RockOnTheNet.com
presents The Top Pop Songs
Of All Time !
We have ranked the top pop songs that have charted over the past
50+ years on The ARC Weekly Top 40 and Billboard Hot 100, and
come up with
a definitive list that will continue to expand as we add to it,
and continue to modify as new songs chart on The ARC Weekly Top
40.
"We were
America's band, we were the garage band that
made it really big... the ultimate party
band..." - Joe Perry, Aerosmith
TIMELINE
Aerosmith formed in Boston,
Mass., in 1970 and became a rock music staple
throughout the 70s with their hard edge rock
sound combining with pop, heavy metal, and blues.
Like most bands in the 70s, success brought the
temptations of substance abuse and band turmoil,
but Aerosmith proved they could rise above it
all, and by the 90s they had re-established
themselves as one of the premiere, true rock
bands of the century and had set the stage for
many other similar bands to follow but never
surpass. By 1964, Steven Tyler was starting up
his own bands in New Hampshire including The
Strangeurs (later called Chain Reaction). Tyler
also worked as a backup singer on the hit
"Walk Away Rene" by the Left
Banke (a Top 40 hit in 1966). Around the
same time Joe Perry and Tom Hamilton teamed
together as Pipe Dream (later called Jam Band).
By the end of the 60's, Chain Reaction and Jam
Band had crossed paths while performing in New
Hampshire. Tyler told Circus magazine in
1975: "...I loved Joe's style... he always
played out of tune and real sloppy and I just
loved it." Soon, Aerosmith was born.
Aerosmith began with Steven Tyler,
Joe Perry, Tom Hamilton and Ray Tabano. Their
name was the only choice that "no one
hated."
November 6: Aerosmith's first
performance together took place at Nipmuc
Regional High School in Massachusetts.
Ray Tabano left Aerosmith was then
replaced by Brad Whitford and Joey Kramer was
added as drummer so Tyler could focus on the role
of lead singer. Soon the band was making their
mark in Boston and New York.
August 5: Aerosmith signed with
Columbia Records (for $125,000) after Clive Davis
caught one their performances in New York.
January 13: Aerosmith released their
debut LP, Aerosmith, with their first single
"Dream On." The rock ballad had little
impact on its first release, but went on to
become an Aerosmith staple.
March 1: Aerosmith released Get
Your Wings and the LP found more success with
the group's constant touring exposure. Popular
tracks on the LP included "Same Old Song And
Dance" and the cover of "Train Kept A
Rollin'" and kept the LP on the charts for a
year and a half.
May 3: Aerosmith's success
resulted in the re-release of "Dream
On" and their first Top 10 pop hit. Rocks was released went Top 5,
sold over 3 million copies in the U.S., and the
single "Back In The Saddle" hit the Top
40. The LP also contained the favorite tracks
"Last Child" and "Rats In The
Cellar."
July 28: Perry decided to move on
from Aerosmith and form his own musical project
(Joe Perry Project). He was replaced by Jimmy
Crespo.
November 1: Aerosmith released Night
In The Ruts. The new LP showed that the band's
commercial momentum had slowed considerably and
many questions asked if substance use was now
impacting the band's music.
Whitford left the band and was
replaced by Rick Dufay.
August 27: The newly configured
Aerosmith released Rock
In A Hard Place with minor success (compared to
their previous accomplishments). The band also
found themselves no longer with Columbia Records
and the LP failed to go platinum.
Tyler was arrested on charges of
possession of cocaine and narcotics paraphernalia
in Arizona. The charges were later dropped in
exchange for a guilty plea, 3 years probation and
a fine of $5000.
February 14: Finding little success
with their own projects, Perry and Whitford
re-joined Aerosmith and the group embarked on a
reunion tour ("Back In The Saddle"
tour) in the summer. Perry told Rolling
Stone:
"I know everybody's gonna ask if we got back
together for the money, and of course we did...
no, it's fun to have the money come in, but the
reason is definitely the pleasure we get from
playing together." Substance abuse problems
were continually speculated about the group
during the tour after Tyler collapsed on stage
one night.
October 21: Aerosmith released Done
With Mirrors on Geffen Records and Tyler and
Perry went into substance abuse rehabilitation
programs. The LP was viewed as stronger as their
2 previous efforts, but the band had to contend
with the popular new wave sounds of the 80s and
many "copy" bands.
April 4: Classics
Live
was released with live tracks recorded between
'77 and '83.
August 9: Tyler and Perry made
cameo appearances in the video of Run-D.M.C.'s remake of ""Walk This Way" and helped out with
the single. The exposure prepared the band for an
amazing comeback.
