Rag Doll (Aerosmith song)

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"Rag Doll"
"Rag Doll" cover
Single by Aerosmith
from the album 'Permanent Vacation'
Released 1988
Format Cassette, CD, Record
Recorded 1987
Genre Hard Rock
Length 04:24
Label Geffen
Writer(s) Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, Jim Vallance, Holly Knight
Producer(s) Bruce Fairbairn
Chart positions
Aerosmith singles chronology
"Angel" (1988) "Rag Doll" (1988) "Love in an Elevator" (1989)

"Rag Doll" is a song by American hard rock band Aerosmith. It is from the 1987 album Permanent Vacation. It was released as a single in 1988. It was written by Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, Jim Vallance, and Holly Knight.

Contents

[edit] Song Origin

According to www.jimvallance.com, the song's lyrics were primarily written by Steven Tyler with Jim, the guitar riff primarily written by Joe Perry, and Jim writing the bass line. The song was originally titled "Rag Time" and the big timers didn't like that, so Holly Knight was called in to help change that lyric. She suggested "Rag Doll", which was actually another title Steven and Jim thought of, but Holly ended up getting credits just for one word. Steven was horrified about this and often complained to his manager. [1]

[edit] Chart Performance

It peaked at #17 on the Billboard Hot 100, #12 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart, and #42 on the UK charts.

[edit] Song Structure

The song is notable for drummer Joey Kramer's 1-2-1-2 lead beat in the beginning of the song, saxophones, and Joe Perry's slide guitar. The song's lyrics are very catchy and go in sync with the song's melody.

The music on the radio single differed from the album version in having a more urgent, driving beat, fueled by Tom Hamilton's bass, and slightly different sax notes. This version had an earlier fadeout, omitting the classic one featuring the sax solo and Tyler's scat singing. The video (see below) is based on the album version of the song.

[edit] Music Video

The video flashes back and forth between an Aerosmith concert and the band down on the streets of New Orleans.