Steven Tyler Sexual Assault Case Dropped
A case accusing Steven Tyler of sexual assault has been dismissed by a federal judge.
Per Billboard, the case brought by Jeanne Bellino was dismissed by U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan. Judge Kaplan ruled Bellino’s case did not fall under New York City’s amended law that allows abuse victims to sue decades after the instance of their claims. He wrote, in part, in his ruling, “The complaint in this case does not alleged conduct presenting a serious risk of physical injury and therefore fails to state a legally sufficient claim under the [NYC statute].”
Billboard notes of the NYC statute, “Numerous other alleged victims who have filed long-delayed abuse cases under the law in question â New Yorkâs Victims of Gender-Motivated Violence Protection Law â after it opened a two-year window for such lawsuits from March 1, 2023 to March 1, 2025.”
As previously reported, Bellino claimed Tyler assaulted her in the summer of 1975 when she was 17. At that time, Tyler was around 27.
Bellino says a friend arranged for her and Tyler to meet up following a fashion show she worked in. She then alleges Tyler forced her into a phone booth and touched her inappropriately and aggressively kissed her. This all allegedly happened while Tyler’s unnamed entourage members watched and laughed. No passersby interfered. Later, at Aerosmith hotel, Tyler forcibly kissed and grinded against Bellino.
Shocked by both incidents, Bellino eventually made a break for it. She said she ran out of the hotel, and a doorman who saw the phone booth assault “flung her” into a cab and told the driver to go.
Tyler’s Other Sexual Assault Lawsuit
The Aerosmith frontman is also seeking the dismissal of another sexual abuse lawsuit brought against him by Julia Holcomb in December 2022. She alleges she and Tyler were in a three-year relationship that began in 1973 when she was 16 and he was 25.
As previously reported, Holcomb says Tyler was able to convince her mother to make him her legal guardian which allowed him to live and travel with her on tour easier.
Additionally, Holcomb accuses Tyler in the lawsuit of convincing her to have an abortion at 17 in 1975. She claims Tyler said he would stop supporting her if she didn’t terminate the pregnancy. While pregnant, Holcomb escaped an apartment fire, and Tyler claimed the smoke she inhaled while escaping the fire harmed the baby, which was another reason to terminate the pregnancy. (Holcome’s lawsuit claims her unborn baby was fine following the fire according to a medical professional.)
Per CBS Los Angeles, Tyler’s legal team filed new documents in Torrance Superior Court in April 2023. The documents allege “… the plaintiff’s claims are fully or partially barred by alleged consent on her part and that [Tyler] had at least qualified immunity as her one-time guardian.”
CBS Los Angeles further noted, “Tyler’s attorneys argue that Tyler’s actions were legitimate, justified and in good-faith … Tyler’s attorneys state that the plaintiff has not ‘sustained any injury or loss by reason of any act or omission on the part of (Tyler)’ and that the plaintiff is not entitled to any damages from the 75-year-old musician.”
Aerosmith: Top 50 Songs in Their Catalog
50. âLord of the Thighsâ – âGet Your Wingsâ (1974)
ShareItâs a dirty pun, get it?! (Would it really be a proper Aerosmith ranking without kicking things off with some crude humor?) It also wouldnât be a proper Aerosmith ranking without pointing out the dynamic guitar work of Joe Perry and Brad Whitford. âLord of the Thighsâ is the first of many examples of that on this list.
49. âPinkâ – âNine Livesâ (1997)
Share"Pinkâ isnât even a dirty pun; itâs just dirty, but itâs a whole lot of fun. (Oddly enough, âDirty, but a whole lot of funâ is a perfect, succinct way to describe the Bad Boys from Boston.) Steven Tylerâs harmonica is the bow on top of this package, which may or may not be wrapped in rubber.
