Two Legendary Hard Rockers and the Story of Their Classic 70s Hit | Professor of Rock

[@ProfessorofRock]

Favorite era of Aerosmith- 70s, 80s, or 90s? And tell us the song that support your answer!

[@HARDROCKreverie]

70s for me. Dream On, Sweet Emotion, Rats in the Cellar, You See Me Crying, Draw the Line, Nobody's Fault, No More No More, Last Child, Sick as a Dog, Lick and a Promise... But the 80s, too... Let the Music Do the Talking, Heart's Done Time, Hangman Jury, Angel, Permanent Vacation, Young Lust, Love in an Elevator are all great. Pump may be their best overall album, IMO, or tied with Toys or Rocks. But the 80s is not quite the same "volume" of fantastic songs from a single decade of albums to me. 70s is just packed with amazing stuff.

[@sameoldeh]

Hard decision to make. Toys In The Attic & Pump are their best albums. Pump is actually Steven Tyler's favourite album. Seeing them live in concert they were much better later than the early years. I'd go with 70's but definitely some great albums came later.

[@jfrockon]

I love "Nobody's Fault" on "Rocks" Just so heavy. But so much of their catalog is excellent. BTW, great episode.

[@javierortiz82]

70's for sure, a song that I've always wanted to experience live and never had the chance was Kings and Queens.

[@williambenner5550]

Toys In The Attic is my favorite Arrowsmith album, and Dream On is my favorite song.

[@bettyh3747]

My memory? I was pregnant with my son - friends invited me to go to the Toys in the Attic concert. Years later my son ran out of his room ecstatic about this song I had to hear. I walked into his room and heard Sweet Emotion... Knowing he enjoyed that Great concert too.

[@cosmicHalArizona]

One if the best rockers EVER!

[@laceybanter5937]

My son ran up to me one day after hearing a sing in a movie. "Mom you have to hear this new band. They're great" He was watching Wayne World and I had to tell him that the lead singer had died.

[@glennhecker4422]

@@laceybanter5937 Ah, yes... Queen and Freddie Mercury! I distinctly remember where I was when I heard the news of Freddie's death on the radio, as I drove up eastbound Route 40 in Bear, Delaware. I had just heard a then-new song from their phenomenal 1991 album "Innuendo" on the radio (either WMMR-93.3 FM or 94.1 WYSP-FM) and thought, "I've got to take my mom and/or my cousin Marty to see them when they go on tour," then... next moment, I was hearing the radio report saying Freddie was gone. I'd been lucky enough to have seen them on their last US tour in 1982, and upon hearing wonderful new Queen music on the radio, I thought maybe there would be hope and demand for a Queen tour of the United States. Sadly, it was not to be. Next day, I was listening to their iconic "A Night At The Opera" album on a boom box and sobbing aloud. We miss him badly, but we will keep the music playing for many years to come... Timeless stuff! (I LOVED that "Bohemian Rhapsody" scene in the movie, as they were riding in the AMC Pacer!)

[@NaturalMystic69]

@@glennhecker4422 Yep I remember that sad day in late 1991, it was the same day Eric Carr (Peter Criss' replacement as the drummer in KISS) also died.

[@glennhecker4422]

@@NaturalMystic69 WOW... Didn't know that! Quite an odd coincidence. RIP to both of them

[@ImZiraTheFirst]

Seriously, in my opinion there is nothing like the music of the 70’s.

[@theodoreritola9758]

Im with ya there

[@leithagrover9116]

I agree

[@highjinxwillie62]

Even the top 40 was amazing

[@VideoSaySo]

Some bands like Wolfmother and Greta Van Fleet are still carrying on that sound!

[@sstills951]

I don't want to be pedantic but you could say that about any decade really.

[@Mr.56Goldtop]

I can't believe Sweet Emotion peaked at only #36 on the US charts! I remember not being able to go most anywhere without hearing it in 75-76.

[@bigredmed]

That was when rock was squeezed out by disco and pop.

[@selfaware9266]

Those were the days of payola

[@bigredmed]

@@selfaware9266 Not really, Payola was in the 50s and 60s. Coke-ola and Hooker-ola maybe.

[@waynemarvin5661]

Record charts were based on sales, not plays. The kids who listened to the album constantly didn't have the money to actually buy it.

[@pendrew]

10cc and The Eagles were legit. Solo Paul McCartney trash? Not so much.

[@jameretief8327]

I saw them 5 times in concert when concerts didn’t require a second mortgage. They played Sweet Emotion every time. I am surely blessed.

[@edwardgensheimer6640]

My first concert in 76 was judas priest and kiss for a whopping $8 bucks, and years later Aerosmith for $17 on there second coming, I went to many shows in 80"s.early 90's, I got off cheap I guess back in the day and got out before the big prices came in.

[@resistfascism]

Saw them in '78 at the first Texxas Jam in the Cotton Bowl in Dallas. What a day, for what I can remember of it.

[@edwardgensheimer6640]

@Biggus Dickus that's awesome, I didn't get to see him but once would be a dream show.

[@edwardgensheimer6640]

@Biggus Dickus thanks man, I might have watched the Austin city limits show but I will be checking them out

[@edwardgensheimer6640]

@Biggus Dickus you ever watched those u tube shows where they cretiek bands and artist I have watched a couple with black host and there first times hearings him, they are freaked out impressed as hell, they say no way is here playing that, its funny

[@sydneysdaddy2007]

I saw Aerosmith in 89 or 90 at Pittsburgh Starlake Amphitheater, and during the long last solo in Sweet Emotion, Perry came down into the crowd. I was in the 4th row center, and he leaned his back into me as he just floated into this transcendental solo that seemed to just float above the band. First and only time I've ever been starstruck.

