Outside the box again, I'm going with Mama by Genesis. Can't tell if it's a love song or stalking song. The synth playing by Tony Banks is very haunting
Girl from my high school reported her stepfather for sexual abuse. After hearing the song. She said that it gave her the courage to go public after years of not being heard by her family. And having grown up in that era, kids were not given the benefit of the doubt in such matters with authorities believing adults over children. She said it saved her life.
Well lots of kids still get the benefit of the doubt consider Larry Nassar and how it takes so much courage to report abuse then to be degraded for it would ruin their self esteem to realize the system is enabling and abusive too.
This song and Susana Vega's Luca were tough to listen to/watch. I've spent much time working through the emotional scars of the trauma I suffered for most of my life. For 5 years, I've replaced drugs and alcohol with motherhood and weekly therapy. I've always been grateful to Tyler and his steps to help people like me.
I remember the first time I saw that video on Muchmusic (I'm Canadian)I was 16 and an avowed metalhead, I had the TV on, not really listening to the TV but more for background noise and then My Name is Luka started playing... I couldn't help but stop and listen because it was so completely different and more emotional than just about anything I'd ever heard before...
This is a perfect example of why I miss the real MTV era, the videos of songs like this make it very difficult to miss what the song is about when it doesn't explicitly say it. When watching the video and listening to the lyrics you can feel the pain that this song is about.
I thoroughly agree mate. The video clip for this song was played regularly for years on the best music video show Australia ever had, a late night weekend show called Rage. Australia never had a 24/7 MTV channel. Rage was the best we had, and still have. All night Friday and Saturday.
This song came out immediately after a revelation by a close personal friend of mine. Her father had been molesting her and her sister for years and it all came to a head just before my 18th birthday. I’ll always remember thinking, “how can anybody do that to their own child?” The parents are supposed to be their protectors, not take it vantage of them. I remember listening to that magical lyric and thinking to myself that this should be the justice for all who do this. This is still a very impactful song.
Yeah, this whole song has meant a lot to me, and actually helped me lay to rest a lot of the pain from several times of either being taken advantage of and/or being forced and flat out sexually harassed by older male students in class, and all of it happened no later than '83/12 years old. I didn't have a gun, but I had two mean A$$ fists that showed up once or twice in school and I was never messed with again, unless some ignorant somebody moved in to town, started at school and thought they might have a go at me, one for what ever reason I unknowingly draw that type of person and two because they would be asking who was tough and shouldn't be messed with, trying to make their mark that way, and I guess I was considered the easiest target because I was small and female. They would always find out they chose wrong. Including a principal who had suspended me at a critical testing time for supposedly fighting, the only time I didn't do anything, because I knew a coach was coming. Needless to say Dad went down to school on Monday and told the principal if he didn't understand the fundamentals of fighting, then he could stick him in a ring with me and I would kick his A$$ from one corner to the next and maybe then he would know the difference between me fighting and not fighting!! LMBO!! My Dad rarely cussed, but he did that day!! My Dad never really liked hard rock, and he passed two years before this song came out, but he would have appreciated this song, agreed with how it was written and sang, and would have been super impressed with Steven setting up Janie's house and foundation!!!
@@RFXLR Thanks!! I That was very shortened version of what happened. The principal told me and my Dad if I was caught fighting again he was going to expel me for the rest of the year or something like that. He tried so hard to catch me in a fight, but couldn't. He kept telling my brother to let my Dad know I was in this fight or that when I wasn't. Every time he thought he had me I had teachers who were with me at the moment he would accuse me of fighting. He was crazy!! Ended up getting demoted to bus depot supervisor, over maybe 10 buses!! LMBO!!!
"Janie's Got a Gun" is one of my all-time favorite songs. It's why I went out and bought Pump on cassette when it came out. Sadly, I don't get to listen to the song very often. My wife was a victim. She cannot listen to the song. Every time she hears it, she suffers nightmares to this day of the repeated attacks committed by her uncle. Due to this, I don't listen to it, if she's within hearing range. She has suffered enough already.
@@throbbinwoodofcoxley6830 I co-sign that! I know how it feels for someone, that you trusted to protect you, to do this to you as a kid. I had to fight the flashbacks like hell to keep it from controlling me as an adult, while I created and raised my own family years ago. I WON. This song gave me VINDICATION when I first heard it, but now it reminds me that I grew past it, and I protected my (now grown) daughters from suffering the same fate, by keeping constant vigilance over their childhood. (They are 31 & 28 now.) I finally exhaled when they made it to 18, but now the grandkids are here... but my daughters are ON IT and don't play that shit, so I can breathe...a bit. Thank YOU, Father God, for the rescue...all those years ago, and always.
Sorry to hear that about your wife. It's sad about victims. It's turned into a worse nightmare in the 80' s. I remember that song when it hit the airwaves. I don't listen it either because of what it's about. Sorry to bring the whole thing . Just a horror and nightmare.
I felt the same for many years. After 10 years of therapy this song has become one of my favorites. Janie took justice into her own hands. I feel as I have done the same.
I’m a survivor of abuse. This song was a balm to my soul. I’m living proof that you can survive, heal, & move on to have a fully blessed life. I’m also living proof that the cycle of abuse does NOT have to repeated. That’s a choice. I chose to make certain that our children would NEVER have to deal w/ this problem. Each day offers new blessings, make certain you acknowledge each one. 😊
As a Jane that was going through profound emotional abuse at the hands of both parents at that time (I was 18 when it hit the charts), I related to the song a lot more than I should. Even now at 51, I hear the song and I feel like my soul have been ripped apart, bewildered, angry and ultimately empowered when I hear this song. Thank you for sharing this!
My middle name is Jane. Everyone calls me Jane. As a survivor too. I was also 18 when this came out. It gave me back my power. Even if only in my car with the radio. But nonetheless. I didn't feel so Isolated and frightened. I found strength in this. Take care Jane. Ty for sharing. Live your best life.
My middle name is also Jane. I've always been called Janie. This song resonates with me to. I was abused also, but not like the Janie in this song, it was emotionally. If I had been abused like this I'm afraid I might have turned the gun 🔫 on myself because I was taught that I didn't matter at all to the people that were supposed to take care of me, love me and made me distrust people til this day. I never married or had kids because I was afraid that this abuse could carry on with me. It had already gone through two generations already. I couldn't take that chance . My grandfather saved me. He was the only one not abusive towards me. It was on both sides with my parents. Still break's my heart to this day. I wanted to break the cycle and I did, but at the cost of a family for me. I'm 65 now and still wish I hadn't just focused the abuse on myself. If they wanted to break 💔 me they accomplished it. Sorry I don't talk about it with anyone. I turned my pain inward and listening to this song did empower me, but not enough sadly. No one could understand why I loved this song so much, because I couldn't tell anyone I was ashamed. Social media has opened a door for a lot of people.
I was a Jane too, 13 when this song came out. If I'd had a gun, my biological father would have died that year. And my mother would have likely thanked me for it, since she'd protected me from the worst of his abuse. I didn't even watch this video for 2 weeks, because I had a feeling which song it would be about, and I was right.
@@neuralmute I raised a butcher knife when I was 16 Jane. He was sleeping his lazy drugged out ass on the couch. Only reason I didn't stab him. I was afraid he would have survived so I didnt
As a survivor of sexual abuse from my father (amongst others), this song meant & still means so much to me. It is so powerful & was so validating for me back then. It's like a dream of revenge that I could never experience in real life. The video touched my soul. The song made me feel understood & like someone believed me. My mother didn't believe me, even though she was part of it when I was a toddler. (Why the video struck So close to home). So the song gave me hope & empowerment. I'm 54 now & moved past the "victim" identity half my life ago. But I'm so thankful for this song to help me in my path to recovery & self acceptance. Oh Father by Madonna was another powerful song for me. And the image of dancing on my father's grave...
The dancing part might be considered excessive however,, I'll never see my old man's grave and that's charitable.. considering,, I could p*** on it so,, everyone comes out good lol... But the years of abuse don't have to be sexual to be destructive and yeah,, that collaboration between parents about the,, stuff they do is EXACTLY WHAT Janie's Got A Gun IS ABOUT.. that,, well no one believes me and I can't live like this so,, might as well take matters into less cool ways... And I didn't know it was originally Danny got a gun,, thanks Professor,, but now I can identify with it even more... Point is,, I just had to completely cut ties with the whole dysfunctional circle of people,, form a healthier circle of people so that time is just a bitter memory however, this tune really does bring it back and I can understand your point totally...
@@micnorton9487 for me the dancing on the grave wasn't mean spirited. It is really the freedom I experienced after his death. It was a huge anchor that had been cut. I wished things had been different growing up, but I had to forgive & move on.
@@kellidinit3725 I was abused by many in my family, including uncles & brothers in addition to Dad. Dad was supposed to be my protector, but instead was my predator. That messed me up the most. But any abuse from anyone is traumatic. My prayers to you ....
The one aspect of this music video that always got me angry was the mother knew what was happening and did nothing about it. That just made me sympathize and understand where Janie's helplessness, desperation & ultimate decision came from. As a father I cannot understand how you could ever look at your daughter that way. Every time I listen to this song it's like listening to it for the first time. This song still invokes the fear for Janie, the helplessness as a father to save her and the feeling of justice being served as it should. Granted none of these are positive emotions but it is proof as to the masterpiece Aerosmith created and will unfortunately be just as relevant and haunting thirty years from now. WELL DONE on the story telling of this song!
@@DonaldMerrit My father abused me when I was 8 or 9 years old. My mother knew. She asked him about it, of course he denied it. I grew up hating her but never really knew why. I learned as I was healing that children often have stronger negative feelings towards the nonabusive parent, often for not protecting them. When this song came out I was just starting to remember my abuse, barely bits and pieces. Not the actual abuse, but yet somehow I knew deep down. (Part of me had for years but refused to look at it, think about it) I remember this song making me cry, sobbing terribly. It hit me without even having full memories. I just knew, then I started to hate my dad. I was 26 then. Only in the past few years have I been able to realize mom did what she could at that time and sometimes I forgive her and don’t hate her. But she has never been able to say to me that she’s sorry what I’ve been through (severe depression, PTSD, 5 suicide attempts, two that put me in ICU, one on kidney dialysis, substance abuse, at least 12 psychiatric/detox hospitalizations, 5 failed attempts at college education and hoarding), and just give me a hug and tell me she loves me. My sister told her last year this was all I wanted. The next day she approached me still with excuses. She lacks any empathy. I’m finally realizing she just can’t give what she doesn’t have. Sometimes that’s easier than others.
My mom knew about the long time abuse and blamed me and said I was asking for it and I was her competition. It started when I was 5. I played this song loooooud every time it came on. I love this song still.
This song came out as I turned 16 and really needed to be empowered to get out of the abuse by any means necessary. This song spoke about one of those things that nobody wants to talk about and some people refuse to believe. I still love this song!
In 1989 Rush also released a hauntingly vivid song: “The Pass” from their Presto album, which detailed the plight of teen suicide, and hit closer to home for me then the abuse epidemic which was just as prevalent. The contrasting styles are amazing in how Steven’s lyrics are written as a first person count of a specific individual but understandably much more universal than implied. Neil’s lyrics are more third person and universal but speaking to you the listener as a individual. Both songs and bands are worthy of the title GOAT for the balls to address these sort of heavy topics in music to help bring awareness and help people suffering from and dealing with them.
One of the first songs that made me feel like I wasn’t alone. I will forever be grateful for Janie, it strangely made me feel empowered when I felt powerless. Thank you Aerosmith for not changing anything
I briefly met Steven he was nice funny asked us to walk with him through the airport. He joked and slapped us on the back and was just a great guy.. Did not realize until afterwards he "used" us to keep others back and get through the airport, it was an honor to be used by him. He really was a nice guy. I hope he can continue his Janie's fund. Songs that bring attention to the horrors some kids face like this and "Hell is for Children" by Pat Benatar are needed. It is not fun to face it but kids need more protection than they get often. There is horror going on in the world now much the same as then.
