Combination

Album: Rocks (1976)
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Songfacts®:

  • Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry wrote this song and also shared lead vocals with Steven Tyler - Perry's first lead vocal on an Aerosmith recording. He says the song is about "heroin, cocaine and me." With money coming in thanks to the band's newfound success, Perry could afford luxuries like designer suits, and could also take as many drugs as he could handle, which was quite dangerous. The band was still going strong despite their addictions, but Perry's mother couldn't stand the sight of her emaciated son and moved to Arizona.

Comments: 11

  • Selena from Portland@Rob from Northeast
    It's not Nouvaree It's Nuevo Riche (new rich) or new money basically he's saying here that he's happy to have the money because now he's walking on Gucci shoes wearing Yves Saint Laurent cologne and he can barely stay on cuz he's so goddamn gaunt meaning that he's doing so much Coke that he's skin and bones. Hope this helps
  • Bulky from New YorkSomebody from Somewhere, Joe and Steven share lead vocals in this song. Steven's vocals are more dominant in the mix because Joe isn't the greatest singer. On the rare occasions that Aerosmith perform Combination live Joe pretty much sings it by himself. Listen carefully and you will definitely hear Joe's vocals.
  • Jack from PaI remember watching That Metal Show in early 2000s on VH1. The show would open show with each of the three hosts listing: THE TOP 5 ______ ( (fill in the subject). They didn’t compare notes before the show. On one show the subject was: The Top 5 Albums You Would Want If You Were Stranded On A Desrt Island. Each host had Rocks on their list … Aerosmiths first 6 albums were their best … and Rocks is their best album - ever.
  • Rob from NortheastDefinitely one of Aerosmith's better earlier heavier songs. I love the intro even though it's not overly complicated...it just rocks. Joe does his own thing in between the main power chords & it was captured on the track & to me, it just fits perfectly. Still don't know what a Nouvaree is, but if I ever find out, I'll drag one home to bed!
  • Somebody from Somewhere Joe Perry is definitely not singing lead vocal. Some harmony. Love Joe but he ain’t singing lead.
  • Mike Pellegrini from BiloxiGreat song and genius lyrics! Gotta love the Aerosmith gang! Still rocking hard!
  • Christopher from Albuquerque, NmThere's a lyric in the song "Walking on Gucci, wearing Yves St. Laurant, barely stay on 'cause I'm so goddam gaunt". Great lyrics, fantastic song, and Joey Kramer's drum work at the end is everything I love about Hard Rock.
  • Tom from Blaine, MnUnderrated?? It's consistently cited as Aerosmith's best album, or possibly second best right after "Toys In The Attic". No, it didn't have big hits on it, but I think most respectable rock music fans recognize this as one of their top shelf albums. As for the song, I always thought it sounded like Aerosmith doing The Police several years before anyone knew who The Police were.
  • Homer from Springfield, KyYeah, Rocks.................uh....rocks. This is a great song.
  • Markus from La, CaActually this is sung by Joe and Steven.
  • Ozzi from Brookhaven, Pawhat a great song from an awesome underrated album. the Album 'rocks' by aerosmith is so underrated and one of the best even though it doesnt have many hits
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