How Steven Tyler Replaced Celine Dion

Even though “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing” by Aerosmith was a massive hit, it was never intended for the band. The song for the film Armageddon was written by Diane Warren, who reportedly envisioned Celine Dion singing it.

A song is never fully realized in its original form since it undergoes changes at every step of the creative process. It’s not uncommon for the vocalist originally slated to perform a song to be replaced at the last minute. That is the case for Aerosmith, who replaced the “My Heart Will Go On” singer is singing the lead song for Armageddon, starring Bruce Willis.

The song is a power ballad with romantic overtones, so it would not seem like the sort of thing you’d hear from a hard rock band. Yet, once they recorded it and gave it their own spin, the song sounded right at home with them and complemented the film’s mood.

But people would become wary whenever a rock band would do love songs. Aerosmith’s drummer, Joey Kramer, didn’t like the song upon hearing it first and expressed his doubt about recording it. Eventually, he grew his admiration for it, and could definitely see that it was their song.

“When I first heard it, it was just a demo with piano and singing,” Kramer said. “It was difficult to imagine what kind of touch Aerosmith could put on it and make it our own… As soon as we began playing it as a band, then it instantly became an Aerosmith song.”

And, in 2016, Warren said she was happy with the outcome and with Tyler’s interpretation. She says it’s one of the best examples of him singing, along with Lady Gaga’s “Til It Happens to You.”

“I would say to be honest, Steven Tyler’s vocal on ‘I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing’ and Lady Gaga’s ‘Til It Happens To You’ are probably my favorite two vocals I’ve ever heard – like I’ve ever heard, not even just my songs – but there’s certainly been other ones, all the Celine stuff, Toni Braxton… I’m lucky to work with such amazing singers,” Warren explained.