This song and it's lyrics were needed at this point in our history and are still needed today, in exactly the way Steven wrote them and how he sang them!! Mainstream couldn't handle the lyrics and or the video because it pulled the veil back and said, stop hiding this, stop protecting the perpetrators and give them at minimum life without parole or death, because they won't stop for long and then they're back at it again!! Girls and women and little boys to young men(Edit/correction to add in the other group of humans also abused by monsters), really need to have this song in their arsenal of music as a reminder that a way out can be found, preferably without shooting because that really messes with a persons mind, even when one knows the scum was guilty!! Stay Safe, be loved and be well!!! 💔❤🩹💝💖❤🔥🤗😘🥰🥰 From another daughter, sister, cousin, mother, auntie and grandmother to all of you!!!
Love it when I can figure out from the thumbnail and title which song you're going to be talking about! LOL. This is such a powerful song (that I doubt anybody would have the balls to try to put out there today) and it's truly amazing that Steven Tyler took it beyond "just a song" and actually created Janie's Fund. He's a true class act.
I have the say that Joe Perry's discordant and jangly notes during the solo is a highlight emphasizing how troubled Janies emotions would have been. It's a brilliant bit of musical storytelling.
This song, Jeremy, and Runaway Train all put the problems front and center. And I related heavily to all of them in different ways. Such powerful music. We need it more than ever.
It's great that Steven was such a rock heavyweight that he could stand his ground on his lyrics. Can't get any better than actually starting Jamie's fund and working for what one of their masterpieces sang about. Definitely a #1 in our hearts. Great episode professor!
Only climbed up to #12 in Sweden. :( No matter if one has been sexually abused or abused at all by a family member, this song still hits hard. One really wants Janie to "get away" with the so called crime. The music video definitely helps that feeling. I vaguely remember my reaction when first watching the music video and couldn't believe my ears. Wasn't like so many other rock songs of the era. Like you, I always get close to crying when listening to it. It's simply powerful in every way.
I haven’t been through it myself but I have read countless stories in the news about it. Steven Stayner’s story had me crying for at least a week after. So sad.
My local radio stations had a radio edit version that replaced "Put a bullet in his brain" with the "Stood out in the pouring rain" verse. The censorship of such an important message was very disappointing.
Glad I took time to listen to this video. I honestly have heard this song over the years but never listened intently to the lyrics. I had no clue it was about this subject and what the victim did to their persecutor. Thank you, Professor of Rock for this very educative video.
That song came out as I was in high school and enduring brutal physical (non-sexual) and emotional abuse from my father. I was a dairy farm kid and various firearms were in the house; I had already debated doing what the song depicted to my abuser (never did; still have no idea why) and this song hit me hard.
I was only 6 in 1989, but I discovered the song in my 20s. It was a hauntingly beautiful song that gave voice to the dark thoughts I had about the man who molested me. Now I find hope in the song, and a promise that things can get better. I come back to the song over and over, and never tire of it.
Well said! Same here. This song saved a younger me that was being molested by my father for years. It helped me survive the nightmare. I'm glad it helped you, too. Stay strong 💪 👊
It opened Pandora’s box for so many reasons. The horror of abuse was put squarely into people who needed to be heard, those who suffered, and those who could help! Steven Tyler did the world a favor with this song. It is a revolutionary revenge on a musical level! Still plays on your mind after you hear it all these years later. Now support Janie’s Fund and Operation Underground Railroad and save some young people and men and women! ❤❤❤❤️🙏💕☠️
It is a fantastic song about the reality of abuse in a majority of cases but I’m not sure I’d go that far. Keep in mind this was released during the Satanic Panic which was started and driven by the repressed/recovered memory movement of the 1970s. Researchers had long known that most CSA was at the hands of family members at this point but legitimate research was covered up by a popular fringe psychotherapy that claimed outside actors/“Satanists” were deliberately abusing hordes of women and girls, shattering their psyches in the process and creating “multiple personalities” that remembered the abuse so the victim could forget. Thousands upon thousands of parents were falsely accused during this time period. In every case the parents were alleged members of cults that abused them, mind controlled them and forced them to abuse others. During this entire s*it show baby boomers repeated false statements about abuse never being addressed in America before the Satanic Panic years. That was their narcissism and ignorance showing. I can’t imagine thinking no one in society had every discussed CSA before the 1970s but they had no problem assuming and the press had no problem repeating this falsehood. They did a huge disservice by portraying abusers as mind controlled Satanists/monsters and they did a huge disservice by acting like CSA was rampant in every every home. A lot of the mass hysteria/moral panic during this time period was intentionally drummed up to pass pretty horrid legislation that did nothing to protect actual victims. To this day most of our time, energy and funding has been directed away from areas that would do the most good in order to continue pretending a shadowy, underground cabal is responsible for all wrong doing. It’s not just religious fundamentalist politicians on the right that do this either. Radical feminists on the left have always been equally culpable and other groups of feminists have written about the many problems with their “activism” for decades. That includes spreading unhelpful conspiracies and pseudoscience. JGaG came along over a decade into an unhealthy obsession with all things CSA and a life leveling moral panic. They did at least paint a more realistic picture, aside from the popular idea that all mothers knew and did nothing that was prevalent then due to malpractitioners promoting recovered memory (which has been back in fashion for well over a decade after being reintroduced on Uni campuses). There are situations where mothers know and do nothing but it’s not a majority. There are CSA rings but they are not a majority and roving bands of Satanists are NOT mind controlling & making people abuse.
I’d say the bigger revelation from the 1950s 1970s was about physical abuse. As X-Ray machines improved and CT scans were developed in the 1970s more cases of physical injury due to abuse were being uncovered BUT you have to be careful here too. Countless parents have been wrongfully accused of physical abuse due to honest accidents since this period. As a country we are very bad at nuance and moderation. The pendulum always swings wildly and reality is fervently rejected.
There are a million stories, coming from every direction, about Rock-n-Roll. I am quite happy to sit here and listen to the Professor bring them to me one at a time. Love your work. Appreciate it even more. Thanks!
What a haunting song! I always loved this song. When I listened to it for the first time back then in the GDR which was "dying", I suddenly knew that this is real monstrum of a song. With my GDR school taught English it was nearly impossible to transcribe what Steven Tyler was singing about. But I knew that this was a sad sad moment. I still love this song for its message and its special atmosphere. We in the GDR had also such a song. There was a band called "Rockhaus" (rock House or so). They came out of the fun punk scene. And also in 1989 they came around the corner with a song called "Mich zu lieben" (To love me). They tell the story of the forgotten youth in the GDR. And they talk about this dude who grew up feeling unloved by his parents. This - so the story - made him a criminal. For background: The GDR always told that the youth is supposedly well protected. But this wasn't the case. It was the hard reality that the youth was lost in the GDR. And this fact made them doing crime. This was something nobody wanted to talk about. And we as the youth of this falling state - we felt completely understood by this band. The GDR television show "elf99" discussed this topic of marauding hordes, the reasons and the consequences. Here is the result: th-cam.com/video/jdZklJGoxRo/w-d-xo.html Lyrics: When I was twelve, I sawed benches in the city park. I broke into cars and fought with the cops. My parents worked for the money so that I would have a better life. They gave me everything, but they missed one thing: To love me, to give me warmth. To love me, just to talk to me, to take me as I am. Now I'm sitting in jail for a year with my ass in a sling. I wanted to get the curve alone, but I always missed it. My parents fear for their high job, What a scandal. We gave him everything, they told the judge, But there's one thing they forgot: To love me, to give me warmth. To love me, just to talk to me, To take me as I am
Damn, I felt that... The parents gave them everything but the right thing... the one thing that fertilizes their hearts as kids... LOVE, unconditionally and frequently. And all that it entails. Damn.
@@jenniferstine8567 Don't worry... GDR ist the former eastern part of Germany, the German Democratic Republic, in German: DDR: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_Germany
In 1994 my friend and I had an all access pass at an Aerosmith concert. To say we had an absolute banger of a time would be an understatement. Steven Tyler was so congenial. Always had a smile on his face. We grew up with this band so this concert was fantastic! Love their songs and now I have a great memory to an unbelievable night!
Janey came out when I was eleven. I have a vivid memory of sitting up on the jungle gym with a pile of other kids singing this song at the tops of our lungs- of course including the 'nyaaa nyaaa nyaaaaaaa!' bit at the start. It seems strange now that we would have so much fun with such a dark song, but the darkness needs to be dragged out into the light to stop it from happening, so well done Aerosmith and Prof Rock for the memory. I'd totally forgotten about the creepy 10second intro as well
I'm so glad that this song was recognized for the magnificent song that it is! The music with those powerful words left me mesmerized the first time I heard it. As a survivor of childhood SA by a family friend and my godfather. I felt that this could be true and I was ike "Hell Yeah!" when the Janie takes matters into her own hands.
I work in an inner city school and have for years. You can't believe what some of the kids go through! Every time I think I've heard it all something else happens. The song is just the tip of the iceberg! Music is so important! Keep playing it!
The first time I heard 'Janie's Got A Gun', it really had my attention. I agree, it is a well crafted masterpiece. In 1989, there were a few songs speaking out about social issues. This video mentioned Madonna, ' Oh Father '. There was also Phil Collins, 'Another Day In Paradise ' and Billy Joel's, 'We Didn't Start The Fire'.
I remember when Aerosmith released "Janie", one of the UK rock press magazines (I want to say Kerrang, but it also may have been Metal Hammer) said of it (I paraphrase here) "Only Aerosmith could produce a song about child abuse and make it sound refreshing. Mind you, Aerosmith could produce a song about colostomy bags and make it sound refreshing." Saw Aerosmith on the Pump tour at Wembley Arena ... Brilliant!
Radio stations in Kentucky got "She left him in the pouring rain." I knew the correct line, and I always felt changes like that for radio were copouts (the radio version of "What's It's Like" by Everlast is criminal). Life is scary, and it's ugly, whether they change the lyrics or not.
Just finished watching this one, I’m still in tears. You always have an amazing way of describing the sound, the mood, and the after effects of songs. This one was no exception. And, your take on 1989 was absolutely on target. We really weren’t afraid of Freddy or Jason. We knew the real monsters were in the bedroom down the hall. So glad I found your channel. ❤
As a snobby teen, and hearing Love in an Elevator constantly, I was taken aback by Janie’s Got a Gun. I was never an Aerosmith fan, but this song was compelling art, in my bitter, little heart.
My best friend's stepfather was fairly connected in the music business. He's a singer/songwriter named John Hiatt who's penned a few well known songs. In 6th grade I was a big Aerosmith and Faith No More fan and it just so happened they were both touring together, looking back an odd combo really. They came to Starwood Amphitheatre that year, a now sadly defunct venue just outside of Nashville Tennessee, music City USA. John got us back stage passes and we got to meet Aerosmith. Steven was super cool and seemed actually thrilled to speak with two 12 year old fans. I've still got the t-shirt they all signed along with the picture with the band, minus Joe Perry, who didn't seemed thrilled to meet two 12 year old fans. I don't really hold it against the guy. He did at least sign the damn shirt. I'm not sure how happy I'd be to try and chat up two starstruck children after a show either. Tyler really did strike me as a genuinely cool dude. He was all smiles and laughs backstage. Also this song was massive that year. It was hard to get away from. They've since started playing the "censored" version on local radio with "put a bullet in his brain" changed to "left him in the pouring rain", which sucks and doesn't make much sense in the context of the song. I sorta get that we may not want songs where people are just randomly murdering people all over the place but if a child that was sexually abused isn't justified taking out their abuser I don't know how any violence can ever be justified. Also can we recognize how great the vocals are on Toy Soldiers?
