THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

305-Run-DMC and Aerosmith-Walk This Way.

1986-Number 8 single.

Best Bit-At 1.13. ‘Ebony and Ivory living together in perfect harmony.’

Aerosmith were formed in Boston, Massachusetts, United States, in 1970 by Steven Tyler, (vocals) Joe Perry, (lead guitar) Joey Kramer, (drums) Tom Hamilton, (bass) and Ray Tabano, (guitar) Tabano would leave in 1971 to be replaced by Brad Whitford (guitar.) There have been a total of nine different band members come and go, and they remain active. They have released 15 studio Albums between 1973-2012, and 72 singles between 1973-2013, with 22 of those reaching the Billboard top 40, with their only Number 1 being achieved in 1998 with ‘I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing.’ In the UK 12 of their singles have made the top 40 with the highest charting song being ‘I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing’ which made Number 4. With sales in excess of 150 million records they are the best selling American Hard Rock band of all time.

The original version of ‘Walk This Way’ first appeared on Aerosmith’s breakthrough third studio Album ‘Toys in the Attic’ from 1975, and was co-written by Joe Perry (music) and Steven Tyler, (lyrics) the song reached Number 10 on Billboard in 1976. In 1986 the Hip-Hop group Run-DMC (see also best songs 113) heard their music producer Rick Rubin (see also best songs 977 and 610) playing ‘Toys in the Attic’ and they started free styling over the intro of ‘Walk This Way,’ which led to them introducing it to their live shows. It was a friend of Rubin’s called Sue Cummings who was an editor at ‘Spin’ magazine who first suggested a collaboration between Aerosmith, and Run-DMC.

By the mid 1980’s Aerosmith had fallen from grace, their record sales had dropped dramatically, and they were struggling, partly through their drug abuse. Run-DMC were already acknowledged as pioneers of Hip-Hop, but it was this collaboration that brought them to the attention of a much wider audience. Both groups were nervous of what public reaction would be to them joining forces, and neither party had any idea if the mixing of Rock and Rap would even work. ‘Walk This Way’ did break new ground introducing the music genre of ‘Rap Rock.’ and paving the way for bands such as The Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Linkin Park, and Faith No More.

The songs lyrics which were written by Steven Tyler are about a teenage boys sexual enlightening, where he has an encounter with not one, not two, but three women at the same time. It is the women who are in charge though, as the line ‘walk this way’ refers to the experienced girl showing the young man where to put his finger, showing him how to walk. The songs title came before the lyrics were written, some of the band had been to see the film ‘Young Frankenstein’ a comedy starring Gene Wilder. There is a scene in the film where ‘Igor’ played by Marty Feldman tells Dr. Frankenstein to ‘Walk this way,’ meaning to follow him. Dr. Frankenstein imitates Igor’s walk which the band thought was hilarious, on their return they told Tyler, and suggested it as a great title for a song. Tyler however has said that his inspiration for the songs title came from watching ‘The Three Stooges’ on television, something the band all did together while getting high.

‘School girl sleazy with a classy kind of sassy, little skirt hangin’ way up her knee. It was three young ladies in the school gym locker, and they find they were lookin’ at D.’