48. âShame, Shame, Shameâ – âHonkinâ on Boboâ (2004)
ShareThereâs a lot of energetic tracks on âHonkinâ on Bobo,â Aerosmithâs 2004 blues covers album, but the bandâs cover of Smiley Lewisâ âShame, Shame, Shameâ is a standout. It only clocks in at 2:15, but damn, if itâs not a total party.
47. âBig Ten Inch Recordâ – âToys in the Atticâ (1975)
ShareâBig Ten Inch Recordâ is so tongue-in-cheek filthy youâd assume the songwriting credit would read âTyler/Perry.â It was actually written by Fred Weismantel and first recorded by Bull Moose Jackson in 1952.
46. âMy Fist Your Faceâ – âDone With Mirrorsâ (1985)
ShareâWhat you pissing in the wind for/You must have snorted too much bleesâ is probably one of Aerosmithâs most underrated lyrics ever. Itâs fitting since âMy Fist Your Faceâ is another underrated track in the bandâs catalog.
45. âFalling in Love (Is Hard on the Knees)â – âNine Livesâ (1997)
ShareWhile it was the lead single off of âNine Lives,â âFalling in Love (Is Hard on the Knees)â couldâve easily found a home on 1993âs âGet A Gripâ thanks in part to the lovely use of horns. Also, only Steven Tyler could write lyrics like, âIâm jonesing on love/Yeah, I got the DTâs/You say that we will/But there ainât no guarantees/Iâm major in love/But in all minor keys.â
44. âRemember (Walking in the Sand)â – âNight in the Rutsâ (1979)
ShareTo be blunt, âNight in the Rutsâ is just not a great album. Itâs one saving grace is this hard rock version of The Shangri-Las classic âRemember (Walking in the Sand).â The cover even features Shangri-Las's lead vocalist Mary Weiss as an uncredited backup vocalist.
43. âStop Messinâ Aroundâ – âHonkinâ on Boboâ (2004)
ShareThis Peter Green-era Fleetwood Mac song has been a regular part of Aerosmithâs setlist since the early â90s, but it wasnât until 2004âs âHonkinâ on Boboâ that Aerosmith recorded the tune. Joe Perry is on lead vocals, and because heâs Joe f---inâ Perry, he can make a cool song sound even cooler.
42. âSeasons of Witherâ – âGet Your Wingsâ (1974)
ShareKnowing Steven Tyler wrote âSeasons of Witherâ inspired by a Massachusetts winter landscape, you can almost feel a chill in the air when listening to this track. Of course, if youâve never experienced a harsh winter before and canât relate to the bleakness that can sometimes come with it, buy a parka and go somewhere really cold for a week during the winter months. Youâll learn right quick what âSeasons of Witherâ is about.
41. âLick and a Promiseâ – âRocksâ (1976)
ShareSome songs are just fun parties about being a rock star, putting on a great show and getting laid. âLick and a Promiseâ is one of those songs. Joey Kramerâs drums come on strong out the gate and donât let up for the whole track providing a no-nonsense backbone.
40. âDeuces Are Wildâ – âThe Beavis and Butt-Head Experienceâ (1993)
ShareFrom the late â80s to the mid-â90s, Aerosmith seemingly couldnât miss with their singles. Sometimes, they would hold onto them for years before releasing them. âDeuces Are Wildâ was recorded during the studio sessions for 1989âs âPump,â but it would finally see the light of day in 1993 when it was featured on âThe Beavis and Butt-Head Experienceâ compilation album. It's pretty mind-blowing that such an obvious hit took so long to be released.
39. âI Donât Want to Miss a Thingâ – âArmageddon: The Albumâ (1998)
ShareâI Donât Want to Miss a Thingâ is Aerosmithâs biggest ballad for multiple reasons. Penned by songwriting powerhouse Diane Warren, the track was the lead single off the soundtrack from the 1998 blockbuster film âArmageddon,â which starred Liv Tyler, daughter to Steven Tyler. From the beautiful string section to The Demon of Screaminâ hitting some of his boldest notes, it was simply the perfect song for an epic disaster movie. It also gave Aerosmith their lone number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in their whole career.
