"Same Old Song and Dance" is a song by American hard rock band Aerosmith, written by singer Steven Tyler and guitarist Joe Perry. Released on March 19, 1974, as the lead single from their second studio album, Get Your Wings,[1] it has remained a staple on rock radio [citation needed] and in the band's setlists.
Structure
The song was built around a riff that Joe Perry came up with while sitting on his amp. Steven Tyler quickly came up with the lyrics, which are sung in sync with the main riff. The song is known for its upbeat rhythm and the duelling guitars of Perry and Brad Whitford, along with interspersed horns. Dick Wagner (Alice Cooper, Lou Reed) plays the guitar solo on the Get Your Wings recording.[5] "On 'Same Old Song And Dance', I told them that we should bring in some horns to bring out their rhythm and blues side," said producer Jack Douglas. "They definitely had that kind of style and sound already. We got the Brecker Brothers to play on that. The sax solo is Michael Brecker."[6]
Reception
Cash Box called it a "top flight hard rocker."[3]Record World said that it was "one of the most straightshootin' rockers of the year" and called it a "literate, variegated variant on the 'Marc Bolan boogie,' rhythmically and lyrically."[7]
The song remains a fan favorite and a staple in the band's shows. The band often does an extended jam during it in concert, often resulting in the song extending two minutes over its original running time. This extended jam at the end of a song is used as a showcase for bassist Tom Hamilton. Tyler is also known to do his trademark scat singing during these jams.
^ abGet Your Wings (Vinyl sleeve). Aerosmith. U.S.A.: Columbia Records. 1974. Back cover. PC 32847.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
