Aerosmith – “Amazing”: A Song of Struggle, Survival, and Starting Over
By the time “Amazing” was released in 1993, Aerosmith had already lived through nearly every rock cliché — meteoric rise, excess-fueled collapse, and an unlikely resurrection. This song, featured on the Get a Grip album, wasn’t just a radio hit — it was a confessional, a message from the edge of destruction, delivered by a band that had been there and clawed their way back.
With soul-searching lyrics, Steven Tyler’s searing vocals, and an emotional arc that mirrors the band’s real-life recovery, “Amazing” stands as one of Aerosmith’s most affecting and inspirational ballads.
The Sound: Bluesy, Bold, and Soaring
“Amazing” opens gently, with a weeping slide guitar and piano, evoking a sense of vulnerability and space. As the track builds, it unfolds into a slow-burning power ballad, anchored by:
- Joe Perry’s expressive guitar licks — not flashy, but deeply emotional
- A rich, layered arrangement, combining acoustic and electric textures
- Steven Tyler’s passionate vocals, reaching from hushed introspection to full-throated cries
The structure gives the song room to grow — it’s a journey, not just a performance. Each verse adds weight, each chorus more uplift, until the final climax soars with hope and conviction.
The Lyrics: Redemption in Real Time
“I kept the right ones out / And let the wrong ones in…”
The opening line sets the tone: honest, raw, and confessional. Steven Tyler’s lyrics trace a personal path through addiction, self-destruction, and the long climb back to clarity. This isn’t abstract poetry — it’s drawn directly from his own battles with substance abuse and the emotional fallout that followed.
“It’s amazing / With the blink of an eye, you finally see the light…”
The chorus hits like a revelation. It’s not about perfection — it’s about finally seeing the truth, and realizing it’s never too late to change.
The bridge — “You have to learn to crawl before you learn to walk…” — echoes the painful, humbling process of healing and starting over. These lines have spoken to countless fans facing their own personal struggles, making “Amazing” a source of strength and solidarity for decades.
The Video: Generational Angst and Virtual Escape
Directed by Marty Callner, the music video for “Amazing” became a staple of early ’90s MTV. It features a young Jason London (of Dazed and Confused fame) and Alicia Silverstone, who starred in several Aerosmith videos during this era.
In the video, London’s character escapes a suffocating reality by plugging into a virtual world — a metaphor for disconnection, fantasy, and ultimately self-discovery. It was a striking visual concept for the time, filled with dream-like imagery, danger, and rebirth.
The final shot — with the protagonist stepping off the virtual cliff, only to fly — perfectly mirrors the song’s message: take the leap, and you just might soar.
Reception and Legacy
Though not as instantly iconic as “Cryin’” or “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing,” “Amazing” remains one of Aerosmith’s most respected and emotionally resonant songs. Highlights include:
- #24 on the Billboard Hot 100
- #3 on the Mainstream Rock chart
- A lasting reputation as a fan-favorite deep cut, especially among those who value the band’s more reflective side
It also helped cement Get a Grip as the best-selling Aerosmith album worldwide, with over 20 million copies sold.
Final Thoughts
“Amazing” is a song about the hard-earned beauty of second chances. It doesn’t glamorize the fall — it acknowledges the pain, the loss, and the long road back. But it does something even more important: it offers hope. And in doing so, it became a rare rock ballad that speaks not just to broken hearts, but to broken spirits.
It’s a song for the mornings after.
For the nights you don’t think you’ll make it through.
For anyone who’s ever come back from the edge — and found their wings.
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