for their fans, which everyone should appreciate.
I agree with you in paragraph 3 on “Walk This Way” and “Sweet Emotion”. Both really showed Aerosmith’s range and ability to go back and forth from hard to softer rock, and throw in unexpected surprise elements.