Aerosmith’s Best Song On Each Of Their Studio Albums

Aerosmith's Best Song

Feature Photo: Adam McCullough / Shutterstock.com

With all the recent Aerosmith news focused on Steven Tyler’s throat injury and the sad news that the band is being forced to retire from live performances, we thought it would be the perfect time to revisit their entire studio catalog and pick our favorite song from each record. Aerosmith stands as one of our favorite bands of all time and could quite possibly be the greatest American rock band to ever grace the concert stage. Of course, there have been some great ones over the years—true legends like The Doors, Jefferson Airplane, The Beach Boys, and many more—but when you put it all together, it’s pretty hard to top Aerosmith. So here’s our tribute to one of the greatest of all.

Mama Kin – Aerosmith (1973)

Runner Up – Dream On

We open our Aerosmith’s Best Song on Each of Their Studio Albums article with the band’s first album, released in 1973, simply titled Aerosmith. While most rock fans might have probably expected “Dream On” to be the top choice here, we kept that one as the runner-up, as our favorite track from this album has always been “Mama Kin.”

Train Kept A Rollin’ – Get Your Wings

Runner Up – Same Old Song And Dance

Released March 15, 1974

Continuing with our Aerosmith songs list, we turn to the band’s second album, Get Your Wings. This album was released on March 15, 1974, and was produced by Jack Douglas. Our pick here is a cover of the famous Tiny Bradshaw, Howie Kay, and Lois Mann song “Train Kept A-Rollin’.” The song had been covered many times, starting with Bradshaw, then Johnny Burnette, and, of course, the very popular 1965 Yardbirds version. However, we’ve always felt that Aerosmith’s recording was the ultimate showcase of this classic blues song.

Interestingly, Aerosmith utilized a few different guitar players on this track, with Steve Hunter playing lead guitar throughout the first half and Dick Wagner playing lead guitar throughout the second half. For the runner-up, “Same Old Song and Dance,” the legendary Brecker Brothers were featured, playing trumpet and saxophone.

Uncle Salty – Toys in the Attic

Runner Up – Sweet Emotions

Released April 8, 1975

Aerosmith’s third album was the one that turned them into a household name and vaulted them into stardom. Toys in the Attic was released in 1975 and was fueled by the massive hit single “Walk This Way,” which was actually the second single released from the record, following “Sweet Emotion,” which gets our runner-up spot. However, our favorite song on this album has always been the second track, “Uncle Salty.” The song was written by Steven Tyler and Tom Hamilton. There’s just something about that guitar riff at the start of the track that has always made it our favorite.

Nobody’s Fault – Rocks

Runner Up – Back in the Saddle

Released May 14, 1976

Coming in as our favorite track from Aerosmith’s fourth studio album, Rocks, is the song “Nobody’s Fault,” which also happens to be our favorite Aerosmith song of all time. We also ranked it number one on our Top 10 Aerosmith Songs list. “Nobody’s Fault” was written by Steven Tyler and Brad Whitford. Our second favorite song on the album is the opener, “Back in the Saddle,” written by Steven Tyler and the legendary Joe Perry.

Draw the Line – Draw the Line

Runner Up – King And Queens

Released December 9, 1977

We can never get enough of that opening bass and guitar line on the title track to Aerosmith’s great Draw the Line album. It was released in 1977. The title track was written by Steven Tyler and Joe Perry and was the album’s first single, breaking into the top 50 of the Billboard Hot 100. This is a killer tune and stands as one of the best songs the band ever released. Our runner-up is the track “Kings and Queens,” which opened up side two of the album. That one was written by the entire band, consisting of Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, Brad Whitford, Tom Hamilton, and producer Jack Douglas. While this album did not get as much love as it deserved when it was first released, over time it has become a big-time Aerosmith fan favorite.

Remember (Walking In The Sand) – Night in the Ruts

Runner Up – No Surprize

Released November 16, 1979

When Aerosmith released their sixth studio album, Night in the Ruts, at the end of the decade in 1979, things had begun to fall apart for the band. During the recording, Joe Perry quit the band. Other issues, including struggles with drugs and internal turmoil, led to a downward spiral that would last for the next couple of years. However, there was still some great material on this record, starting with the single, a remake of The Shangri-Las’ song “Remember (Walking in the Sand),” written by Shadow Morton.

Aerosmith’s version added their own distinct style and sizzle to the R&B number, with Mary Weiss, the original lead singer of The Shangri-Las, adding backing vocals to the track. Coming in as the runner-up, our second favorite song on the album is the opener, “No Surprize,” written by Steven Tyler and Joe Perry.

Runner Up – “Rock in a Hard Place (Cheshire Cat)”

Released August 27, 1982

Aerosmith’s album Rock in a Hard Place stands out as a unique entry in their catalog, largely because it’s the only record without Joe Perry on guitar. Instead, Jimmy Crespo filled in for the entire album. Additionally, Brad Whitford only appears on one track, meaning this isn’t the classic Aerosmith lineup that fans were used to. However, despite the lineup changes, the album still features some strong material. Our top choice is the album opener, “Jailbait.” It’s a hard-hitting rock track with a fast tempo and intense energy, showcasing Steven Tyler’s dynamic vocals. It remains a solid addition to their catalog, even in this unconventional era. Our runner-up is the title track, written by Steven Tyler, Jimmy Crespo, and producer Jack Douglas.