[@beauperson4298]

Thank you for sharing that story about your dad. Its memories like those that keep our parents alive for much longer than their time on this earth.

[@gelfie2208]

"Guess you guys aren't ready for that yet. But your kids are gonna love it"

[@michaelgallagher3640]

Actually their kids would have loved Aerosmith.

[@johnpatmos1722]

Are we going to see this at the top of every comment section on this channel?

[@marittarucker7663]

I'm 72 and have been ready for it for 60 years. Have been a rocker and will be 'til I move on.

[@JohnCatalano1]

We can't forget one of their greatests songs Season of Wither ! Such a underated song

[@klmjtr]

My fave!

[@wilywascal2024]

Their first four albums through _'Rocks'_ were all something special. Enjoyed their later music too, but not nearly as much as their earlier stuff. Joe Perry admitted that their fifth album, _'Draw the Line,'_ was disappointing, that they were no longer a cohesive unit because of excessive drug use--and the detrimental effect was quite evident, even if the cause was perhaps suspected but unknown at the time back then. _'Seasons of Wither'_ is a beautiful song, still gets plenty of listens even now. Personally, thought _'Uncle Salty'_ was one of their most underrated songs. It never got all that much airplay after _'Toys'_ was released, but it's one of my very favorites. Joe Perry is a lot like Jimmy Page, who are long time friends. Both are exceptional guitarists, perhaps not the fastest or the most technically proficient, but their ear for the instrument sets them apart, with superb tones and innovative compositions, and an innate ability of expression, particularly in conveying energy and passion. This video brought back fond memories. 10cc's melancholic masterpiece _'I'm Not in Love'_ at #3 and Aerosmith's defiant rocker _'Sweet Emotion'_ at #5 on the charts while in high school--we were very fortunate in the '70's to have had so much great new music, as I think most knew and appreciated even then!

[@Leah.says.the.things]

Thank you!

[@swissmist]

Love seasons ! Come on Halloween!

[@Watchman-kx1yt]

I agree. That was the first song I ever learn to play on guitar. I think my favorite Aerosmith song is “you see me crying”

[@gmaher17]

I wonder if people today know what the lyric "can't catch me 'cause the rabbit done died" even means. The Rabbit Test was a common test for pregnancy back in the day. "The rabbit died" was a euphemism for a positive pregnancy test.

[@chadlong9614]

It’s also about Alyssa Perry’s rabbit , literally

[@petepower4217]

ya gotta be an old coot, like you and me!

[@timmmahhhh]

That's probably the only lyric in this song that I understood LOL, and only because of fortunate timing. To give you reference I was 13 in 1980 and introduce to this song probably about that time. I want to say around 1979 there was a movie out called Rabbit Test, I asked my father what the title meant and he explained it. I also remember watching the episode of M*A*S*H where they performed one and fortunately for Radar's pet rabbit the test was negative. As for the rest of the lyrics in the song I learned quite a bit in this video!

[@sameoldeh]

@Geoffrey Maher Very impressive. Songwriting & lyrics were firing on all cylinders during that time.

[@jonnyroxx7172]

@@timmmahhhh I was 13 in 1980 as well. I remember Rabbit Test. I think it was Billy Crystal’s first movie.

[@steviep6955]

My childhood was a nightmare in Houston. Rock and roll, and a little country music, was the only quality of life I had. It’s in my heart and soul forever. I still remember when these songs came out. *tears

[@r.e.1364]

I hope you are ok and happy now. If you ever need forever pure not wanting anything from you love, read about Jesus and turn your heart over, nothing better.

[@wmg1958]

Reminds me of the line from the movie "The Third Man" "In Italy for thirty years under the Borgias, they had warfare, terror, murder, bloodshed. They produced Michaelangelo, da Vinci, and the Renaissance. In Switzerland, they had brotherly love, five hundred years of democracy and peace, and what did they produce? The cuckoo clock."

[@ProfessorofRock]

I love your comment. Love it.

[@wmg1958]

@Biggus Dickus "The Third Man" is commenting on Post WWII world, so if you watch the movie you realize that sort of behavior is what is partially being addressed, and much more. Orson Wells' character is the rank opportunism of post war profiteering while Joseph Cotton's character is the world weary optimist who still believes in what is right. It is slow going by today's movie pacing standards, but a cinematic "must see" masterpiece.

[@wmg1958]

@Biggus Dickus I could tell by the name. Both great films.

[@Allan_aka_RocKITEman]

Hey, don't knock the cuckoo clock...😊

[@wmg1958]

@@Allan_aka_RocKITEman which brings to mind an old Beach Boys song...

[@GTX1123]

April 1975. After school, went over to my girlfriend's house to help set up the basement for a party we were having that night. We were Aerosmith fans and loved "Get Your Wings". She said "look at what I got on the way home" and showed me "Toys in the Attic". It had just hit the stores. That night we played that album for hours at the party, over and over. We were living in "Sweet Emotion"...

[@mechanicmike2858]

I absolutely love this program!!! To hear the back story of my favorite songs is the best !! I can't agree with you more about the lost art of an artist coming up with different objects for sound effects like the late great Johnny Cash using a dollar bill in between the strings of his guitar for rhythm... Priceless!!

[@rondarnell949]

Let's not forget how cool the album artwork and how it was just getting bigger and better. The time when you could smoke kick back and look at the albums for hours

[@j0hnn13K]

Listing that top 5 from back then tells how much the industry has changed, all completely different songs and there was a place for each one of them in the hearts of music lovers. Now.. most musicians tap from the same well and present it as "new" and "different", while it is all made from the same "water".

