Song Meaning: Walk This Way by Aerosmith

"Walk This Way," released in 1975, is one of the three well known signature songs of American hard rock band Aerosmith; the other two being Dream On and Sweet Emotion. The song propelled the album, Toys in the Attic, into commercial success, and put the band on the mainstream rock n' roll scene of the 70s. Since its release, it has a been a staple on their liveset as well as rock and pop radio stations.

The is known for its emphasis on rhythm rather than lyrics -  more of a rap-like song at the time. In fact, it put rap music on mainstream with their collaboration with Run DMC in mid 1980s. The song was a hit on MTV, which largely neglected black artists in the 80s( with the exception of Michael Jackson). It was the first a white rock duo appeared with a black rap group on television. In an interview Biography Channel, lead guitarist Joe Perry said "It brought rap into a place where it was more accessible." It also helped jump-start Aerosmith's career when they were down on their luck!

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backstroke lover always hidin' 'neath the covers
till I talked to your daddy, he say
he said "you ain't seen nothin' till you're down on a muffin
then you're sure to be a-changin' your ways"
I met a cheerleader, was a real young bleeder
oh, the times I could reminisce
'cause the best things of lovin' with her sister and her cousin
only started with a little kiss
like this!

seesaw swingin' with the boys in the school
and your feet flyin' up in the air
singin' "hey diddle diddle"
with your kitty in the middle of the swing
like you didn't care
so I took a big chance at the high school dance
with a missy who was ready to play
wasn't me she was foolin'
'cause she knew what she was doin'
and I knowed love was here to stay
when she told me to

walk this way [8x]
just gimme a kiss
like this!

schoolgirl sweetie with a classy kinda sassy
little skirt's climbin' way up the knee
there was three young ladies in the school gym locker
when I noticed they was lookin' at me
I was a high school loser, never made it with a lady
till the boys told me somethin' I missed
then my next door neighbor with a daughter had a favor
so I gave her just a little kiss
like this!

seesaw swingin' with the boys in the school
and your feet flyin' up in the air
singin' "hey diddle diddle"
with your kitty in the middle of the swing
like you didn't care
so I took a big chance at the high school dance
with a missy who was ready to play
wasn't me she was foolin'
'cause she knew what she was doin'
and I knowed love was here to stay
when she told me to
when she told me how to walk this way, she told me to

walk this way [8x]
just gimme a kiss
like this!

Lyrics from http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/aerosmith/walkthisway.html