Don’t be surprised that the twisted entertainment industry doesn’t want a song about molestation to showcase the scumbag getting killed for his depraved actions.
I was 15 when this came out, and knew what the song was about but as a teenage boy not having sisters or know of people that had been abused at that age, I had no real concept of the meaning. Now as a father of 2 children, it really shocks me to hear the song again. I saw Aerosmith and I think skid row at the forum in LA for the Pump tour.
Some credit for the success of this album is due to the producer, Bruce Fairbairn (RIP). Bruce, who also plays trumpet, brought back horn sections and a broader palette of sounds as the Professor noted. To some degree, Bruce probably helped to facilitate bringing songwriter Jim Vallance to co-write some of the songs (They are both based in the Vancouver, BC area). Bruce helmed the production of a lot of hit records in the 80's. Bruce was the producer for "Permanent Vacation" and the album that followed "Pump", "Get a Grip". All three of those records went multi-platinum. I am a fan of both the early success of Aerosmith and their comeback era in the 80's. 🎸😎
I remember hearing this for the first time. I'm 17 and I had to hear it again. I couldn't believe what Steven was singing about. Then the video made it very clear. This song hit hard as a teenager but, man it hits so much harder as a dad and grandfather.
Oh fucking hell, you do know that at one point Tyler had the parents of an underage girl sign over guardianship to him so he could take her on tour with him and be his sexual plaything, right? He's a scumbag. He wrote such a good song because he knew the father's side so goddamned well.
I live in Bartlett TN and remember reading about him being here to dedicate Janie’s House. I am so glad to hear the story of his fight to get this song out there! Great video, Prof!
Joe Perry sat in with my band Gentlemen Afterdark in 1984. He was in Phoenix writing with Alice Cooper, just after Alice produced our first album..😉😉😉😜 Joe's a gentleman Alice as well, AND a great comedian!
I liked this song back in the day. Very much ! I have to admit that i had never heard the reason he wrote this song. It makes chills come over me NOW , at this time especially with this very same thing being so prevalent at this time in 2023 . Myself having the most kind and loving father in this whole world , i can not imagine any father doing such a thing as this. This knowledge makes me admire Steven Tyler , even more today. I'm sure his daughters feel the same way about their wonderful father as , i feel about mine. I Thank God , for my father and all the wonderful fathers that have daddy's girl's, like i was. Shame on those father's that do not have God in their heart's and discipline in their house. You know your body , is your house. If you do not have discipline in your body , then you have no control of your emotions. That is a terrible thing to loose control of. God bless the children of a man without disciplne of his house. Amen
As a Brit, this track passed us by somewhat. Not anymore. A genuine classic track that does what all great art should do; it evokes a reaction. Keep doing what you're doing!!
This song, Never Again, Voices Carry and My Name is Luca always resonated with me because of some of the things I witnessed, growing up. I could visualize someone actually going thru with ending their torment with the gun. The video was extremely powerful and I will agree, timeless. There is just something about the first ten seconds of the song that always sends chills up my spine. Great song
So many of these videos make me go back immediately afterwards and listen again to my favorite music through adult ears. It's like The Weekly Top 40 for grown-ups. Kasey would approve. As a rural Idaho eighties kid, your personal stories resonate. Love your channel.
Hey Professor. Great video. I remember this song from back in high school and how chilling and captivating it was based on the music, subject and Steven Tyler's voice. Your list of songs at 14:51 also gave me chills, because those were all favorites with haunting music and themes. Interesting fact: Madonna's Oh Father was also directed by David Fincher! If you haven't already , maybe you can do a video that either focused on his influence to music videos and/or the most prolific/impactful directors to music videos per decade, per genre. Thanks
I find it amazing that they've always had the same members and all five members are still alive. They're definitely one of those bands where it only works with that combination of people.
@@jakobjess1610Joe left before Night in the Ruts was finished. Brad followed soon after and Rock and a Hard Place featured Jimmy Crespo and Rick Dufay on guitars
When this song came out I was stunned. Did Aerosmith really release a song about this topic? Of course they did. To this day, whenever it comes on I stop what I'm doing and listen like it's the first time hearing it.
Gutless record executive almost neutered this great song. I'm glad we live an era where artists can produce and distribute their music without talentless corporate goons interjecting their self-important ignorance into the equation.
Powerful song. It’s still gripping. 1989 was the hardest most life defining year of my life. The girl of my dreams dumped me for a pilot and I became a ROCK singer/musician and EVERYTHING that goes along with it. Just about killed me! My wife, whom a loving God sent me, saved me! Nice work, Adam, as usual.
As a musician not a famous one I find it so disturbing how record companies, producers ,lawyers and even managers end up making millions off these genius musicians who do all the work
@@throbbinwoodofcoxley6830 😂 you know nothing about independent musicians. May not be super famous but I’ve made enough money to have been a musician all my life. No one owns me and proudly thousands of great musicians have kept their music as their own why do you think music on the radio is so bad that’s the record companies spewing out 💩 they can own all this new bullshit music as it has no longevity
As an abuse survivor at the hands of my own father when I was under the age of 5 this song hits hard. I was 10 when the song came out but it wasn't until I was an adult that it really hit a nerve. When you are a kid, you are screaming for help. You act out, you engage in destructive behaviors but no one gets it. Heck, when I was having flashbacks in my adult years and I told my story, even members of my own family didn't believe what had happened because it was horrifying. It took years of therapy with a God send of a therapist to help me realize that what happened to me didn't make me damaged goods. I have wounds but they don't define me. I am a whole person, a complete person with dignity and value, regardless of what happened. I have healed enough so that I can move ahead and forgive, the hardest thing. Those of us who are survivors can help others and we should. We need to do something positive with our experience.
Professor you've gotta do a video on "Toy Soldiers", I'd almost forgotten that one. When you talk about being scared of something, "Unsolved Mysteries" was the scariest for me. In 1989 I was 9 going on 10. Yeah, I remember really not being scared of much, but once I started watching "Unsolved Mysteries" with my grandparents it was over. That's when I started getting heavy into comic books, and learned there are heroes who battle the villains. Anyways, peace and love y'all 🤟
These songs (Luca, Janie's Got A Gun, Woman In Chains, etc.) were the ones that solidified my 14 year old belief that nobody would believe me, that I had to find a way to overcome it all within myself. I had nobody on my side but me. It's still true.
Pump was released the summer I was 18 and is one of my all time favorite albums. Janie’s got a gun was a a song that affected me deeply and still does to this day. It’s hauntingly beautiful and I’ll always love it
So many gut-wrenching stories here, respect for everyone who shared their stories to help bring light to this often ignored subject. My heart goes out to all of you for your pain and your perseverance. There’s probably been more honest discussion on this subject in this comments section than almost anywhere else in mainstream media.
This song always hit me hard. Both my wife and I were children of abuse. Now being the father to 5 kids 3 of them girls it repulses me how some monster can do that to children
Crazy how “Done With Mirrors” was their initial release post group rehab (hence the name), and post break up when two members made their return to the band in 84/85. It was considered absolute garbage! BUT… it was indeed their comeback from deep addiction and they endured the lousy reception of the album, put on a powerful “Done With Mirrors” tour (in which I attended as my first rock concert at Dallas Reunion Arena with Y&T… awesome show!!) and soon (about two years) after made the connection with Run DMC, released Permanent Vacation, and let that cat back outa the bag for good. Aerosmith got and stayed on top for what seems like an amazing SECOND career loaded with all of its own definitive hits and personality. The second coming of Aerosmith, post Done With Mirrors could have been its own historic existence, but who can deny who and what they were through the 70’s as well?
Ah yes, Jamie's Got A Gun. Love Aerosmith's comeback. They adapted well to the late 80s music scene. A few years ago, Aerosmith got their original 1973 touring van back after being abandoned for over 40 years. It's an episode of American Pickers. Great stuff. Thanks for this, Professor. Always a must see every day, even if I am late for class.
Thanks for solving the mystery of the instruments in the intro. This is a great song. David Fincher turned into a top notch director. Amazed to hear that Steven Tyler set up Janie's Fund. Great thing for him to do.
This is one of my top 5 Aerosmith songs of all time. I had heard it on MTV (don't remember hearing it on the radio) as a kid (I was 8 at the time). The MTV video was great but as I heard the words it felt really sad to me (same as the video as it showed Jani was hurt badly- at the time as a kid I didn't 'know' what or why she was hurting. Only that something painful happened because of her crying in the video). My brothers loved Aerosmith and had played this song a lot with their other hit songs from their cassette tapes.
I have come to the realization of why I watch your videos. You remind me of a teacher or Librarian having children gathered around for storytelling time except I am no longer a child and viewing this on the internet, but it has the same feel.
The Professor of Rock is truly the Professor of Rock! His musical analysis is deep, thorough, informative, and spot on! I appreciate the songs i like, love, adore, that have inspired me musically even more after hearing his breakdown and analyses of those songs. You're truly a music analytical genious. Thanks Professor!
I first heard "Janie's Got a Gun" on MTV when I was in the hospital during my seventh grade year. I had heard a few songs by Aerosmith before that, but I didn't know them by name. This was when I actually learned their name. There was a girl in the children's wing with me who was named Jane that loved this song, insisting it was her song, and would turn the TV up every time it came on and she got all of us to sing along. I remember watching the video for the first time and I was absolutely entranced. It was unlike anything I had seen before. The next time I heard it, I actually focused on the lyrics (since Jane insisted that all of the kids sing along, I kind of had to learn it), and even at that young age i understood that it was a powerful song. During that same hospital stay, I also saw "Love in an Elevator" and "Sweet Emotion" on MTV, so once I left the hospital, I saved up my allowance and bought a copy of Pump (one of the first albums I bought myself actually). I later made the connection to other songs I knew and enjoyed ("Dream On," "Walk This Way," etc.) and started buying more of their albums. My favorite song by them to this day is "Angel" (just such a beautiful song! I want to hear you talk about that one!), but "Janie's Got a Gun" is definitely second, and both of them (as well as at least a dozen other Aerosmith songs) are on the music playlist I listen to several times a week. Oh. Fun side note. You mentioned "Opposites Attract" being #1 at the time. It was another one that got turned up when it came on, and Jane and I sang that one as a duet, even doing the dance. I still remember the entire male part for that song even though it's been almost 35 years. I'd honestly love to hear the story behind that song as well!
Thank You for this one. My entire adult life revolves around the Summer of 89, I call it the "Summer Of My Youth." My Aunt passed away on April 31 of that year, the day that we buried her was the day that our lives changed Forever. I turned 17 that summer but we (Cousins, Friends & Acquaintances) thought we were and lived as adults, on a downward spiral alcohol and drug binge that we called Party, it literally lasted for years. I always base everything in my life from around that time, the summer of 89. Fond memories, great music and a whirlwind of crazy. Although today we've lost many from that time there are still a few of us around, many just barely. Thankfully I got Sober in 1998, but that summer still clings tight to my soul & my memories. 0
It's a shame they censor good music w/ strong messages becuz they don't want to be found out... the ones who WOULD censor ARE some of the "predators" spoken about now, becuz many were so damn foul back then... dare I say, "Janie's perfect victims".
In this case not really, since they made the correct assessment that the song wouldn’t be played on TV/radio with Steven’s original lyrics. The ”censored” less in your face lyrics also adds to the song’s mystique.
Your gift is taking a song that I honesty was indifferent about and make me go immediately to iTunes and buy it. Your delivery is impeccable and your knowledge unmatched! I’m so glad that I discovered your channel!! Thanks a million!