June 1: Classics
Live 2
was released containing live tracks of "Toys
In The Attic," "Walk This Way,"
and "Same Old Song And Dance." The live
LP was a collection of performances from
Massachusetts ('84 and '86), and California
('78).
August 25: Permanent
Vacation was released. Aerosmith hit the
charts again with the tracks "Dude (Looks
Like A Lady)," "Angel," and "Ragdoll." The
LP returned Aerosmith to platinum status, selling
over 5 million copies in the U.S.
September 12: Aerosmith was back in the
Top 10 with the release of Pump and the hits "Janie's Got A Gun," "Love In An Elevator," and "What It Takes." The band also took
advantage of video popularity and began making
some of the most memorable videos for each other
singles.
April 29: During a performance in
Alaska, Tyler twisted his knee resulting in the
postponement 4 scheduled performances. The
twisted knee occurred during the encore of the
concert, but Tyler did complete the show. It was
soon announced that Tyler's knee injury would
result in the postponement of 14 Aerosmith
performances due to upcoming surgery and
recuperation. The postponed performances were all
in North America and were rescheduled for the
late summer or early fall. Tyler said of the
postponements: "I can't tell you how sorry I
am that we're being forced to postpone these
shows and disappoint our fans across the country.
In all of our years together, I don't think we've
missed more than a handful of gigs, so this comes
as a tremendous blow to all of us. All I can say
is that I'm going work my butt off after the
operation to get back on my feet so that we can
get out on the road again as soon as
possible."
June 20: Tyler's criminal record
was cleared of a 14 year-old drug conviction. The
charges stem back from a 1983 arrest on charges
of possession of cocaine and narcotics
paraphernalia. The arrest needed to be cleared so
that Tyler could get a passport to tour with the
band.
July 15: Kramernarrowly escaped
severe injuries and possibly worse when his
Ferrari burst into flames at a Scituate,
Massachusetts gas station. Kramer suffered minor
burns on his arms and hand. The injury resulted
in more concert postponements
September 5: Aerosmith topped the
Billboard Hot 100 Singles chart for 4 weeks and
the Hot 100 Singles Sales chart for 2 weeks with
"I Don't Want To Miss A
Thing."
October: A lawsuit was filed
against Aerosmith by a fan who claims when he
attended the band's concert over a year ago in
California, he suffered permanent hearing loss.
The fan has named both Aerosmith and the Concord
Pavilion in the lawsuit as responsible for his
hearing damage.
March 19: Aerosmith were inducted
into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Tyler said
of the honor: "It's overwhelming, because
when you see all these people up there that you
cut your teeth on, and listened to and heard, to
think that you've got a room next to Elvis Presley now, is like wow!."
June 29: The 'Aerosmith Edition'
of the video game Guitar Hero was
released.
August 5: Tyler broke his shoulder
and needed stitches in his head after taking a
fall from the stage at a Chicago performance. The
remainder of their tour was later cancelled due
to the injury.
December: Tyler entered rehab for an
addiction to pain killers.
July 15: Tyler released his first
solo LP We're
All Somebody From Somewhere. Tracks: "My Own Worst
Enemy" - "We're All Somebody From
Somewhere" - "Hold On (Won't Let
Go)" - "It AIn't Easy" -
"Love Is Your Name" - "I Make My
Own Sunshine" - "Gypsy Girl" -
"Somebody New" - "Only
Heaven" - "The Good, The Bad, The Ugly
& Me" - "Red, White & You"
- "What Am I Doin' Right?" -
"Janie's Got A Gun" - "Piece Of My
Heart" (with The Loving Mary Band) Billboard Top 200 LPs
peak:
# 19
available for download at iTunes and Amazon.mp3
available on vinyl
May 24: It was announed that
concert performances in June and July would be
postponed after Steve Tyler headed for treatment
for a recent relapse. The announcement read:
"After foot surgery to prepare for the stage
and the necessity of pain management during the
process, he has recently relapsed and voluntarily
entered a treatment program to concentrate on his
health and recovery."
May 1: Aerosmith announced a
40-date North American tour described as a
farewell tour: 'It's not goodbye it's PEACE OUT!
Get ready and walk this way, you're going to get
the best show of our lives." Kramer will not
be joining the tour chosing to give his attention
to his family and health. The tour will start in
Philadelphia in September, include a New Year's
Eve hometown show in Boston, and end in Montreal
in January, 2024.