[@davecarroll4163]

Sweet Emotion is a great song from a great album. Used perfectly in the brilliant Dazed and Confused. Lots of information here that I didn't know about the song. It's always nice to hear stories about your dad, Adam. Thanks again.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Glad you enjoyed it. I love talking about my pops. Thank you for watching my friend! Always great to see your comments here.

[@blondwiththewind2598]

@@ProfessorofRock l enjoyed that discussion as well. It put me in mind of my grandkids ( now teenagers) who totally enjoy my music and the background stories l know about the music, artists, etc. My grandson calls me "The coolest grandma' in town!!" I kinda' dig it when he says that!!!! 😄

[@davecarroll4163]

@@ProfessorofRock thanks my friend!

[@HumanAction76]

One of the first concerts I went to was Aerosmith's Permanent Vacation tour with my parents. Skid Row opened and I remember my father pushing through the crowd after Skid Row exited the stage so that we could all get closer to the stage for the main attraction. Aerosmith will always hold a special place in my heart because of the connection with my father, who past several years ago.

[@numerian4516]

Hold fast to those memories. I was always closer to my dad than mon. I liked hunting, shooting, and fishing as well as the few auto tips pop gave me. I hated when my mom wanted me to go shopping w her n my sister. I raised my daughters as tomboys too. Apply lipstick n one hand and climb a tree w the other. Miss my dad.....

[@thanksfernuthin]

I spent my life thinking the amazing music I listened to was due to great song writing and great performances. And that's why they deserved the wealth and accolades they received. But since watching you and "Produce Like A Pro" I've come to understand how much talent, work and creativity that was spent during the production. The bands and producers wracked their brains to come up with the perfect arrangements and tiny touches that made the classics magic.

[@ProfessorofRock]

You're exactly right! I really appreciate your support!

[@adreanmarantz2103]

As I get older and have really started to ask myself 'why do I love a certain song so much but not another?' It often comes to how it's arranged and layered, or some little thing. I get anxiety thinking about "What are the odds they chose what they did, and what if they hadn't?"

[@joefunsmith]

The moment I came to appreciate this was while watching a documentary where George Martin was sitting at a mixing board with the original tracks used in the making of A Day in the Life. He would talk about how it came together, piece by piece and how he took the brilliant isolated input from the lads and brought it all together to help create what can only be considered a masterpiece. I finally understood why people called him the 5th Beatle.

[@ChrisSchmidt-si7pw]

I loved learning the history of this song. Like all your videos, it reminded me of ATF with Kasey K back in my day. Thank you!

[@davidellis5141]

Sweet Emotion is an incredible song from the AOR era. The band is on fire & the lyrics are brutally honest. Classic track.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Good call. Brutally honest is the best way to put it. Thanks for watching.

[@matthewklein660]

What's the AOR era?

[@pierceelyhibionada342]

@@matthewklein660 bands like: Styx, REO, Journey, Foreigner & Aerosmith starts to Rule the Airwaves by 75' then came 78 when AOR became a Big Sensation.

[@pierceelyhibionada342]

@Janitor Queen Album Oriented Rock or Arena Oriented Rock (for me).

[@challenger2ultralightadventure]

The true test of a song, is often measured years after it's release. If the song is still being played, listened to and enjoyed, it was truly the number one of that time and remains so. That test when applied to Sweet Emotion, proves that it was the number one hit, and not just a passing fad.

[@brolohalflemming7042]

Yup, and Dream On. The bass line in Sweet Emotion may have corrupted me, and got me to learn to play bass. I didn't have the hair to play lead anyway..

[@PaulLoughrin]

I remember putting speakers in my bedroom window in the summer, and blasting Sweet Emotion and the whole Toys album (yes, album!), while playing frisbee in the street! The good ol' days!

[@redsammy7789]

Hell yes, could not go anywhere without a frisbee back then. They were great for getting the seeds out to if you know what I mean.

[@ObsidianLife]

I will never forget seeing an interview with Steven Tyler where he was talking about people who pissed him off saying “…I’ma write a song about your ass!” LMAO!

[@dolam]

The best line in the song for me is "can't catch me cause the rabbit done died!" I am sure young kids who hear that today have no idea what it means.

[@DesertRainReads]

@@deelynn8611 actually, it's if their ovaries were swollen that it meant the woman was pregnant. Regardless if the ovaries swelled or not, the rabbits were killed to examine them.

[@dolam]

@Vance Savage The rabbit usually died if the woman was pregnant. That is why he said, "can't catch me cause the rabbit done died" because he is running from the responsibility of parent hood. If the rabbit lived he would not be a father. Lol.

[@jujumama]

Yes we all do now because you won't shut up.

[@billbarrett8434]

my favorite line is, "my get-up-and-go must have got up and went".

[@roberthess2762]

Fewer people still ever saw the Billy Crystal movie, "Rabbit Test," a Joan Rivers production about the first man to get pregnant.

[@balee1580]

You just nail it every single time!! No music today compares!! Teenager in the 70's and into the 80's and all grown up in the 90's. But still nothing compares!! We were so lucky to have those experiences! Mostly gone now. And it's so sad!! I'm so thankful I grew up in those days!! Forever special!! Thank you for what you do!!

[@amanuesis]

If you ever spent an entire afternoon in your room with a friend, high speed dubbing each other's cassette tapes on your new dual cassette deck boombox, you're really gonna dig this channel.

[@troddy3925]

Had a Teac double cassette, I loved the high speed dubbing feature!!!

[@privatecitizenguy2640]

Privilege

[@mperdue12]

That was my life as a teen. Five neighborhood guys got together went to the record store decided what albums we were going to buy, went to Montgomery wards to buy cassettes then to Randy Jr's house to start the dubbing session. All cost split 5 ways meant we no longer had to record off the radio and in the 70's that was a monumental leap in Rock N Roll freedom.

