Steven Tyler epitomised a certain kind of singer. To replicate his style, you’d need a whole lot of scarves and the ability to whip up a crowd into a frenzy while swinging a microphone stand while partially naked. You’d also need some extraordinary pipes.
Steven Tyler is one of the greatest rock vocalists of all time. His career spans several decades, and his very best performances aren’t reduced to just one segment of it. That’s why today I am focusing on Tyler’s ten very best performances.
The 10 Best Vocal Performances by Steven Tyler
10. ”Mama Kin”
All of the parts aren’t quite there on Aerosmith’s first studio album. The group is yet to find its own direction, and, mostly, aping up The Rolling Stones.
However, there are traces of true brilliance. I don’t think that there are many rock n’ roll songs better than “Mama Kin,” made so because of Tyler’s slippery rhymes and that great Joe Perry riff.
9. ”I Don’t Wanna Miss a Thing”
Nobody took advantage of the power ballad format quite like Aerosmith did in the 1990s and 2000s. But it was only a fair karmic deal. The band had certainly helped establish it.
And while “I Don’t Wanna Miss a Thing” is, indeed, a cover song, and rather sappy one at that, the Boston band had a world-class singer on its side, and this is what makes the song what it is.
8. ”Walk This Way”
Listen, I’m sure that Mr. Tyler would sing bubblegum pop if it would prod him with a hit. However, that often disguises the fact that he’s a great writer. I say, just read his autobiography for proof.
“Walk This Way” is known, primarily, for the vocal acrobatics in the chorus, but, for me, it’s the quick-fire, lustful lines in the verse that are the treasure.
7. ”What It Takes”
Aerosmith didn’t just do standard power ballads. Their best ones used melodies in an incredibly inventive way. And the country-twang of “What It Takes” contains some of the best choruses ever sung by Tyler, who delivers some of his most soulful vocals here.
6.”Kiss Your Past Good-Bye”
Aerosmith’s discography is a treasure trove of hidden gems, much more so than bands of the same generation. For me, few of their songs are better than “Kiss Your Past Good-Bye,” a song that gets its propulsion by Tyler’s powerful singing in the chorus that comes complete with casually hitting the octave notes like it’s the most natural thing in the world.
5. ”Hangman Jury”
Most rockstar singers can sing pretty well, but not brilliantly. They need to compensate in some other way. It’s nice to know that stagecraft is just one of Tyler’s weapons.
His vocal range, when in full health, is a real wonder. And while his high-pitched screams are noted, just listen to the bluesy low notes dealt with so wonderfully on “Hangman Jury.”
4. ”Crazy”
When Aerosmith began its ascent back to the rock n’ roll mountain, all of the 1970s rock stars wanted to do the same. Many thought that what was necessary for success was merely to get some snappy videos and power ballads.
Well, they were wrong. Much of the MTV hit “Crazy” is Tyler confidently sliding through dog whistle notes. The other is seeing Liv Tyler and Alicia Silverstone dressed up as Catholic schoolgirls.
3. ”Livin’ On The Edge”
Rock n’ roll is a bloodsport and bands are only as good as their last single. Fortunately for them, the musicians in Aerosmith were at fighting weight by the time “Livin’ On The Edge” was released. A modern retro sound, the tune made full use of Tyler’s blasting lead vocals.
2. ”Dream On”
Some parts of his singing aren’t fully defined yet. However, Steven Tyler’s higher register is very much in tip-top shape on “Dream On,” the power ballad that defines the group’s debut.
Ultimately, Steven Tyler’s vocal range would stretch from a D2 to an E6, but the spark was clear from the moment of this performance.
1. ”Sweet Emotion”
Nah, the singing alone won’t do it, and neither will the outrageous outfits. Steven Tyler, if anything, is confidence personified. “Sweet Emotion” is a fantastic example of that.
And while there are songs where his vocal gymnastics are on greater display, in my opinion, “Sweet Emotion,” with its snappy verses and choruses containing vocal co-op from Joe Perry, is Steven Tyler’s greatest vocal performance.