What do you mean recently. I think that it was a well known story for Aerosmith fans. What he did back then was definitely not ok, but the fact that the lawsuit was filed more than 45 years after that raises a lot more questions than it answers. Who is to say that Steven hasn't changed his way during all these years. Imagine if all the groupies started sueing 70s rock stars. I don't mean to defend such behaviour, but the courts must know where to draw the line. And the fact that Janie's got a gun has been performed on almost every tour is a proof that Steven has changed his ways and wants forgiveness. The act of writing an anti-abuse song during the time when hair metal musicians endulged in all sorts of debauchery and abuse proves that Steven had the courage to stand up against that and admit that what he did is bad. For further proof, listen to Monkey on my back, Amazing and so on.
@@TheREALJosephTurner So I guess in the Johnny Depp lawsuit you supported Amber Heard, right? In all seriousness though, nobody mentioned Bill Cosby. And besides, I said multiple times that I discourage that kind of behavior. BTW, when was the first time that you heard about this case? Personally, I tried to be as objective as possible and to hear every side of the story and none of them is comfortable to hear. I mean, Julia's parents literally just gave her away to Steven knowing that he was an addict (according to psychology, addiction is a mental disease). In short, I think that this lawsuit should have happened a long time ago (unless there is an attempt to make money). Also, I completely agree that what Julia suffered is horrible and that everyone should keep her in their prayers.
@@rock-n-rollmusicandmore6560 I didn't follow the Depp/Heard thing at all, so I had no side to pick. And somebody did mention Bill Cosby- I did. Women from the distant past accused him of crimes, and the court found him guilty. Like it or not, Steven Tyler partook in child molestation. The fact that she had shitty parents that signed over custodial rights DOES NOT make the SEPARATE issue of molestation null and void. Not to mention, there is one difference between Steven and Bill: Steven ADMITTED TO IT. You obviously know next to nothing about the mental problems associated with sexual trauma. It's actually quite common for the crimes not to come to light many, many years later, sometimes if ever. It doesn't just happen to rich celebrities. However, in Steven's case, HE put all the details out in his book. Kinda hard to victim-blame on this one, and it makes your "when did you first hear about it" attempt pretty much moot. THE DUDE SAID HE DID IT!!!
@@rock-n-rollmusicandmore6560 each case should be heard and judged on its merits. Having an opinion about one accused man should not mean the opinion will be the same about another. My understanding is that the case is happening now due to a lifting of the statute of limitations. Yes ideally a victim will initiate a case shortly after the event but often times the victim is not able to due to their mental state.
My niece, who was born in 92 to rocker parents, always (even as a toddler, n to this day), related this song to me. Idk if she understood the song n knew that I would destroy anyone that would hurt her or if she simply heard the lyrics wrong. My name is Jimmy...
I love your videos, man... you are like sitting with one of my best friends from high school - on, talking about music years later like we used to. And might I add that you have an awesome background with how you display your albums to fir the review. I love this one... they're in my top favorite bands ever. I've always loved this song, and you hit every single point that makes the song so brilliant. You know your stuff, and I love learning new things about the songs I loved from you. Thanks for being here!
Such a great song taunted with such a sad and painful story. Unless one pays attention to it and the video you wouldn't really think a story like this is being a told. Especially with all the censoring going on. It's a poignant ballad that nerds to be told as is and not sugar coated. Great music with strong vocals and a strong message.
Boy there's a lot to say about Aerosmith. I got hooked on the very first Aerosmith album when I was 14. Went to see them live during the "get your wings" tour and that was a great show. I went to see Aerosmith about 10 years later and Steven Tyler passed out on the stage during the first song. Some years later I again went to see Aerosmith but they canceled the show because of Tyler's throat issues. I live in New Hampshire which was home base for Aerosmith (not Boston Mass). I think they still have a property on Lake Winnipesaukee. Because of my location, Aerosmith was a staple on the radio when music became a thing to me. I think I have every record that they have done. My favorite songs are not the commercial ballads that were over played on the radio. Aerosmith's early records are where the Mojo is at. But then in the 90s when everybody thought Aerosmith was washed up they came back with Permanent Vacation, pump and get a grip and the rest is history. Each individual member of Aerosmith can hold their own as a musician but when all the original members are playing together that's where Aerosmith happens.
Definitely remember hearing this song back in 89. At the time I didn’t really understand the concept of the song. Took me a few years later to figure it out. I think it was a necessary song to be played everywhere and it still is today. I agree that it’s definitely a haunting hit you in your heartstrings song. One of my favorite Aerosmith albums for sure.❤
This is one of The Songs! There are just some songs that have something that drives people. I really hope that the people in music can make this type of song again. I doubt it in what is mainstream.
You made the comment, “it would be incredulous for someone to do this to their child”… Agreed. But let’s not forget that Steven Tyler was renowned, even by his own words in his memoir about having sex with children… 15, 16, 17 year old little girls… I’m no expert on all things Steven Tyler, but isn’t he being sued and may face criminal or at the very least legal repercussions from this? Just saying… It be horrible to do to anyone’s child yours or someone else’s.✌️
I saw them in 76, 78, and 79. I went to the concert in 78 with a migraine. All my friends piled their coats on my head to muffle the sound, but I wasn't gonna miss it! I'd love to go in the fall for their fairwell tour, but tickets are outrageous. I have great memories, and after all these years, I still love them! .
We still have stations around here that refuse to put "she put a bullet in his brain" version out on the radio. It's ridiculous. You have rap songs where they talk about sexual assault, all sorts of violence, and we are left with "left him in the pouring rain". Silly... Overall that album was fantastic.
The father, in the video, is Nicholas Guest, brother of Christopher Guest & brother-in-law of Jamie Lee Curtis. I know several survivors. Some began talking about their experiences, after this song hit.
It's a fantastic song and one of Aerosmith's best for me. The lyrics are powerful and originally made me think it was a true story, similar to I Don't Like Mondays by The Boomtown Rats. I didn't realise it was censored. I'd normally say it's another dumb record exec interfering where they shouldn't but removing that word for jacked was probably the right move. Thankfully he stuck to his guns (pun intended) with the other lyrics.
I remember when it made no. 1 here in Australia; it was breathtaking, such a powerful song with vengeance, but rightfulness to it; it hit home to me & others I knew. It empowered many people I knew and still does. Whilst some of us won't reach for 'it', the idea of being able to stand up to our a-buser & taking back our lives is sometimes enough to get us through the days.
Aerosmith is in my opinion one of the most prolific rock bands of the 20th century. I have always liked them, even before they had their comeback. Their decision to work with DMC was the best decision ever made by a heavy metal rock band, or that was until Disturbed decided to do a cover of The Sound Of Silence. I remember hearing this song on the album for the first time. I bought the album and played the complete album in my room in complete darkness. I did this every time I bought a new album. This way I could enjoy the album without any outside distractions. I remember hearing the opening to Janie’s Got A Gun for the first time, and my first thought was what the hell was this bull. Was not a fan of The Water Song, which was the name of the short song that was played with it at the beginning, though I like it now. When Steve started to sing I was instantly a fan of this song, funny all I heard was the chorus, I never actually listened to the message It wasn’t until years later that I actually listened to the whole song and read the lyrics. At first I was in shock and didn’t know how listen to the song without thinking about Janie and what she had to endured. It was a powerful message, still is. I was eventually able to get passed the effect those words had on me, and the reaction my body had to them. It’s still one of my favourite songs, and they are still one of my favourite bands.
Their Run DMC collaboration helped push rappers to the forefront of the American music scene in the coming years. Janie’s Got a Gun is such a powerful story, especially among rape victims.
This song sticks in your head more than just about anything. I was in high school when it came out & I would literally have it in my head for WEEKS. This is the first time I've heard any of it since it was on the radio all the time. It was very risky for me to watch this one.
Seems weird to let someone have a foundation to help abused minor girls that abused a minor girl. Hopefully they don't let him have any time with the girls
That was one of the most haunting songs I listened to back then. Also Pat Benatar’s Hell Is For Children was very haunting. When I listened to those two songs I cannot keep from crying.
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Poll: What is your pick for the most haunting song of the 80s?
Outside the box again, I'm going with Mama by Genesis. Can't tell if it's a love song or stalking song. The synth playing by Tony Banks is very haunting
Janie's definitely in the top 5! Also The Ballad of Jayne by LA Guns and In the Air Tonight.
Uncle Tom's Cabin used to make the hair stand up on my neck. 😬😥
Cry Little Sister - from The Lost Boys
New Order "Elegia"
Girl from my high school reported her stepfather for sexual abuse. After hearing the song. She said that it gave her the courage to go public after years of not being heard by her family. And having grown up in that era, kids were not given the benefit of the doubt in such matters with authorities believing adults over children. She said it saved her life.
Well lots of kids still get the benefit of the doubt consider Larry Nassar and how it takes so much courage to report abuse then to be degraded for it would ruin their self esteem to realize the system is enabling and abusive too.
@@annalisavajda252 well the system tended to not believe kids and young ladies first until recently just like 2nd class citizens.
Idk when this happened in your case but when it came to my case I wasn't believed either
@@yeahnoonecaresifyouarefirst 1985
@@matthewbittenbender9191 mine was early 2000's
This song and Susana Vega's Luca were tough to listen to/watch. I've spent much time working through the emotional scars of the trauma I suffered for most of my life. For 5 years, I've replaced drugs and alcohol with motherhood and weekly therapy. I've always been grateful to Tyler and his steps to help people like me.
Luka filled me with tears. That poor boy. I’m grateful for my amazing parents. And how selfless of Steven to help Janie’s mission.
Glad you got through.
I remember the first time I saw that video on Muchmusic (I'm Canadian)I was 16 and an avowed metalhead, I had the TV on, not really listening to the TV but more for background noise and then My Name is Luka started playing... I couldn't help but stop and listen because it was so completely different and more emotional than just about anything I'd ever heard before...
Y'all do realize that Steven Tyler has mentioned his own repeated sexual assault of a 16 year old girl when he was 25 in his own memoir, right???
@@GoToExtremes I couldn't talk to my mother for days after hearing Independence Day... very hard listen
This is a perfect example of why I miss the real MTV era, the videos of songs like this make it very difficult to miss what the song is about when it doesn't explicitly say it. When watching the video and listening to the lyrics you can feel the pain that this song is about.
Before the divas started trashing the place up with foul stuff, exactly.
I thoroughly agree mate. The video clip for this song was played regularly for years on the best music video show Australia ever had, a late night weekend show called Rage. Australia never had a 24/7 MTV channel. Rage was the best we had, and still have. All night Friday and Saturday.
I missed the early 80s-late 90s MTV... VH1... EVEN early BET...
Nowadays it's not even in existence in my MIND or my video feeds. EWWW. &. YUCK.
✨️✨️✨️
Oh, it’s pretty explicit. There was NO mistaking what THIS song was about!
This song came out immediately after a revelation by a close personal friend of mine. Her father had been molesting her and her sister for years and it all came to a head just before my 18th birthday. I’ll always remember thinking, “how can anybody do that to their own child?” The parents are supposed to be their protectors, not take it vantage of them.
I remember listening to that magical lyric and thinking to myself that this should be the justice for all who do this. This is still a very impactful song.
So sorry to hear about this. Unfortunately, so many stories like this. I hope your friend has received love and mercy.
Wow, so sad. Nobody deserves that inhumane treatment.