[@karenkennedy93]

Good times

[@Frankie5Angels150]

Because copyright infringement is cool?

[@rtbrain]

I love that you weave stories of your dad into your videos showing your love for him not only keeping the music alive but also the memory and love for your dad alive.

[@tristramcoffin926]

When Pump got big in the early 90s Aerosmith did a video for Sweet Emotion complete with the narrative of a phone sex operator taking a call. A lot of kids didn't realize that it was a song from the 70s. In fact, I think the most amazing thing about Sweet Emotion is that you can not tell. It totally fit in the MTV rotation of the early and mid 90s. It was as if the boys just wrote and released it as a new song.

[@colico14]

That was to promote the the "Pandora's Box" box set! I have it! Great collection.

[@Vichedges]

I was in HS then. I sure as hell didn’t know anyone who thought it was a new song. SWeet Emotion never stopped being played on the radio. Q95 in Indianapolis (where I grew up) played it 10 Times a day. How many kids in the early 90s could have possibly never heard the song before they made a video for it? It was ubiquitous back then and still is on classic rock stations.

[@aaronbirkholz3365]

Thank goodness I have a dad born in ‘65 that raised me on music from the late 40s onward. I remember going to Disney World in the early 2000s, riding the rollercoaster and being absolutely obsessed with Aerosmith. We got the Pandora’s Box CD set when I was younger and I wore that thing out. And now I’m in my late 20s buying all the Aerosmith (pre-rehab) vinyl that I can find.

[@mmccartney6579]

It boggles the mind that Aerosmith only had one number one hit, "I Don't Want To Miss A Thing" in 1998, and they didn't even write it! Great review, yet again, Adam! Cheers! :)

[@etonbachs4226]

I did not know Aerosmith is a one hit wonder. Never woulda guessed.

[@tommytrinder.1226]

That shit awful pop song number one single is the reason I dont listen to any Aerosmith album after Done With Mirrors anymore.Total pop music dog shit.The crappy Fenway Park show ( I live in the city of Boston ) didnt help either.I still crank Wings,Toys,Draw,Night and ESPECIALLY Rocks all the time though.First album too.Great music.

[@michaelsabo258]

Best memory of mine. Driving long hours with my kids in the early 2000's with all of us rockin' out to sweet emotion. Them, having no idea lyrically, just FEELING the music...

[@Dingomush]

I was a cruiser, always driving around, seeing who was out, where the next race was going to be, etc, etc. “Sweet Emotion” was one of those songs that made you cuss at your stereo, because no matter how loud you had it, it wasn’t enough! No matter how much bass you had in it, it wasn’t enough!

[@IvanLendl87]

Love the opening scene of Dazed & Confused with “Sweet Emotion” playing. Set the mood of that brilliant film perfectly.

[@vanwoodard6212]

What would Randall "Pink"Floyd do ? If I ever want to recall my High school career, I watch this realistic trip down amnesia lane ! Linklater had his fingers on the pulse of 1976 ! 🤙✌🍻

[@h.m.mcgreevy7787]

It always cracks me up that Led Zep's Dazed and Confused was not even in the movie! Sweet Emotion was an excellent pick for the intro!

[@gj8683]

Toys in the Attic was HUGE when it came out. I was in high school in the midwest. It seemed like every kid's house I went to had that record out either on the turntable or nearby.

[@johnstringer9037]

Have loved this track since I was a teenager in the late 80s. It never gets old. Was playing it about a decade ago (very loud, naturally..) and my wife who is music crazy came into the room with a big grin on her face saying "what's this? It's brilliant!" I couldn't believe that she hadn't heard it before but it just goes to show that old classics like this never lose their appeal. It's a great song from the year we were both born 😀.

[@RhymesWithCarbon]

I can’t help but laugh at “some sweathog mama with a face like a gent... said my get-up-and-go must have got up and went” incredibly clever!

[@mrollins4684]

Except that it's a grammatical car crash...

[@johnfoster2447]

"My get up and go must have got up and went" might be my favorite line in rock and roll. One of them anyways. Clever as hell. And I write a lot of lyrics. I'm one of those drummer lyricists. 🥁

[@Guitarplayer724]

@@mrollins4684 But in rock lyrics, no one gives a shit. Well except you....

[@terrygoyan]

Hate to rain on your parade but the get up and go line was written by Pete Seeger in 1964. It appears on the aptly name song "Get Up and Go" on the "Broadsides: Songs and Ballads" album. And I agree, it's a great line!

[@jimabs3317]

@@terrygoyan Just read the lyrics. That's a good one!

[@Rmp1016]

I was born in 72' and grew up with my 3 uncles and my dad and rock n roll music playing all the time!! Damn, I miss them daz!!!! ✌✌✌😎😎😎🤗💙💙💙💙💜 One uncle was in a band and he would let me play his drum's, and the other uncle would be asleep and he would wakeup and tell my uncle (who would let me play his drums) to get me off of them drums!!! Lol!!!! They are all gone now and I miss them dearly!! 💙💜💙💜💙💜💙💜✌😎 R.I.P. My luv's!!!

[@rjwestonkbc]

The power of Joe's guitar sound is off the charts.

[@zyrrhos]

"Well I got good news, she's a real good liar..." The kind of thing your friends see but you don't.

[@mrb4886]

Yup

[@cmissshelleymichelle]

OMG. YOUR PPF AND CHANNEL NAME. L🤣😂L. LMAO. I CAN'T.