Released: March 1, 1974 US: 3x Platinum Billboard Top
200 LPs
peak: # 74 Tracks: "Same Old Song
And Dance" - "Lord Of The
Thighs" - "Spaced" -
"Woman Of The World" - "S.O.S.
(Too Bad)" - "Train Kept A
Rollin'" - "Seasons Of Wither"
- "Pandora's Box"
Released: December 1, 1977 US: 2x Platinum Billboard Top
200 LPs
peak: # 11 Tracks: "Draw The
Line" - "I Wanna Know Why" -
"Critical Mass" - "Get It
Up" - "Bright Light Fright" -
"Kings And Queens" - "The Hand
That Feeds" - "Sight For Sore
Eyes" - "Milk Cow Blues"
Released: November, 1978 US: Platinum Billboard Top
200 LPs
peak: # 13 Live Tracks: "Back In The
Saddle" - "Sweet Emotion" -
"Lord Of The Thighs" - "Toys
In The Attic" - "Last Child" -
"Come Together" - "Walk This
Way" - "Sick As A Dog" -
"Dream On" - "Chip Away The
Stone" - "Sight For Sore Eyes"
- "Mama Kin" - "S.O.S." -
"I Ain't Got You" - "Mother
Popcorn" - "Train Kept A
Rollin'"
Released: November 1, 1979 US: Platinum Billboard Top
200 LPs
peak: # 14 Tracks: "No
Surprize" - "Chiquita" -
"Remember (Walking In
The Sand)" - "Cheese Cake"
- "Three Mile Smile" - "Reefer
Head Woman" - "Bone To Bone (Coney
Island White Fish Boy)" - "Think
About It" - "Mia"
Released: October 3, 1980 US: 12x Platinum Billboard Top
200 LPs
peak: # 53 Tracks: "Dream On"
- "Same Old Song And Dance" -
"Sweet Emotion" - "Walk This
Way" - "Last Child" -
"Back In The Saddle" - "Draw
The Line" - "Kings And Queens"
- "Come Together" - "Remember (Walking In
The Sand)"
Released: August 27, 1982 US: Gold Billboard Top
200 LPs
peak: # 32 Rolling Stone: Tracks: "Jailbait"
- "Lightning Strikes" -
"Bitch's Brew" - "Bolivian
Ragamuffin" - "Cry Me A River"
- "Joanie's Butterfly" - "Rock
In A Hard Place (Chesire Cat)" -
"Jig Is Up" - "Push Comes To
Shove"
Released: October 21, 1985 US: Gold Billboard Top
200 LPs
peak: # 36 Tracks: "Let The Music
Do The Talking" - "My Fist Your
Face" - "Shame On You" -
"The Reason A Dog" -
"Shela" - "Gypsy Boots" -
"She's On Fire" - "The
Hop" - "Darkness"
Released: April 4, 1986 US: Platinum: Billboard Top
200 LPs
peak: # 84 Rolling Stone: Live Tracks: "Train Kept A
Rollin'" - "Kings And Queens"
- "Sweet Emotions" - "Dream
On" - "Mama Kin" - "Three
Mile Smile / Reefer Head Woman" -
"Lord Of The Thighs" - "Major
Barbra"
Released: June 1, 1987 US: Gold Rolling Stone: Tracks: "Back In The
Saddle" - "Walk This Way" -
"Movin' Out" - "Draw The
Line" - "Same Old Song And
Dance" - "Last Child" -
"Let The Music Do The Talking" -
"Toys In The Attic"
Released: November 8, 1988 US: Gold Billboard Top
200 LPs
peak: # 133 Rolling Stone: Tracks: "Rats In The
Cellar" - "Lick And A Promise"
- "Chip Away The Stone" - "No
Surprize" - "Mama Kin" -
"Adam's Apple" - "Nobody's
Fault" - "Round And Round" -
"Critical Mass" - "Lord Of The
Thighs" - "Jailbait" -
"Train Kept A Rollin'"
Released: November 15, 1991 US: Platinum Billboard Top
200 LPs
peak: # 45 Tracks: "When I Needed
You" - "Make It" -
"Movin' Out" - "One Way
Street" - "On The Road Again"
- "Mama Kin" - "Same Old Song
And Dance" - "Train Kept A
Rollin'" - "Seasons Of Wither"
- "Write Me A Letter" - "Dream
On" - "Pandora's Box" -
"Rattlesnake Shake" - "Walkin'
The Dog" - "Lord Of The
Thighs" - "Toys In The Attic"
- "Round And Round" -
"Krawhitham" - "You See Me
Crying" - "Sweet Emotion" -
"No More No More" - "Walk This
Way" - "I Wanna Know Why" -
"Big Ten Inch Record" - "Rats
In The Cellar" - "Last Child"
- "All Your Love" - "Soul
Saver" - "Nobody's Fault" -
"Lick And A Promise" - "Adam's
Apple" - "Draw The Line" -
