Walk This Way

"Walk This Way" is a song by American hard rock group Aerosmith. Written by Steven Tyler and Joe Perry, the song was originally released as the second single from the 1975 album Toys in the Attic. It peaked at Number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 in early 1977, part of a string of successful hit singles for the band in the 1970s. In addition to being one of the songs that helped break Aerosmith into the mainstream in the 1970s, it also helped revitalize their career in the 1980s when it was covered by rappers Run-D.M.C. in their 1986 album Raising Hell. This cover was a touchstone for the new musical sub-genre of rap rock, or the melding of rock and hip-hop. It became an international hit and won both groups a Soul Train Music Award for Best Rap - Single in 1987.

Song information

The song was inspired from an oft-spoken line and gag ("Walk this way") from the Mel Brooks movie, Young Frankenstein, which the band saw during a late-night showing while taking a break and trying to record a song for their third album, Toys in the Attic. The song, at the time, had music but no lyrics thus far.

The song starts out with the famous two measure drum beat intro by Joey Kramer, followed by the equally famous guitar riff by Joe Perry. The song proceeds with the main riff, played by Perry and Brad Whitford on guitar with Tom Hamilton on bass.

The lyrics, which tell the story of a high school boy losing his virginity, are sung quite fast by Steven Tyler, with heavy emphasis being placed on the rhyming lyrics (e.g., "so I took a big chance at the high school dance"). This rap-style delivery may explain why the song worked so well as a rap song when it was covered 11 years later. ^[2]

Between the elaborately detailed verses, the chorus primarily consists of a repetition of "Walk this way, talk this way". In collaborations, the other singer often says "talk this way" every alternate line of the chorus. Live in concert, Steven Tyler often has the audience, combined with members of the band, sing "talk this way". There is also a lengthy guitar solo at the end of the song, and in concert, Steven Tyler will often harmonize his voice to mimic the sounds of the guitar.

In the Run-D.M.C. cover, the turntable is added in to reflect the additional hip hop influence on the record. Both the original Aerosmith version and the Run-DMC cover featuring Steven Tyler and Joe Perry) appear on various Aerosmith compilations as well as Run-DMC albums.

While the Run-DMC cover is nearly identical to the original version, the Girls Aloud/Sugababes cover has a few changes tweaked into the song; the additional line "Walk this way, you wanna talk this way" is added, the vocoder is added, the lyrics are moved around, and the beat is slightly sped up to add a further dance pop influence to the song.

Chart performance

Year End Charts

Legacy

"Walk This Way" was one of two hit singles by the band to hit the Top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100 in the 1970s, the other one being a re-release of "Dream On". "Walk This Way", though, helped "Toys in the Attic" to be the bestselling Aerosmith album, and one of the most critically acclaimed. Aerosmith's version of "Walk This Way" often competes with "Sweet Emotion" and "Dream On" for the title of Aerosmith's signature song, being one of the band's most important, influential, and recognizable songs. The band rarely omits it from their concert setlist, still performing their classic version of the song to this day. The song has also long been a staple of rock radio, garnering regular airplay on mainstream rock, classic rock, and album-oriented rock radio stations. In 2009, it was named the 8^th greatest hard rock song of all time by VH1.^[5]