Yeah, this whole song has meant a lot to me, and actually helped me lay to rest a lot of the pain from several times of either being taken advantage of and/or being forced and flat out sexually harassed by older male students in class, and all of it happened no later than '83/12 years old. I didn't have a gun, but I had two mean A$$ fists that showed up once or twice in school and I was never messed with again, unless some ignorant somebody moved in to town, started at school and thought they might have a go at me, one for what ever reason I unknowingly draw that type of person and two because they would be asking who was tough and shouldn't be messed with, trying to make their mark that way, and I guess I was considered the easiest target because I was small and female. They would always find out they chose wrong. Including a principal who had suspended me at a critical testing time for supposedly fighting, the only time I didn't do anything, because I knew a coach was coming.
Needless to say Dad went down to school on Monday and told the principal if he didn't understand the fundamentals of fighting, then he could stick him in a ring with me and I would kick his A$$ from one corner to the next and maybe then he would know the difference between me fighting and not fighting!! LMBO!! My Dad rarely cussed, but he did that day!!
My Dad never really liked hard rock, and he passed two years before this song came out, but he would have appreciated this song, agreed with how it was written and sang, and would have been super impressed with Steven setting up Janie's house and foundation!!!
@@theducklinghomesteadandgar6639 kudos to you for sticking up for yourself and to your dad for having your back! 👍
@@RFXLR
Thanks!! I
That was very shortened version of what happened.
The principal told me and my Dad if I was caught fighting again he was going to expel me for the rest of the year or something like that. He tried so hard to catch me in a fight, but couldn't. He kept telling my brother to let my Dad know I was in this fight or that when I wasn't. Every time he thought he had me I had teachers who were with me at the moment he would accuse me of fighting. He was crazy!! Ended up getting demoted to bus depot supervisor, over maybe 10 buses!! LMBO!!!
"Janie's Got a Gun" is one of my all-time favorite songs. It's why I went out and bought Pump on cassette when it came out. Sadly, I don't get to listen to the song very often. My wife was a victim. She cannot listen to the song. Every time she hears it, she suffers nightmares to this day of the repeated attacks committed by her uncle. Due to this, I don't listen to it, if she's within hearing range. She has suffered enough already.
She’s still a victim then. You should help her through it. If she’s still scarred, he’s still winning. Trust that I know what I’m on about.
@@throbbinwoodofcoxley6830
I co-sign that!
I know how it feels for someone, that you trusted to protect you, to do this to you as a kid. I had to fight the flashbacks like hell to keep it from controlling me as an adult, while I created and raised my own family years ago.
I WON.
This song gave me VINDICATION when I first heard it, but now it reminds me that I grew past it, and I protected my (now grown) daughters from suffering the same fate, by keeping constant vigilance over their childhood. (They are 31 & 28 now.)
I finally exhaled when they made it to 18, but now the grandkids are here...
but my daughters are ON IT and don't play that shit, so I can breathe...a bit.
Thank YOU, Father God, for the rescue...all those years ago, and always.
How sad.
Sorry to hear that about your wife. It's sad about victims. It's turned into a worse nightmare in the 80' s. I remember that song when it hit the airwaves. I don't listen it either because of what it's about. Sorry to bring the whole thing . Just a horror and nightmare.
I felt the same for many years. After 10 years of therapy this song has become one of my favorites. Janie took justice into her own hands. I feel as I have done the same.
I’m a survivor of abuse. This song was a balm to my soul.
I’m living proof that you can survive, heal, & move on to have a fully blessed life. I’m also living proof that the cycle of abuse does NOT have to repeated. That’s a choice. I chose to make certain that our children would NEVER have to deal w/ this problem.
Each day offers new blessings, make certain you acknowledge each one. 😊
As a Jane that was going through profound emotional abuse at the hands of both parents at that time (I was 18 when it hit the charts), I related to the song a lot more than I should. Even now at 51, I hear the song and I feel like my soul have been ripped apart, bewildered, angry and ultimately empowered when I hear this song.
Thank you for sharing this!
My middle name is Jane. Everyone calls me Jane. As a survivor too. I was also 18 when this came out. It gave me back my power. Even if only in my car with the radio. But nonetheless. I didn't feel so Isolated and frightened. I found strength in this. Take care Jane. Ty for sharing. Live your best life.
My middle name is also Jane. I've always been called Janie. This song resonates with me to. I was abused also, but not like the Janie in this song, it was emotionally. If I had been abused like this I'm afraid I might have turned the gun 🔫 on myself because I was taught that I didn't matter at all to the people that were supposed to take care of me, love me and made me distrust people til this day. I never married or had kids because I was afraid that this abuse could carry on with me. It had already gone through two generations already. I couldn't take that chance . My grandfather saved me. He was the only one not abusive towards me. It was on both sides with my parents. Still break's my heart to this day. I wanted to break the cycle and I did, but at the cost of a family for me. I'm 65 now and still wish I hadn't just focused the abuse on myself. If they wanted to break 💔 me they accomplished it. Sorry I don't talk about it with anyone. I turned my pain inward and listening to this song did empower me, but not enough sadly. No one could understand why I loved this song so much, because I couldn't tell anyone I was ashamed. Social media has opened a door for a lot of people.
I was a Jane too, 13 when this song came out. If I'd had a gun, my biological father would have died that year. And my mother would have likely thanked me for it, since she'd protected me from the worst of his abuse. I didn't even watch this video for 2 weeks, because I had a feeling which song it would be about, and I was right.
@@neuralmute I raised a butcher knife when I was 16 Jane. He was sleeping his lazy drugged out ass on the couch. Only reason I didn't stab him. I was afraid he would have survived so I didnt
@@janiephillips4842 Jane I understand 100%
As a survivor of sexual abuse from my father (amongst others), this song meant & still means so much to me. It is so powerful & was so validating for me back then. It's like a dream of revenge that I could never experience in real life. The video touched my soul. The song made me feel understood & like someone believed me. My mother didn't believe me, even though she was part of it when I was a toddler. (Why the video struck So close to home). So the song gave me hope & empowerment. I'm 54 now & moved past the "victim" identity half my life ago. But I'm so thankful for this song to help me in my path to recovery & self acceptance. Oh Father by Madonna was another powerful song for me. And the image of dancing on my father's grave...
🥹👍✌️🙏
It’s hard for me to listen to. Though my abuser was an uncle (by marriage), it brings back too much trauma for me.
The dancing part might be considered excessive however,, I'll never see my old man's grave and that's charitable.. considering,, I could p*** on it so,, everyone comes out good lol... But the years of abuse don't have to be sexual to be destructive and yeah,, that collaboration between parents about the,, stuff they do is EXACTLY WHAT Janie's Got A Gun IS ABOUT.. that,, well no one believes me and I can't live like this so,, might as well take matters into less cool ways... And I didn't know it was originally Danny got a gun,, thanks Professor,, but now I can identify with it even more... Point is,, I just had to completely cut ties with the whole dysfunctional circle of people,, form a healthier circle of people so that time is just a bitter memory however, this tune really does bring it back and I can understand your point totally...
@@micnorton9487 for me the dancing on the grave wasn't mean spirited. It is really the freedom I experienced after his death. It was a huge anchor that had been cut. I wished things had been different growing up, but I had to forgive & move on.
@@kellidinit3725 I was abused by many in my family, including uncles & brothers in addition to Dad. Dad was supposed to be my protector, but instead was my predator. That messed me up the most. But any abuse from anyone is traumatic. My prayers to you ....
The one aspect of this music video that always got me angry was the mother knew what was happening and did nothing about it. That just made me sympathize and understand where Janie's helplessness, desperation & ultimate decision came from. As a father I cannot understand how you could ever look at your daughter that way. Every time I listen to this song it's like listening to it for the first time. This song still invokes the fear for Janie, the helplessness as a father to save her and the feeling of justice being served as it should. Granted none of these are positive emotions but it is proof as to the masterpiece Aerosmith created and will unfortunately be just as relevant and haunting thirty years from now. WELL DONE on the story telling of this song!
The mother not doing anything about abuse a common situation. Mama wants to keep the family together and papa is ripping it apart
@@DonaldMerrit My father abused me when I was 8 or 9 years old. My mother knew. She asked him about it, of course he denied it. I grew up hating her but never really knew why. I learned as I was healing that children often have stronger negative feelings towards the nonabusive parent, often for not protecting them. When this song came out I was just starting to remember my abuse, barely bits and pieces. Not the actual abuse, but yet somehow I knew deep down. (Part of me had for years but refused to look at it, think about it) I remember this song making me cry, sobbing terribly. It hit me without even having full memories. I just knew, then I started to hate my dad. I was 26 then.
Only in the past few years have I been able to realize mom did what she could at that time and sometimes I forgive her and don’t hate her. But she has never been able to say to me that she’s sorry what I’ve been through (severe depression, PTSD, 5 suicide attempts, two that put me in ICU, one on kidney dialysis, substance abuse, at least 12 psychiatric/detox hospitalizations, 5 failed attempts at college education and hoarding), and just give me a hug and tell me she loves me. My sister told her last year this was all I wanted. The next day she approached me still with excuses. She lacks any empathy. I’m finally realizing she just can’t give what she doesn’t have. Sometimes that’s easier than others.
My mom knew about the long time abuse and blamed me and said I was asking for it and I was her competition. It started when I was 5. I played this song loooooud every time it came on. I love this song still.
@@wrenw1550 sorry you went through that:( I've hit the same realization with my dad, he just can't do what I need him to do. I've made peace, Hugs:)
My mom said loose lips sink ships when my family was being investigated when it all was going on with my brother
As a survivor,this song has always been the catharysis I needed. He put it perfectly and the emotion in it still makes me cry.
15:03 Anyone know what video / song this is?
@hensmom Oh Father by Madonna.
This song came out as I turned 16 and really needed to be empowered to get out of the abuse by any means necessary. This song spoke about one of those things that nobody wants to talk about and some people refuse to believe. I still love this song!
It relates to me because I was bullied in school to the point where I almost was a Janie. Not exactly abuse, but almost borderline.
In 1989 Rush also released a hauntingly vivid song: “The Pass” from their Presto album, which detailed the plight of teen suicide, and hit closer to home for me then the abuse epidemic which was just as prevalent. The contrasting styles are amazing in how Steven’s lyrics are written as a first person count of a specific individual but understandably much more universal than implied. Neil’s lyrics are more third person and universal but speaking to you the listener as a individual. Both songs and bands are worthy of the title GOAT for the balls to address these sort of heavy topics in music to help bring awareness and help people suffering from and dealing with them.
One of the first songs that made me feel like I wasn’t alone. I will forever be grateful for Janie, it strangely made me feel empowered when I felt powerless. Thank you Aerosmith for not changing anything
I briefly met Steven he was nice funny asked us to walk with him through the airport. He joked and slapped us on the back and was just a great guy.. Did not realize until afterwards he "used" us to keep others back and get through the airport, it was an honor to be used by him. He really was a nice guy. I hope he can continue his Janie's fund. Songs that bring attention to the horrors some kids face like this and "Hell is for Children" by Pat Benatar are needed. It is not fun to face it but kids need more protection than they get often. There is horror going on in the world now much the same as then.
This song and it's lyrics were needed at this point in our history and are still needed today, in exactly the way Steven wrote them and how he sang them!! Mainstream couldn't handle the lyrics and or the video because it pulled the veil back and said, stop hiding this, stop protecting the perpetrators and give them at minimum life without parole or death, because they won't stop for long and then they're back at it again!!
Girls and women and little boys to young men(Edit/correction to add in the other group of humans also abused by monsters), really need to have this song in their arsenal of music as a reminder that a way out can be found, preferably without shooting because that really messes with a persons mind, even when one knows the scum was guilty!! Stay Safe, be loved and be well!!! 💔❤🩹💝💖❤🔥🤗😘🥰🥰 From another daughter, sister, cousin, mother, auntie and grandmother to all of you!!!
Why only girls? It’s for anyone that was abused, regardless of gender. Don’t act like females don’t abuse.
