AEROSMITH - DUDE (LOOKS LIKE A LADY)

Released: September 22, 1987

Charts: US: #14   UK: #20  

"Dude (Looks Like a Lady)" is a song released as the lead single from the ninth studio album, “Permanent Vacation”, in 1987. Written by Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, and Desmond Child, the song centers on a man who is mistaken for a woman. The concept originated when Tyler mistakenly identified Mötley Crüe's singer Vince Neil as a woman due to his long blonde hair, which led to jokes among the band about how "the dude looked like a lady." The narrative of the song follows a man who, after being drawn to a stripper, discovers she is actually a man but chooses to embrace the situation, highlighting themes of acceptance and challenging societal norms. 

This song was the result of an unexpected collaboration with songwriter Desmond Child, who was brought in by A&R executive John Kalodner. Initially, the band was hesitant to work with an outside writer, feeling confident in their ability to write songs independently, but during a session, Steven Tyler shared an unfinished song titled "Cruisin' for the Ladies," which Child criticized as a boring title. Tyler then revealed the melody he had sung, which included the phrase "Dude Looks Like a Lady," inspired by the humorous incident where they mistook Mötley Crüe's Vince Neil for a woman. Then Child encouraged the band to use this phrase as the title. 

"Dude (Looks Like a Lady)" reflects a progressive attitude toward sexuality for its time, as the band navigated the complexities of writing about a man who appears to be a woman and the ensuing attraction. Despite their heterosexual identity, the band members were mindful of how the song might be perceived, especially regarding the LGBT community. Desmond Child emphasized that they wanted to ensure it didn’t come off as offensive. He reassured them that he, as a gay man, found the concept acceptable. Child noted that the song promotes the idea of not judging others based on appearances, marking it as a daring and inclusive message for its time.

The music video is primarily a performance piece interspersed with random shots of girls and quirky visuals. It effectively showcased the band, particularly lead singer Steven Tyler, whose eccentric stage presence captivated viewers, especially since many had never seen them perform before. 

The inclusion of female figures not only appealed to the target audience but also reinforced the song's theme of blurring gender lines. Tyler is seen in a striking outfit that combines masculine and feminine elements. A humorous moment occurs when a bride turns out to be John Kalodner, the A&R executive who facilitated the song's collaboration.