38. âMake Itâ – âAerosmithâ (1973)
ShareFrom the jump, Aerosmith wasnât playing around as evident on âMake It,â the opening track from their self-titled debut album. (âWhen life and people bring on primal screams/You got to think of/What itâs going to take to make your dreams.â) Itâs both a mission statement and a rallying cry. It might lack the bombast of other songs on this list, but it packs relatable drive and hints at the swagger fans would grow to love.
37. âJadedâ – âJust Push Playâ (2001)
ShareYou gotta love a big, bold chorus, and they donât get bigger or bolder than âJaded.â It figuratively explodes with, âMy, my baby blue,â and it glides on an effervescent riff. âJadedâ peaked at number seven on the Billboard Hot 100 and remains the last Aerosmith song to appear on the chart.
36. âRats in the Cellarâ – âRocksâ (1976)
ShareOn the surface, âRats in the Cellarâ is just a badass tune, but thereâs a far darker backstory to it. Steven Tyler wrote in his 2004 memoir âDoes The Noise in My Head Bother You?,â â'Rats' was more like what was actually going on. Things were coming apart, sanity was scurrying south, caution was flung to the winds, and little by little the chaos was permanently moving in.â For those not fluent in Tyler-ese, the band was going through a tough time.
35. âIâm Downâ – âPermanent Vacationâ (1987)
ShareâIâm Downâ wasnât the first Beatles cover from Aerosmith, but their fun take on the raucous track sure is right at home on âPermanent Vacation.â And the band just sounds like theyâre having a blast, too. (BTW: Youâll see their other Beatles cover later in this list.)
34. âEat the Richâ – âGet a Gripâ (1993)
ShareThere probably isnât an award for âCoolest Song About Cannibalism,â but if there was one, âEat the Richâ would surely be named the winner. From the weird jungle vibe to the overt middle finger to the snooty folks âdancinâ in the yacht club with Muff and Uncle Biff,â Aerosmith showed with this track alone that over 20 years into their career, they didnât lose any of their edge.
33. âSomebodyâ – âAerosmithâ (1973)
ShareBuilt around a chunky riff, 'Somebodyâ seems to paint a somewhat desperate picture of loneliness. Steven Tyler begins asking for âa lady, not somebody shady,â but not long after he said he wouldnât be âchoosyâ and would settle for a âfloozy.â Honestly, havenât we all been there?
32. âUncle Saltyâ – âToys in the Atticâ (1975)
ShareA precursor to âJanieâs Got a Gun," âUncle Saltyâ tells the sad story of a woman who was the victim of abuse as a child and would later become a prostitute. The trackâs sustained blues was written by Steven Tyler and Tom Hamilton, who also played rhythm guitar on the recording.
31. âShut Up and Danceâ – âGet a Gripâ (1993)
Share'Get A Gripâ was just chock-full of massive, arena-ready songs. âShut Up and Danceâ is one of those songs, and it wasnât even released as a single in the United States. (And this album had six singles!) Many might remember it closing out âWayneâs World 2â when Aerosmith showed up at WayneStock. What people may not remember is that in addition to Steven Tyler and Joe Perry, Jack Blades and Tommy Shaw also have songwriting credits on this jam.
30. âWoman of the Worldâ – âGet Your Wingsâ (1974)
ShareâWoman of the Worldâ is a whole damn vibe. From Joe Perry and Brad Whitfordâs funky, melodic guitars in the nearly minute-long intro to the songâs titular subject itself, it just drips with cool.
29. âHangman Juryâ – âPermanent Vacationâ (1987)
ShareA loverâs quarrel + booze + murder = Pretty much the perfect ingredients for a great blues song, which is exactly what âHangman Juryâ is. Add in Steven Tyler on harmonica and the beyond catchy hook of âWhoa, boy, dontcha line the track-a-lack-a" in the chorus, and what you had was the beginnings of Aerosmithâs second act.
