Songful Style: “Pink!”

We had snow!!! Yep, we had about 3-4 inches. I’m judging because that’s about how high off the ground Jack’s potbelly is! And, he was having to jump through the snow. The dog loves snow, and I’m not sure who was happier to see it, me or him. Unfortunately, it was all gone overnight! Welcome to the last Monday in November and another edition of Songful Style! Suzy and Shelbee decided to riff (see what I did there) on Style Imitating Art only with music! Shelbee of Shelbee on the Edge, Suzy of Suzy Turner, and I make up the bloggers in this group. You can find all of us on our blogs and Instagram.  Our ensembles (pun intended) may be inspired by the lyrics of a song, the artwork of the album cover, maybe the MTV video, or even a memory the song evokes. Shelbee chose this month’s song which is by one of my favorite bands, Aerosmith. Last month, I selected “Wildflowers” by Tom Petty. Oh, and there’s a link party, too!

The artists…

The Bad Boys from Boston also known as Aerosmith formed in Boston (I did not know that) in 1970. They have also been dubbed “America’s Greatest Rock and Roll Band” led by the Steven Tyler and Joe Perry, the “Toxic Twins.” Tyler and Perry have written most of the group’s songs. Although the group has gone through many iterations in staff, the current group is, surprisingly, the original five members: Tyler (vocals), Perry (guitar), Tom Hamilton (bass), Joey Kramer (drums), and Brad Whitford (guitar). Their style, blues-based hard rock, also has elements of pop rock (like “Pink”), heavy metal, glam metal, and rhythm and blues.

A little more…

Tyler began his musical career with Strangeurs (later Chain Reaction) in Yonkers, New York in 1964 (that kinda blows my mind). Perry and Hamilton formed the Jam Band and moved to Boston in September, 1969. They met Kramer (from Yonkers) who knew Tyler. Unbelievably, Kramer left the Berklee College of Music to join Jam Band. The next year, both bands happened to play at the same place. Tyler loved Jam Band’s free-form blues sound and thought combining the two bands just might work. In October of that same year, the two bands met again and considered Perry’s idea. The idea came with a caveat, though. Instead of being a drummer and backup singer (as he’d been in Chain Reaction), Tyler wanted to be the lead vocalist and front man for the new band. He absolutely refused to play drums. The others agreed, moved into a home together in Boston, and wrote and rehearsed music.

Still more…

Ever wonder where the name, Aerosmith, came from? Apparently, Joey Kramer said he would write “aerosmith” all over his notebooks when he was in school. It came to him after listening to Harry Nilsson’s album, Aerial Ballet. The jacket showed a circus performer jumping out of a biplane. Well, no one was too enthused as they thought it was from Sinclair Lewis’ novel, Arrowsmith, something they had had to read in high school. After Kramer spelled the name out, the group agreed to it. Of course, when you think about the other possibilities, the Hookers, Spike Jones, and Fox Chase, why wouldn’t you pick Aerosmith? Just my opinion, but…

Even more…

The group has been together since 1970 and is still together, more or less today. Following Tyler’s vocal cord damage in 2024, the group announced they wouldn’t be touring anymore. But, some members have indicated an album could happen sometime. Actually, when you read about the band and its members (here), it’s fairly amazing they’ve made it this long. Drug addiction has led to several stints in rehab centers. By the late 80s, all members had completed drug rehab. Over the years, Tyler has re-entered these programs following relapses after prescription drugs for injuries and surgeries. In addition, continued strife between Tyler and Perry caused Perry to leave the band at least once. Their first successful song was “Dream On” which was on their eponymous album released in January 1973. 1974 saw the release of Get Your Wings which included the hit, “Same Old Song and Dance.” Next was Toys in the Attic containing “Sweet Emotion,” one of my favorites. The band continued to release albums for the next several years. Some of their hits include: “Walk this Way,” “Dude (Looks Like a Lady),” “Rag Doll,” “Love in an Elevator,” “Janie’s Got a Gun,” “Livin’ on the Edge” (which earned a Grammy), “Cryin’,” and so many more.

