Aerosmith – “Rag Doll” (1988) – 7″ Single (The Aerosmith Collection Series – Bonus Edition)

Published on by 2loud2oldmusic

We are to the final single that I have for the ‘Permanent Vacation’ album and I am sure you will be happy to get back to the normal reviews as it has been 4 weeks of this album. The final single if for the song “Rag Doll”. The song was written by Joe Perry, Steven Tyler and Jim Vallance (Bryan Adams) as well as Holly Knight (Kiss). Tyler was furious that Holly got a writing credit because he says all she contributed to the song was changing the name from “Rag Time” to “Rag Doll”. One word got her a writing credit and it didn’t sit well.

“Rag Doll” went to #17 on the Top 40 Chart which continued to push the album to multi-platinum status…5 X’s platinum. The single was released on May 3, 1988 and my version is the standard U.S. version. The B-Side is “St. John” and both songs are the basic, standard LP version. No new mixes here.

SIDE A:

The song itself is famous for the Kramer opening drum beat, Tyler’s deliberate vocal stylings and the horn section that was arranged by Tom Keenlyside and featured Ian Putz (saxophone), Bob Rogers (Trombone) and even Jim Vallance (organ). Perry really works the slide guitar and who would’ve thought a bluesy/jazzy song would work in the 80’s…but it did. And a fun fact, the melody and the lyrics (on the 2nd verse) are based off a Rolling Stones song. Well, a cover of the Hank Snow song “I’m Movin’ On” done by the Stones. They tweaked it of course.

SIDE B:

The B-Side and final track on Side 1 of the album is “St. John” which is a down & dirty, full of nastiness, blues infused rocker. This is a Steven Tyler written track and takes you back to early Aerosmith. The guitar solo is just a gritty as the song. It is one of those deep cuts that is better than most everything else on the album. This the Aerosmith I like.

And that is it for all the ‘Permanent Vacation’ singles. Back to the regularly scheduled programming.

UP NEXT: ‘GEMS’ (1988)

THE AEROSMITH COLLECTION SERIES:

  1. ‘Aerosmith’ (1973)
  2. ‘Get Your Wings’ (1974)
  3. ‘Toys in the Attic’ (1975)
  4. ‘Rocks’ (1976)
  5. ‘Draw the Line’ (1977)
  6. ‘Live! Bootleg’ (1978)
  7. ‘Night in the Ruts’ (1979)
  8. ‘Greatest Hits’ (1980)
  9. ‘Rock in a Hard Place’ (1982)
  10. ‘Done With Mirrors’ (1985)
  11. Run DMC – “Walk This Way” 12″ Single (1986)
  12. ‘Classics Live!’ (1986)
  13. ‘Classics Live! II’ (1987)
  14. ‘Permanent Vacation’ (1987)
  15. “Dude (Looks Like A Lady)” (1987) – 7″ Single & 12″ Maxi-Single (Bonus Edition)
  16. “Angel” (1988) – 7″ Single (Bonus Edition)
  17. “Rag Doll” (1988) – 7″ Single (Bonus Edition)
  18. ‘Gems’ (1988)
  19. ‘Pump’ (1989)
  20. ‘Pandora’s Box’ (1991)
  21. ‘Get a Grip’ (1993)
  22. ‘Nine Lives’ (1997)
  23. ‘A Little South of Sanity’ (1998)
  24. ‘Just Push Play’ (2001)
  25. ‘Honkin on Bobo’ (2004)
  26. ‘Rockin’ The Joint (2005)
  27. ‘Music From Another Dimension’ (2012)
  28. ‘1971: The Road Starts Hear’ (2021)
  29. The Albums Ranked Worst To First

33 thoughts on “Aerosmith – “Rag Doll” (1988) – 7″ Single (The Aerosmith Collection Series – Bonus Edition)”

  2. Imagine being a fly on the wall when Tyler was told about that songwriting credit share with Knight? lol
    Your right Snowman St.John is a great track and one of the best on the PV album. Cool writeup.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
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