Love it when I can figure out from the thumbnail and title which song you're going to be talking about! LOL. This is such a powerful song (that I doubt anybody would have the balls to try to put out there today) and it's truly amazing that Steven Tyler took it beyond "just a song" and actually created Janie's Fund. He's a true class act.
He’s so generous.
I have the say that Joe Perry's discordant and jangly notes during the solo is a highlight emphasizing how troubled Janies emotions would have been. It's a brilliant bit of musical storytelling.
It’s a chilling solo.
Yes, amazing solo. So perfect for the song, really contributes to the overall feel.
This song, Jeremy, and Runaway Train all put the problems front and center. And I related heavily to all of them in different ways. Such powerful music. We need it more than ever.
It's great that Steven was such a rock heavyweight that he could stand his ground on his lyrics. Can't get any better than actually starting Jamie's fund and working for what one of their masterpieces sang about. Definitely a #1 in our hearts. Great episode professor!
Thanks MY name!
Grew up thinking he was singing about a shooting, but the fact that it was about abuse is even sadder.
@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980Even sadder that he was a groomer.
@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 it was, she shot her predator.
@@throbbinwoodofcoxley6830Tyler IS a predator. Its been known for years.
This used to be on MTV all the time in 1989, loved it then and love it even more now! Steven’s vocals on this are pure perfection.
Great voice!
He conveys the message perfectly.
Only climbed up to #12 in Sweden. :(
No matter if one has been sexually abused or abused at all by a family member, this song still hits hard. One really wants Janie to "get away" with the so called crime. The music video definitely helps that feeling. I vaguely remember my reaction when first watching the music video and couldn't believe my ears. Wasn't like so many other rock songs of the era. Like you, I always get close to crying when listening to it. It's simply powerful in every way.
I haven’t been through it myself but I have read countless stories in the news about it. Steven Stayner’s story had me crying for at least a week after. So sad.
My local radio stations had a radio edit version that replaced "Put a bullet in his brain" with the "Stood out in the pouring rain" verse. The censorship of such an important message was very disappointing.
I agree.
Mine too, but only recently. The last 3-5 years. Shame.
I’m with you here, we need to not sanitize the experiences of real people when hearing music like this.
Even if I could condone the censorship - I can't! - it makes zero sense that way, which makes it even that much worse
Censorship is never acceptable. Never.
Glad I took time to listen to this video. I honestly have heard this song over the years but never listened intently to the lyrics. I had no clue it was about this subject and what the victim did to their persecutor. Thank you, Professor of Rock for this very educative video.
Same thing for me , great song for me now
Miss the albums because many had the lyrics in fold out and cover art 🎨
That song came out as I was in high school and enduring brutal physical (non-sexual) and emotional abuse from my father. I was a dairy farm kid and various firearms were in the house; I had already debated doing what the song depicted to my abuser (never did; still have no idea why) and this song hit me hard.
I was only 6 in 1989, but I discovered the song in my 20s. It was a hauntingly beautiful song that gave voice to the dark thoughts I had about the man who molested me. Now I find hope in the song, and a promise that things can get better. I come back to the song over and over, and never tire of it.
Well said! Same here. This song saved a younger me that was being molested by my father for years. It helped me survive the nightmare. I'm glad it helped you, too. Stay strong 💪 👊
It opened Pandora’s box for so many reasons. The horror of abuse was put squarely into people who needed to be heard, those who suffered, and those who could help! Steven Tyler did the world a favor with this song. It is a revolutionary revenge on a musical level! Still plays on your mind after you hear it all these years later. Now support Janie’s Fund and Operation Underground Railroad and save some young people and men and women! ❤❤❤❤️🙏💕☠️
It is a fantastic song about the reality of abuse in a majority of cases but I’m not sure I’d go that far.
Keep in mind this was released during the Satanic Panic which was started and driven by the repressed/recovered memory movement of the 1970s.
Researchers had long known that most CSA was at the hands of family members at this point but legitimate research was covered up by a popular fringe psychotherapy that claimed outside actors/“Satanists” were deliberately abusing hordes of women and girls, shattering their psyches in the process and creating “multiple personalities” that remembered the abuse so the victim could forget.
Thousands upon thousands of parents were falsely accused during this time period. In every case the parents were alleged members of cults that abused them, mind controlled them and forced them to abuse others.
During this entire s*it show baby boomers repeated false statements about abuse never being addressed in America before the Satanic Panic years. That was their narcissism and ignorance showing. I can’t imagine thinking no one in society had every discussed CSA before the 1970s but they had no problem assuming and the press had no problem repeating this falsehood.
They did a huge disservice by portraying abusers as mind controlled Satanists/monsters and they did a huge disservice by acting like CSA was rampant in every every home.
A lot of the mass hysteria/moral panic during this time period was intentionally drummed up to pass pretty horrid legislation that did nothing to protect actual victims.
To this day most of our time, energy and funding has been directed away from areas that would do the most good in order to continue pretending a shadowy, underground cabal is responsible for all wrong doing.
It’s not just religious fundamentalist politicians on the right that do this either. Radical feminists on the left have always been equally culpable and other groups of feminists have written about the many problems with their “activism” for decades. That includes spreading unhelpful conspiracies and pseudoscience.
JGaG came along over a decade into an unhealthy obsession with all things CSA and a life leveling moral panic.
They did at least paint a more realistic picture, aside from the popular idea that all mothers knew and did nothing that was prevalent then due to malpractitioners promoting recovered memory (which has been back in fashion for well over a decade after being reintroduced on Uni campuses).
There are situations where mothers know and do nothing but it’s not a majority. There are CSA rings but they are not a majority and roving bands of Satanists are NOT mind controlling & making people abuse.
I’d say the bigger revelation from the 1950s 1970s was about physical abuse. As X-Ray machines improved and CT scans were developed in the 1970s more cases of physical injury due to abuse were being uncovered BUT you have to be careful here too. Countless parents have been wrongfully accused of physical abuse due to honest accidents since this period.
As a country we are very bad at nuance and moderation. The pendulum always swings wildly and reality is fervently rejected.
Pandora's Box was also a great Aerosmith song!
There are a million stories, coming from every direction, about Rock-n-Roll. I am quite happy to sit here and listen to the Professor bring them to me one at a time. Love your work. Appreciate it even more. Thanks!
What a haunting song! I always loved this song. When I listened to it for the first time back then in the GDR which was "dying", I suddenly knew that this is real monstrum of a song. With my GDR school taught English it was nearly impossible to transcribe what Steven Tyler was singing about. But I knew that this was a sad sad moment. I still love this song for its message and its special atmosphere.
We in the GDR had also such a song. There was a band called "Rockhaus" (rock House or so). They came out of the fun punk scene. And also in 1989 they came around the corner with a song called "Mich zu lieben" (To love me). They tell the story of the forgotten youth in the GDR. And they talk about this dude who grew up feeling unloved by his parents. This - so the story - made him a criminal.
For background: The GDR always told that the youth is supposedly well protected. But this wasn't the case. It was the hard reality that the youth was lost in the GDR. And this fact made them doing crime. This was something nobody wanted to talk about. And we as the youth of this falling state - we felt completely understood by this band. The GDR television show "elf99" discussed this topic of marauding hordes, the reasons and the consequences. Here is the result:
th-cam.com/video/jdZklJGoxRo/w-d-xo.html
Lyrics:
When I was twelve, I sawed benches in the city park.
I broke into cars and fought with the cops.
My parents worked for the money so that I would have a better life.
They gave me everything, but they missed one thing:
To love me, to give me warmth.
To love me, just to talk to me,
to take me as I am.
Now I'm sitting in jail for a year with my ass in a sling.
I wanted to get the curve alone, but I always missed it.
My parents fear for their high job, What a scandal.
We gave him everything, they told the judge,
But there's one thing they forgot:
To love me, to give me warmth.
To love me, just to talk to me,
To take me as I am
Damn, I felt that...
The parents gave them everything but the right thing...
the one thing that fertilizes their hearts as kids...
LOVE, unconditionally and frequently.
And all that it entails.
Damn.
Just finally watched "Less Than Zero"1987- That song could be the theme. Excellent!
Forgive my ignorance, but what does GDR stand for?
@@jenniferstine8567 Don't worry... GDR ist the former eastern part of Germany, the German Democratic Republic, in German: DDR: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_Germany
In 1994 my friend and I had an all access pass at an Aerosmith concert. To say we had an absolute banger of a time would be an understatement. Steven Tyler was so congenial. Always had a smile on his face. We grew up with this band so this concert was fantastic! Love their songs and now I have a great memory to an unbelievable night!
Thanks for sharing!
He was one helluva frontman.
Janey came out when I was eleven. I have a vivid memory of sitting up on the jungle gym with a pile of other kids singing this song at the tops of our lungs- of course including the 'nyaaa nyaaa nyaaaaaaa!' bit at the start. It seems strange now that we would have so much fun with such a dark song, but the darkness needs to be dragged out into the light to stop it from happening, so well done Aerosmith and Prof Rock for the memory. I'd totally forgotten about the creepy 10second intro as well
I'm so glad that this song was recognized for the magnificent song that it is! The music with those powerful words left me mesmerized the first time I heard it. As a survivor of childhood SA by a family friend and my godfather. I felt that this could be true and I was ike "Hell Yeah!" when the Janie takes matters into her own hands.
I work in an inner city school and have for years. You can't believe what some of the kids go through! Every time I think I've heard it all something else happens. The song is just the tip of the iceberg! Music is so important! Keep playing it!
The first time I heard 'Janie's Got A Gun', it really had my attention. I agree, it is a well crafted masterpiece.
In 1989, there were a few songs speaking out about social issues. This video mentioned Madonna, ' Oh Father '. There was also Phil Collins, 'Another Day In Paradise ' and Billy Joel's, 'We Didn't Start The Fire'.
Yes! Good call.
And 1990 George Michael Praying for Time
And half of Sting's catalog, including "Russians" "They Dance Alone" and "Fragile."
@@digitalis2977 I ❤Sting's music!
@Marcadia DD And Monkey, by George Michael. I think this song was released 1988.
Pump is one of their masterpiece albums - Janie’s Got A Gun still a moving tragic controversial music video even today !
For sure!
"Permanent Vacation" was their magnum opus...a near perfect Rock album..."Pump" is pretty good, as well...
@@stinkypinkeee5085Rocks was their best!
JGAG great song but Rocks is their best album!
@@fnjsaundersRocks is a perfect album, Pump is the best of their second life
I remember when Aerosmith released "Janie", one of the UK rock press magazines (I want to say Kerrang, but it also may have been Metal Hammer) said of it (I paraphrase here) "Only Aerosmith could produce a song about child abuse and make it sound refreshing. Mind you, Aerosmith could produce a song about colostomy bags and make it sound refreshing."
Saw Aerosmith on the Pump tour at Wembley Arena ... Brilliant!
Radio stations in Kentucky got "She left him in the pouring rain." I knew the correct line, and I always felt changes like that for radio were copouts (the radio version of "What's It's Like" by Everlast is criminal). Life is scary, and it's ugly, whether they change the lyrics or not.
I can’t remember the exact edit, but I remember it being terrible.
@@throbbinwoodofcoxley6830 it definitely was.
Just finished watching this one, I’m still in tears. You always have an amazing way of describing the sound, the mood, and the after effects of songs. This one was no exception.
And, your take on 1989 was absolutely on target. We really weren’t afraid of Freddy or Jason. We knew the real monsters were in the bedroom down the hall.
So glad I found your channel. ❤
🥰
As a snobby teen, and hearing Love in an Elevator constantly, I was taken aback by Janie’s Got a Gun. I was never an Aerosmith fan, but this song was compelling art, in my bitter, little heart.
