Cryin'

Album: Get A Grip (1993)
Charted: 17 12
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song is about a roller coaster relationship that seemed great at first but then turned a lot worse. It can also be seen as a metaphor for Steven Tyler's drug use. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Bertrand - Paris, France
  • This was written after Aerosmith's record company rejected most of the songs they had composed for the Get A Grip album. They were signed to Geffen Records, whose executive John Kalodner was assigned to the band. It was his job to break the bad news that the songs they had written sucked, but he felt it was more important to look after their business interests than to form a friendship.

    After the expected grousing from the band, they agreed to work with outside writers who Kalodner brought in to help. On "Crazy," Steven Tyler and Joe Perry worked with Taylor Rhodes, who had co-written the Celine Dion hit "Where Does My Heart Beat Now." Rhodes also had a rock pedigree, having produced the band Kix. In just one day, they were able to write the majority of this song, toeing the lyrical line between fiery passion and pathetic groveling.

    The song hit the sweet spot, as did two other songs written for the album with Kalodner's outside writers: "Crazy" and "Livin' On The Edge."
  • This was the first Aerosmith video to feature actress Alicia Silverstone, and it launched her career. She starred in Aerosmith's next two videos as well: "Amazing" and "Crazy," and has been in many movies since, including Clueless, The Crush, and Blast From The Past. Silverstone had met the band only once. Their scenes were shot separately.
  • Josh Holloway, who plays Sawyer on the show Lost, also appears in the music video. He plays a pickpocket who steals Alicia Silverstone's bag only to be caught and beaten up by her. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Hermione - Los Angeles, CA
  • An extra chorus was added to the video so they could get more scenes in. For the video, the group was filmed at the Central Congregational Church in Fall River, Massachusetts. That's where Lizzie Borden, who was acquitted for murdering her parents in 1892, used to worship. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Mert - Istanbul, Turkey
  • Steven Tyler cites this as a song that shows the country influence on Aerosmith. "Listen to the lyrics," he told Rolling Stone. "It was country - we just Aerosmith'd it."

Comments: 21

  • Cranjis from Dhaka, BangladeshJeff from Austin, Aerosmith is the greatest band of all time.
  • Alan D from Frederick Md" Steven from Boston, Ma
    sorry to shatter the illusion here kids and be so blunt, but the song is about getting a b--wjob and now he's stuck in this situation... "you do what you did, down on me", "the way that I got kissed"...
    read the lyrics!!!"

    Holly S*&T Did the Screamin Demon just comment on his on song thread? Amazing. I heard him say in an interview once that it was the only song he's ever sang about a B--wjob and gotten away with it. LOL
  • Laura from El Paso, TxI hope you can get the correct lyrics in the link for this song. What shows up when you click the link are the lyrics for Livin on the Edge. Aside from that, this song rocks. I have been a huge Aerosmith fan since Sweet Emotion.
  • Theresa from Murfreesboro, TnGreat rock ballad. After hearing Adam Lambert belt this song - I love it even more!
  • Tom from Robesonia, PaThe 90's Aerosmith had too many outside people making decisions with their music. They were forced to rewrite Get a Grip with other song writers to make it more commercially successful.
  • Chris from Vienna, AustriaIt was the first Aerosmith song I ever got to listen to - and I was blown away by it. I think I listened to it about 50 times in a row.
    Unfortunately there weren't any real good Aerosmith power ballads to come anymore ...
  • Jeff from Austin, TxAerosmith was so overrated in the early 90s!! Why were they on MTV so much??? I didnt know anyone who even cared about them?
  • Flor from Setubal, PortugalThe 60's, the 70's the 80's and the 90's, were the best 40 years this world has ever had.
    And i'm sad for the music value of this century, really sad :(
  • Sofija from Novi Sad, SerbiaPeople, if you haven't seen the video, I suggest you do so now! The song is great, and the video... WOW! I wish I could kick like that!
  • Steven from Boston, Masorry to shatter the illusion here kids and be so blunt, but the song is about getting a b--wjob and now he's stuck in this situation... "you do what you did, down on me", "the way that I got kissed"...
    read the lyrics!!!
  • Michael from San Diego, Ca"I know, all I need to know, by the way that I got kissed!
    I was cryin' when I met you, now I'm tryin' to forget you! Love is sweet misery!"
    One of the better power ballads of all time!
  • Mike from Hueytown , AlThe magic of the 70's was long gone at this point.
  • Gordon from Lake Havasu City, AzThis song is one of my favorite of all time. Awesome riff, outstanding lyrics and, a great video. All the makings of great modern day Aerosmith song.
  • Jon from Oakridge, OrI like the intro and middle the best. The way Steve Tyler sings those first couple lines are perfect.
  • Julian from Anaheim, CaThis is one my favorite aerosmith songs!
  • Devon from Bay Village, OhI love this song. I like it when Stephen Tyler screams "Dyin" toward the end of the song.
  • Billy from Boston, MaCryin' is one of Aerosmith's greatest songs. I don't think it is covered on Aerosmith's new CD, Rockin' The Joint.
  • Chrissy from ManchesterAlicia Silverstone is better in the Crazy video with Liv Tyler (Steve Tyler, the lead singer's daughter) but this one is great too of course. Aerosmith are the best band in the world, enough said.
  • Kristina from Malta, Ladon't forget beautiful Stephen Dorff
  • Antonio from Monterrey, MexicoIn the American Idol audition's, in Washington, this was the song that Constantine Maroulis performed
  • Marie from Pueblo, CoAerosmith rocks and so does this song and in the video Alicia Silverstone is hot!
see more comments

Editor's Picks

70s Music Quiz 1

70s Music Quiz 1Music Quiz

The '70s gave us Muppets, disco and Van Halen, all which show up in this groovy quiz.

Al Jourgensen of Ministry

Al Jourgensen of MinistrySongwriter Interviews

In the name of song explanation, Al talks about scoring heroin for William Burroughs, and that's not even the most shocking story in this one.

The Punk Photography of Chris Stein

The Punk Photography of Chris SteinSong Writing

Chris Stein of Blondie shares photos and stories from his book about the New York City punk scene.

Mike Campbell

Mike CampbellSongwriter Interviews

Mike is lead guitarist with Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, and co-writer of classic songs like "Boys Of Summer," "Refugee" and "The Heart Of The Matter."

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: '80s Edition

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: '80s EditionMusic Quiz

You know the scenes - Tom Cruise in his own pants-off dance off, Molly Ringwald celebrating her birthday - but do you remember what song is playing?

Chris Squire of Yes

Chris Squire of YesSongwriter Interviews

One of the most dynamic bass player/songwriters of his time, Chris is the only member of Yes who has been with the band since they formed in 1968.