Top 15 Aerosmith Songs from the ’90s

If you didn’t enjoy Aerosmith’s ’80s catalog, their ’90s output likely left you feeling even more estranged. After their triumphant resurgence with 1987’s Permanent Vacation, they maintained their momentum through 1989’s Pump and 1993’s Get a Grip, the latter achieving their first No. 1 album in the U.S. Following another four-year break, they released Nine Lives, which, while not matching its predecessors’ success, still sold 2 million copies. It was a precursor to their first and only chart-topping single, the polarizing “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing.”

Key to Aerosmith’s career revival were external songwriters and grandiose power ballads. These sentimental love songs, which grew more frequent during the ’90s, alienated many longtime fans who missed the hedonistic, drug-infused rock of their ’70s era.

However, dismissing Aerosmith’s ’90s era entirely would mean overlooking some underrated hard rock tracks and outstanding ballads. Let’s revisit the Top 15 ’90s Aerosmith Songs.

15. “Hole in My Soul”

From: Nine Lives

Though “Hole in My Soul” peaked at No. 51 on the Billboard Hot 100, its towering choruses and vivid storytelling make it sound like a hit. The guitar recalls “Dream On,” yet Steven Tyler compensates with clever vocalizing and slick lyrics like: “I know there’s been all kinds of shoes underneath your bed / Now I sleep with my boots on, but you’re still in my head.”

14. “Walk on Down”

From: Get a Grip

Joe Perry takes center stage on this Get a Grip B-side, reinforcing why he’s essential to Aerosmith’s bluesy rock style. His low drawl complements the bold riffs, and his extended solo is one of his most fiery. Unfortunately, the band retired this song from their set lists after the Get a Grip tour.

13. “Kiss Your Past Good-bye”

From: Nine Lives

Nine Lives saw Aerosmith embrace alt-rock with success, clinching a Grammy for “Pink.” “Kiss Your Past Good-bye” is a mid-tempo ballad with jangly guitars and wistful lyrics, opting for quasi-psychedelic leads and some of Tyler’s best yowls instead of commercial overtones.

12. “Falling in Love (Is Hard on the Knees)”

From: Nine Lives

This track, with its double entendres, piercing riffs, and blustery horns, bridges the gap between the ’70s and late ’80s Aerosmith. Lines like “My old libido has been blowin’ a transistor / I feel like I have been hit by a fuck” show Tyler had no plans to age gracefully.

11. “Shut Up and Dance”

From: Get a Grip

Co-written by Tyler, Perry, Tommy Shaw, and Jack Blades, “Shut Up and Dance” delivers high-energy pop-metal with a blistering groove. Memorable lyrics like “When you’re splitting hairs with Mr. Clean / It’s like getting head from a guillotine” add a layer of fun, with bonus points for its appearance in Wayne’s World II.

10. “Fever”

From: Get a Grip

“Fever” showcases relentless riffs and a breakneck tempo, revealing its country roots with blustery harmonica and an energetic vibe. Tyler’s lyrics like “The buzz that you be getting from the crack don’t last / I’d rather be O.D.in’ on the crack of her ass” underscore his unwillingness to mellow with age.

9. “Get a Grip”

From: Get a Grip

The title track of Get a Grip reconnects with Aerosmith’s ’70s hard rock roots. Joey Kramer’s drumming provides a solid foundation, while Tyler’s braggadocious raps and distorted guitar squalls offer a refreshing contrast to the album’s more polished moments.

8. “Cryin'”

From: Get a Grip

“Cryin'” immediately captivates with its grand horn arrangement and powerful hooks. Tyler’s intense delivery makes this a quintessential Aerosmith ballad and a standout from their comeback era.

7. “Something’s Gotta Give”

From: Nine Lives

Critics accused Aerosmith of “selling out” in the ’90s, but Nine Lives features some heavy, weird tracks like “Something’s Gotta Give.” The drums pack a punch, and Tyler’s call-and-response vocals make the chorus especially catchy.

6. “Crash”

From: Nine Lives

“Crash” stands out as one of the heaviest Aerosmith songs, boasting deliriously nonsensical lyrics and scorching guitar solos. It serves as a high-speed rejection of critics who thought Aerosmith had gone soft.

5. “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing”

From: Armageddon: The Album

Though polarizing for die-hard fans, this Diane Warren-penned ballad is a masterful pop song. Tyler’s passionate vocal performance in the final chorus places it among Aerosmith’s most iconic tracks.

4. “Nine Lives”

From: Nine Lives

Opening their album with the defiant title track, “Nine Lives” reaffirms Aerosmith’s raw energy. Tyler’s fierce screams and Perry/Whitford’s vigorous riffs set the tone for the album.

3. “Crazy”

From: Get a Grip

While structurally similar to “Cryin’,” “Crazy” leans more into Aerosmith’s blues-rock roots. Tyler’s talk-singing verses and harmonica flourishes add a nostalgic touch, making it a beautifully melancholy track.

2. “Eat the Rich”

From: Get a Grip

Despite the irony of multi-millionaire rockstars singing an anti-capitalist anthem, “Eat the Rich” thrives on its humor and aggressive riffs. The climactic punchline, “So take your Grey Poupon my friend and shove it up your ass!” remains timeless.

1. “Ain’t That a Bitch”

From: Nine Lives

“Ain’t That a Bitch” stands as one of Aerosmith’s most soulful ballads. Tyler’s impassioned performance and unique scat-singing outro make it a standout track that underscores the band’s one-of-a-kind sound.

Source: Ultimate Classic Rock