Nine Years Ago Today, Steven Tyler Released “Red, White & You”
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Nine years ago today, Steven Tyler, the legendary frontman of Aerosmith, released “Red, White & You,” a single from his country album. This song marked a notable shift from his rock background to a more country-influenced sound.
The Making of “Red, White & You” and Tyler’s Country Transition
“Red, White & You” was written by Tyler, alongside Nathan Barlowe, Levi Hummon, and Jon Vella, and produced by Tyler and Dann Huff. The song is described by Dot Records as an “American uptempo country anthem.” Its lyrics include references to Tom Petty and his classic song “American Girl.” The chorus of “Red, White & You” showcases Tyler mixing patriotic themes with a romantic flair:
“Bang, bang, baby, like the Fourth of July / A lightning strike in the midnight sky / I don’t give a damn about the summertime blues / All I need is red, white and you,” Tyler sings. “Can’t let those colors fade / Tell me you’re gonna stay / American girls, makin’ dreams come true / All I need is red, white and you.”
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Rumors about Tyler’s solo country career started circulating in March 2015. By early April, it was official; Tyler had signed with Big Machine Label Group’s Dot Records. In May, he released his first country single, “Love Is Your Name.” Then in September, he revealed plans to release a full album sometime in “February or so.” Tyler shared his views on country music: “Country’s not just about porches, dogs and kicking my boots up. It’s a whole lot more, but it’s about being real. You know, the world’s gone so far away from that. I hope it comes back.”
Fans Anticipation for Tyler’s Country Album and “Red, White & You”
While fans were eager for the full album, there was no official release date at the time. However, a press release about “Red, White & You” mentioned the album would come out later that year. Tyler kept his momentum going by planning two solo concerts in late March at the Avalon Ballroom in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada.
“Red, White & You” officially hit country radio on January 25, and it was available for download on iTunes the same day.
Tyler’s move into country music was an exciting change for both him and his fans. It showed his versatility as an artist and his willingness to explore new musical landscapes. This song, filled with lively and catchy tunes, combined elements of both country and rock. As Tyler put it, “Country’s not just about porches, dogs and kicking my boots up. It’s a whole lot more, but it’s about being real.”
Listen to the song below:
