Janie's Got a Gun

Last updated

I wrote the song in my basement, just fucking around. "Oh, Janie's got a gun." I got goose pimples. I sat for months, waiting for the oracle door to open. Then I looked over at a Time magazine and saw this article on 48 hours, minute by minute, of handgun deaths in the United States. Then I got off on the child abuse angle. I'd heard this woman speaking about how many children are attacked by their mothers and fathers. It was fucking scary. I felt, man, I gotta sing about this. [8]

Tyler took nine months to complete the lyrics, which were also inspired by stories he heard in rehab from another addict who turned to drugs after being abused by her father. He explains, "In the 1980s I was in a recovery program where I met so many women who had experienced incredibly painful and debilitating sexual, mental and physical abuse. Those events put them on a path of suffering that led to anything from abusing drugs to self-harm to many other self-destructive behaviors to mask the pain. It was also around that time that I wrote the song "Janie's Got a Gun," which tells the story of a young girl who is abused by her father." [9] The singer declared, "I got really angry that nobody was paying homage to those who were abused by mom and dad." [10] The line "He jacked a little bitty baby" was originally "He raped a little bitty baby," but Geffen Records A&R executive John Kalodner argued that the band should change it, explaining that he felt the song had the potential to be a hit and was certain it would not get played on commercial radio with the word "rape" in it. [7] Tyler often sings the original line when performing live. In addition, the line "...and put a bullet in his brain" was changed to "...she left him in the pouring rain" for the radio version, making the song's sound less graphic than it actually was.[ citation needed ]

Music video

The music video was directed by David Fincher. [11] Janie is portrayed by actress Kristin Dattilo. Her parents are played by Nicholas Guest and Lesley Ann Warren.

Janie's Fund

In 2015, Tyler started a charity, Janie's Fund, which raises funds to provide counseling, trauma care, housing and medical care to troubled young women. Tyler explains, "Over the 30 years since that song was released, I've often thought about what could be done to prevent this kind of abuse." [12]

Charts

"Janie's Got a Gun"
JaniesGotaGun.jpg
Single by Aerosmith
from the album Pump
B-side "Voodoo Medicine Man"
ReleasedNovember 8, 1989 (1989-11-08) [1]
Genre
Length
  • 5:38 (album version with "Water Song" instrumental intro)
  • 5:28 (single edit)
  • 4:16 (clean radio version)
Label Geffen
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s) Bruce Fairbairn
Aerosmith singles chronology
"F.I.N.E.*"
(1989)		"Janie's Got a Gun"
(1989)		"What It Takes"
(1989)
Audio sample

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA) [25] Platinum70,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aerosmith</span> American rock band

Aerosmith is an American rock band formed in Boston in 1970. The group consists of Steven Tyler (vocals), Joe Perry (guitar), Tom Hamilton (bass), Joey Kramer (drums), and Brad Whitford (guitar). Their style, which is rooted in blues-based hard rock, has also incorporated elements of pop rock, heavy metal, glam metal, and rhythm and blues, and has inspired many subsequent rock artists. Aerosmith is sometimes referred to as "the Bad Boys from Boston" and "America's Greatest Rock and Roll Band". The primary songwriting team of Tyler and Perry is sometimes referred to as the "Toxic Twins".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Walk This Way</span> 1975 single by Aerosmith

"Walk This Way" is a song by the American rock band Aerosmith. Written by Steven Tyler and Joe Perry, the song was originally released as the second single from the album Toys in the Attic (1975). It peaked at number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 in early 1977, part of a string of successful hit singles for the band in the 1970s. In addition to being one of the songs that helped break Aerosmith into the mainstream in the 1970s, it also helped revitalize their career in the 1980s when it was covered by hip hop group Run-D.M.C. on their 1986 album Raising Hell. This cover was a touchstone for the new musical subgenre of rap rock, or the melding of rock and hip hop. It became an international hit, reaching number 4 on the Billboard charts and becoming the first hip hop single to reach the top five on the charts, and won both groups a Soul Train Music Award for Best Rap Single in 1987 Soul Train Music Awards. Both versions are in the Grammy Hall of Fame.

