1989 - October: Aerosmith “Pump”

Aerosmith is a band in two acts.  They were a highly successful group in the 70's, but arguments and drugs left the band a shade of its former self by 1980.  A second chance was presented when the crossover collaboration between Aerosmith and Run-D.M.C. on "Walk this Way" became a number 4 US hit in 1986.  The bad went into drug rehab at the insistence of manager Tim Collins, and had a major hit with their ninth studio album "Permanent Vacation."

Aerosmith demonstrated that their second act was not just a fluke with their tenth studio album, Pump, which was even more successful than Permanent Vacation.  This was a significant comeback, re-establishing the band as one of rock's premier acts.  The album was polished and energetic, combining a gritty hard rock sound with pop sensibilities.  The album was not only a commercial success, peaking at number 5 on the US charts and being certified 7x platinum by 1995, but was also a critical success, landing Aerosmith their first Grammy for "Janie's Got a Gun."  Pump was the fourth best-selling album of the year 1990.

The band lineup for this album had Steven Tyler on vocals, keyboards, and harmonica, Joe Perry on guitar and backing vocals, Brad Whitford on guitar, Tom Hamiilton on bass, and Joey Kramer on drums.  Guitarist Brad Whitford explained the album title on a 1989 MTV special by saying "now that we're off drugs, we're all pumped up."  

John Lynch brings us this stellar rock and pop sensation this week.

Water Song/Janie's Got a Gun
A 10-second instrumental called "Water Song" precedes the song written by Steven Tyler and Tom Hamilton.  The second single from the album went to number 4 on the Billboard Hot 100.  It describes the revenge of a young woman for the childhood abuse she experienced.  Aerosmith won the 1990 Grammy Award for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal for this song.

Dulcimer Stomp/The Other Side
Another song with a brief instrumental lead-in, this was the fourth single released from the album.  It was written by Jim Vallance and Steven Tyler, with Holland-Dozier-Holland receiving songwriting credit after threatening to file suit over similarities between this and their song "Standing in the Shadows of Love."  The lyrics are about a turbulent relationship, with the singer wanting to get past the emotional roller-coaster. 

Monkey on My Back
It is difficult to find a deep cut on this album, but this is one that was not released as a single.  Tyler and Perry wrote this track about the band's struggles with addiction.  It was the first song that Tyler and Perry wrote for the album, and it was composed in November 1988 prior to the end of their Permanent Vacation tour.

Going Down/Love In an Elevator
A double entendre-laden skit leads in this double entendre-laden song.  Tyler and Perry wrote this piece, and it was inspired by an actual experience Steven Tyler had where he was making out with a woman in an elevator and the doors opened.  It was nominated for a Grammy in 1990 for Best Hard Rock Performance, but Aerosmith lost out to Living Colour on that one.

ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:

Theme from the television music performance and dance program “American Bandstand” 
Dick Clark's music show which premiered in March 1952 had its final show on October 7, 1989.

STAFF PICKS:

Sowing the Seeds of Love by Tears for Fears
Bruce brings us a Beatles-esque song from the third Tears for Fears album, "Seeds of Love."  It was written by Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith, and hit number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100, their fourth and final entry into the top 10.  Orzabal considers it to be the most overtly political song Tears for Fears had written at the time.  

Big Talk by Warrant
Rob's staff pick is a rocking tune from glam metal band Warrant's first album, "Dirty Rotten Filthy Stinking Rich."  This third single from the album made it to number 30 on the Modern Rock Tracks chart, though it only made it to number 93 on the Billboard Hot 100.  The album went to number 10 on the Billboard 200 chart.

Pictures of Matchstick Men by Camper Van Beethoven 
Wayne brings us a cover of the first hit single by Status Quo, released in 1968.  This rendition combines elements of pop, ska, punk, folks, alternative, and country.  the "Matchstick men" reference is to the paintings of L.S. Lowry, and English painter who depicted Salford, Manchester, and other industrial scenes in his works.

It's Not Enough by Starship
Lynch's staff pick is the second single released off Starship's third album, the first album after Grace Slick left the band.  It went to number 12 on the Billboard charts, the final top 40 hit for the band.  This is the sound that most typified the produced sound of the late 80's.

INSTRUMENTAL TRACK:

Flying In a Blue Dream by the Joe Satriani
The title track to Satriani's third studio album closes out this week's podcast.

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