Cryin’

Hey, Zoo Freaks, your hippie DJs at THE ZOO are spinning the classic Cryin' by Aerosmith from their 1993 album Get a Grip, and we've got some wild trivia to share! This power ballad, written by Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, and Taylor Rhodes, almost didn't make the cut. Aerosmith's label, Geffen Records, rejected most of the band's initial songs for Get a Grip, forcing them to work with outside writers like Rhodes. In just one day, the trio crafted Cryin', blending fiery passion with a touch of country flair—Tyler himself said, "It was country – we just Aerosmith’d it." The song's iconic music video, directed by Marty Callner, starred a young Alicia Silverstone, who played a rebellious ex-girlfriend getting a navel piercing, sparking a piercing craze in the '90s. Fun fact: that piercing scene was real, done on set! The video was a massive MTV hit, racking up awards and over 243 million YouTube views. Fans on r/Aerosmith still rave about its emotional punch, with some calling it the ultimate breakup anthem.

Now, let's dive into another juicy tidbit. Cryin' hit number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 and went gold in the U.S., but it was a European smash, topping charts in Norway and reaching number three in Iceland, Portugal, and Sweden. Steven Tyler once hinted in an interview that the song's lyrics, with lines like "you do what you did, down on me," were cheekily about a risqué encounter, though he played it coy. The track's raw energy and harmonica solos gave it a country-rock vibe, which GRAMMY.com noted as a bold crossover move for Aerosmith. On X, the band celebrated the song’s 25th anniversary in 2018, highlighting its MTV success. Fans in the Aerosmith Fans Facebook group often share stories of how Cryin' was their heartbreak soundtrack, with one user recalling seeing the band perform it live on Saturday Night Live in 1993. The song’s mix of sleaze and heart keeps it a staple for Aerosmith Wiki devotees.

So, how did Aerosmith, the Bad Boys from Boston, get their start? Formed in 1970 in Boston, Massachusetts, the band came together when Steven Tyler met Joe Perry at an ice cream parlor in Sunapee, New Hampshire. Perry was playing in a band called the Jam Band with bassist Tom Hamilton, and Tyler, a charismatic drummer and singer, was drawn to their vibe. They soon recruited drummer Joey Kramer and guitarist Ray Tabano, forming Aerosmith—a name Kramer suggested, inspired by Harry Nilsson’s album Aerial Ballet. By 1971, Brad Whitford replaced Tabano, completing the classic lineup. Their early sound, rooted in bluesy hard rock, echoed the Rolling Stones and Yardbirds. After grinding it out in Boston clubs, they signed with Columbia Records and dropped their debut album, Aerosmith, in 1973, featuring Dream On. Though it initially flopped, relentless touring built their fanbase, and 1975’s Toys in the Attic, with hits like Walk This Way, made them arena-rock kings.

Aerosmith faced rough patches—drug addiction and lineup changes in the late '70s nearly derailed them—but their 1986 collaboration with Run-D.M.C. on a Walk This Way remake sparked a comeback. Albums like Permanent Vacation (1987) and Pump (1989) cemented their '80s and '90s dominance. With over 150 million records sold, four Grammys, and a 2001 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction, they’re legends. Connect with the band on their official website, Facebook, Instagram, and X. Join the Blue Army at fan hubs like the Aerosmith Fans Facebook group, Aerosmith Wiki, or r/Aerosmith for more rockin’ stories. Keep it loud, Zoo Freaks!