My best friend's stepfather was fairly connected in the music business. He's a singer/songwriter named John Hiatt who's penned a few well known songs. In 6th grade I was a big Aerosmith and Faith No More fan and it just so happened they were both touring together, looking back an odd combo really. They came to Starwood Amphitheatre that year, a now sadly defunct venue just outside of Nashville Tennessee, music City USA. John got us back stage passes and we got to meet Aerosmith. Steven was super cool and seemed actually thrilled to speak with two 12 year old fans. I've still got the t-shirt they all signed along with the picture with the band, minus Joe Perry, who didn't seemed thrilled to meet two 12 year old fans. I don't really hold it against the guy. He did at least sign the damn shirt. I'm not sure how happy I'd be to try and chat up two starstruck children after a show either. Tyler really did strike me as a genuinely cool dude. He was all smiles and laughs backstage.
Also this song was massive that year. It was hard to get away from. They've since started playing the "censored" version on local radio with "put a bullet in his brain" changed to "left him in the pouring rain", which sucks and doesn't make much sense in the context of the song. I sorta get that we may not want songs where people are just randomly murdering people all over the place but if a child that was sexually abused isn't justified taking out their abuser I don't know how any violence can ever be justified.
Also can we recognize how great the vocals are on Toy Soldiers?
Don’t be surprised that the twisted entertainment industry doesn’t want a song about molestation to showcase the scumbag getting killed for his depraved actions.
John Hiatt & Aerosmith two of my faves.
I was 15 when this came out, and knew what the song was about but as a teenage boy not having sisters or know of people that had been abused at that age, I had no real concept of the meaning. Now as a father of 2 children, it really shocks me to hear the song again. I saw Aerosmith and I think skid row at the forum in LA for the Pump tour.
Some credit for the success of this album is due to the producer, Bruce Fairbairn (RIP). Bruce, who also plays trumpet, brought back horn sections and a broader palette of sounds as the Professor noted. To some degree, Bruce probably helped to facilitate bringing songwriter Jim Vallance to co-write some of the songs (They are both based in the Vancouver, BC area). Bruce helmed the production of a lot of hit records in the 80's. Bruce was the producer for "Permanent Vacation" and the album that followed "Pump", "Get a Grip". All three of those records went multi-platinum. I am a fan of both the early success of Aerosmith and their comeback era in the 80's.
🎸😎
I remember hearing this for the first time. I'm 17 and I had to hear it again. I couldn't believe what Steven was singing about. Then the video made it very clear.
This song hit hard as a teenager but, man it hits so much harder as a dad and grandfather.
Steven empowered us to stand up to abuse and abusers. He will never know just how many girls he saved over the years. Thank you Steven.
Oh fucking hell, you do know that at one point Tyler had the parents of an underage girl sign over guardianship to him so he could take her on tour with him and be his sexual plaything, right? He's a scumbag. He wrote such a good song because he knew the father's side so goddamned well.
I live in Bartlett TN and remember reading about him being here to dedicate Janie’s House. I am so glad to hear the story of his fight to get this song out there! Great video, Prof!
Joe Perry sat in with my band Gentlemen Afterdark in 1984. He was in Phoenix writing with Alice Cooper, just after Alice produced our first album..😉😉😉😜
Joe's a gentleman
Alice as well, AND a great comedian!
I liked this song back in the day. Very much ! I have to admit that i had never heard the reason he wrote this song. It makes chills come over me NOW , at this time especially with this very same thing being so prevalent at this time in 2023 . Myself having the most kind and loving father in this whole world , i can not imagine any father doing such a thing as this. This knowledge makes me admire Steven Tyler , even more today. I'm sure his daughters feel the same way about their wonderful father as , i feel about mine. I Thank God , for my father and all the wonderful fathers that have daddy's girl's, like i was. Shame on those father's that do not have God in their heart's and discipline in their house. You know your body , is your house. If you do not have discipline in your body , then you have no control of your emotions. That is a terrible thing to loose control of. God bless the children of a man without disciplne of his house. Amen
The sound of that "whisper scream after he says "It's the sound... it's the sound " is freaking awesome!
As a Brit, this track passed us by somewhat. Not anymore. A genuine classic track that does what all great art should do; it evokes a reaction. Keep doing what you're doing!!
This song, Never Again, Voices Carry and My Name is Luca always resonated with me because of some of the things I witnessed, growing up. I could visualize someone actually going thru with ending their torment with the gun. The video was extremely powerful and I will agree, timeless. There is just something about the first ten seconds of the song that always sends chills up my spine. Great song
So many of these videos make me go back immediately afterwards and listen again to my favorite music through adult ears. It's like The Weekly Top 40 for grown-ups. Kasey would approve. As a rural Idaho eighties kid, your personal stories resonate. Love your channel.
Hey Professor. Great video. I remember this song from back in high school and how chilling and captivating it was based on the music, subject and Steven Tyler's voice. Your list of songs at 14:51 also gave me chills, because those were all favorites with haunting music and themes. Interesting fact: Madonna's Oh Father was also directed by David Fincher!
If you haven't already , maybe you can do a video that either focused on his influence to music videos and/or the most prolific/impactful directors to music videos per decade, per genre.
Thanks
I find it amazing that they've always had the same members and all five members are still alive. They're definitely one of those bands where it only works with that combination of people.
Umm, joe parry left at one point. They had another guitar player for an album or 2?
Yeah rock in a hard place is without joe
@@jakobjess1610 yeah and that album sucked a fat one. Which just proves my point about it needing to be all five of them for it to work
@@PinkyJujubean yes, but what you said was that they've always had the same members. And they haven't.
@@jakobjess1610Joe left before Night in the Ruts was finished. Brad followed soon after and Rock and a Hard Place featured Jimmy Crespo and Rick Dufay on guitars
When this song came out I was stunned. Did Aerosmith really release a song about this topic? Of course they did. To this day, whenever it comes on I stop what I'm doing and listen like it's the first time hearing it.
Gutless record executive almost neutered this great song. I'm glad we live an era where artists can produce and distribute their music without talentless corporate goons interjecting their self-important ignorance into the equation.
Powerful song. It’s still gripping.
1989 was the hardest most life defining year of my life.
The girl of my dreams dumped me for a pilot and I became a ROCK singer/musician and EVERYTHING that goes along with it.
Just about killed me!
My wife, whom a loving God sent me, saved me!
Nice work, Adam, as usual.
As a musician not a famous one I find it so disturbing how record companies, producers ,lawyers and even managers end up making millions off these genius musicians who do all the work
Also a musician here, and yes, the music industry sucks.
It’s truly appalling how controlling the music business is.
They own the industry, you wouldn’t have fans if not for the industry.
@@throbbinwoodofcoxley6830 😂 you know nothing about independent musicians. May not be super famous but I’ve made enough money to have been a musician all my life. No one owns me and proudly thousands of great musicians have kept their music as their own why do you think music on the radio is so bad that’s the record companies spewing out 💩 they can own all this new bullshit music as it has no longevity
90% failure rate but they still profit. they really do screw the artist.
As an abuse survivor at the hands of my own father when I was under the age of 5 this song hits hard. I was 10 when the song came out but it wasn't until I was an adult that it really hit a nerve. When you are a kid, you are screaming for help. You act out, you engage in destructive behaviors but no one gets it. Heck, when I was having flashbacks in my adult years and I told my story, even members of my own family didn't believe what had happened because it was horrifying. It took years of therapy with a God send of a therapist to help me realize that what happened to me didn't make me damaged goods. I have wounds but they don't define me. I am a whole person, a complete person with dignity and value, regardless of what happened. I have healed enough so that I can move ahead and forgive, the hardest thing. Those of us who are survivors can help others and we should. We need to do something positive with our experience.
Professor you've gotta do a video on "Toy Soldiers", I'd almost forgotten that one. When you talk about being scared of something, "Unsolved Mysteries" was the scariest for me. In 1989 I was 9 going on 10. Yeah, I remember really not being scared of much, but once I started watching "Unsolved Mysteries" with my grandparents it was over. That's when I started getting heavy into comic books, and learned there are heroes who battle the villains. Anyways, peace and love y'all 🤟
Wicked Games from Chris Isaac makes the hairs stand up on my neck. With the haunting guitar licks and his Orbisonesque vocals.
These songs (Luca, Janie's Got A Gun, Woman In Chains, etc.) were the ones that solidified my 14 year old belief that nobody would believe me, that I had to find a way to overcome it all within myself. I had nobody on my side but me. It's still true.
Great post Professor!!
"No More No More" is my favorite Aerosmith song..
Albeit "Janie's..." is a classic as well..🌹
Pump was released the summer I was 18 and is one of my all time favorite albums. Janie’s got a gun was a a song that affected me deeply and still does to this day. It’s hauntingly beautiful and I’ll always love it
So many gut-wrenching stories here, respect for everyone who shared their stories to help bring light to this often ignored subject. My heart goes out to all of you for your pain and your perseverance. There’s probably been more honest discussion on this subject in this comments section than almost anywhere else in mainstream media.
This song always hit me hard. Both my wife and I were children of abuse. Now being the father to 5 kids 3 of them girls it repulses me how some monster can do that to children
Crazy how “Done With Mirrors” was their initial release post group rehab (hence the name), and post break up when two members made their return to the band in 84/85. It was considered absolute garbage! BUT… it was indeed their comeback from deep addiction and they endured the lousy reception of the album, put on a powerful “Done With Mirrors” tour (in which I attended as my first rock concert at Dallas Reunion Arena with Y&T… awesome show!!) and soon (about two years) after made the connection with Run DMC, released Permanent Vacation, and let that cat back outa the bag for good. Aerosmith got and stayed on top for what seems like an amazing SECOND career loaded with all of its own definitive hits and personality. The second coming of Aerosmith, post Done With Mirrors could have been its own historic existence, but who can deny who and what they were through the 70’s as well?
I am 54, and I grew up with this music. I was always to dumb to put 2 and 2 together with alot of songs ty for your explanations!
Dumb or innocent?
Ah yes, Jamie's Got A Gun. Love Aerosmith's comeback. They adapted well to the late 80s music scene.
A few years ago, Aerosmith got their original 1973 touring van back after being abandoned for over 40 years. It's an episode of American Pickers. Great stuff.
Thanks for this, Professor.
Always a must see every day, even if I am late for class.
Thanks Roger! Always enjoy seeing your comments!
I should check out that van!
Thanks for solving the mystery of the instruments in the intro. This is a great song. David Fincher turned into a top notch director. Amazed to hear that Steven Tyler set up Janie's Fund. Great thing for him to do.
Such an intriguing story on how the lyrics were written. Steven really knows how to tell them while singing.
This is one of my top 5 Aerosmith songs of all time. I had heard it on MTV (don't remember hearing it on the radio) as a kid (I was 8 at the time). The MTV video was great but as I heard the words it felt really sad to me (same as the video as it showed Jani was hurt badly- at the time as a kid I didn't 'know' what or why she was hurting. Only that something painful happened because of her crying in the video). My brothers loved Aerosmith and had played this song a lot with their other hit songs from their cassette tapes.
I have come to the realization of why I watch your videos. You remind me of a teacher or Librarian having children gathered around for storytelling time except I am no longer a child and viewing this on the internet, but it has the same feel.
Nobody's Fault is an underrated song from Rocks! Love that song.
Good song!
It’s been a while since I heard it.
The Professor of Rock is truly the Professor of Rock! His musical analysis is deep, thorough, informative, and spot on! I appreciate the songs i like, love, adore, that have inspired me musically even more after hearing his breakdown and analyses of those songs. You're truly a music analytical genious. Thanks Professor!
I loved Janie's Got A Gun, when It came out. Sadly MTV killed it for me. I swear they played it every hour.
