In 2002, Steven Tyler insisted Aerosmith record a song. Joe Perry thought it was a “waste of time”
In 2002, Steven Tyler pushed Aerosmith to record “Girls of Summer”, despite Joe Perry’s view that it was a poor fit for the band. The disagreement reflected tensions over Aerosmith’s increasingly pop-oriented sound after the success of “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing”.
The article says Perry added only a guitar part and a few overdubs, and suggested Tyler keep the song for a solo album. Tyler prevailed, making “Girls of Summer” unusual in Aerosmith’s catalogue for having little involvement from the other band members; the piece connects its pop hooks to Tyler’s later solo direction.
In short
- Tyler insisted Aerosmith record “Girls of Summer”.
- Perry called it a waste of time and wrong for the band.
- The song reportedly had little input from other members.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Tyler could reasonably have seen “Girls of Summer” as a chance to build on the band’s recent mainstream success and bring a strong, accessible song to Aerosmith’s audience. Recording it under the band’s name may also have reflected his view that the song suited the group’s evolving sound, even if it relied less on the full band than usual.
The case against
Perry could reasonably have argued that a song’s commercial appeal was not enough to make it right for Aerosmith, whose identity depended on the members shaping the music together. If the track felt closer to Tyler’s solo direction and left the others with little to contribute, keeping it for a solo release could have protected the band’s distinctive sound and collaborative character.