AEROSMITH - SWEET EMOTION

Released: May 19, 1975

Charts: US: #36    UK: #74 

"Sweet Emotion" is a 1975 song released on the third studio album “Toys in the Attic”. Written by lead singer Steven Tyler and bassist Tom Hamilton, and produced by Jack Douglas, the track was recorded at Record Plant studio. Released as a single on May 1975, it became the band's breakthrough hit, peaking at No. 36 on the US Billboard Hot 100, marking their first entry into the Top 40. The success of "Sweet Emotion" began a streak of popular hits that propelled Aerosmith to large-scale success throughout the rest of the 1970s.

Steven Tyler wrote the song as an expression of frustration with his band, particularly stemming from the heavy drug use and rising tensions between him and guitarist Joe Perry. The lyrics reflect Tyler's anger and feelings of isolation, with the opening lines, "Talk about things that nobody cares, wearing out things that nobody wears," reportedly directed at Perry's girlfriend, Elissa, due to their strained relationship. Tyler recalls a specific incident where he was turned away from Perry's hotel room while seeking heroin, which deepened the conflict. The song serves as a declaration of independence and doing one's own thing despite external pressures and frustrations. In Aerosmith's autobiography “Walk This Way”, Tyler reflects on the line, "Can't say baby where I'll be in a year," as a desire to be far away from the drama and conflicts he was experiencing at the time.

"Sweet Emotion" originated from a bass line created by Tom Hamilton, which became the foundation of the song. Producer Jack Douglas played a pivotal role by encouraging Hamilton to bring forward any unused riffs near the end of recording for the “Toys in the Attic” album. Hamilton crafted the arrangement and guitar parts, while Tyler made changes to the intro and key. After some overdubs and the addition of vocals, the final version of the song amazed Hamilton, who was thrilled with the results.

In 1991 the song was remixed by David Thoener and released as a single to promote their box set “Pandora's Box”. Although the remix wasn't included in the box set, a new music video was created, directed by Marty Callner. The video depicts a phone sex conversation between a young man and an operator, with the band performing in a basement, which was filmed in an old warehouse in Boston's Charlestown Navy Yard. The story reveals a twist at the end, showing that both characters are not what they seem: the operator is an older woman with a baby, and the man is a teenage boy. Throughout the video, Joe Perry switches between playing a Gibson Les Paul and a Fender Stratocaster for the guitar solo.

There is a hidden message in "Sweet Emotion," but its meaning is debated. The band created a sucking noise in the song by playing backward clapping and chanting. The chant refers to their former manager, Frank Connelly, who had sold the rights to manage the band due to a cancer diagnosis. According to Steven Tyler, the chant was, "F--k you, Frank," expressing frustration. However, their producer Jack Douglas insists that it was actually "Thank you, Frank," as a gesture of gratitude. The true message remains ambiguous depending on who you ask.