Run-D.M.C. version

In 1986, the hip hop group Run-D.M.C. performed a cover of "Walk This Way" with Steven Tyler and Joe Perry guesting on vocals and guitars. While working on Raising Hell, Rick Rubin pulled out Toys in the Attic (an album they freestyled over) and explained who Aerosmith were. While Joseph Simmons and Darryl McDaniels had no idea who Aerosmith were at that time, Rubin suggested remaking the song. Neither Simmons nor McDaniels liked the idea, though Jam-Master Jay was open to it. Later, however, Run-D.M.C. covered the song. D.M.C. called it "a beautiful song" in a trailer for Guitar Hero. The 1986 version of the song is often credited as helping break rap into mainstream pop music as it was the first rap song to hit the Top 5 in The Billboard Hot 100, and the remake demonstrated how elements of rap music can be part of rock and pop songs, harking back to the DJing of Afrika Bambaataa, who would mix in tracks by the likes of The Beatles, the Rolling Stones and Grand Funk Railroad among the more usual funk breaks. It also briefly samples the opening drum intro of the original in a middle section of the song. This version of "Walk This Way" charted higher on the Hot 100 than the original version, peaking at number 4. It was also one of the first big rap singles in the UK, reaching a peak of number 8 there. The landmark collaboration catapulted Run-D.M.C. into mainstream stardom and would influence rap music for years to come. The song paved the way for other pop acts to introduce elements of hip hop into their music. It pioneered the trend of rap/sung collaborations that is so present on American Radio in the late 1990s and 2000s. The collaboration also introduced a fusion of rock and hip hop, later known as rap rock, to a wide audience for the first time. The song also marked a major comeback for Aerosmith, as they had been largely out of mainstream pop culture for several years while recovering from drug and alcohol addiction, and their 1985 comeback album Done with Mirrors, flopped. Aerosmith followed up "Walk This Way" with a string of multi-platinum albums and Top 40 hits, starting with the album Permanent Vacation and single "Dude (Looks Like a Lady)" in 1987. In 2008, "Walk This Way" was ranked number 4 on "VH1's 100 Greatest Songs of Hip Hop". This version of the song is currently ranked as the 88th greatest song of all time, as well as the best song of 1986, by Acclaimed Music.^[6]

Music video

The 1986 music video for "Walk This Way" symbolically placed a rock band (assumed to be Aerosmith) and Run-D.M.C. in a musical duel in neighboring studios before Tyler literally breaks through the wall that separates them. The video then segues to the bands' joint performance on stage. The highly popular video was the first rap hybrid video ever played in heavy rotation on MTV and is regarded as a classic of the medium. The video was directed by Jon Small.

Aside from Steven Tyler and Joe Perry, none of the other rock musicians in the video are the Aerosmith members; instead, they were played by Roger Lane, J. D. Malo and Matt Stelutto - respectively rhythm guitarist, bassist and drummer for the largely unknown hair metal outfit Smashed Gladys. According to VH1's Pop Up Video, Run D.M.C. couldn't afford to use the entire Aerosmith band, just Tyler and Perry. As only Steven Tyler and Joe Perry had travelled to record the cover with Run-D.M.C., they were the only real Aerosmith members to appear in the video.

Later collaborations

In 1989, Steven Tyler and Joe Perry joined Bon Jovi at a concert at Milton Keynes Bowl in the United Kingdom for an encore performance and extended jam of the song.

On September 9, 1999, Kid Rock joined Run-D.M.C. and Aerosmith for an updated rendition of "Walk This Way" at the 1999 MTV Video Music Awards. In 2002, Kid Rock and Run-D.M.C. (as separate acts) opened for Aerosmith on the first leg of the Girls of Summer Tour. Each night, at the end of Aerosmith's set, Kid Rock and Run-D.M.C. would join Aerosmith for an encore collaborative performance of "Walk This Way".

At the Super Bowl XXXV half-time show in January 2001, performers *NSYNC, Britney Spears, Mary J. Blige, and Nelly joined Aerosmith onstage for an encore performance of "Walk This Way" with members of *NSYNC and Britney Spears singing different parts of the 2nd verse, Mary J. Blige adding background harmony, and Nelly performing a rap towards the end of the song.

At the Hyde Park Calling festival in London on June 24, 2007 (a date on Aerosmith's 2007 world tour), Aerosmith were joined on stage for their encore performance of Walk this Way by DMC.

Also, Fergie joined Aerosmith once on television to duet with Steven Tyler to sing 'Walk this Way'.

Both the Run-D.M.C. version and the original version of the song are featured in Guitar Hero: Aerosmith.

Awards and accolades

Song

• The song won both groups a Soul Train Music Award for Best Rap - Single in 1987
• The song "Walk This Way" is part of the The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll list.^[7]
• Rolling Stone ranked the original version of "Walk This Way" at Number 336 on their list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. The version by Run-D.M.C. is ranked at 287
• In 2000, "VH1: "100 Greatest Rock Songs" included "Walk This Way" at Number 35
• In March 2005, Q magazine placed it at Number 23 in its list of the 100 Greatest Guitar Tracks
• In 2008, Rolling Stone ranked the original version of "Walk This Way" at 34 on their list of the 100 Greatest Guitar Songs of All Time
• In 2009, VH1's "100 Greatest Hard Rock Songs" included "Walk This Way" at 8^[8]
• VH1 ranked the version by Run-D.M.C at Number 4 on VH1 100 Greatest Hip Hop Songs

