Draw the Line (song)
Encyclopedia
"Draw the Line" is a song by American
hard rock
band Aerosmith
. It was written by Steven Tyler
and Joe Perry
, and was released in 1977 as the first single (and title track) from the album Draw the Line. It peaked at #42 on the Billboard Hot 100
. It was included in their album Greatest Hits.
and Joey Kramer
, the back-and-forth interplay between guitarists Joe Perry and Brad Whitford
. The song slows down before building to a climax showcasing Steven Tyler's trademark scream.
A stereo remix of this song is available on the "Oh Yeah! Ultimate Hits" compilation.
, who plays an extended guitar solo before the song's climax, and makes use of the open tuning used for the song by performing a number of tricks made possible by said tuning. These include placing the guitar on the floor & beating it with his shirt and having drummer Joey Kramer
beat a rhythm over the strings with his drumsticks.
On more recent tours, he has also been known to employ a theremin
in an extended breakdown of the song, often imitating Jimmy Page
's use of one in Led Zeppelin
's heyday. The band often follow with a brief snippet of Zeppelin's "Whole Lotta Love
" before returning into the song.
", was not on the Draw the Line album but eventually surfaced on Gems (a compilation of heavier, harder-edged Aerosmith album tracks that were largely not singles, though many were played live at one time or another). "Chip Away the Stone" was written by Richie Supa and received a fair amount of radio airplay after the release of Gems
, and found its way into Aerosmith's live setlists for a while.
Many versions of the "Draw the Line" single also had "Bright Light Fright" as the B-side.
band Testament
recorded a cover of "Draw the Line" for a greatest hits
compilation of theirs, making it the second Aerosmith song they have covered, the first being "Nobody's Fault
".
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 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 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...
, and was released in 1977 as the first single (and title track) from the album Draw the Line. It peaked at #42 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...
. It was included in their album Greatest Hits.
Song information
The song encompasses many of the typical things Aerosmith is known for, including the strong rhythm backbeat by Tom HamiltonTom Hamilton (musician)
Thomas William "Tom" Hamilton is an American musician, best known as the bassist of hard rock band Aerosmith. He has co-written two of Aerosmith's hits, "Sweet Emotion" and "Janie's Got a Gun". Hamilton occasionally plays guitar and sings backing vocals Thomas William "Tom" Hamilton (born...
and Joey Kramer
Joey Kramer
Joseph Michael "Joey" Kramer is the drummer for the American hard rock band Aerosmith....
, the back-and-forth interplay between guitarists Joe Perry and Brad Whitford
Brad Whitford
Bradford Ernest Whitford is the rhythm guitarist for the hard rock band Aerosmith. He graduated Reading Memorial High School in 1970.-Career:...
. The song slows down before building to a climax showcasing Steven Tyler's trademark scream.
A stereo remix of this song is available on the "Oh Yeah! Ultimate Hits" compilation.
In concert
Lately in concert, however, the chief focus is on lead guitarist Joe PerryJoe 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...
, who plays an extended guitar solo before the song's climax, and makes use of the open tuning used for the song by performing a number of tricks made possible by said tuning. These include placing the guitar on the floor & beating it with his shirt and having drummer Joey Kramer
Joey Kramer
Joseph Michael "Joey" Kramer is the drummer for the American hard rock band Aerosmith....
beat a rhythm over the strings with his drumsticks.
On more recent tours, he has also been known to employ a theremin
Theremin
The theremin , originally known as the aetherphone/etherophone, thereminophone or termenvox/thereminvox is an early electronic musical instrument controlled without discernible physical contact from the player. It is named after its Russian inventor, Professor Léon Theremin, who patented the device...
in an extended breakdown of the song, often imitating Jimmy Page
Jimmy Page
James Patrick "Jimmy" Page, OBE is an English multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and record producer. He began his career as a studio session guitarist in London and was subsequently a member of The Yardbirds from 1966 to 1968, after which he founded the English rock band Led Zeppelin.Jimmy Page...
's use of one in Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin were an English rock band, active in the late 1960s and throughout the 1970s. Formed in 1968, they consisted of guitarist Jimmy Page, singer Robert Plant, bassist/keyboardist John Paul Jones, and drummer John Bonham...
's heyday. The band often follow with a brief snippet of Zeppelin's "Whole Lotta Love
Whole Lotta Love
"Whole Lotta Love" is a song by English rock band Led Zeppelin. It is featured as the opening track on the band's second album, Led Zeppelin II, and was released in the United States and Japan as a single. The US release became their first hit single, it was certified Gold on 13 April 1970, when it...
" before returning into the song.
B-side
The b-side of some versions of the single, "Chip Away the StoneChip Away the Stone
"Chip Away the Stone" is a song performed by American hard rock band Aerosmith. Written by band friend and songwriter Richie Supa, it was released in 1978 as the only single to support the band's live album Live! Bootleg...
", was not on the Draw the Line album but eventually surfaced on Gems (a compilation of heavier, harder-edged Aerosmith album tracks that were largely not singles, though many were played live at one time or another). "Chip Away the Stone" was written by Richie Supa and received a fair amount of radio airplay after the release of Gems
Gems (album)
-Personnel:*Steven Tyler - lead vocals, harmonica, piano, producer*Brad Whitford - rhythm guitar*Joe Perry - lead guitar, backing vocals*Tom Hamilton - bass*Joey Kramer - drums, percussionAdditional musicians*Jimmy Crespo - lead guitar on "Jailbait"...
, and found its way into Aerosmith's live setlists for a while.
Many versions of the "Draw the Line" single also had "Bright Light Fright" as the B-side.
Cover versions
Thrash metalThrash metal
Thrash metal is a subgenre of heavy metal that is characterized usually by its fast tempo and aggression. Songs of the genre typically use fast percussive and low-register guitar riffs, overlaid with shredding-style lead work...
band Testament
Testament (band)
Testament is an American metal band from Berkeley, California, formed in 1983. They are often credited as one of the most popular bands of the 1980s thrash metal scene...
recorded a cover of "Draw the Line" for a greatest hits
Greatest hits
A greatest hits album is a music compilation album of successful, previously released songs by a particular artist or band...
compilation of theirs, making it the second Aerosmith song they have covered, the first being "Nobody's Fault
Nobody's Fault
"Nobody's Fault" is a song by American hard rock band Aerosmith. It is the sixth track on Aerosmith's hard rock album Rocks, released in 1976. It was written by guitarist Brad Whitford and lead singer Steven Tyler...
".