8 greatest Aerosmith songs of all time

For more than 50 years, Aerosmith has been the ultimate symbol of American hard rock's excess, rebellion, and resilience. They burst onto the scene in the 70s with a rough cocky sound that mixed blues-heavy guitar riffs with raw funk beats, and they didn't just break the rules, they set them on fire.

Joe Perry and Brad Whitford's thunderous dual guitars combined with Tom Hamilton and Joey Kramer's unstoppable rhythm created a sound machine built for mayhem. Leading the charge was Steven Tyler, a frontman who was part crazy performer, part poetic street preacher. His rapid-fire singing style and showy presence turned every show into an event.

Photo of AEROSMITH's Joe PERRY and Steven TYLER (Image via Getty)

But Aerosmith wasn't just a band, they were a unpredictable family, five headstrong forces always clashing. Even with public breakdowns, inner betrayals, members quitting, and close calls with disaster, they somehow kept going, pulling off one of rock's weirdest yet most successful comebacks. Joe Perry once looked back on their journey, saying they made "every mistake six times", but they paid the price and kept moving forward, held together by a weird, unbreakable bond.

Aerosmith's legacy goes beyond just hanging on, it's rooted in years of changing, fighting, and taking smart risks. Their songs cover more than just periods; they show how the band changed, from rough rock club regulars to big-time stadium stars. They got popular without losing the hard edge that made them stand out.

Arguments within the band didn't weaken their drive, if anything, they made it stronger. Each time they came back, it was planned, not based on feelings. They went along with trends when they had to, but always kept charge of how they looked and sounded.

Aerosmith "Farewell Tour" Opener - Philadelpha, PA (Image via Getty)

Big sales came with creative trade-offs, but each stage added to their story. In the end, they weren't just a band that stuck around, they were a band that kept pushing ahead even when it would've been simpler to stay stuck in the old days.

In 2024, they announced the end of their touring career after Tyler's voice injury. So let'scelebrate the indelible mark they've left on music history. From songs that shake arenas to beloved lesser-known tracks, their music displays five decades of raw, unapologetic rock & roll. So crank up the volume, Aerosmith's legacy isn't fading; it's here to stay forever.

Disclaimer: This article contains the writer's opinion. The reader's discretion is advised!

Here are the top 8 greatest Aerosmith songs of all time

Picking just eight songs from Aerosmith's big list means looking at the ones that show off the band's energy, how well they play together, and how much they've shaped rock music. These songs show how the band changed over time, from rough, guitar-heavy hits to smooth, big-arena love songs.

Each song we pick stands for a big moment for the band, like when they tried something new when they were super popular, or when they made their mark on rock music. These aren't just songs that fans love or that did well on the charts; they're the ones that sum up what Aerosmith is all about: being cool, never giving up, and always rocking out loud and proud.

1) Toys in the Attic

Aerosmith's Toys in the Attic burst with wild force in 1975, marking a big change in their rise to rock fame. The track starts with a strong guitar riff that pulls you in fast, full of bold drive, with a beat that moves with cool raw style.

Steven Tyler dives into his wild side, his voice and thrill mix well, while guitar men Joe Perry and Brad Whitford play fast and tight together. Producer Jack Douglas got the band at their best: simple, loud, raw and daring.

Toys in the Attic was the true start. It wasn't only the main song on the album, it was a strong claim that put Aerosmith on the map as one of the loudest and most bold acts in American rock.

2) Sweet Emotion

Aerosmith's Sweet Emotion, out in 1975, marks a top spot where the band blends hard rock with bits of funk and blues. It begins with a cool, deep bass sound and slowly grows into a bold beat. It shows off the group's skill to mix tough and catchy beats.

Steven Tyler's rough voice brings a strong feel, matching well with Joe Perry's clear guitar play, which gives the tune a cool edge. More than just a rock song, Sweet Emotion shows off the band's rough charm. Years later, it still shines in their work, a powerful mix of sound and style that pulls in fans, old and new.

3) Dream On

First heard in 1973, Dream On soon rose as a key part of Aerosmith's fame. The song stood out for Steven Tyler's strong singing and Joe Perry's sharp guitar playing. It starts with soft piano notes that grow into a bold, deep end.

he song builds a sound story that matches its words about hard times, big dreams, and life going by. Its pull hasn't dipped with time; instead, it has grown. Many who listen link to its talk of lasting and dreaming large. Both deep and moving, the tune has beaten its own time, now a top song of strong will in the world of old rock.

4) What It Takes

What It Takes came out in 1989. It was early in Aerosmith's artistic growth, and this song shows how they started to evolve and have grown in their sound. Steven Tyler's voice sings loudly with emotion and maybe some sadness, and the guitar solo by Joe Perry is played with a strong touch, moving through the track with a beautiful flow.