Music video

• In 1993, "Rolling Stone: The Top 100 Music Videos" included "Walk This Way" (w/ Run-D.M.C.) at 11
• In 1999, "MTV: 100 Greatest Videos Ever Made" included "Walk This Way" (w/ Run-D.M.C.) at 5
• In 2001, "VH1: 100 Greatest Videos" included "Walk This Way" (w/ Run-D.M.C.) at 11
• In 2007, "Fuse: 25 Greatest Music Videos" included "Walk This Way (w/ Run-D.M.C.) at 24

In other media

• Both the Run-D.M.C. version and the original version of the song are featured in Guitar Hero: Aerosmith.
• Aerosmith's autobiography is named Walk This Way.
• Aerosmith's fan club, Aero Force One, sells doormats printed with the phrase "Walk This Way".
• The music video for "Walk This Way" was parodied in the music video for Lil Jon's "Get Low Remix" and Lil Wayne's "Shooter.
• The famous opening drum beat, or beat resembling such part, is actually looped in one section of the Adam Sandler film, Big Daddy, during the scene where he is throwing sticks toward the roller bladers.
• When Aerosmith guest-performed on the hit animated-series The Simpsons in Flaming Moe's, they performed "Walk This Way", featuring side vocals from Moe Szyslak the bartender (voiced by Hank Azaria.)
• The radio edit is featured in the Rock 'n' Roller Coaster at Walt Disney World.
• The Aerosmith/Run-DMC remake version of the song is included in Dance Dance Revolution ULTRAMIX 3.
• In Boston's Fun Food Factory there is a sign telling you where the line starts saying "'Walk This Way' says Mr Tyler".
• This song is referenced in another more recent song by Aerosmith, "Just Push Play."
• The tag line for the video game Guitar Hero: Aerosmith is Walk This Way.
• The Run-D.M.C. version is included on the soundtrack to the 2008 film Sex and the City: The Movie.
• In the Comedy/Horror movie The Lost Boys a group of people are dancing around a bonfire with "Walk This Way" playing.
• In the Konami Wii video game Yu-Gi-Oh 5d's: Wheelie Breakers a version of the riff can be heard on menu screens
• In the 2011 The Smurfs movie using the Run D.M.C. version, with the lyrics modified by the Smurfs.
• A version by Lil' P-Nut featuring Haunted by Heroes with modified lyrics aired on Cartoon Network, parodying/copying the Run-DMC video, at least the beginning.

The String Cheese Incident version

In 1997, The String Cheese Incident covered the song on their live album A String Cheese Incident. Although faithful to the intro and main riff, unlike the original this version is heavy bluegrass influced. After the Release it was released in someone Compilation album. This cover is a crossover between the direction Bluegrass and Rock.

Track listings

CD-Single

1. Walk This Way 4:46
2. Little Hands 8:16
3. Rhythm of the Road 6:08
4. San Jose 8:53

Sugababes vs. Girls Aloud version

In 2007, British girl groups Girls Aloud and Sugababes recorded a cover of "Walk This Way" as the official Comic Relief charity single. Their version was produced by American producer Dallas Austin, making it Girls Aloud's first and only single not to be produced by Xenomania. The track charted at number one on the UK Singles Chart, giving Girls Aloud their third number one and Sugababes their fifth.

The music video was a comic re-enactment of the Run DMC video. "Walk This Way" was promoted through numerous live appearances and has been included on tours by both Girls Aloud and Sugababes. Contemporary music critics criticised the cover version, but supported the single due to its fundraising nature.

Background and release

The idea of a Girls Aloud and Sugababes collaboration came from Comic Relief co-founder and trustee Richard Curtis.^[9] Several songs were possibilities, including Blur's "Girls & Boys" and Candi Staton's "You Got the Love", which was Girls Aloud member Nicola Roberts' idea and favourite choice.^[9] "Walk This Way" is notably the first and only Girls Aloud single to date not to feature production from Brian Higgins and Xenomania, who have also worked with Sugababes.^[9] Girls Aloud and Sugababes launched the charity appeal on January 31.^[10] Kimberley Walsh of Girls Aloud said, ""It's a fantastic song and hopefully will raise tons of money for people living in really difficult situations here and in Africa."^[11] It was also available as a digital download.