28. âLet the Music Do the Talkingâ – âDone With Mirrorsâ (1985)
ShareLook, none of us really want to remember Aerosmith without Joe Perry, but if his absence was necessary to create âLet the Music Do the Talking,â so be it. The track, of course, was written by Perry and originally recorded and released by The Joe Perry Project in March 1980. While the actual music wasnât altered much when Aerosmith re-recorded it for âDone With Mirrors,â the lyrics were given a complete overhaul and for the better.
27. âWalk On Downâ – âGet a Gripâ (1993)
ShareSince weâre already on the topic of Joe Perry, âWalk On Downâ is the lone track on the packed âGet a Gripâ where heâs credited as the sole writer. He also sings lead and recorded backing vocals, too. No other song in the Aerosmith catalog is more Joe Perry than this one. Simply put: This song kicks ass. Any other band wouldâve released âWalk On Downâ as a single, but Aerosmith isn't just any other band, and âGet A Gripâ wasnât just any other album. In retrospect, its tracklisting reads more like a greatest hits album than a studio album.
26. âS.O.S. (Too Bad)â – âGet Your Wingsâ (1974)
ShareSteven Tyler knows how to paint a word picture more succinctly and more colorfully than others as evident on âS.O.S. (Too Bad).â Just look at the second verse for proof: âSalt Lake City, salt-licking betties/Bogies turn, stinking of gin/Well my daddy was hard, his face was pretty scarred/From kicking ass and playing poker to win.â Plus, that opening riff from Brad Whitford is just killer.
25. âLine Upâ – âGet a Gripâ (1993)
ShareSimilar to âWalk on Down,â âLine Upâ wouldâve been a single for any other band; itâs just that good! Helping Steven Tyler and Joe Perry in writing âLine Upâ was Lenny Kravitz, who also provided backing vocals on the track. âLine Upâ was also famously used in âAce Ventura: Pet Detectiveâ during a montage of Ace (Jim Carrey) trying to track down which Miami Dolphins player kidnapped Snowflake, the teamâs dolphin mascot. Sure, it wasnât a single, but âLine Upâ was prominently featured in one of the biggest films of 1994. Not a half bad consolation prize.
24. âAmazingâ – âGet a Gripâ (1993)
ShareAnyone that has battled addiction or loves someone who has can easily relate to âAmazing,â one of Aerosmithâs most personal songs. Steven Tyler penned the lyrics with help from friend/former bandmate Richard Supa, who, like Tyler, struggled with addiction. Itâs a sobering reminder that life truly is one day at a time. (Side note: âAmazingâ also features backing vocals from Don Henley.)
23. âWhat It Takesâ – âPumpâ (1989)
ShareWeâve all been here, havenât we? Someoneâs absolutely broken your heart, but despite that, you just canât kick those deep feelings about them. âWhat It Takesâ is truly one of the best breakup songs ever, and it features one of the best examples of Steven Tylerâs trademark scream in the chorus when he stretches out the word âdice.â It might not be the most acrobatic of his screams, but it really hits just right.
22. âThe Other Sideâ – âPumpâ (1989)
ShareHorns! A massive sing-a-long chorus! A songwriting credit to Motownâs legendary team of Holland-Dozier-Holland due to it sounding too similar to âStanding in the Shadows of Loveâ! âThe Other Sideâ has IT ALL! By the time it was released as a single, Aerosmith was on an incredible chart roll. The fourth and final single from âPump,â âThe Other Sideâ was the bandâs third number one song on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Song chart from âPump.â
21. âCome Togetherâ – âSgt. Pepperâs Lonely Hearts Club Bandâ Soundtrack (1978)
ShareSure, the 1978 film âSgt. Pepperâs Lonely Hearts Club Bandâ famously bombed, but at least its soundtrack was significantly better. Easily among the high-points of the soundtrack was Aerosmithâs cover of âCome Together,â which would peak on the Billboard Hot 100 at number 23. There are plenty of Beatles covers in the world, but this is one of the best, which is the highest of compliments given the source material.