<i>Pump</i> (album) 1989 studio album by Aerosmith

Pump is the tenth studio album by American rock band Aerosmith. It was released on September 12, 1989, by Geffen Records. The album peaked at No. 5 on the US charts, and was certified septuple platinum by the RIAA in 1995.

<i>Big Ones</i> 1994 greatest hits album by Aerosmith

Big Ones is a compilation album by American rock band Aerosmith, released on November 1, 1994 by Geffen Records. Big Ones features 12 hits from the band's three consecutive multi-platinum albums, Permanent Vacation (1987), Pump (1989), and Get a Grip (1993), as well as the hit "Deuces Are Wild" from the compilation The Beavis and Butt-Head Experience (1993), and two new songs, "Blind Man" and "Walk on Water", which were recorded during a break in the band's Get a Grip Tour. These songs were also included on the band's 2001 compilation album, Young Lust: The Aerosmith Anthology. Big Ones is the band's second best-selling compilation album, reaching #6 on the Billboard charts, and selling four million copies in the United States alone. The album quickly became a worldwide hit reaching the Top 10 in nine countries before the end of the year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dream On (Aerosmith song)</span> 1973 single by Aerosmith

"Dream On" is a power ballad by Aerosmith from their 1973 eponymous debut album. Written by lead singer Steven Tyler, this song was their first major hit and became a classic rock radio staple. Released in June 1973, it peaked at number 59 on the Billboard Hot 100 but hit big in the band's native Boston, where it was the number one single of the year on WBZ-FM, number five for the year on WRKO and number 16 on WMEX (AM). The song also received immediate heavy airplay on the former WVBF (FM), often showing up in the #1 position on "The Top Five at Five" in June 1973.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Don't Want to Miss a Thing</span> 1998 single by Aerosmith

"I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" is a song recorded by American hard rock band Aerosmith as the theme song for the 1998 science fiction disaster film Armageddon, in which lead singer Steven Tyler's daughter Liv starred. It is one of four songs performed by the band for the film, the other three being "What Kind of Love Are You On", "Come Together", and "Sweet Emotion". The power ballad was written by Diane Warren, who originally envisioned it would be performed by "Celine Dion or somebody like that". The song received its airplay premiere on May 12, 1998, and was officially added to radio a week later.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crazy (Aerosmith song)</span> 1994 song by Aerosmith

"Crazy" is a song by American hard rock band Aerosmith and written by Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, and Desmond Child. It was the fifth single from their massively successful 1993 album Get a Grip, released in May 1994 by Geffen Records. "Crazy" peaked at number 17 on the US Billboard Hot 100, number three in Canada, and number one in Iceland for two weeks. In Finland and the United Kingdom, it was released as a double-A side with "Blind Man", reaching number eight in the former country and number 23 in the latter. Marty Callner directed the song's music video, featuring Liv Tyler and Alicia Silverstone.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aerosmith discography</span>

American rock band Aerosmith has released 15 studio albums, six live albums, 16 compilation albums, two extended plays, and 72 singles. Aerosmith was formed in Boston, Massachusetts in 1970 by vocalist Steven Tyler, guitarists Joe Perry and Ray Tabano, bassist Tom Hamilton, and drummer Joey Kramer. Tabano was replaced by Brad Whitford in 1971. Other than a period from 1979 to 1984, this lineup has remained the same.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dude (Looks Like a Lady)</span> 1987 single by Aerosmith

"Dude (Looks Like a Lady)" is a song by American rock band Aerosmith. It was released as the lead single from the band's ninth studio album Permanent Vacation in 1987. The song was written by lead singer Steven Tyler, lead guitarist Joe Perry and songwriter Desmond Child.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rag Doll (Aerosmith song)</span> 1988 single by Aerosmith

"Rag Doll" is a song by the American rock band Aerosmith. It is from their 1987 album Permanent Vacation. It was released as the final single from the album in 1988. It was written by Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, Jim Vallance, and Holly Knight. The song "[filters] the essence of Aerosmith's funkiest moments through the boom-thwack beat of the hair-metal '80s".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jaded (Aerosmith song)</span> 2001 single by Aerosmith