[@zyrrhos]

@@cmissshelleymichelle I thought of it a couple of years ago after I saw a picture of Mick Jagger with a beard, and was genuinely surprised no one else had taken it. lol Now I use it for other accounts.

[@roxannemoser]

"Talkin' bout things and nobody cares...yea, that's Alyssa" ~Steven Tyler

[@charleswaldon8362]

Back seat booty set your pants on fire

[@michaelulbricht9438]

Sweet Emotion is not just Aerosmith's best song, but is one of the greatest rock songs of all time. Joe's muscular and unrelenting riff drives the tune!

[@beatleographer_10-51]

Summer of '75, I was driving to LaGrange Tx for the weekend. About 30 south of Dallas on I-35 "Sweet Emotion" came on the radio and my foot got a little heavy on the peddle. Looking in the rearview, sure enough, a DPS officer was on my ass with his light glowing. Drunk as a skunk, I pulled over knowing I was going to jail. Instead, the officer told me there's a roadside resting spot about a mile ahead, and he was going to follow me there. This officer, cool as shit, told me to sleep it off before leaving, that he would be watching me. I did,,, 4 hours I was out and when I woke, hungover but fairly sober, I changed my mind about going to La Grange and went back home to Dallas,,, back to bed. Texas DPS officers just don't give you a pass as this one did. I was blessed!

[@illusionclassicrock6742]

I was 14 when Toys in the Attic came out. I still remember the day I put it on the turntable for the first time. It was a great time to be alive.

[@colico14]

My dad had it in the 70s. I have his copy now. :)

[@saltykrug]

You nailed it. Bands don't take risks anymore. Really fell in love with covering this song with some good friends of mine that I met when I was 17. We played in a bar band and had some really good times, got really good. One guitarist was a huge Aerosmith and Joe Perry fan. We covered this one along with a few others by them. Such a good time, playing this song and packing a dance floor with it. Marty could really rip some great solos at the end of this one. He kept it pretty close but would add a few phrases of his own. Whenever I hear this song, it takes me back to those times. Really cool to learn the history of this song and what inspired the lyrics.

[@roxannemoser]

I loved when Steven told this story. Also, it's cool when you know the song the Prof is talking about before the video starts. It gives you Sweet Emotions.

[@knightchamberlain4073]

I played this song every morning while I was taking my youngest son to grade school in the early 90s. He loved classic rock then and loves it now.

[@kimberlydavis7514]

Toys in the Attic was my first album. My cousin asked me what I wanted for my birthday and first thing out of my mouth was "An Aerosmith record." I was 8 and have loved them ever since.

[@mysterbear]

You write incisive essays. I love your love of rock, and your occasional Kasem riffs. Thanks, man.

[@swapniljaiswal6189]

I heard first emotion when I watched Dazed and Confused. I had known Aerosmith for a while before that but the way Sweet Emotion resonates with me is otherworldly. I'm glad that you covered it prof

[@janet4498]

I remember the 1991 video (when "Sweet Emotion" was re-released) that had a subplot with a guy calling an adult phone line. It was around this time Aerosmith was known for their epic videos (like "Janie's Got a Gun," "Livin' on the Edge," "Crazy," "Amazing," etc.) that made MTV so much fun to watch back then.

[@blondwiththewind2598]

Yeah... I liked MTV and VHl a LOT back then... When it was STILL ABOUT MUSIC. We had a good thing for a while.... Stopped watching it as it became steadily less and less about music.

[@fivestring65ify]

Funny video.

[@tommytrinder.1226]

MTV just celebrated 40 years on the air.Thanks for 15 years of great music.

[@stnkpalm]

Like some others have said, I'm Not in Love by 10cc was by all accounts a groundbreaking track.

[@allenswanson2423]

there's a video on YT where they explain how they made it. above and beyond ...

[@solarismoon3046]

I've sang this song so many damned times that I don't think that even Aerosmith could have sung it more! I remember hearing this so much that I am aware of the "ting!" where the slap box breaks - it's like it was dropped on top of another piece of steel. It's like when you clang to whammy bars together it makes the same sound. I thought that it was something with the drum rims like someone dropped a stick or a coin on the edge of it. Either way there was never any hidden meaning and being a musician myself I know all the things that they did to get the sound that they did with the "Talk Box" as Heil Talk Box was real popular then and everyone used it. I figured that it was one or at least a home made version of it. Truly a timeless classic! I don't have fond memories of this song but I sing it every time I hear it. Thank you so much for sharing this with us

[@mustangracer5124]

My dad in the 50s always said when he was tired.. "my get up and go got up and went"..was funny to hear Tyler say it.

[@christopheroliveriii3985]

The song "Sweet Emotion" is a timeless song, meaning that I and many others still jam out to it and it rocks our world! After all who listens to "please Mr please" or "Do the Hustle"? Professor of Rock I wish we would have been neighbors as kids because my dad played Pink Floyd, Beatles and the Rolling Stones. I remember when the album "Some Girls" came out and my dad bought it and was playing it when one of my school friends came over and was shocked to hear my dad playing the Stones. Thanks for sharing the interesting information regarding Aerosmith.

[@elgonwilliams7624]

When I saw Aerosmith play this song in concert in 1975 the hammering of the snare was accentuated by Steve Tyler when he would stand on the drum riser and use his microphone stand to drop his mic over the center of the drum kit to amplify it over the PA speakers.