20. âTrain Kept A Rollinââ – âGet Your Wingsâ (1974)
ShareâTrain Kept A Rollinââ was first recorded and released by Tiny Bradshaw in 1951 and was later covered by The Yardbirds, but Aerosmith was the driving force in popularizing the blues tune. The trackâs two halves are the perfect yin and yang experience of loose blues and aggressive hard rock. A tip of the hat to Steve Hunter in the first half and Dick Wagner in the second, who provided the lead guitars on the recording.
19. âToys in the Atticâ – âToys in the Atticâ (1975)
ShareOut of the gate on âToys in the Attic,â Aerosmith just was not messing around, as was evident on the opening title track. Joe Perry and Brad Whitford were on another synergistic level and Tom Hamilton and Joey Kramer provided a borderline anxious, but incredibly infectious, rhythm track. Whether âToys in the Atticâ has a symbolic or literal meaning is anyoneâs guess, but when a chorus is that straight-forward and catchy, does it really matter?
18. âDraw the Lineâ – âDraw the Lineâ (1977)
ShareBy the time Aerosmith began recording âDraw the Line,â their fifth studio album, drugs were really starting to tear the band apart. The album certainly wasnât a cohesive work, but thereâs no denying that its title track features all five members firing on all cylinders. They couldnât get it together for an entire album, but they certainly did on âDraw the Line,â one of the most undeniable bangers in their catalog.
17. âYou See Me Cryingâ – âToys in the Atticâ (1975)
ShareâYou See Me Cryingâ sends âToys in the Atticâ off on a stunning, soaring note thanks to the beautiful use of a symphony orchestra and piano courtesy of Steven Tyler. Part of the songâs legend, of course, might come from how Tyler forgot at one point he wrote the touching ballad due to memory loss from excessive drug use. Supposedly during the recording sessions of 1985âs âDone with Mirrors,â Tyler heard âYou See Me Cryingâ on the radio and then told the band they should consider covering the tune. Joe Perry tactfully told Tyler, âItâs us, f---head.â The bummer of Tylerâs memory loss aside, Perry calling Tyler âf---headâ is just plain funny.
16. âNo More No Moreâ – âToys in the Atticâ (1975)
Share"No More No Moreâ finds Aerosmith enjoying the highs and lows that come with being a rockstar, from never seeing daylight, seeing plenty of hotel rooms and loving and leaving women âwith your sold out reviews.â There likely wasnât any blood stains on the ivories of the piano played by Scott Cushnie on this track, but thereâs no doubt âNo More No Moreâ wouldnât be the same without it.
15. âLove in an Elevatorâ – âPumpâ (1989)
ShareFun fact: Arrests for public fornication in elevators went up a staggering 69% percent following the release of âLove in an Elevator.â Okay, thatâs a lie, but what is an absolute truth is just how ridiculously fun this song is. Is it out here trying to save the world? No, but itâs peak absurd lust, and thatâs always welcomed. (Whoa, yeah!)
14. âAngelâ – âPermanent Vacationâ (1987)
ShareThe â80s birthed a lot of power ballads, and âAngelâ was definitely one of the best. It was a massive love song, but there wasnât anything cheesy about it, unlike some power ballads. Some of that could be thanks to Desmond Child, who co-wrote the song with Steven Tyler, and was coming off massive success with Bon Jovi -- he co-wrote âYou Give Love a Bad Nameâ and âLivinâ on a Prayer.â âAngelâ is the second-highest charting song in Aerosmithâs catalog on the Billboard Hot 100 chart topping out at number three.
