Amazing (Aerosmith song)
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| "Amazing" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Single by Aerosmith | ||||
| from the album Get a Grip | ||||
| B-side | "Gotta Love It" | |||
| Released | 1993 | |||
| Format | Cassette, CD | |||
| Recorded | 1993 | |||
| Genre | Hard rock, blues rock | |||
| Length | 5:56 (6:48 Video Version) | |||
| Label | Geffen | |||
| Writer(s) | Steven Tyler and Richie Supa | |||
| Producer | Bruce Fairbairn | |||
| Aerosmith singles chronology | ||||
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"Amazing" is a song performed by American hard rock band Aerosmith. It was written by lead singer Steven Tyler and longtime band friend and collaborator Richie Supa. It peaked at #24 on the Billboard Hot 100, #3 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart, and #9 on the Top 40 Mainstream chart,[1] and #57 in the UK.
On the album Get a Grip, as soon as the song ends, a radio is heard being tuned in to a recording of "Who Threw the Whiskey in the Well," recorded by Lucky Millinder. Tyler says, "So from all of us at Aerosmith to all of you out there, wherever you are, remember: the light at the end of the tunnel may be you. Good night." Millinder's orchestra plays as the music fades out.
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[edit] Video
The video for the song, directed by Marty Callner, is well-known for its depiction of digital technology and featured the second appearance of Alicia Silverstone in the band's videos. Paired with her was Jason London, star of Dazed and Confused, a film which was released in the same year as Get a Grip and which memorably made numerous references to Aerosmith. The characters are featured in the music video as two cyberspace kids who escape to a world of virtual reality together, both not realizing the other is also doing virtual reality.
In the virtual dream world, the two embark on a motorcycle journey and sky-dive, as well as engage in a steamy makeout session.
One part of the video features the characters boarding and taking flight in a biplane, which combined with the digital technology creates what is often regarded as a fascinating dichotomy between antiquated and modern technology, in some ways presenting a parallel for the characters.
Meanwhile, members of the band perform in various parts throughout the song, including in a tunnel, as well as solo shots of Steven Tyler in a room by himself and Joe Perry playing a guitar solo with a cityscape in the background. Joe Perry also suffered a slight head injury during the making of the video.
At the end of the video, it is discovered that it was Silverstone who was engaging in the virtual fantasy. Many critics now hail the video as a powerful warning about the potential dangers of cyberspace[citation needed].
The video version of the song was extended by 52 seconds at the end, where two loops were inserted.
[edit] Charts
| End of year chart (1994) | Position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100[2] | 72 |
[edit] Lyrics
It is written by Steven Tyler, with assistance from professional songwriter and former bandmate Richie Supa, and is considered as one of Tyler's best works. It tells about his troubled life and drug abuse after the band broke up.
[edit] In other media
"Amazing" is one of the two theme songs performed by Aerosmith used in the video game Dead or Alive 4 for the Xbox 360 created by Team Ninja. It appears in Helena's ending theme, which also counts as the ending cinematic and credits for the entire game.
[edit] Citation
- ^ http://www.allmusic.com/artist/p3508/charts-awards/billboard-singles
- ^ "Billboard Top 100 - 1994". http://longboredsurfer.com/charts.php?year=1994. Retrieved 2010-08-27.