"Jaded" is a song by American hard rock band Aerosmith. It was written by lead singer Steven Tyler and songwriting collaborator Marti Frederiksen. Serviced to US radio in January 2001, the single was released on February 20, 2001, as the first single from the band's 13th studio album, Just Push Play (2001). The song was debuted publicly at the American Music Awards and was also played at the halftime show for Super Bowl XXXV in January 2001. It was ranked No. 86 on VH1's "100 Greatest Songs of the '00s".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Love in an Elevator</span> 1989 single by Aerosmith

"Love in an Elevator" is a song performed by American rock band Aerosmith, written by Steven Tyler and Joe Perry. It was released in August 1989 as the lead single from their third album with Geffen Records, Pump, released in September. It peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 and reached No. 1 on the Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart. The RIAA certified it gold.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Livin' on the Edge</span> 1993 single by Aerosmith

"Livin' on the Edge" is a song by American hard rock band Aerosmith. The song was written by Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, and Mark Hudson. It was released in March 1993 by Geffen Records as the first single from the band's commercially successful eleventh album, Get a Grip (1993). The single reached number 18 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, number three on the Cash Box Top 100, and number one on the Billboard Album Rock Tracks chart, where it remained for nine weeks. In the UK, the song peaked at number 19 on the UK Singles Chart in April 1993.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Guns N' Roses discography</span>

The discography of Guns N' Roses, an American hard rock band, consists of six studio albums, one live album, two compilation albums, four extended plays (EPs), 24 singles, nine video albums and 26 music videos. Guns N' Roses was formed in Los Angeles, California with an original recording lineup of lead vocalist Axl Rose, lead guitarist Slash, rhythm guitarist Izzy Stradlin, bassist Duff McKagan and drummer Steven Adler. After self-releasing the EP Live ?!*@ Like a Suicide in December 1986, the band signed with Geffen Records and released its debut studio album Appetite for Destruction the following July. It topped the US Billboard 200 and went on to become one of the best-selling albums of all time, with reported sales over 30 million units worldwide, 18 million of which are in the US. Three singles – "Welcome to the Jungle", "Sweet Child o' Mine" and "Paradise City" – reached the US Billboard Hot 100 top ten, with "Sweet Child o' Mine" topping the chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Other Side (Aerosmith song)</span> 1990 single by Aerosmith

"The Other Side" is a song performed by the American rock band Aerosmith, and written by Steven Tyler, Jim Vallance, and Holland-Dozier-Holland. It was released on June 6, 1990 as the fourth single from the band's highly successful 1989 album Pump.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amazing (Aerosmith song)</span> 1993 single by Aerosmith

"Amazing" is a song by American hard rock band Aerosmith. Don Henley lends his vocals, shadowing lead singer Steven Tyler in parts of this song. The rock ballad was written by Tyler and longtime band friend and collaborator Richie Supa, and released in November 1993 by Geffen Records. It peaked at numbers 24 and 20 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and Cash Box Top 100, number three on the Billboard Album Rock Tracks chart and number nine on the Billboard Top 40/Mainstream chart. The song was also successful abroad, peaking at number two in Iceland, number four in Canada, number five in Norway, and the top 20 in the Netherlands and Switzerland. Marty Callner directed its music video.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Last Child</span> Song by Aerosmith

"Last Child" is a song by American rock band Aerosmith. It was written by Steven Tyler and Brad Whitford and released as the first single from the album Rocks in 1976. It peaked at number 21 on the Billboard Hot 100, one of a string of hits for the band in the mid-1970s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blind Man (Aerosmith song)</span> Song by Aerosmith

"Blind Man" is a song by American hard rock band Aerosmith. The song was written by Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, and Taylor Rhodes. It was first released as a single in the United Kingdom on October 24, 1994, as a double A-side with "Crazy", then was issued in the United States by itself the following month.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Falling in Love (Is Hard on the Knees)</span> 1997 single by Aerosmith