"Critical Mass" - "Kings And
Queens" - "Milkcow Blues" -
"I Live In Connecticut" -
"Three Mile Smile" - "Let It
Slide" - "Cheese Cake" -
"Bone To Bone (Coney Island White Fish
Boy)" - "No Surprise" -
"Come Together" - "Downtown
Charlie" - "Sharshooter" -
"S__t House Shuffle" - "South
Station Blues" - "Riff &
Roll" - "Jailbait" -
"Major Barbara" - "Chip Away
The Stone" - "Helter Skelter"
- "Back In The Saddle"
Released: October 25, 2005 Billboard Top
200 LPs
peak: # 24 Live Tracks: "Beyond
Beautiful" - "Same Old Song And
Dance" - "No More No More" -
"Seasons Of Wither" - "Light
Inside" - "Draw The Line" -
"I Don't Want To Miss A
Thing"
- "Big Ten Inch Record" -
"Rattlesnake Shake" - "Walk
This Way" - "Train Kept A
Rollin'"
Released: November 6, 2012 Billboard Top
200 LPs
peak: # 5 Billboard #1: Rock Albums, Hard
Rock Albums Tracks: "LUV XXX" -
"Oh Yeah" - "Beautiful" -
"Tell Me" - "Out Go The
Lights" - "Legendary Child" -
"What Could Have Been Love" -
"Street Jesus" - "Can't Stop
Loving You" - "Lover A Lot" -
"We All Fall Down" - "Freedom
Fighter" - "Closer" -
"Something" - "Another Last
Goodbye"
Released: August 18, 2023 Billboard Top
200 LPs
peak: # 36 Billboard #1: Hard Rock Albums Live Tracks: "Mama Kin"
- "Dream On" - "Lord Of The
Thighs" - "Same Old Song And
Dance" - "Train Kept A
Rollin'" - "S.O.S. (Too Bad)"
- "Seasons Of Wither" - "Walk
This Way" - "Big Ten Inch
Record" - "Adam's Apple" -
"Sweet Emotion" - "Toys In The
Attic" - "Combination" -
"Nobody's Fault" - "Home
Tonight" - "Back In The
Saddle" - "Last Child" -
"Bright Light Fright" - "Draw
The Line" - "Kings And Queens"
- "Let The Music Do The Talking" -
"Walk This Way" - "Hangman
Jury" - "Dude (Looks Like A
Lady)" - "Rag Doll" (live) -
"Angel" - "Monkey On My
Back" - "What It Takes" -
"Water Song / Janie's Got A Gun" -
"Going Down / Love In An Elevator"
- "The Other Side"- "Livin' On
The Edge" - "Amazing" -
"Get A Grip" - "Eat The
Rich" - "Crazy" -
"Falling In Love (Is Hard On The
Knees)" - "Pink" - "Nine
Lives" - "I Don't Want To Miss A
Thing" - "Jaded" - "We
All Fall Down" - "Just Push
Play"
Note: Song title and position
links lead you to the song's ARC Weekly Top 40 chart run, LP links take
you to Amazon.com for that LP's info (often
including track listings and track samples), and
single cover art takes you to Amazon.com for that CD single (if
available). Songs charting prior to 1980 have
information from Billboard magazine.
Aerosmith formed in Boston,
Mass., in 1970 and became a rock music staple
throughout the 70s with their hard edge rock
sound combining with pop, heavy metal, and blues.
Like most bands in the 70s, success brought the
temptations of substance abuse and band turmoil,
but Aerosmith proved they could rise above it
all, and by the 90s they had re-established
themselves as one of the premiere, true rock
bands of the century and had set the stage for
many other similar bands to follow but never
surpass. By 1964, Steven Tyler was starting up
his own bands in New Hampshire including The
Strangeurs (later called Chain Reaction). Tyler
also worked as a backup singer on the hit
"Walk Away Rene" by the Left
Banke (a Top 40 hit in 1966). Around the
same time Joe Perry and Tom Hamilton teamed
together as Pipe Dream (later called Jam Band).
By the end of the 60's, Chain Reaction and Jam
Band had crossed paths while performing in New
Hampshire. Tyler told Circus magazine in
1975: "...I loved Joe's style... he always
played out of tune and real sloppy and I just
loved it." Soon, Aerosmith was born.