13. âCrazyâ – âGet a Gripâ (1993)
ShareAnother power ballad that isnât cheesy! Hooray! Desmond Child returns again co-writing the track with Steven Tyler and Joe Perry. Of course, itâs hard to talk about âCrazyâ without mentioning its music video starring Alicia Silverstone and Liv Tyler, which closed out the âSilverstone trilogyâ of Aerosmith videos (along with âCryinââ and âAmazingâ) in epic road trip fashion. Both the song and the video still hold up today.
12. âRag Dollâ – âPermanent Vacationâ (1987)
ShareThereâs so much to love about âRag Doll.â Once again, all five Aerosmith member are just in their respective grooves perfectly, especially Joey Kramer on the intro. The horns in the chorus are nothing short of delightful. Massive kudos to co-writer Holly Knight who convinced Steven Tyler to change the title to âRag Doll,â which led to some minor edits to the lyrics. Its original title was âRagtime,â which is just not a good title at all. Can you imagine âRagtimeâ being a hit? Didnât think so!
11. âCryinââ – âGet a Gripâ (1993)
Share"Cryinââ explodes on entry and basically dares the listener to not get sucked in and hooked by the first run of the chorus. Itâs a magical mix of blues, country twang and hard rock all while being super accessible to lovers of all those genres. Itâs a big, bold, arena-ready song thatâs just impossible to ignore. âCryinââ is also the first video in the Alicia Silverstone trilogy and helped launch the actress into the pop culture stratosphere. The video ended up being the most-requested video on MTV in 1993 undoubtedly helping propel âGet a Gripâ to its massive success.
10. âDude (Looks Like a Lady)â – âPermanent Vacationâ (1987)
ShareAerosmithâs resurgence in the mainstream following their first initial boom in the 1970s can be traced back to âDude (Looks Like a Lady).â The second single off of âPermanent Vacation,â the track was the first hit collaboration of Steven Tyler, Joe Perry and Desmond Child. While the song has been accused of being transphobic in recent years, Child said in an appearance on a 2019 episode of the podcast âTalk is Jericho,â â... The wonderful thing about the song is, especially the second verse which goes, 'Never judge a book by its cover, or who you're gonna love by your lover' - that's a song of acceptance.â The song was famously included during a montage in the 1993 film âMrs. Doubtfire,â and itâs hard not seeing Robin Williams playing broom guitar whenever you hear this song now.
9. âSame Old Song and Danceâ – âGet Your Wingsâ (1974)
ShareWe donât discuss the grizzly, bizarre narrative of âSame Old Song and Danceâ enough, which makes sense because its killer groove takes up most of the listenerâs attention. However, thereâs murder, drugs, a potential police raid and an escape to the south side of town. This song is f---ing mental! While the opening riff understandably gets the most attention, the guitar solo on âSame Old Song and Danceâ was recorded by Dick Wagner. Add in some killer horns, and you have a very unique recipe for a rock and roll classic.
8. âLivinâ on the Edgeâ – âGet a Gripâ (1993)
ShareInspired by the 1992 Los Angeles riots, âLivinâ on the Edgeâ might just be the Aerosmith song that resonates the most today. Following the 2020 summer of activism against police brutality, the opening verse just lands heavier: âThere's something wrong with the world today/I don't know what it is/Something's wrong with our eyes/We're seeing things in a different way/And God knows it ain't his/It sure ain't no surprise.â
7. âLast Childâ – âRocksâ (1976)
ShareMr. Brad Whitford: please take center stage. The rhythm guitarist co-wrote this classic tune with Steven Tyler, which served as the first single off of âRocks.â Whitford also is responsible for the trackâs guitar solo break. The funk influence on âLast Childâ makes it one of the more unique songs in Aerosmithâs catalog.
6. âMama Kinâ – âAerosmithâ (1973)
ShareâMama Kinâ may not have been a hit out the gate, but its legacy sure has grown in the almost 50 years since its release. The song captures a certain romantism about chasing the rock and roll dream that could only really be written by someone who is young and hungry and yet to reach stardom. After listening to âMama Kin,â youâd be hard-pressed not to get a bug up your ass and finally take a chance on something. It just has that kind of spark.