Even more success…

During the late 80s and 90s, the band continued to tour. Music videos became the thing as MTV appeared on the radar. In 1998, the film, Armageddon, included “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing.” That film also starred Tyler’s daughter, Liv. I didn’t know this, but the group also had a roller coaster attraction at Disney World! 2008 saw the release of the game, Guitar Hero: Aerosmith which introduced them to a completely new generation. Over the years, the band has sold more than 150 million records worldwide, over 85 million records alone in the US. Of those albums, 25 are gold, 18 platinum, and 12 are multi-platinum. Other accolades include 21 Top 40 hits on the US Hot 100, four Grammy Awards, six American Music Awards, and ten MTV Video Music Awards. In 2001, the band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. They have been ranked number 57 on Rolling Stone’s list of 100 Greatest Artists of All Time and number 30 on VH1’s list of 100 Greatest Artists of All Time. The Songwriters Hall of Fame inducted Tyler and Perry in 2013.

The end…

In 2019, the band began a concert residency, Deuces are Wild, in Las Vegas which was to to last until 2022. In all, there would be 55 concerts. We all know, however, how that went. They announced the rest of the residency would be postponed on April 14, 2020 because of Covid-19. In March, 2022, Aerosmith announced they would resume the Deuces are Wild residency beginning in June and running through December. There would also be concerts outside of Las Vegas. On May 24, 2022, the June and July concerts in Las Vegas were canceled due to Tyler having another relapse due to pain management for a foot surgery. In May 2023, Aerosmith announced “Peace Out: The Farewell Tour” which would begin in September. That tour included Indianapolis! Our date was October 29, but it was not to be. The tour was rescheduled; however, the entire thing was canceled on August 2, 2024 due to Steven Tyler’s inability to recover from the vocal cord injury he’d suffered on September 9, 2023.

The song…

Pink…it’s my new obsession…yeah
Pink…it’s not even a question
Pink…on the lips of your lover
‘Cause pink is the love you discover
Pink…as the bing on your cherry
Pink…’cause you are so very
Pink…it’s the color of passion
‘Cause today it just goes with the fashion
Pink…it was love at first sight
Yeah, pink…when I turn out the light
And pink gets me high as a kite
And I think everything is going to be alright
No matter what we do tonight
You could be my flamingo
‘Cause pink…it’s a new kinda of lingo
Pink…like a deco umbrella
It’s kink that you don’t ever tell her
Yeah…pink…it was love at first sight
Then pink when I turn out the light
Yeah…pink gets me high as a kite
And I think everything is going to be alright
No matter what we do tonight
Yeah…
I…want to be your lover
I, I wanna wrap you in rubber
And it’s pink as the sheets that we lay on
‘Cause pink…It’s my favorite crayon
Yeah
Pink…it was love at first sight…yeah
Pink…when I turn out the light
Yeah, pink…it’s like red but not quite
And I think everything is going to be alright
No matter what we do tonight

What it means…

Ya know…at first, I really thought this song was about sex…I mean wrapping your lover in rubber, pink sheets, color of passion. But, wrapping your lover in rubber kinda reminds me of “Dexter!” It may look sexy, but rubber clothing is hot…don’t you remember wearing rubber swim caps…you don’t…hmmm…my age is betraying me! Anyway, rubber clothing is hot as in temperature not appeal! I truly think that last verse gives it away. The song is about the end of a romance. Notice the use of the word, was. And, then “everything is going to be alright no matter what we do tonight” evokes a feeling that a break up is imminent, but it’s gonna be OK. Read it over a few times, and I think you’ll get the idea that this is a reminiscing of a relationship that’s over even though the singer wishes it weren’t. Or, I could be all wet, and it’s totally about sex.

The video…

I mean, this is consummate Aerosmith front man, Steven Tyler, whackadoodleness! I will tell you it is NSFW at times so maybe watch it in somewhere your boss can’t see! I love Steven Tyler because he really is out there! And, this video proves it on so many levels. It’s full of so many people having what I think is a really wonderful time. But, then again, maybe they were getting paid lots of money to look like they were having fun! I think Steven was having a blast…and the way they superimpose his face…pure whackadoodle! The superimposing of the band members’ faces onto other bodies cracks me up, and the one with Tyler as the little guy with bunny ears…oh, my goodness! But, doesn’t Joe Perry look pretty doggone hot right here?

Interesting covers…

I tried, my friends, I tried! I couldn’t find any guys with the passion that Aerosmith brings to this song. But, I’ll let you decide for yourselves!

OK, the first thing I liked about this cover was her eye makeup! It took a bit for me to get into her voice, but when it goes all raspy, she does a good job with the song. I do love her boots, though!

She’s got a good voice for this song. And, the guys do a pretty good job, too!

