For this week’s Twisted Mix tape, Jen challenged us to create a “Best Of” list for any band.
This is tricky for me, as I am pretty much a fan of all genres of music, and wasn’t sure who to pick.
So, I started going through my iTunes to see who I had the most of and which would make a good list.
I’m from Jersey, so maybe Bon Jovi or Springsteen.
But, then I figured those were obvious choices.
I looked at Pearl Jam which made me think maybe I’d just do Eddie Vedder, but then he’s not a band if I’m doing his solo stuff, but maybe that was okay.
If that was okay, then perhaps Justin Timberlake, because…seriously…Justin Timberlake.
Then I started thinking, maybe I’d go old school. I scrolled through Zeppelin, the Beach Boys, Metallica, Guns-n-Roses, Clapton.
I almost did the Beatles, but the truth is, one of my favorite albums growing up was Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, and I knew all of the songs that I would pick would be from that album.
So, I asked Real Man to help me figure out my favorite band.
He said that it was Aerosmith.
He reminded me that over the course of my life, the band I have gravitated to the most is Aerosmith.
So, here is, (according to me), the best of Aerosmith:
“Dream On” was released two days after my first birthday.
I like to think that it was a present to me from the band.
I know it might be noise to some, but by the time they get to the end and Steven Tyler is screaming “Dream On! Dream On!” you realize you’ve been holding your breath because they’ve been building to it the whole time.
I also love “Home Tonight” which a softer side to the boys.
Here are the boys mixing the two at a concert.
“Walk this Way” and “Sweet Emotion” also make me stop the scan on the radio every time.
I like both versions of “Walk this Way.”
The original and the pairing with Run D.M.C. version.
“Round and Round” is another that I always liked, but you really don’t hear it very often, so it’s one you need to find on your own to hear it.
I love “Mia” as well.
Again, another that isn’t played a lot on mainstream or even classic rock stations, but I like it.
It’s hard for me to choose favorites from some of their albums.
Permanent Vacation, Pump, Get a Grip, Nine Lives, and Just Push Play were all albums that I played so many times (although, at this point, they were CD’s) that they began to skip and wear out.
I don’t remember if it was Nine Lives or Get a Grip, but one of the two also had an interactive DVD portion that you could play on your computer, and you could be the drummer to the song. Early Guitar Hero-ish, I guess.
My poor keyboard.
I remember my roommates thinking I was insane, but oh, how I loved it.
I loved them all, but I’ll admit to being a fan to almost all of the songs from those albums that went platinum.
“Love in an Elevator,” “Rag Doll,” “Dude Looks Like a Lady,” “Crazy,” “Amazing,” “Janie’s Got a Gun,” “Living on the Edge,” “Cryin,” “Pink,” “Jaded,” etc.
“Falling in Love is Hard on the Knees” is one of my all-time favorites.
I love the beat…it’s just a good, driving beat.
I’ll be honest…I wasn’t overly impressed with their 2012 album release, but with that exception, I have loved most of what they’ve produced over the course of my life.
Not everything, of course, but most of it.
Real Man was right in that I have gravitated to them the most over the course of my life, but I’m not sure if it’s because they have been so prolific. The more you produce, the more there is for me to like.
However, I guess the more there is for me to not like, as well, so job well done, Aerosmith.
Oh, boy, I Don’t Wanna Miss A Thing here!
Comment by Michelle Liew — September 3, 2013 @ 9:37 am |
LOL…I liked that when I first heard it, but then the radio played it so many times, my ears started to bleed.
Comment by Amy — September 5, 2013 @ 7:03 am |
This is fantastic. I do love Aerosmith. I LOVED their Honkin on Bobo alb (even though it’s all covers) and the video to Pink makes me giggle every time, even as I sing along. Awesome picks.
Comment by Lizzi; Considerer (@LRConsiderer) — September 3, 2013 @ 10:07 am |
Thanks, Lizzi!!!
Comment by Amy — September 5, 2013 @ 7:03 am |
Oh – I love Aerosmith! Great picks!!
Comment by modmomelleroy — September 3, 2013 @ 11:38 am |
Thank you! I find that they are either a love ’em or hate ’em kinda band.
Comment by Amy — September 5, 2013 @ 7:03 am |
I don’t know much of their early stuff, but Dream On has to be one of my favorites from Aerosmith. They are a great band to pick for today!
Comment by Dana — September 3, 2013 @ 12:36 pm |
Thanks!
Comment by Amy — September 5, 2013 @ 7:04 am |
‘Walk this Way’ is on my top three rock/guitar songs of all time. What a frickin hook!
Comment by Clark Scottroger — September 3, 2013 @ 1:33 pm |
Instantly recognizable. Gets me every time.
Comment by Amy — September 5, 2013 @ 7:04 am |
I really do love Aerosmith, I love Steven Tyler’s personality. I’m sorry but I do. He makes no qualms about who he is, he’s happy and living life, and clearly appreciates it! Awesome list!
Comment by Jen — September 3, 2013 @ 5:30 pm |
Me too. Talent and confidence…perfect mix.
Comment by Amy — September 5, 2013 @ 7:05 am |
I love Aerosmith. Love them. My best friend and I “discovered” them in 5th grade when Get a Grip came out…minds blown when my mom informed us they’d been around “awhile.” Ha ha! Love their earlier stuff – Dream On is one of my all-time faves. My top 5 would be What it Takes, Dream On, Angel, Walk on Water and Dude Looks Like a Lady (because I just found out that was written about Vince Neil). Great post!!
Comment by sjm — September 3, 2013 @ 7:32 pm |
Get a Grip in 5th grade? Now I feel old! I guess I’m glad they span the generations!
Comment by Amy — September 5, 2013 @ 7:05 am |
I don’t wanna miss a thing was our first dance song at our wedding. The lyrics in it are beautiful! It took me so long to realize that they were the ones who sang Dream On. I don’t know why. Anyways, good list, thanks for sharing!!
Comment by Darla @ Mom's World — September 3, 2013 @ 9:31 pm |
Thank you!!!
Comment by Amy — September 5, 2013 @ 7:06 am |
On my mental radio, “Dream On” will ALWAYS hold a very special place as the first time my young ears heard it, they were never the same again. Also, and oddly enough, I stared at their picture for hours from the Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Heart Club Band soundtrack (as we weren’t allowed to see the movie), and I truly believe that that one shot taught most of what I know about dressing like a badass rock star =)
Comment by troy P. — September 4, 2013 @ 1:57 pm |
Who knew Dream On had an impact on so many people? Crazy! Re: Sgt. Pepper…I, too, stared at the cover as I listened over and over and over again. Badass rock stars indeed.
Comment by Amy — September 5, 2013 @ 7:06 am |