[@joefunsmith]

As a minor live sound guy, I can imagine the anxiety of the front of house (FOH) guy at the mixing booth. Also, reminds me of a UFO concert I went to -- at the time they were my #1 favorite group -- where Phil Mogg went back to the drum stand during the long instrumental portion of the song. I think they improvised a bit and played the instrumental longer than what's on the Strangers in the Night album because I was frantic thinking, "He's gonna miss the point where vocals come in. The mic was docked in the mic stand about 30 feet away. The key moment was approaching for the 2nd or 3rd time when he broke into a sprint, grabbed the mic and slid to the very edge of the stage and started belting out the lyrics. It was a drama that I'm pretty sure played out only in my head amongst 17,000 or so at the concert.

[@elgonwilliams7624]

@@joefunsmith Great story!

[@oldschoolfink3212]

I saw Aerosmith open for the Scorpions on labor day weekend, 1986. We all fried on acid, and my sister found a polar camera on the ground, I grabbed it and took off for the front. I got seperated from my sister and her bf, and my gf. When Sweet Emotions started to play, it was so loud and so crystal clear, that I started crying. It was just too perfect. Still one of my favorite concert memories

[@oldschoolfink3212]

I cried again for the same reason when the Scorps played Holiday.

[@MiniSuperHeroesToday]

I knew it was Aerosmith before I even opened the video 💪🏼😎

[@ProfessorofRock]

Well worth a watch. Great song. Great band. Thank you for watching!

[@user-vs6hx9ib2o]

Same here. I guess I thought everyone knew this story, it's been R&R legend for 30+ years. Gonna watch the vid anyway, just cuz I've never seen one of this guy's vids.

[@rediris347]

Toys in the Attic was my very first album!!! A cousin bought it for me in the 70's for babysitting. I played that album 1000's of times. Wore it out! My favorite song from the album.....Uncle Salty!!!!

[@harmonicamikemerrill1715]

1974, my first concert was Aerosmith and still have the ticket stub but it was spelled wrong on the ticket, Aoresmith, first time I smoked a doobie too, at 14 yrs of age. Fun times back then.

[@luvbasses5487]

All those songs you mention...that were in the top ten back in ‘75...I remember hearing on WRKO. This was a Boston AM radio station that played rock music back then and it all sounded great over the AM airwaves. Dad had a Chevrolet Kingswood Estate wagon that we’d all pile in to and go to the beach back then. I remember hearing all those tunes coming out of the little speakers covered with light brown plastic strips. I’d love to back just for one day.

[@joemclaughlinmusic]

Grew up in MA seen Aerosmith over 30 times throughout the years. Love the first Album you can hear throat clearing and doors closing, it's really a live album if you really listen to it.

[@in2livinit]

Prof, thx 4 the "Sweet Emotion" personal memory. I remember my dad singing & his love of music. A lot of us from that monster ERA approx 63-83 have parents that are gone now. Ahh them memories of "TURN THAT NOISE DOWN" & "TURN OFF THAT DISTORTION BOX" as I learned 🎸 over the 📻 on KOME, KSAN & KMEL !!! Yes, in 74/75 in middle school, Aerosmith were the undisputed American Bad Boys of Rock. Exhibit A, covering BIG TEN INCH. Amazing it was 1st released in 1952 by Bull Moose Jackson !!!

[@QueensWino]

"Sweat hog mama?" Errah...I always heard "sweet-talking mama..."👺

[@LoriDitchfield]

That's what I always thought it was too.

[@twistdmojo]

Same here.

[@jackiebarrett4063]

Hahahaha! I always thought it was “some sweet Harley mama...”!!😂

[@Watchman-kx1yt]

I Gotta go back and listen to now. I’ve always thought it said sweet talkin mama.

[@retrogirlnc]

I always thought that too.

[@ElizabethBSoCal]

Thanks for sharing the story of your dad rocking out. What a lovely memory for you. ~Elizabeth

[@benjones8977]

Toys in the attic was one of two records in 1975 that I will always cherish. The other one was physical graffiti by Led Zeppelin. Both came out that year. I was in high school at the time! 👌

[@sillyoldbastard3280]

Sorry Physical graffiti leaves it for dead.

[@joelbrooks3198]

Also Wish you were here by Pink Floyd came out that same year.

[@benjones8977]

@@sillyoldbastard3280 And what did you like, Kiss?

[@tommytrinder.1226]

Toys In The Attic is wonderful and fantastic...but it aint no Physical Graffitti,thats absolutely magnificent and Zeppelin`s best album.

[@benjones8977]

@@tommytrinder.1226 My point was they both came out the same year.

[@dallisb1047]

Absolutely blows my mind. My mind is blown. How such a rock classic could only muster #36!

[@vernhoke7730]

Bringing me back to 8-tracks and high school here. Thanks!

[@ProfessorofRock]

Music is a time machine! Right? Thanks for watching.

[@vernhoke7730]

@@ProfessorofRock As a teen in the seventies we had the best, Aerosmith, Stones, Zeppelin, The Who, Queen and the like, and the worst, DISCO!!, music of a generation. It's always fun to take a trip down memory lane

[@jasonwilliams1794]

@@vernhoke7730 disco is something I have come to respect and like a great deal. When I was a kid in the disco era, I was definitely more into rock n roll. As I have gotten older and my musical taste has evolved. I find I'm respecting and appreciate the music I used to not listen to. Disco really does "Rock" in some ways. And also, Disco has definitely cemented its spot in music history. Peace & be blessed

[@danithompson1693]

@@jasonwilliams1794 I agree about disco--it really is better than I, a literal card-carrying member of the "disco sucks" brigade, gave it credit for as a teen. It's still not my favorite, but it has aged better than a lot of older music. There was always some I loved--who did songs better and more consistently than KC and the Sunshine Band? They were genius!

[@patricialabellarte9949]

I was 15. Aerosmith rocked our world. They still do. Too many great teenaged memories are mingled and surrounded by Aerosmith's music. Loved this!! How about some early Tubes? Crazy, insane world of Fee Waybill will forever rock my world!! Would love to see more of them on your channel. Thanks Professor!! Much admiration from the mitten state!

