Our 10 Favorite Aerosmith Songs Of The 70s

Photo: By Julio Aprea (Steven & Joe) [CC BY-SA 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Are 10 favorite Aerosmith songs of the 70s presents a list of songs that we grew up with during that wonderful decade of classic rock music. We love the music Aerosmith has delivered in every decade since they started hitting that concert stage. However, we believe that the heart of Aerosmith beat the best during their hard-rocking, gritty ’70s albums. Those records helped them develop their hardcore fans, who have remained loyally dedicated to the band since their first single, “Dream On,” back in 1973.

# 10 – Milk Cow Blues

Starting out the top 10 Aerosmith Songs list is a song that closes out the great Draw the Line album. Aerosmith’s “Milk Cow Blues” was a classic blues song by Sleepy John Estes in 1930. The song had been recorded by Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters, and various other rock and blues artists. The band was often compared to the Rolling Stones early in Aerosmith’s career. It was a fitting comparison because of the blues element that drove the rhythm section of the band. However, at times, Aerosmith’s groove tilted more towards the phrasings of Led Zeppelin. Aerosmith’s version of “Milk Cow Blues” teeters between those influences while reconfirming the blues inspiration that drove so many rock musicians of the time period.

# 9 – Last Child

The nineteen seventies gave birth to some of the greatest guitar licks in Classic Rock History. Aerosmith fully participated in the process by delivering albums full of glorious telecaster riffs that hooked the masses into heavenly rock and roll bliss. On Aerosmith’s “Last Child” recording, Steven Tyler and Brad Whitford contributed to the classic rock riff catalog with one of their greatest lines. The song “Last Child,” was released on the Rocks album in 1976. The song was the first single from the record and made it to No. 21, on the Billboard Hot 100 music charts.

# 8 – Sweet Emotion

With the release of the “Sweet Emotion,” single on May 19th, 1975, the world was introduced to a group that would become one of the most loved bands in rock and roll history. “Sweet Emotion” was the lead single from Aerosmith’s blockbuster Toys in the Attic Lp. The song was written by Steven Tyler and Tom Hamilton which explains the memorable opening bass line of the song. “Sweet Emotion” elevated the band onto the world stage and led the way for the eventual release of one of their biggest Aerosmith Songs, “Walk This Way.” The success of “Sweet Emotion” and Toys in the Attic also caused the record company to reissue the song “Dream On” as a single from their debut album, released about two years earlier.

# 7 – Train Kept A Rollin’

Aerosmith’s version of the legendary blues classic “Train Kept ARollin'” was released on their second album, Get Your Wings, in 1974. The band had been performing the song in concert since the beginning and decided to record a studio version for their sophomore effort. At the time, the Yardbirds’ recording has been to many the definite version. However, Aerosmith’s recording has since become just as legendary.

# 6 – Back In The Saddle

After the enormous success of the Toys in The Attic Album, Aerosmith was faced with the task of delivering a record that would appease their hardcore fans and yet still maintain their commercial success. With the release of Rocks, it was apparent that Aerosmith was more concerned with their integrity as artists than their position on the music charts. Rocks was a hard rocking down and intense masterpiece of delicious licks and striated groves worthy of an album called Rocks. “Back in the Saddle,” stood as the opening track and quickly annihilated any doubts that Aerosmith would have trouble following up Toys in the Attic.

# 5 – Lick And A Promise

If you want to describe to a younger person what classic rock-screaming legendary dual guitar licks and solos are all about, all you have to do is play them this tune. Holy smokes, does this thing rock? There’s nothing like starting out a killer tune with a slamming drum solo that blows your head up. Bam, that’s what I’m talking about, baby. This one was released on Rocks. If you don’t own this album, you’re doing something wrong with your life.

# 4 – Draw The Line

Aerosmith’s 1977 Draw the Line album should be heralded as their most underrated album. Perhaps it was because it stood in the shadows of Rocks and Toys in the Attic. Regardless of the role, the album has played in the legacy of Aerosmith, the recording presented fans with some of the foremost tracks of their career. Two songs from the album have made the Top 10 Aerosmith Songs list. After having “Milk Cow Blues,” open up the list, the song “Draw The Line,” which was the lead-off track from the record, comes in at No. 4. The eminent Tom Hamilton bass line doubled with Brad Whitford and Joe Perry’s conspicuous guitar work led the way in giving birth to one of Aerosmith’s most significant recordings.

# 3 – Walk This Way

Two of the top three songs on this Top 10 Aerosmith Songs list usually find their way to the top of most writers’ Best of Aerosmith lists.”Walk This Way” is the first. It can be easily argued it was the most important song in the band’s history. The recording capitulated them to superstardom on the level of bands like The Rolling Stones and The Who. For a band known for iconic rock and roll licks, “Walk the Way” shines as their most prominent in that category.

The song was released as the second song off the Toys in the Attic Album behind “Sweet Emotion.” The song “Walk This Way” peaked at No.10 on the Billboard Hit 100 charts in 1975. The song was re-recorded with Run DMC in 1985 after the rappers decided to cover the song on their Raising Hell LP. The success of the rap-rock combination helped revitalize Aerosmith after they had seemed to disappear during the early 1980s.

# 2 – Dream On

It could be easily argued that Aerosmith’s “Dream On” was the first hit metal ballad. The song was released on their first album in 1973. However, the song did not become a hit until after it was re-released following the success of the Toys In The Attic album. The song reached the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 music charts in 1976. The song could possibly be the most loved Aerosmith song in the band’s catalog. Tyler’s incomparable vocals that floated above those glorious piano and guitar changes have left fans with one of rock and roll’s most celebrated and treasured songs.

# 1 -Nobody’s Fault

If we wanted to choose one song that defined the best qualities and attributes of the band Aerosmith, we would have to choose “Nobody’s Fault.” The song’s popularity does not come close commercially to the multitude of Aerosmith hits. However, ask any hardcore Aerosmith fan to name the group’s best work, and chances are they will point towards “Nobody’s Fault.” The song was released on the Rocks album in 1976. It’s not necessary to define the reasons why this song stands as the true representation of the essence of Aerosmith. All it takes is one listen, and all will become completely clear.