When it comes to discographies of bands like Aerosmith, we’re talking about nearly 50 years of material. In just two short years, it will have been 50 years since the release of Aerosmith’s eponymous debut. And since then they’ve released fifteen studio albums, seven official live albums, countless greatest hits collections and a few box sets. It’s astonishing how much consistently excellent all their records really are. Even 1982’s ‘Rock In a Hard Place.’ The one album without the original line up. And as many hits as they’ve had over the years, they’ve had even more killer deep cuts. Tracks that are known to the fans. Some of which should have never gotten lost in the shuffle. Here’s a look at the top ten best Aerosmith deep cuts.
Jig Is Up – Rock In a Hard Place
Just because Brad Whitford and Joe Perry don’t play on 1982’s Rock In a Hard Place, doesn’t mean it’s not full of classic Aerosmith kick asserey. Rick Dufay and Jimmy Crespo fill in respectively. And the line-up created quite a good album. Sure, it doesn’t quite have the chemistry of Perry and Whitford. But tracks like ‘Lightning Strikes’ and ‘Bitch’s Brew’ are strong. And are certainly worthy of the Aerosmith moniker. But there’s a secret gem at the bottom of the album, ‘Jig Is Up.’ It’s got all the badassery and swagger of classic Aerosmith. A killer groove, backed up by a sick, blues based riff. Steven Tyler brings in his signature vocal swag and bang, you’ve got one of the most overlooked songs in the entire Aerosmith catalog.
Hoodoo/Voodoo Medicine Man – Pump
Brad Whitford is without question the unsung MVP of Aerosmith. True, you won’t see a ton of his track on greatest hit compilations. Or in live sets. With the exception of ‘Last Child’ and the occasional bust out of ‘Kings and Queens.’ But that doesn’t mean he hasn’t laid down some of the best and heaviest offerings in Aerosmith’s near 50 years. Many of which are featured on this list seeing as how they’re deep cuts. ‘Hoodoo/Voodoo Medicine Man’ is one phat ass track from the ‘Pump.’ album. Whitford lays down an edgy Southwest rock riff before Joey Kramer drops the massive beat for the remainder of the track. Plus, a killer Tom Hamilton bass line to fill in the phrases. It just grooves so hard. One of the best examples of how Whitford makes Aerosmith albums complete.
Shela – Done With Mirrors
Staying on the Whitford train for now. Like I said, he’s vastly underrated and has written some of the greatest and most overlooked songs in Aerosmith’s near 50 year career. He’s saved countless Aerosmith records during their darkest times. And a prime example of that is the smokin’ track ‘Shela,’ from the masterpiece ‘Done With Mirrors.’ The aggressive, yet melodic song never surrenders catchiness for edginess. What’s great is how the song builds and builds. Until the sick ending riff rides the song out in pure kick ass fashion. It would be great if they could throw this back into the set someday. But according to Whitford, the band’s touring and show days are over.
Round and Round – Toys in the Attic
It’s without question the heaviest track on ‘Toy in the Attic.’ Maybe the heaviest Aerosmith track of the early years. Maybe even of their entire career. With it’s sequel ‘Nobody’s Fault’ from the successive ‘Rocks’ album being the only real contender. It’s a perfect example of what Brad Whitford brings to the band. Sheer heaviness and drive. And he just doesn’t get the credit for it. ‘Round and Round’ is a seriously heavy track, reminiscent of Soundgarden and Alice in Chains. You can definitely hear the influence. The ten ton backbeat provided by Joey Kramer and Tom Hamilton lays down generations of heavy music influence. The heaviness gets upped when you factor in the fact that it came out in 1975.
Three Mile Smile – Night in the Ruts
By 1979 Aerosmith were falling apart. The drugs were taking their toll. But that didn’t stop them from making one last, really good record before the decade was out. What amazing is how streamlined the album is. Particularly when you factor in that the members did most of the tracks separately. Joe Perry left mid way through a tour to finance the album. But not before he and Steven Tyler laid down a few more classics. Most of which are rarely played live and are often ignored. The strongest of the five tracks is ‘Three Mile Smile.’ A song that’s more Perry/Tyler than Perry/Tyler. The only reason I can think of why it’s not a concert staple is that playing the song brings up bad memories. Because it’s seriously one of the most catchy tracks ever done by the band. Major boogie woogie. That groove, complete with a simple, yet effective chromatic guitar riff makes ‘Three Mile Smile’ undeniable Aerosmith.