[@tjskutube]

In 1975, this was the first song I learned by ear playing to the radio with a pos acoustic guitar my dad bought me for $10 in Tijuana. I was 14. Before that, I was into Niel Diamond, but after Sweet Emotion, KISS and Aerosmith was IT!

[@dmbfan19711]

I saw Aerosmith at Madison Square Garden in the 90s with a group of friends. My friends friend worked at a music store where she got the tickets. We didn't know what kind of seats we had. When we got there and they directed us to our seats...we were 3rd row center, right by the stage that extended into the audience. Fantastic show! I wasn't a big Aerosmith fan at the time. After almost every song, I'd say...I didn't know that song was Aerosmith! I realized that I was a bigger fan than I thought! We were so close to the stage that Steven Tyler sweated all over all of us whenever he swung his mic or his arms. I remember being grossed out at the time, but it's something I'll always remember...lol

[@BillMcGirr]

Toys in the attic is a multi generational masterpiece. Just a magnificent album.🎸💪👍🥃

[@sameoldeh]

@ The Mad Mick The first few albums were definitely great but Toys In The Attic is really one of the best albums of all time.

[@CJLauziere]

Saw Aerosmith in 1988 (15 years into their career), and then again in 2003 (30 years into their career). Both performances were equally fantastic! Thanks for sharing.

[@mhmt1453]

You weren’t around at that time, but a lot of the radio people listened to was AM. Paul McCartney was at the top of his fame, so any single he released would end up at #1. Disco was just emerging as the latest dance style, and the hustle was the popular dance (the song being its anthem). It was everywhere. And Olivia? Well she was just the cutest, prettiest, adorable girl that oozed sweetness--and found herself on every tv variety show of the time. Meanwhile, Aerosmith was a kind of street hard sound that only the coolest partiers regularly listened to. They were only played on FM radio (except maybe “Dream On”), and generally high school and above rockers heard them. Bands like Rush, Reo Speedwagon, and Ted Nugent were in this dangerous hard rock genre. #5 seems ridiculous in hindsight, but in the context of the way the world was, it actually made sense. I was young, but I was there, alive to hear the greatest songs ever be the latest crazes!

[@artsmith103]

Music, access, social norms all were really changing ~1975. FM was almost never played in public like swimming pools, malls, etc. Probably a lot of cars driving around with only AM radios. FM and this kind of music was like the dark web. A whole different world.

[@jeffdrew625]

My first broadcasting gig was AM rock station in Midwestern US in the late ‘60s. What fun! Playing Motown & classic rock in a white, churchy town was pure delight! I miss those friends and that basement! Lol!

[@danielfronc4304]

The reason sickly sweet pop songs sold more than good rock was because they appealled to a wider range of people buying music (say 10 - 40 year olds) and they always skewed the numbers to those ssccharin songs, and also AM demanded under 3 minutes long songs. And "McCartney was coming into his own"? Nothing could be further than the truth. He sold out to pop standards. Nothing he did after The Beatles compares to whst he did when he was with Lennon and Harrison. Then FM came along, thsnk god, as a standard in all new cars and relegated AM to the garbage heap of music history. Amen.

[@mayloo2137]

I have to laugh at the idea of REO Speedwagon and Rush being considered hard rock. I listened to AM and their songs were played.

[@crusheverything4449]

@@mayloo2137 - I was around for AM radio and I can tell you Rush was not played on AM. Ever.

[@selenaprior]

Sweet Emotion,. I've done a couple of road trips in USA (I'm in the UK). But one Totally memorial experience was going down to Florida from NC. We hit this bridge going over the sea, sun setting, it was like we were floating on the water and to top it 'Sweet Emotion' came on the radio. Subline! It was over 11 years ago and I still remember it.

[@clintonwilcox4690]

Sweet Emotion has long been my favorite Aerosmith song. I had no idea it was such an angry song about Joe Perry's wife.

[@mrsilver8517]

Saving me time. Thanks.

[@melissakearl5317]

I just wanna know if Joe knew what the song was about when they were playing it

[@biffmalibu3733]

Love your channel. Your passion for music brings me back for more.

[@HollywoodRecordingStudio]

Love this analysis. You did a great job researching this. I never heard the story about the sugar packets, backwards claps, and broken vibraslap.

[@mikemercer5808]

I first saw Aerosmith on their last stop of the Back in the Saddle tour, January 18, 1985 in Columbus, Ohio. The band had finally got the orginal line-up back together, and they were close to releasing Done with Mirrors. I was on the main floor with my friends, about 10th row. It is one of my most memorable concerts, it was amazing. It was the last date on the tour, and they played like they were never going to play together again. They were so tight and focused, and totally rocked the house. I swore I was never going to see them again, because I knew they couldn't top that show. My wife begged me to go see them again when they toured with Kiss (what a crazy double bill). They were the 2nd band, and they were amazing then as well.

[@sameoldeh]

Most recognisable bass /intro ever. Toys In The Attic is their best...very diverse album from start to finish. Hope to see them again someday. Aerosmith, over 50 years now.

[@Fuphyter]

I was 13 in 1970. Love Aerosmith and so many more bands from that time. I was so very lucky to grow up in that decade! A great story from back then. When I started HS in a very small town, the teachers and staff allowed students more freedom than ever. We had a jukebox in the cafeteria, we could smoke between the double doors in winter. And best of all...we built a shack with 6' stockade fence outside the back doors for smoking "other things". Noone ever bothered us. Crazy isn't it?

