Walk This Way — song by Aerosmith and landmark Run

Walk This Way — song by Aerosmith and landmark Run–D.M.C. collaboration

Overview of 'Walk This Way', the 1975 Aerosmith song, its musical features, the famous Run–D.M.C. remake, and the recording's cultural impact as a rock–hip hop crossover.

Author: Leandro Alegsa Creation date: November 13, 2022 Last updated: May 8, 2026

Overview

"Walk This Way" is a rock song originally recorded by the American band Aerosmith. Written by singer Steven Tyler and guitarist Joe Perry, it first appeared on the group's 1975 album Toys in the Attic and became one of their best-known tracks. The tune is recognised for a driving guitar riff, punchy rhythm section and Tyler's conversational vocal delivery.

Composition and recording

The track exemplifies mid-1970s hard rock with elements of blues-rock in its phrasing and guitar work. Produced during sessions with producer Jack Douglas, the arrangement features a call-and-response bridge and a memorable opening guitar figure. Lyrically it mixes playful sexual innuendo with colloquial storytelling, a style associated with Tyler's writing.

Notable remake and crossover

In the mid-1980s the song reached new audiences when the hip-hop group Run–D.M.C. recorded a version that incorporated the original band. Produced by Rick Rubin, that collaboration fused rap and rock in a way that attracted widespread attention and helped introduce rap to mainstream rock listeners. The joint recording and its video are often cited as a turning point in popular music, one that revitalised Aerosmith's career and broadened Run–D.M.C.'s appeal.

Legacy and influence

"Walk This Way" remains a frequently covered and sampled song, appearing in films, television and live setlists. Its success illustrates how reinterpretation can bridge genres and generations. The record is also used in discussions about crossover hits, music marketing, and the evolution of popular styles from the 1970s into the 1980s and beyond.

Facts and variations

Original recording: Aerosmith, mid-1970s studio sessions.
Famous remake: collaborative version with Run–D.M.C. that blended rap and rock.
Producers associated: Jack Douglas (original) and Rick Rubin (remake).
Continued presence: frequently featured in live performances and compilation releases.

For additional background on the song's recording history and cultural role, see detailed artist histories and music analyses: artist background, archival interviews and retrospectives are useful resources.

History

The track opens with a two-bar drumbeat hit by Joey Kramer, followed by the guitar riffs of Joe Perry. The intro was played by Perry and Brad Whitford on an electric guitar and bass.

Walk This Way is about a high school student who loses his virginity. It was sung by Steven Tyler and contains rap-like passages, such as "so I took a big chance at the high school dance". Marty Feldman's Frankenstein Junior served as inspiration for the lyrics.

Besides the elaborate verses, the chorus essentially consists of the repetition of the phrase "walk this way, talk this way" ("do it this way, then talk this way"). In many performances, the line "talk this way" is often repeated on the part of the band, including with the audience. Longer guitar solos are also played at the concerts, and Tyler imitated the riffs with his voice. In Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest songs of all time, the original reached number 336 and the cover number 287. The first release was on August 28, 1975.

Cover versions

1986: Salt 'n' Pepa (I Desire)
1988: Mantronix (Mega-Mix)
1989: Tone Lōc (Next Episode)
1995: No Use for a Name
2000: Mambo Kurt (Rap Medley)

2001: Pinetop Perkins feat. Rusty Zinn
2002: Hayseed Dixie
2003: Dick Brave & the Backbeats
2003: Sum 41 feat. Ja Rule & Nelly
2004: Steve Lukather feat. Tim Bogert

2004: Macy Gray
2006: Rapsoul
2007: Sugababes feat. Girls Aloud
2009: Jazz Canteen
2010: David Garrett

Author

Creation date: November 13, 2022

Last updated: May 8, 2026