Rag Doll

Zoo Freaks, get ready to groove with the Zoo Crew as they spin "Rag Doll" by Aerosmith from their iconic album Permanent Vacation! This track, released in 1988 as the final single from the album, has some wild stories behind it. Originally titled "Rag Time," the song’s name didn’t vibe with Geffen Records exec John Kalodner, who thought it wouldn’t connect with younger fans. Enter songwriter Holly Knight, famous for co-writing Pat Benatar’s "Love Is a Battlefield." Knight flew to Vancouver, where the band was recording, and suggested renaming the song "Rag Doll," a title Steven Tyler and co-writer Jim Vallance had already tossed around. She tweaked a single line in the chorus, earning a songwriting credit despite Tyler’s initial frustration over sharing the spotlight. The result? A funky, horn-driven hit that climbed to #17 on the Billboard Hot 100, blending hard rock, glam metal, and a New Orleans jazz vibe that echoes Elvis Presley’s "Suspicious Minds."

The song’s creation was a team effort, with Joe Perry crafting the infectious guitar riff and Jim Vallance laying down the bass line. Drummer Joey Kramer’s 1-2-1-2 lead beat kicks off the track, while Perry’s slide guitar and a horn section arranged by Tom Keenlyside add that extra swagger The music video, directed by Marty Callner, was shot in New Orleans, capturing the city’s bordello-charged energy. Filmed at Freedom Hall Civic Center in Johnson City, Tennessee, it features Aerosmith rocking out interspersed with clips of women, ending with a cheeky scene of a man leaving a woman’s house as the neighborhood ladies wave goodbye. Joe Perry noted in his 2014 memoir, Rocks: My Life In and Out of Aerosmith, that MTV played the video relentlessly, boosting the band’s comeback alongside hits like "Dude (Looks Like a Lady)" and their Run-DMC collab "Walk This Way." Fun fact: "Rag Doll" even popped up in the Sega Genesis game Revolution X, a shooter centered on Aerosmith’s music!

Social media has kept the love for "Rag Doll" alive. On May 18, 2021, @Aerosmith posted on X, hyping the song’s music video remastered in HD on YouTube, calling it a must-see for fans. Another post on August 29, 2024, celebrated Permanent Vacation’s release in 1987, cementing its status as the band’s true comeback album after Done with Mirrors fell short. The album, which sold over five million copies in the U.S., marked Aerosmith’s sober return to glory, with "Rag Doll" as a standout track. Steven Tyler himself revealed in his autobiography that Permanent Vacation was their first album recorded sober, a milestone that fueled its raw energy and chart success.

Now, let’s rewind to how Aerosmith got their start. Formed in Boston in 1970, the band came together when Joe Perry and Tom Hamilton, then in a group called the Jam Band, linked up with Steven Tyler, Joey Kramer, and guitarist Ray Tabano. Brad Whitford replaced Tabano in 1971, locking in the classic lineup. Drawing heavy inspiration from the Rolling Stones’ bluesy swagger, Aerosmith blended hard rock with a gritty edge, earning the nickname "the Bad Boys from Boston." Their self-titled debut album in 1973, featuring "Dream On," laid the foundation, but it was 1975’s Toys in the Attic and 1976’s Rocks that skyrocketed them to fame with hits like "Sweet Emotion" and "Walk This Way." Despite struggles with substance abuse in the late ’70s and early ’80s, which led to Perry and Whitford briefly leaving, the band roared back in the mid-’80s. A game-changing 1986 collab with Run-DMC on a rap-infused "Walk This Way" and the release of Permanent Vacation in 1987 cemented their comeback, proving they were here to stay.

Want to keep up with Aerosmith? Check out their official website for tour dates, merch, and news. Connect with them on Facebook, Instagram, and X for the latest updates and throwback posts. Fans can dive deeper at sites like Aero Force One, Aerosmith’s official fan club, or join discussions on Aerosmith Fans and Aerosmith Rocks Facebook groups, where Zoo Freaks can share their love for the band’s timeless riffs and Tyler’s wild energy. Keep rocking, Zoo Crew!