[@jedfearon]

I love this album. Toys is epic. I had the cassette and wore it out. Ditto on the CD. Then after I bought a second one, I gave it to a buddy (an alternative snob) because it blew his mind. Especially “You See Me Crying.”

[@ProfessorofRock]

Toys is epic! Very cool story.

[@sameoldeh]

You See Me Crying has only been performed live once,ever. June 26, 2009 Jones Beach,New York.

[@jedfearon]

@@sameoldeh That needs to change. Such a jewel of a song! Thank you for that detail. Good to know, brother!

[@JWCFB]

Probably one of the top 20 rock songs of all time. The guitar riff is otherworldly. It kicks!

[@swanofnutella4734]

Ever gonna do some deep cuts? Chart toppers are cool, but I'd love to hear some behind the scenes stories from Rachel True, The Waitresses, Donnie Iris.

[@troymasters3315]

A great song, that's definitely a classic song that should have reached number 1 on the charts. A real monster that's got plenty of feel after all these years.

[@cpedersen474]

I was in high school when the re-release of Sweet Emotion came out. Remember being on the bus and hearing somebody say something like "Have you heard the new Aerosmith song?" I was 18, introverted, and knew jack shit, but knew enough about the band to think to my shy self "That song is older than we are, genius".

[@1960rlv]

Toys in the attic and Zep 4 were my first two albums. Given to me for x-mas by my Uncle, a hard rockin Vietnam vet who drove the coolest cars. He passed away the following year of a heart attack at 29. Every time I hear a tune off either of these albums I think of him and that’s a good thing.

[@jasondmmd]

Get A Grip was the first Aerosmith album I bought, so I'm partial to the early 90s stuff. But of course everyone loves the huge classic hits

[@georgekreiner9601]

Nothing like a backstep in time. Doing bongs, drinking beer, laying back and getting your mind into just absorbing great music!! Been done with the smoking and drinking, but the music still has a lasting effect.

[@jamieburnette2438]

As far as Dazed and Confused the song goes , the Led Zepplin version is actually a cover. Dazed and Confused was originally written and recorded by Jake Holmes in 1967. The Yardbirds later rearranged it in 1968 and performed it on tour . Led Zepplin recorded it in 1969. Jimmy Page had heard Jake Holmes perform it when Jimmy was still in the Yardbirds .

[@irenec7665]

Led Zepplin has settled many lawsuits for plagiarism and outright theft of songs/music. They gave credit to no one, and ignored copyright laws.

[@rdred8693]

@@irenec7665 Yep, can't stand them. Not to mention Pages "thing" for young girls. Sickening.

[@markanderson2145]

My most vivid memory of that song was making out in the backseat of my father's 1972 Buick Electra 225. 4 door land yacht with room for 5 people across the back. My lady friend Loved the groove and we got into the song and never looked back. Ahh the 70's.....

[@HARDROCKreverie]

Sweet Emotion is, for my money, one of the top 5 hard rock tunes of ALL time. That intro, that riff, those lyrics, that chorus. Just everything.

[@richardhelmick1527]

Good tune but I don't know about top 5 of all time.

[@jaycee4203]

OK, so this time I have to comment; as a 3rd grader,.... the first two vinyl albums I ever purchased were Pink Floyd‘s Dark Side of the Moon, and Aerosmith‘s Toys in the Attic! I remember my Mom taking me to Recordland in the mall to get them. I still have both of those vinyl copies. I just turned 54 years old,.....I had no idea they would be such classics,...and that my teenager would love them both also! Thank you so much Professor of Rock! I so very, very much enjoy your show!

[@ginacherry-fraley7627]

The whole album is greatness! I especially love "Uncle Salty" ... Ooh it's a sunny day outside my window.... But when you're driving and "Sweet Emotion" comes on, you HAVE to drum on your steering wheel!

[@poitor5915]

doesn’t uncle salty remind you of shaina twain best known song🤔

[@jackiestewart1]

1975 mid-school Summer. Too young to drive and stuck with only music for company. Bittersweet, innocent memories.

[@badad0166]

"Youth Centre" where I learned what was cool and why you never snitch on Billy setting off firecrackers in the Gym (ouch).

[@mspigd]

Brought back the memory of my friend, Sandra, getting into her brother's albums. We played Toys in the Attic a lot!!

[@BayouMaccabee]

After all these years I can't believe I never noticed the broken vibra-slap on that 4th slap. Now I know it will become front & center in my mind every time I hear the song going forward. 😆

[@bradcrawford5314]

Best song opening of all-time...great band, awesome song

[@DinsdalePiranha67]

Along the lines of using a sugar packet as a percussion instrument.... There's a percussion effect during Rush's "YYZ" that was created by Neil Peart smashing a piece of plywood over a chair.

[@nwgal7937]

70’s. Get Your Wings. All of the songs are excellent. My first exposure, pardon the term 😘, to these guys and I’ve lived them every since. I was 14 or 15 at the time.

[@biffalverado1024]

70's - "Draw the Line", "Kings & Queens", "Mama Kin", etc., etc.

[@famouslastwords0791HR]

Exactly. I hated Aerosmith because I'd only heard their 80s stuff and later. But when I went back earlier I fell in love with their 70s music. Such a shame they changed.

[@indycustommade3568]

It only took 40+ years to really deep dive into songs like this. When they came out I was really enjoying these songs and don't remember too much the next day. This was a very interesting view of songs and their true meaning. Now I have the responsibility to teach my kids what not to do. Hearing "You did it" smacks me in the face real hard. I think Back in the Saddle was my start with Aerosmith. The '70s was my favorite time for bands and songs. Getting to the record store and pick up the single and run home and play it. Great job with all these backstories. Awesome job.