Popular Aerosmith Songs Of The 80s

Aerosmith was one of the biggest rock acts of the late 70s, until the next decade rolled in. The band suffered from severe drug and substance abuse, with fans dropping out on their live shows due to Tyler frequently collapsing onstage with his drug use. While the eighties marked the band slowly declining into scandal and internal trifles, it didn’t stop them from writing amazing songs, considering the stress weighing them down. Here are some of the most memorable Aerosmith songs from the 80s that prove the bad boys didn’t lose their touch for a hard rock and rollin’.

“Dude (Looks Like A Lady)” – Permanent Vacation (1987)

Humorously inspired with a meeting with the hair metal band Motley Crue, “Dude (Looks Like A Lady)” is detailed in the autobiography of Aerosmith, “One day we met Mötley Crüe, and they’re all going, ‘Dude!’ Dude this and Dude that, everything was Dude. ‘Dude (Looks Like a Lady)’ came out of that session.” Vince Neil further lays the nitty gritty, while he and Tyler were at a gay bar getting drinks, stating that the waiters were all dressed in women’s clothing.

“Jailbait” – Rock In A Hard Place (1982)

One of the hardest rockers by the band, considering 3 original members were left in the fray for its recordings. The ingenious beat stops at the verses adds to the looming energy of the track, while the reverb-drenched guitars sound like space ships preparing for interstellar flight. Tyler’s vocals are top-notch as well, that signature thin rasp letting loose on this naughty single.

“Let The Music Do The Talking” – Done With Mirrors (1985)

After Joe Perry left the band briefly to work on his side project, he came up with “Let The Music Do The Talking”. When he came back in 1984, he introduced the song to the band, which was liked by most of them. Tyler decided to add new lyrics to the track, and shortened it by about a minute. The classic/hard rock infusion of the song is very notable in the verses, with the Elvis reference on point in the lyrics.

“Heart’s Done Time” – Permanent Vacation (1987)

The familiar droning of the intro comfortably places Tyler’s scat singing, while the heavy circular riff drives the energy of the track. Aerosmith adapts to the new hard rock sound akin to the Guns N’ Roses brand in this track, responsible to the more youthful sound of the song.

“F.I.N.E” – Pump (1989)

“Fucked Up, Insecure, Neurotic, and Emotional”, the song is full of tongue-in-cheek messages that exudes a rebellious and youthful vibe, Aerosmith is clearly trying to fit in the changing times with this track. The song is all about excess, with the instrumentation focusing on that heavy and driving sound.