Steven Tyler
Red, White & You (Single)
(Big Machine Label Group)
Steven Tyler is probably best known for his time as frontman and songwriter of prolific rock band Aerosmith having entertained millions with classics including ‘Don’t Wanna Miss A Thing’, ‘Walk This Way’ and ‘Cryin’ to name a few. However, what some people may not know is that Tyler has another love alongside rock music: country.
This is incredibly refreshing from this rock icon who has filled arenas and stadiums around the world as he treats us to his new single ‘Red, White & You’ which was produced by Tyler himself, along with one of country music’s finest session players Dann Huff (Michael Jackson, Taylor Swift, Celine Dion). The song was co-written with Nathan Barlowe, Levi Hummon and Jon Vella.
The intro of acoustic guitar swirls into electric slide guitar and drums as Tyler sings ‘have you ever felt so alright’ to an unnamed American female and the use of banjo works really well as it suits the flow of the song without being overpowering.
Steven’s devilish humour is apparent throughout as he says ‘spinnin on a rollercaster, free fallin’ into your yum yum!’ and it is lyrically clear that Steven Tyler is a fan of Tom Petty and his work as are so many people in the music industry (myself included).
I can see some rock fans turning their nose up at Steven’s new country project but let’s evaluate a couple of things; firstly, if you don’t like it you don’t have to listen to it and secondly, although the song is pigeonholed into the genre of country he isn’t singing about riding his Stetson to the saloon bar for a gunfight at dawn. It is the modern country sound that artists such as Brad Paisley, Keith Urban, Luke Bryan and others are so good at creating.
In terms of the chorus, it is essentially a music earworm that you can’t get out of your head (that’s a compliment by the way) and is extremely radio-friendly. I think that on 4th July 2016 (American Independence Day) Steven Tyler should perform this song in front of a large US crowd and possibly to a television audience as it is an Independence anthem for a 21st century audience with references to the flag’s colours and American food favourite sweet potato pie.
For me, I think this will be the song of the summer with US radio airwaves (and hopefully UK as well) playlisting this track like crazy. Well done Mr Tyler on this country-pop release. I look forward to hearing the fruits of your labour when you release your highly-anticipated debut solo album with Big Machine Label Group.
You can watch the official lyric video for ‘Red, White & You’ below:
Glenn Sargeant
Steven Tyler’s new single ‘Red, White & You’ is out now all digital partners and streaming services. For more information visit his website here: http://bit.ly/1XP1f1H