Honestly, this one just didn’t grab me. The guy’s voice just doesn’t have the right tone for the song no matter how much he wants to act like he’s all that and a bag of chips!

Maybe, this is a song women just can’t get a lock on? This is just another mediocre offering…sorry!

OK, I take it back! This is not only a woman singing, but she’s smashing it! And, the video…oh, man…you’ve got to watch it!

And my man, Norwegian heavy metal rocker, Leo, has let me down yet again! No “Pink” from him.

My interpretation…

Hmmm…the video is really a strange chaotic mix of all kinds of people, dress, and what not, right? I kept watching it looking for the just the tiniest clue of what I could (and would) wear. In the end, I settled on Steven Tyler wearing what appears to be a purple skirt with a chartreuse (or maybe olive) silk skirt with maybe a ruched tube top underneath. I pulled out my trusty Kantha Bae silk pants that look more like a skirt than pants. Truly, they are pants…the “crotch” is at the bottom of the pants. I keep trying to think what the pattern for that must have looked like. The “crotch” is maybe 3-5 inches long. I’ve included some photos that sorta show you each pant leg. I didn’t have any silk shirts that were plain, but I figured silk = velvet in some worlds. This J Jill velvet shirt is so old, it’s close to vintage. I used to have several of these, but when I retired and lost lots of weight, I got rid of them…foolish me! Next, I found a tank that was close to the color of the velvet shirt and tried to pull it up to create a bit of a ruching effect. All in all, I really do like this look. One of the problems I’ve always had with the pant/skirt is the band across the stomach area. I know they fit in fabric as they can when these pieces are manufactured, but those pieces just make my stomach look much rounder than it really is. So, pulling the “ruched” tank over part of that helped “flatten” out my stomach.

The Lewk!

You may have noticed there are no shoes! Yep, I went barefoot once again because Steven Tyler wasn’t wearing any. That made the decision pretty easy even though it was a little chilly. I wish I had ropes and ropes of pearls, but I did the best I could. Pink and pearls go together, right? Then, I threw on lots and lots of rings. Some of them…OK, one of them…are good. One is a pirate ring my friend gave me in 2010 when I had my first foot surgery. The rest are rings I’ve gathered over the years. A couple may have been gifts. Most are from eBay. But, how in the world do you keep rings on above that middle knuckle? I’ve seen women do that, and I think it’s really cool. I cannot figure out how to do it! Tips appreciated!

Wrap it up, Marsha!

I’m not sure I’d call Aerosmith America’s Greatest Rock and Roll Band. I mean, they did have lots of really good hits, but greatest? I don’t know what band I would give that moniker to, though. I do give them a lot of credit for persevering through illness and drug addiction. I would imagine, with two powerhouse personalities (Perry and Tyler), it would be difficult to reach consensus on lots of things. One of the things I always think of when I think of Steven Tyler is the way he’d drape (or tie) all those scarves to his microphone. Talk about a showman! So, can we talk? What band would you call the greatest rock and roll band? What do you think this song means? Have you read the book, Arrowsmith? Please leave me a comment or two, and we can talk. I promise to respond as soon as possible.

Thank you!

Thank you so very much for reading today’s post. I hope you enjoyed it. I also very much appreciate those of you who comment, email and/or subscribe. It’s what keeps me going! If you’d like to follow me on Instagram, you can find me here.

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Where you can find me:

Linking up with Nancy’s Fashion Style,  Fine-Whatever, Is This Mutton, Shelbee on the Edge, Chez Mireile, Suzy Turner, and Away from the Blue as well as Deb’s World and A Fresh Cup of Coffee. I also link up with This Blonde’s Shopping Bag, Doused in Pink, I do deClaire, Mummabstylish, Style Splash and Elegantly Dressed and Stylish as well as the Senior Salon Pit Stop (Esme’s Salon) and Slices of Life. Please check out these wonderful ladies and their blogs! I also am a co-host for Ageless Style on the third Thursday of the month and Songful Style on the last Monday of the month. I co-host Traffic Jam Weekend every Thursday with Melynda, Lisa, and Sue. I also host Final Fridays on the last Friday of the month as well as 10 on the 10th on the 10th of the month! I do hope you’ll check out all of these blogs and link parties!

And, now, it’s your turn!

Please link up your favorite posts, DIY, baking, gardening, fashion…you name it…as long as it’s family friendly! Link up with me, visit a couple of others, and leave a comment or two! No worries if you don’t have a blog, just look around! You may find a new blog just waiting for you!

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