Amazing (Aerosmith song)
Encyclopedia
"Amazing" is a song performed by American
hard rock
band Aerosmith
. It was written by lead singer Steven Tyler
and longtime band friend and collaborator Richie Supa. It peaked at #24 on the Billboard Hot 100
, #3 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks
chart, and #9 on the Top 40 Mainstream chart, and #57 in the UK
.
On the album Get a Grip
, as soon as the song ends, a radio is heard being tuned in to a recording of "Who Threw the Whiskey in the Well
," recorded by Lucky Millinder
. Tyler says, "So from all of us at Aerosmith to all of you out there, wherever you are, remember: the light at the end of the tunnel may be you. Good night." Millinder's orchestra plays as the music fades out.
, is well-known for its depiction of digital technology and featured the second appearance of Alicia Silverstone
in the band's videos. Paired with her was Jason London
, star of Dazed and Confused
, a film which was released in the same year as Get a Grip and which memorably made numerous references to Aerosmith. The characters are featured in the music video as two cyberspace kids who escape to a world of virtual reality
together, both not realizing the other is also doing virtual reality.
In the virtual dream world, the two embark on a motorcycle journey and sky-dive, as well as engage in a steamy makeout session.
One part of the video features the characters boarding and taking flight in a biplane
, which combined with the digital technology creates what is often regarded as a fascinating dichotomy between antiquated and modern technology, in some ways presenting a parallel for the characters.
Meanwhile, members of the band perform in various parts throughout the song, including in a tunnel, as well as solo shots of Steven Tyler
in a room by himself and Joe Perry
playing a guitar solo with a cityscape in the background. Joe Perry also suffered a slight head injury during the making of the video.
At the end of the video, it is discovered that it was Silverstone who was engaging in the virtual fantasy. Many critics now hail the video as a powerful warning about the potential dangers of cyberspace .
The video version of the song was extended by 52 seconds at the end, where two loops were inserted.
used in the video game Dead or Alive 4
for the Xbox 360
created by Team Ninja. It appears in Helena's ending theme, which also counts as the ending cinematic and credits for the entire game.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
hard rock
Hard rock
Hard rock is a loosely defined genre of rock music which has its earliest roots in mid-1960s garage rock, blues rock and psychedelic rock...
band Aerosmith
Aerosmith
Aerosmith is an American rock band, sometimes referred to as "The Bad Boys from Boston" and "America's Greatest Rock and Roll Band". Their style, which is rooted in blues-based hard rock, has come to also incorporate elements of pop, heavy metal, and rhythm and blues, and has inspired many...
. It was written by lead singer Steven Tyler
Steven Tyler
Steven Tyler is an American singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist, best known as the frontman and lead singer of the Boston-based rock band Aerosmith, in which he also plays the harmonica, and occasional piano and percussion. He is known as the "Demon of Screamin'", due to his high screams...
and longtime band friend and collaborator Richie Supa. It peaked at #24 on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
, #3 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks
Mainstream Rock Tracks
Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks is a ranking in Billboard magazine of the most-played songs on mainstream rock radio stations, a category that includes stations that play primarily rock music. Modern rock tracks are counted in the Alternative Songs chart.This chart began with the March 21, 1981, issue...
chart, and #9 on the Top 40 Mainstream chart, and #57 in the UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
.
On the album Get a Grip
Get a Grip
Get a Grip is the 11th studio album by American rock band Aerosmith, released in April 1993 by Geffen Records. Get a Grip was the band's last studio album to be released by Geffen before they returned to Columbia Records....
, as soon as the song ends, a radio is heard being tuned in to a recording of "Who Threw the Whiskey in the Well
Who Threw the Whiskey in the Well
"Who Threw the Whiskey in the Well" is a 1945 song performed by Lucky Millinder and His Orchestra. With Wynonie Harris on vocals, "Who Threw the Whiskey in the Well" became Lucky Millinder's most successful release on both the pop and R&B charts...
," recorded by Lucky Millinder
Lucky Millinder
Lucius Venable "Lucky" Millinder was an American rhythm and blues and swing bandleader. Although he could not read or write music, did not play an instrument and rarely sang, his showmanship and musical taste made his bands successful...
. Tyler says, "So from all of us at Aerosmith to all of you out there, wherever you are, remember: the light at the end of the tunnel may be you. Good night." Millinder's orchestra plays as the music fades out.