Joe Perry And Joey Kramer Of Aerosmith (Image via Getty)

The lyrics are put together with care; they look at love and loss in a way that makes people think about their own lives. And the story in the song is very personal and something nearly anybody could connect to.

With the chorus being so easy to remember and it changing up the sound, What It Takes is known for making fans feel emotion while drawing people to listen again and again. The band keeps showing how they can combine straightforward loudness with emotion in their music.

5) Dude (Looks Like a Lady)

Dude (Looks Like a Lady) first hit the airwaves in 1987 and became one of Aerosmith's most popular and lasting hits. The song blends cheeky storytelling with bold rock music. Instead of avoiding tricky topics or odd subjects, the band embraced the humor and daring nature of the song's idea. They created a track that was fun and strong.

Joe Perry's opening guitar riff grabs your attention right away. It sets the stage for Steven Tyler's big vocals that switch between gritty swagger and showy style. The lyrics told with a smile and a wink, ride on catchy tunes and fun melodies that made people love the song . What makes it stand out is how Aerosmith puts their personality into every part of the song. There's a playful confidence in every beat, and they're not afraid to be a bit weird without losing their hard rock sound.

Photo of AEROSMITH's Steven TYLER (Image via Getty)

Even after many years, Dude (Looks Like a Lady) still connects with fans. It's not just about the sound, but also the bold and fun spirit it brings to Aerosmith's collection. The song marks a time when the band stepped back into the spotlight with renewed confidence and showmanship.

6) Jaded

Jaded came out in 2001, and it is counted as one of Aerosmith's most radio-friendly and lasting hits from the early 2000s because it blends the band's classic rock roots with a smoother and more modern sound. It grabs people right away with a driving beat and a catchy melody that keeps what made them, Aerosmith. The band's ability to create timeless pop hits and radio hits is very clear from the sound of these tracks.

Steven's singing really reaches the heart, and it perfectly shows the emotional back and forth that is at the heart of the track. Joe Perry's guitar playing should be mentioned at this point before the chorus, because his smooth and melodic style adds a nice, bright, and lively spark. The chorus comes after all this; it's very bold and sticks in your head, and honestly, people keep hearing it in their heads even after the song stops.

7) Angel

Angel, which came out in 1987 on Aerosmith's album Permanent Vacation, is seen as one of the band's most emotionally charged ballads and shows their regular rock sound. From the first notes, people get hit by a big, floating feeling that makes the music feel right. The vocals by Steven Tyler are honestly pretty sweet.

His singing sounds really desperate, and he puts a lot of heart into it. The song's core really comes through in his singing. His voice rises loud, then sometimes gets softer, and that helps to catch how sometimes longing can also make you feel strong at the same time.

Photo of Steven TYLER, Tom HAMILTON, and Brad WHITFORD (Image via Getty)

Joe Perry, instead of just playing the usual tough electric guitar, is making many more soft and smooth notes here, and his guitar blends really well with the other instruments. It feels so close to the heart, and people are drawn in by the strong words, almost like a classic song from the late ’80s when power ballads were popular, but the song is going way beyond what was just popular back then.

The tune keeps connecting with people because it is real and raw about love, about how love can be a place to hide, but also comes with the chance of something going wrong. It was proven that even famous rock stars can show their feelings in songs and move people with them.

8) Love in an Elevator

Love in an Elevator was released in 1989, and it's a vibrant, mischievous slice of late-'80s rock that really shows how bold Aerosmith wanted to be. The band never just stuck to safe rock, but threw themselves into playful jokes and a swagger that's both funny and dangerous.

Steven Tyler's vocals drip with theatrical flair, jumping between gritty loud sounds, and sometimes he almost whispers in your ear, and all this while Joe Perry lights the whole track up with these guitar-fueled explosions rarely heard before. The tight grooves and sort of wild chaos were so raw; the band really kept their raw sound here.

Aerosmith Perform On Stage (Image via Getty)

Lyrically, they are playing with the idea of life being as uncompelling a song as they could go for a rock song. The chorus is loud, bold, unforgettable, and that's part of why the track is still one of the most recognizable things Aerosmith did. After more than three decades, fans keep holding on to Love in an Elevator. The way they mixed jokes, boldness, and pure rock sound doesn't get old.

Throughout their extensive music collection, Aerosmith has shown that they can change while still maintaining the gritty, confident rock 'n' roll vibe that first made them famous. From the raw blues sound of their early '70s albums to the polished, stadium-ready hits of the '80s and later, the band has adapted to decades of changing music trends without losing who they are.

Whether they play hard rock riffs, heartfelt slow songs, or cheeky tracks like Love in an Elevator, Aerosmith strikes a rare balance between popular appeal and rock credibility. Their songs reflect a band unafraid to take chances, go all out, or test the limits of style and sound. At its heart, Aerosmith's music has energy, attitude, and the constant power of a great melody, qualities that have made them one of the longest-lasting and most impactful rock bands ever.