Let the Music Do the Talking – Done with Mirrors

Runner Up – My Fist Your Face

Released November 4, 1985

Aerosmith’s 1985 album Done with Mirrors marked the triumphant return of the band’s original lineup, with Joe Perry and Brad Whitford rejoining after their departures in the early ’80s. The band brought in legendary producer Ted Templeman to helm the album, setting the stage for their comeback. The album’s first single, “Let the Music Do the Talking,” was originally a Joe Perry Project track released in 1980, but Aerosmith’s version took it to new heights—heavier, more intense, and packed with the swagger fans had come to love.

Our runner-up is “My Fist Your Face,” a blistering track that showcases the band’s renewed energy. Its raw power and gritty delivery make it a standout moment on the album, cementing Aerosmith’s return to form even though the album did nit break any sales records.

Rag Doll – Permanent Vacation

Runner Up – “Dude (Looks Like a Lady)”

Released August 25, 1987

While Aerosmith’s Done with Mirrors, released in 1985, was originally seen as the comeback album due to the return of Joe Perry and Brad Whitford, it was 1987’s Permanent Vacation that truly reignited the band’s commercial success and elevated them to a whole new level of sales. For the first time, Aerosmith brought in professional songwriters to assist with the album’s composition. One of the key contributors was Jim Vallance, known for his co-writing partnership with Bryan Adams and for penning songs for other popular rock acts, including Heart. Songwriters Desmond Child and Holly Knight also played an influential role in the album’s success.

For our top pick, we chose “Rag Doll,” written by Jim Vallance, Steven Tyler, and Joe Perry. We had a fascinating conversation with Jim Vallance about the writing of this song, and we highly recommend you check out our interview with him. The runner-up is the massive hit single “Dude (Looks Like a Lady).” Permanent Vacation is a fantastic album that proved Aerosmith was back in a big way.

Young Lust – Pump

Runner Up – Monkey On My Back

Released September 12, 1989

Aerosmith continued their successful commercial comeback with the release of their 10th studio album, Pump, in 1989, just two years after Permanent Vacation. The album celebrated huge hit singles like “Love in an Elevator” and “Janie’s Got a Gun,” both of which became major successes. However, our favorite song on the album is the opener, “Young Lust,” written by Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, and Jim Vallance. The runner-up is the raw, traditional Aerosmith-sounding track “Monkey on My Back,” penned by Steven Tyler and Joe Perry.

Runner Up – Shut Up And Dance

Released April 20, 1993

Not even the dominant grunge scene of 1993 could stop the Aerosmith juggernaut. The band’s 11th studio album, Get a Grip, would become the biggest-selling album of their career. Geffen Records’ decision to sign Aerosmith certainly proved to be a very smart move. This album was filled with hits, and once again, included contributions from Desmond Child and Jim Vallance, who had been working with the band over the past couple of albums. Additional songwriting came from rock stars like Jack Blades, and Tommy Shaw. This was a big-time team effort, resulting in six singles that defined Aerosmith’s 1990s resurgence.

Our favorite song on the album is the electrifying track “Eat the Rich,” written by Joe Perry, Steven Tyler, and Jim Vallance. Everyone loved this one. The runner-up is another standout, “Shut Up and Dance,” written by Jack Blades, Tommy Shaw (both of Damn Yankees), along with Steven Tyler and Joe Perry.

Fallen Angels – Nine Lives

Runner Up – Ain’t That A Bitch

Released March 18, 1997

Aerosmith’s Nine Lives album, released in 1997, continued their string of hits and even won a Grammy Award for the song “Pink.” What we loved most about this album was Steven Tyler delivering some of his finest vocal performances of his career. One of those standout performances is on the album’s closing track, “Fallen Angels,” a beautiful and heartfelt song dedicated to parents who have lost their own angels. It’s a tough one to listen to, but it earns our number one spot from this record. The runner-up is the hard-hitting track “Ain’t That a Bitch,”

Trip Hoppin – Just Push Play

Runner Up – Beyond Beautiful

Released March 6, 2001

Aerosmith’s Just Push Play would become the band’s final album with Columbia Records that had continued their success with hit singles. Released in 2001, it marked their first album of the 21st century and continued their streak of chart-topping hits across four decades—a remarkable achievement for any rock band. The big hit single from this album was “Jaded.” However, our favorite track is the cool, swinging rock and roll tune “Trip Hoppin’,” written by Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, and Marti Frederiksen. The runner-up is the album opener, “Beyond Beautiful,” also written by the same trio of musicians.

Stop Messin’ Around – Honkin’ on Bobo

Runner Up – “Road Runner”

Released March 30, 2004

Three years after the release of Just Push Play, the band took a huge left turn, deciding to forgo the big hit singles while still recording for Columbia Records, and released a blues album entitled Honkin’ on Bobo. This was pretty surprising, considering the success the band had been enjoying since 1987’s Permanent Vacation. Nonetheless, they did what they wanted and released a fantastic rock and roll album filled with great blues classics and some modern tunes. Our favorite song from the album is a cover of Fleetwood Mac’s “Stop Messin’ Around.” The runner-up is Bo Diddley’s “Road Runner.”

Runner Up –

Released November 6, 2012

Aerosmith’s final album as of 2024, Music From Another Dimension!, was released 12 years ago. It was the band’s 15th studio album. The band had not released an album since Honkin’ on Bobo in 2004, and Music From Another Dimension! marked their return to original material after Just Push Play in 2001—making it an 11-year gap between albums of original content. However, it’s been even longer since, and who knows if we’ll ever see another Aerosmith record, although I have a feeling we just might.

Our favorite track on the album goes to the lead single, “Legendary Child,” which brought back a heavier sound to the band, mixed with some pop elements—something that has always been a hallmark of Aerosmith’s greatest hits. The runner-up is the Joe Perry-penned tune “Oh Yeah.”

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