I first heard "Janie's Got a Gun" on MTV when I was in the hospital during my seventh grade year. I had heard a few songs by Aerosmith before that, but I didn't know them by name. This was when I actually learned their name. There was a girl in the children's wing with me who was named Jane that loved this song, insisting it was her song, and would turn the TV up every time it came on and she got all of us to sing along. I remember watching the video for the first time and I was absolutely entranced. It was unlike anything I had seen before. The next time I heard it, I actually focused on the lyrics (since Jane insisted that all of the kids sing along, I kind of had to learn it), and even at that young age i understood that it was a powerful song. During that same hospital stay, I also saw "Love in an Elevator" and "Sweet Emotion" on MTV, so once I left the hospital, I saved up my allowance and bought a copy of Pump (one of the first albums I bought myself actually). I later made the connection to other songs I knew and enjoyed ("Dream On," "Walk This Way," etc.) and started buying more of their albums. My favorite song by them to this day is "Angel" (just such a beautiful song! I want to hear you talk about that one!), but "Janie's Got a Gun" is definitely second, and both of them (as well as at least a dozen other Aerosmith songs) are on the music playlist I listen to several times a week.
Oh. Fun side note. You mentioned "Opposites Attract" being #1 at the time. It was another one that got turned up when it came on, and Jane and I sang that one as a duet, even doing the dance. I still remember the entire male part for that song even though it's been almost 35 years. I'd honestly love to hear the story behind that song as well!
I was never an Aerosmith fan but loved this song. It’s confronting, powerful and I love the melody 🎶
Thank You for this one. My entire adult life revolves around the Summer of 89, I call it the "Summer Of My Youth." My Aunt passed away on April 31 of that year, the day that we buried her was the day that our lives changed Forever. I turned 17 that summer but we (Cousins, Friends & Acquaintances) thought we were and lived as adults, on a downward spiral alcohol and drug binge that we called Party, it literally lasted for years. I always base everything in my life from around that time, the summer of 89. Fond memories, great music and a whirlwind of crazy. Although today we've lost many from that time there are still a few of us around, many just barely.
Thankfully I got Sober in 1998, but that summer still clings tight to my soul & my memories.
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Janie's got a gun is an amazing song And it's a shame when record labels want to censor a song that's both haunting and powerful
It’s one of the reasons that so many bands self release now.
It's a shame they censor good music w/ strong messages becuz they don't want to be found out... the ones who WOULD censor ARE some of the "predators" spoken about now, becuz many were so damn foul back then...
dare I say, "Janie's perfect victims".
@@throbbinwoodofcoxley6830 truth.... independent is the only and better way to go, becuz what's yours is yours.
In this case not really, since they made the correct assessment that the song wouldn’t be played on TV/radio with Steven’s original lyrics. The ”censored” less in your face lyrics also adds to the song’s mystique.
Your gift is taking a song that I honesty was indifferent about and make me go immediately to iTunes and buy it. Your delivery is impeccable and your knowledge unmatched! I’m so glad that I discovered your channel!! Thanks a million!
The news that recently came out about Tyler puts "Janie" in a whole new light.
What do you mean recently. I think that it was a well known story for Aerosmith fans. What he did back then was definitely not ok, but the fact that the lawsuit was filed more than 45 years after that raises a lot more questions than it answers. Who is to say that Steven hasn't changed his way during all these years. Imagine if all the groupies started sueing 70s rock stars. I don't mean to defend such behaviour, but the courts must know where to draw the line. And the fact that Janie's got a gun has been performed on almost every tour is a proof that Steven has changed his ways and wants forgiveness. The act of writing an anti-abuse song during the time when hair metal musicians endulged in all sorts of debauchery and abuse proves that Steven had the courage to stand up against that and admit that what he did is bad. For further proof, listen to Monkey on my back, Amazing and so on.
@@rock-n-rollmusicandmore6560 By your logic, Bill Cosby should have never went to jail...
@@TheREALJosephTurner So I guess in the Johnny Depp lawsuit you supported Amber Heard, right? In all seriousness though, nobody mentioned Bill Cosby. And besides, I said multiple times that I discourage that kind of behavior. BTW, when was the first time that you heard about this case? Personally, I tried to be as objective as possible and to hear every side of the story and none of them is comfortable to hear. I mean, Julia's parents literally just gave her away to Steven knowing that he was an addict (according to psychology, addiction is a mental disease). In short, I think that this lawsuit should have happened a long time ago (unless there is an attempt to make money). Also, I completely agree that what Julia suffered is horrible and that everyone should keep her in their prayers.
@@rock-n-rollmusicandmore6560 I didn't follow the Depp/Heard thing at all, so I had no side to pick. And somebody did mention Bill Cosby- I did. Women from the distant past accused him of crimes, and the court found him guilty. Like it or not, Steven Tyler partook in child molestation. The fact that she had shitty parents that signed over custodial rights DOES NOT make the SEPARATE issue of molestation null and void. Not to mention, there is one difference between Steven and Bill: Steven ADMITTED TO IT. You obviously know next to nothing about the mental problems associated with sexual trauma. It's actually quite common for the crimes not to come to light many, many years later, sometimes if ever. It doesn't just happen to rich celebrities. However, in Steven's case, HE put all the details out in his book. Kinda hard to victim-blame on this one, and it makes your "when did you first hear about it" attempt pretty much moot. THE DUDE SAID HE DID IT!!!
@@rock-n-rollmusicandmore6560 each case should be heard and judged on its merits. Having an opinion about one accused man should not mean the opinion will be the same about another.
My understanding is that the case is happening now due to a lifting of the statute of limitations. Yes ideally a victim will initiate a case shortly after the event but often times the victim is not able to due to their mental state.
Thank you, Adam, for your in depth and heartfelt looks at key moments in rock history.
My niece, who was born in 92 to rocker parents, always (even as a toddler, n to this day), related this song to me. Idk if she understood the song n knew that I would destroy anyone that would hurt her or if she simply heard the lyrics wrong. My name is Jimmy...
I love your videos, man... you are like sitting with one of my best friends from high school - on, talking about music years later like we used to. And might I add that you have an awesome background with how you display your albums to fir the review. I love this one... they're in my top favorite bands ever. I've always loved this song, and you hit every single point that makes the song so brilliant. You know your stuff, and I love learning new things about the songs I loved from you. Thanks for being here!
Such a great song taunted with such a sad and painful story. Unless one pays attention to it and the video you wouldn't really think a story like this is being a told. Especially with all the censoring going on. It's a poignant ballad that nerds to be told as is and not sugar coated. Great music with strong vocals and a strong message.
Boy there's a lot to say about Aerosmith. I got hooked on the very first Aerosmith album when I was 14. Went to see them live during the "get your wings" tour and that was a great show. I went to see Aerosmith about 10 years later and Steven Tyler passed out on the stage during the first song. Some years later I again went to see Aerosmith but they canceled the show because of Tyler's throat issues. I live in New Hampshire which was home base for Aerosmith (not Boston Mass). I think they still have a property on Lake Winnipesaukee. Because of my location, Aerosmith was a staple on the radio when music became a thing to me. I think I have every record that they have done. My favorite songs are not the commercial ballads that were over played on the radio. Aerosmith's early records are where the Mojo is at. But then in the 90s when everybody thought Aerosmith was washed up they came back with Permanent Vacation, pump and get a grip and the rest is history. Each individual member of Aerosmith can hold their own as a musician but when all the original members are playing together that's where Aerosmith happens.
"Pump" was a solid album then, still solid today. 🤘
I agree. Their best of the 80s in my opinion !
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Definitely remember hearing this song back in 89. At the time I didn’t really understand the concept of the song. Took me a few years later to figure it out. I think it was a necessary song to be played everywhere and it still is today. I agree that it’s definitely a haunting hit you in your heartstrings song. One of my favorite Aerosmith albums for sure.❤
This is one of The Songs! There are just some songs that have something that drives people. I really hope that the people in music can make this type of song again. I doubt it in what is mainstream.
LOVE Martina’s Toy Soldiers. Would absolutely love an episode on it as well. What a song.
You made the comment, “it would be incredulous for someone to do this to their child”… Agreed. But let’s not forget that Steven Tyler was renowned, even by his own words in his memoir about having sex with children… 15, 16, 17 year old little girls… I’m no expert on all things Steven Tyler, but isn’t he being sued and may face criminal or at the very least legal repercussions from this? Just saying… It be horrible to do to anyone’s child yours or someone else’s.✌️
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I saw them in 76, 78, and 79. I went to the concert in 78 with a migraine. All my friends piled their coats on my head to muffle the sound, but I wasn't gonna miss it! I'd love to go in the fall for their fairwell tour, but tickets are outrageous. I have great memories, and after all these years, I still love them! .
We still have stations around here that refuse to put "she put a bullet in his brain" version out on the radio. It's ridiculous. You have rap songs where they talk about sexual assault, all sorts of violence, and we are left with "left him in the pouring rain". Silly...
Overall that album was fantastic.
Sounds like he deserved the bullet to the brain!! From a sexual abuse survivor whose mother knew and did NOTHING!
Yeah..go figure!🙄🤯
The father, in the video, is Nicholas Guest, brother of Christopher Guest & brother-in-law of Jamie Lee Curtis.
I know several survivors. Some began talking about their experiences, after this song hit.
It's a fantastic song and one of Aerosmith's best for me. The lyrics are powerful and originally made me think it was a true story, similar to I Don't Like Mondays by The Boomtown Rats.
I didn't realise it was censored. I'd normally say it's another dumb record exec interfering where they shouldn't but removing that word for jacked was probably the right move. Thankfully he stuck to his guns (pun intended) with the other lyrics.
I think you're right.
I love the raw, uncensored version best.
@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 Is that available anywhere? I don't think I've heard it.
@@Elwaves2925 It’s the original, and not the doctored up versions.
I remember when it made no. 1 here in Australia; it was breathtaking, such a powerful song with vengeance, but rightfulness to it; it hit home to me & others I knew. It empowered many people I knew and still does. Whilst some of us won't reach for 'it', the idea of being able to stand up to our a-buser & taking back our lives is sometimes enough to get us through the days.
Aerosmith is in my opinion one of the most prolific rock bands of the 20th century. I have always liked them, even before they had their comeback.
Their decision to work with DMC was the best decision ever made by a heavy metal rock band, or that was until Disturbed decided to do a cover of The Sound Of Silence.
I remember hearing this song on the album for the first time. I bought the album and played the complete album in my room in complete darkness. I did this every time I bought a new album. This way I could enjoy the album without any outside distractions.
I remember hearing the opening to Janie’s Got A Gun for the first time, and my first thought was what the hell was this bull. Was not a fan of The Water Song, which was the name of the short song that was played with it at the beginning, though I like it now. When Steve started to sing I was instantly a fan of this song, funny all I heard was the chorus, I never actually listened to the message
It wasn’t until years later that I actually listened to the whole song and read the lyrics. At first I was in shock and didn’t know how listen to the song without thinking about Janie and what she had to endured. It was a powerful message, still is.
I was eventually able to get passed the effect those words had on me, and the reaction my body had to them. It’s still one of my favourite songs, and they are still one of my favourite bands.
It's a very haunting song.
Their Run DMC collaboration helped push rappers to the forefront of the American music scene in the coming years. Janie’s Got a Gun is such a powerful story, especially among rape victims.
This song sticks in your head more than just about anything. I was in high school when it came out & I would literally have it in my head for WEEKS. This is the first time I've heard any of it since it was on the radio all the time. It was very risky for me to watch this one.
Seems weird to let someone have a foundation to help abused minor girls that abused a minor girl. Hopefully they don't let him have any time with the girls
That was one of the most haunting songs I listened to back then. Also Pat Benatar’s Hell Is For Children was very haunting. When I listened to those two songs I cannot keep from crying.