"Falling in Love (Is Hard on the Knees)" is a song by American hard rock band Aerosmith that appeared on the band's 12th studio album, Nine Lives (1997). The song was written by Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, and Glen Ballard, who had signed on to produce Nine Lives. Although he was dropped from the role halfway through production and replaced by Kevin Shirley, Ballard was still credited for his contributions to the album; he also co-wrote "Pink" with Tyler and Perry and "Taste of India" with Tyler and Richard Supa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jaimme's Got a Gal</span> 1994 single by You Am I

"Jaimme's Got a Gal" is the third single from the album Sound as Ever by Australian rock band You Am I. It was released in 1994 and peaked at number 93 on the Australian ARIA singles chart in June 1994. The song also reached #77 in that year's Hottest 100. The Jaimme of the title is Jaimme Rogers, the brother of You Am I's frontman and chief songwriter Tim Rogers, who had been a founding member of the band but left it within twelve months of its formation. "Jaimme's Got a Gal" thus partly explains the reason for his departure.

References

  1. ↑ "30 Years Ago: Aerosmith Tackle Abuse With 'Janie's Got a Gun'". Ultimate Classic Rock. November 8, 2019. Retrieved June 23, 2021.
  2. ↑ Rivadavia, Eduardo (February 28, 2017). "Aerosmith Albums Ranked". Loudwire . Retrieved February 9, 2021.
  3. 1 2 Goldsmith, Melissa Ursula Dawn (2019). Listen to Classic Rock! Exploring a Musical Genre. ABC-CLIO. p. 26. ISBN   978-1-4408-6579-4.
  4. ↑ Masley, Ed (June 8, 2015). "25 best Aerosmith singles, from 'Dream On' to 'Crazy'". The Arizona Republic . Retrieved March 16, 2021.
  5. ↑ "Winners: Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal". Grammy.com. Retrieved November 21, 2018.
  6. ↑ Raine-Reusch, Randy. "Aeromsith, Yes, Cranberries". asza.com. Retrieved May 2, 2016.
  7. 1 2 3 Benitez-Ives, Tina (April 25, 2022). "The Heavier Meaning Behind Aerosmith's 1989 Hit 'Janie's Got a Gun'". American Songwriter . Retrieved May 5, 2022.
  8. ↑ Fricke, David (November 3, 1994). "Talk this way – the Rolling Stone interview with Aerosmith's Steven Tyler". Rolling Stone. p. 60.
  9. ↑ Aerosmith Is MusiCares' 2020 Person Of The Year. By: GRAFF, GARY, Billboard, 00062510, 1/11/2020, Vol. 132, Issue 1
  10. ↑ Billboard. Vol. 110. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. August 15, 1998. p. A-26.
  11. ↑ Irwin, Corey (November 8, 2019). "30 Years Ago: Aerosmith Tackle Abuse With 'Janie's Got a Gun'". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved July 8, 2021.
  12. ↑ Aerosmith Is MusiCares' 2020 Person Of The Year. By: GRAFF, GARY, Billboard, 00062510, 1/11/2020, Vol. 132, Issue 1
  13. ↑ "Aerosmith – Janie's Got a Gun". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
  14. ↑ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 6713." RPM . Library and Archives Canada.
  15. ↑ "Retail Sales: Issue 9875". RPM . Library and Archives Canada. July 17, 2013. Retrieved October 31, 2023.
  16. ↑ "Aerosmith – Janie's Got a Gun". Top 40 Singles.
  17. ↑ "Aerosmith – Janie's Got a Gun". Singles Top 100.
  18. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  19. ↑ "Aerosmith Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  20. ↑ "Aerosmith Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard.
  21. ↑ "U.S. Cash Box Charts" (PDF). popmusichistory. Retrieved March 9, 2023.
  22. ↑ "ARIA Top 100 Singles for 1990". ARIA . Retrieved December 26, 2020.
  23. ↑ "Top 100 Hit Tracks of 1990". RPM . Library and Archives Canada . Retrieved April 17, 2018.
  24. ↑ "Billboard Top 100 – 1990". Archived from the original on July 6, 2009. Retrieved September 15, 2009.
  25. ↑ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 1990 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association . Retrieved August 8, 2022.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.