5. âBack in the Saddleâ – âRocksâ (1976)
ShareThe chugging build of âBack in the Saddleâ draws you in, and then Steven Tylerâs screeching âIâm baaaaaccckkkk!â practically slaps you in the face (but in a good way.) There are plenty of songs in the Aerosmith catalog full of sexual innuendo, but the overarching old west themes in the song give âBack in the Saddleâ a playful setting reminiscent of âGunsmokeâ and Miss Kitty. Whether that was a concept Steven Tyler kept in mind when he penned the lyrics is anyoneâs guess, but âBack in the Saddleâ is yet another example of the type of magic the band can produce when all five of its elements are clicking.
4. âJanieâs Got a Gunâ – âPumpâ (1989)
ShareGraphic and heartbreaking, "Janieâs Got a Gunâ was inspired by stories Steven Tyler read about gun violence in the United States and sexual abuse suffered by children by their parents. It is one of Aerosmithâs most haunting and heavy songs both lyrically and musically. The song would net Aerosmith a Grammy in 1990 for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal. In 2015, Tyler would launch Janieâs Fund, a non-profit organization offering resources and shelter for girls experiencing abuse.
3. âDream Onâ – âAerosmithâ (1973)
ShareLike âMama Kin,â âDream Onâ could have only been written by someone who was still scratching and clawing their way to make it big, which is probably why Steven Tylerâs lyrics are so relatable. Most of us have probably had a âDream Onâ moment at least once in our lives, likely after being knocked down for some reason or the other. The song may have even helped you get back up and help you âDream until your dreams come true.â âDream Onâ is rightfully beloved, and not just because Aerosmith have played it 1,630 times live in their history. Itâs because itâs symbolic of the band in general. They were five kids with a wild rock and roll dream, and they fought like hell to make that dream come true. If you donât find that inspiring, you might just have to look in the mirror yourself and do some soul searching.
2. âSweet Emotionâ – âToys in the Atticâ (1975)
ShareIntros and builds of a song have been mentioned elsewhere on this list, but without a doubt, âSweet Emotionâ has the best intro/build of any song in the Aerosmith catalog. Tom Hamiltonâs dope-as-hell bassline, Joe Perryâs talk box and, lest we forget, Steven Tylerâs shaking of sugar packets lays down a vibe like none other. (The perfect visual of said vibe was captured in the opening scene of the Richard Linklater film âDazed and Confused,â which featured âSweet Emotionâ providing the soundtrack for the first scene.) Sure, Tyler used the song to make some jabs at Perryâs then-wife, Elyssa, but if youâre going to be immortalized in a song (especially in a negative way), it better be good. âSweet Emotionâ is more than just good; itâs a damn classic.
1. âWalk this Wayâ – âToys in the Atticâ (1975)
ShareReally, what other song could be number one? From its beyond iconic riff to the way it would eventually bridge the gap between rock and hip-hop a decade after its release, âWalk this Wayâ is in the same company as â(I Canât Get No) Satisfaction.â Itâs the kind of song every band dreams of writing, because it becomes part of the greater lexicon of pop culture; it transcends genre. Someone may not know a lot about Aerosmithâs catalog (BTW: How sad for them?), but they more than likely know or have heard of âWalk This Way.â (The fact the songâs title is a nod to a joke in âYoung Frankensteinâ only makes its popularity sweeter.) The song also kicked off Aerosmithâs renaissance in the â80s thanks to Run-DMC's remake of the song with Tyler and Perry. Who knows what wouldâve become of the Bad Boys from Boston had it not been for their collaboration with the âKings of Rockâ?! Only a song this good could have had multiple acts in a given career. Truthfully, music, in general, is better for the existence of âWalk This Way.â