Aerosmith’s Turbulent Past and the Birth of a Classic Hit
In an interview with Guitar World, Aerosmith’s bassist Tom Hamilton reflected on the making of one of the band’s biggest hits, "Janie’s Got a Gun." The song, which originated from a demo of a bass line, has become a staple of the band’s discography. Hamilton recalled how he brought the idea to the studio, but was initially unaware that lead vocalist Steven Tyler had incorporated his riff into the song.
The Birth of a Classic Hit
Hamilton revealed that he was driven to create the song’s iconic bass line after feeling overlooked by the band’s members. "I drove home that day feeling pissed that nobody took notice of it!" he said. "About a month later, Steven came to the studio one day with ‘Janie’s Got a Gun.’ He sat down at a keyboard and played and sang the whole song – finished."
Despite being taken aback by the inclusion of his riff, Hamilton chose to keep quiet, recognizing that the song was now a Steven Tyler original. "I fought with my emotions, trying to decide if I should make an issue of it. I decided to be a good soldier and keep my mouth shut. It was a Steven Tyler song, even if it included that piece of my song in the intro."
A Rewarding Outcome
Fortunately, Hamilton’s decision paid off when Tyler later revealed that he would credit Hamilton as a co-writer on the song. "A couple of months later, I was back in Boston and Steven and Joe [Perry] were still in Vancouver mixing. One day, Steven called me out of the blue and said, ‘Hey, I’m putting your name on ‘Janie’s Got a Gun.’" Hamilton was relieved, acknowledging that the song’s success was a testament to the band’s ability to put aside their differences and create something special.
The Legacy of "Janie’s Got a Gun"
"Janie’s Got a Gun" would go on to become one of Aerosmith’s biggest hits, peaking at No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song has since become an iconic staple of the band’s discography, with Hamilton proud of the role it played in their success.
Aerosmith’s Future
Unfortunately, not all things have worked out so nicely for Aerosmith. The band’s recent retirement from touring due to Steven Tyler’s vocal cord injury has been a significant blow. Hamilton acknowledged that it was a difficult pill to swallow, but expressed his support for Tyler and the band’s decision to focus on other projects.
"I was surprised but not shocked when I got the news," he said. "When Steven fell, he hit his larynx on a railing and fractured it. I still can’t believe he finished the show. It’s not the first time he’s had an injury during a show and powered through it. I know how hard he worked on healing and working on getting ready to go on the road again – but it just wasn’t possible."
Hamilton revealed that he has been keeping busy with a new project, Close Enemies, which has recorded a batch of new songs. "Can’t wait!" he exclaimed, hinting at future plans for the band.
Conclusion
The story of "Janie’s Got a Gun" is a testament to the power of creativity and collaboration in the face of adversity. Despite the turbulent history of Aerosmith, the band’s members have consistently come together to create something special. As the band’s career comes to a close, it’s clear that "Janie’s Got a Gun" will remain a beloved classic for years to come.
FAQs
Q: What was the inspiration behind "Janie’s Got a Gun"?
A: Tom Hamilton brought a demo of a bass line to the studio, which was later incorporated into the song by Steven Tyler.
Q: Why did Tom Hamilton keep quiet about his riff being used in the song?
A: Hamilton recognized that the song was now a Steven Tyler original and chose to be a "good soldier" and keep his emotions in check.
Q: How did "Janie’s Got a Gun" come to be a hit?
A: The song was co-written by Tom Hamilton and Steven Tyler, and it went on to peak at No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Q: What is the current status of Aerosmith’s touring plans?
A: The band has retired from touring due to Steven Tyler’s vocal cord injury, but Hamilton is exploring other musical projects.
Q: What is Tom Hamilton’s new project, Close Enemies, working on?
A: Hamilton has recorded a batch of new songs with Close Enemies and is currently deciding on how to release the music.