Video
The video for the song, directed by Marty CallnerMarty Callner
Marty Callner is a director. His primary work is with music videos. Marty has directed work from such popular artists as Cher, The Rolling Stones and Aerosmith and has work recorded back as far as 1977 and as recent as 2009. He has been nominated for 7 Emmys, 3 DGAs, and 1 CableACE Award...
, is well-known for its depiction of digital technology and featured the second appearance of Alicia Silverstone
Alicia Silverstone
Alicia Silverstone is an American actress, author, and former fashion model. She first came to widespread attention in music videos for Aerosmith, and is perhaps best known for her roles in Hollywood films such as Clueless and her portrayal of Batgirl in Batman & Robin .-Early life:Silverstone...
in the band's videos. Paired with her was Jason London
Jason London
Jason Paul London is an American actor, best known for his role as Randall "Pink" Floyd in director Richard Linklater's film Dazed and Confused.-Personal life:...
, star of Dazed and Confused
Dazed and Confused
"Dazed and Confused" is a song by Jake Holmes, which was covered by The Yardbirds, and later reworked by Led Zeppelin who hold a separate copyright on the song.-Jake Holmes:...
, a film which was released in the same year as Get a Grip and which memorably made numerous references to Aerosmith. The characters are featured in the music video as two cyberspace kids who escape to a world of virtual reality
Virtual reality
Virtual reality , also known as virtuality, is a term that applies to computer-simulated environments that can simulate physical presence in places in the real world, as well as in imaginary worlds...
together, both not realizing the other is also doing virtual reality.
In the virtual dream world, the two embark on a motorcycle journey and sky-dive, as well as engage in a steamy makeout session.
One part of the video features the characters boarding and taking flight in a biplane
Biplane
A biplane is a fixed-wing aircraft with two superimposed main wings. The Wright brothers' Wright Flyer used a biplane design, as did most aircraft in the early years of aviation. While a biplane wing structure has a structural advantage, it produces more drag than a similar monoplane wing...
, which combined with the digital technology creates what is often regarded as a fascinating dichotomy between antiquated and modern technology, in some ways presenting a parallel for the characters.
Meanwhile, members of the band perform in various parts throughout the song, including in a tunnel, as well as solo shots of Steven Tyler
Steven Tyler
Steven Tyler is an American singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist, best known as the frontman and lead singer of the Boston-based rock band Aerosmith, in which he also plays the harmonica, and occasional piano and percussion. He is known as the "Demon of Screamin'", due to his high screams...
in a room by himself and Joe Perry
Joe Perry (musician)
Anthony Joseph "Joe" Perry is the lead guitarist, backing and occasional lead vocalist, and contributing songwriter for the rock band Aerosmith. He is influenced by many rock artists especially The Rolling Stones and The Beatles...
playing a guitar solo with a cityscape in the background. Joe Perry also suffered a slight head injury during the making of the video.
At the end of the video, it is discovered that it was Silverstone who was engaging in the virtual fantasy. Many critics now hail the video as a powerful warning about the potential dangers of cyberspace .
The video version of the song was extended by 52 seconds at the end, where two loops were inserted.
Charts
| End of year chart (1994) | Position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 72 |
Lyrics
It is written by Steven Tyler, with assistance from professional songwriter and former bandmate Richie Supa, and is considered as one of Tyler's best works. It tells about his troubled life and drug abuse after the band broke up.In other media
"Amazing" is one of the two theme songs performed by AerosmithAerosmith
Aerosmith is an American rock band, sometimes referred to as "The Bad Boys from Boston" and "America's Greatest Rock and Roll Band". Their style, which is rooted in blues-based hard rock, has come to also incorporate elements of pop, heavy metal, and rhythm and blues, and has inspired many...
used in the video game Dead or Alive 4
Dead or Alive 4
Dead or Alive 4 has received generally positive reviews. IGN gave the game 9.0/10, calling it "a move in the right direction for the series", and praised the fighting system as "deeper and more sophisticated". GameSpot awarded the game a score of 8.8/10, with one of its only negative comments going...
for the Xbox 360
Xbox 360
The Xbox 360 is the second video game console produced by Microsoft and the successor to the Xbox. The Xbox 360 competes with Sony's PlayStation 3 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
created by Team Ninja. It appears in Helena's ending theme, which also counts as the ending cinematic and credits for the entire game.