Pandora’s Box – Get Your Wings
The earliest recorded track on the list. It’s also one of the sole Joey Kramer contributions. And what a statement. To me, this song fits perfectly on ‘Get Your Wings.’ Because it’s where Aerosmith truly got theirs. The swagger is cranked to 11. Complete with that Joey Kramer drum swing. And a classic, memorable Joe Perry riff on top. It’s one of those Aerosmith tracks that just oozes sex. You can clearly hear the direction of what would become the Aerosmith signature sound. They’re so hungry and ready to take on the world. Also, the horns add a welcome James Brown element. Who was clearly a major influence on the band. A great way to close one of the all time great Aerosmith albums.
Girl Keeps Comin’ Apart – Permanent Vacation
It was really tough choosing just one deep cut off of Permanent Vacation. There’s so many excellent ones: St. John, Samoriah, Hangman Jury and the title track. But the ultimate stand out is a killer Perry/Tyler track entitled ‘Girl Keeps Comin’ Apart.’ This is the one deep cut I really wish Aerosmith would have put in the sets over the years. It has so much potential to be this amazing, big jam number. Complete with horn solos, guitar breaks and drums runs. Brad Whitford’s solo might be his best in all of Aerosmith’s storied career. And it lays down a foundation to build one hell of an extended live jam on. Unfortunately, the song never reached it’s true potential live. And has gone by the wayside over the years. Very unjustly in my opinion. One of the all time best.
Out Go the Lights – Music From Another Dimension
What’s looking to be Aerosmith’s final album is a very grey record overall. There’s some real clunkers. And then there’s some of the best shit they’ve ever done. ‘Out Go the Lights’ is the prime example of a late Aerosmith knocking it straight out of the park. It’s without question the best track on the album. And it’s one last great Perry/Tyler hurrah. In fact, this song is more Perry/Tyler than Perry/Tyler. Complete with horn and sexy female background singers. It also possess quite a little groove jam at the end. Giving it a timeless, live feel. Just like their shows. Raw, funky, boogie ass rock n’ roll at its finest.
Get the Lead Out – Rocks
Yet another classic from the peak of early Perry/Tyler collaborations. I’ll never understand why it wasn’t released as a single. Could have been a massive hit. It’s right in the same league as all the other heavy, funky hard rock singles from the previous ‘Toys in the Attic.’ As well as the groove laden smash ‘Last Child’ from ‘Rocks.’ It did receive some excellent play time during the ‘Rocks’ tour. But it quickly fell by the wayside in favor of other, not nearly as strong, tracks as the bands careers went on. It’s just signature, dirty, nasty Aerosmith. This sound is what made hard rock so much fun and such a dominating force in the mainstream for the next 20 years. This is the kind of shit we need to hear again.
Gotta Love It – Get A Grip
Gotta Love It is, without question, the most overlooked Aerosmith song in all of their catalog. It’s just a masterpiece. The refrain riff, the bridge jam, the psychedelic melodies tied in with Joey Kramer’s phat ass drumming. It’s all there. It’s the only song, btw, that contains solos from all three string players during the bridge. And each member lays it down so killer. Hamilton, Whitford and Perry slay through their parts. Giving the track potential for some extended live jamming. However, the song never really got played live. It’s buried between two massive ballad hits, ‘Crazy’ and ‘Cryin;’ on the Get A Grip album. So it’s easy for it to fall by the wayside from the get go. But it doesn’t make it any less kick ass. A killer tune for true Aerosmith fans who know what the band’s about.
So there it is folks! The top ten most kick ass Aerosmith deep cuts. What are some of your favorite deep cuts that didn’t make it onto the list? Sound off in the comments!!