Chart performance

"Walk This Way" entered the UK Singles Chart at number one on March 18, 2007.^[12][13] The following week, the single dropped to number two; it was dethroned by another Comic Relief single, "I'm Gonna Roll (500 Miles)" by The Proclaimers with Peter Kay and Matt Lucas.^[14] In its third week on the chart, "Walk This Way" dropped twelve places out of the top ten, placing itself at number fourteen.^[15]

The song also charted at number eight on the Billboard European Hot 100 Singles chart.^[16]

Music video

The music video premiered on The Box on February 2, 2007, and was shown on Channel 4's Popworld the following day. It was recorded over three days — Sugababes on the first, Cheryl Cole, Nicola Roberts, and Kimberley Walsh on the second, and Nadine Coyle and Sarah Harding on the third and final day.^[9] The premise of the video was a comic re-enactment of the Run DMC video, with Girls Aloud as the rockers and Sugababes as Run DMC. At the end of the video Davina McCall, Lily Cole, Ewen Macintosh, Jocelyn Jee Esien, Ruby Wax, Graham Norton, Stephen Mangan, Oliver Chris, and Natalie Cassidy also appear, with red noses being thrown at the two groups at the end.

Live performances

"Walk This Way" was performed by Girls Aloud and Sugababes for the first time on Comic Relief Does Fame Academy on March 10, 2007. They performed the song on Comic Relief's Red Nose Day 2007 telethon on March 16. Girls Aloud performed "Walk This Way" without Sugababes on 2007's The Sound of Girls Aloud: The Greatest Hits Tour. The following year, they performed the song in a medley with "Wake Me Up" on the Tangled Up Tour. Sugababes performed "Walk This Way" without Girls Aloud on 2007's Overloaded: The Singles Tour.

Track listing and formats

UK CD single (Polydor/Island / 1724331)

1. "Walk This Way" - 2:52
2. "Walk This Way" [Yoad Mix] - 3:01
3. "Walk This Way" [video] - 3:07
4. Behind the Scenes Footage [video] - 3:15

UK Digital Copy (Polydor/Island / 1724331)

1. "Walk This Way" - 2:52
2. "Sound Of The Underground" - 3:23

Credits and personnel

• Engineer: Rick Shepherd, Graham Archer (assistant recording)
• Keyboards: Brian Higgins, Tim Powell
• Mixing: Jeremy Wheatley, Richard Edgeler (assistant)
• Production: Dallas Austin
• Vocals: Girls Aloud, Sugababes

Charts

Other cover versions

• A small part of the song was commonly played live by Metallica and Godsmack
• In 1987, Sesame Street featured a style parody of the Run-DMC version called "Healthy Food," performed by Cookie Monster (who wore the fedora and gold cables similar to the group)
• In 2001, a eurodance remix of the song, "Up To Eleven", was recorded for Dancemania Speed 6.
• In 2002, the song was covered by Sum 41 with Nelly, Ja Rule, and DJ Clue
• In 2004, the song was covered by Macy Gray; her version was initially available only by download, but was later released on Gray's 2004 greatest hits compilation, The Very Best of Macy Gray
• The song has also been covered by "rockgrass" band Hayseed Dixie on their 2002 album A Hillbilly Tribute to Mountain Love
• Hank Williams Jr. played its main riff on the Rowdy Frynds Tour, available in the boxed set "The Bocephus Box 1979-1992" on disc 3
• The song is referenced near the end of another Aerosmith song entitled Just Push Play
• German musician Sasha covered the song as his Canadian Alter Ego Dick Brave on the album Dick This!
• During his My World Tour Justin Bieber covered this song as a medley.
• In 2010 it was confirmed that UK singer Melanie C will release her cover version of the song in late 2010.^[19]
• In July 2010, David Garrett, a German-American classical violinist, released an album with Australian singer-songwriter and former guitar player for Michael Jackson, Orianthi. On this album, known as Rock Symphonies, Garrett and Orianthi covered the Aerosmith song, 'Walk This Way.'

References