Dream Sets: Aerosmith

This second installment will be quite the challenge for me as one of my absolute favorite bands. I could fill a 13-song playlist based mostly around their debut album and 1976’s Rocks.

THE MAIN SET

 

 

1. “No Surprize” (Night in the Ruts, 1979). While this is definitely not my favorite Aerosmith album, I do love this song, and I think it would be a great opener. It’s high energy and introduces the band.
2. “S.O.S. (Too Bad)” (Get Your Wings, 1974). This is one of those that I’m not likely to hear live any other way, but I really dig it, so they’re going to play it for me.
3. “Love in an Elevator” (Pump, 1989). We opened with two lesser-known songs, so let’s give up one of the big songs for the people that are not me who may be at the show.
4. “Hangman Jury” (Permanent Vacation, 1987). Let’s keep the 1980s rebirth vibe going with the best song from this record.
5. “F.I.N.E.” (Pump, 1989). One last ‘80s number to complete that section of the show and pick the energy back up.



6. “Movin’ Out” (Aerosmith, 1973). Let’s go from the ‘80s all the way back to the beginning for one of my favorite Aerosmith songs from one of my favorite albums.
7. “Taste of India” (Nine Lives, 1997). I think this is a very underrated record, so I have to get one song in from it. This is my pick over a couple of bigger hits.
8. “Sweet Emotion” (Toys in the Attic, 1975). This was the last slot that I filled in the set, and I had a lot of trouble deciding. In the end, I went with a crowd pleaser.
9. “Dream On” (Aerosmith, 1973). The difference between this one and the band’s other ballads is that I never get tired of hearing this one. It’s far and away a better song, and you can’t have a show without it.
10. “Mama Kin” (Aerosmith, 1973). Another favorite track of mine, and a solid way to end the main set and get the energy back up.

ENCORE

 

 

1.  “Nobody’s Fault” (Rocks, 1976). This is my favorite Aerosmith song, and one of my favorite songs period. Of course it’s going to be in my encore.
2. “Big 10-Inch Record” (Toys in the Attic, 1975). No Aerosmith show should ever end without this Bull Moose Jackson cover. It’s one of their most fun songs.
3. “Walk This Way” (Toys in the Attic, 1975). In my personal opinion, this should always be the closer. When I think Aerosmith, I think “Walk This Way.”

Notable Absences

“I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing.” I know it was their only No. 1 hit, but this song should die with fire.

 

“Train Kept A-Rollin’.” This is a staple, and I wanted to make it happen, but there were too many other songs I wanted to hear.

 

“Dude (Looks Like a Lady).” I don’t dislike this song, but think it’s overplayed.

 

“Janie’s Got a Gun.” I don’t care if I ever hear this song again in life.

Tough cuts

“Same Old Song and Dance”

“Back in the Saddle”

“Last Child”

“Kings and Queens”

“Monkey on My Back”

“Full Circle”