8 Hard Rock Songs Probably Written Out Of Spite
2. Aerosmith - Sweet Emotion
A case of intra-band spite that must have caused some awkwardness in the studio, Sweet Emotion was Steven Tyler’s song about tensions within the band and in particular a dig at band mate Joe Perry’s new girlfriend Elissa.
While many bands have fallen out because of one member’s excessive drug use, apparently part of the tension between Steven, Joe and Elissa was caused by the couple refusing to share their stash.
Tyler has subsequently played things down, claiming only a a few of the lyrics are about Perry’s wife. Then again, given that the song was the band’s breakthrough hit and remains a live staple, you would try and smooth things over, wouldn’t you? Particularly with lines like, “some sweat hog mama with a face like a gent.”
For an extra shot of spite, that sucking noise you can hear on the track? That’s a backwards recording of the band clapping and chanting. According to Steven Tyler the chant was “F**k you Frank.” This was aimed at the band’s former manager Frank Connelly.