Classic rock is so canonized in our hearts, minds and hour-long Rock Blocks on FM radio that it’s easy to forget they didn’t come from nowhere. In fact, many of the most famous songs in rock ‘n roll came from what are honestly pretty shitty demo tracks. And when those terrible songs are bad enough, Aerosmith steps in to snatch them up! For example:
“Dream On”
Aerosmith’s debut single, originally released in 1973, actually has its roots in an old Delta Blues song called “Ain’t Dreamin”.” The original authorship of the song is up for debate, as every notable blues performer from Son House to Muddy Waters emphatically denied having anything to do with it. But in the heady days of the early 70s, the Toxic Twins turned it into an electric hit that we never want to hear again!
“Crazy”
Mostly remembered for a music video that uncomfortably sexualized frontman Steven Tyler’s 16-year old daughter Liv, “Crazy” was actually based on a concerto discarded by 18th-century Italian composer Antonio Salieri. Reportedly, guitarist Joe Perry won a scrap of parchment in an auction after bidding while extremely drunk, only to find a few half-assed notes from Mozart’s supposed rival.
“Dude Look Like a Lady”
The original version of this Aerosmith classic was actually just Lead Belly taunting or possibly coming on to a male recording engineer between takes. Led Zeppelin, Bob Dylan, and The Moody Blues all reportedly passed on it due to the fact that it was four seconds long and not actually a song.
Eventually, the recording worked its way down the table scraps chain all the way to one Steven Tyler. In retrospect, Tyler considers the decision one of the wisest in his career. “The song never cracked the top ten here in the states, but I’m told it still gets heavy play in Transphobia, which I think is in Europe.”
“Love in an Elevator”
Aerosmith ripped off a melody being hummed by an elevator repairman after being forced to take the stairs at Geffen Records headquarters. By all reports, the repairman was pretty tone-deaf and insane.
“Back in the Saddle”
“Back in the Saddle” was once described by Stephen Collins Foster, the father of American music, as “my greatest mistake.” The writer of songs like “Oh! Susanna” “Camptown Races” and “Beautiful Dreamer,” reportedly was so depressed by what he had created, he abandoned music forever. He died destitute in 1864, and over one hundred years later, Aerosmith shamed him once again with a #38 Billboard chart showing.