Aerosmith – Permanent Vacation: Released 24 Years Ago Today, August 18th, 1987
AEROSMITH – Back on August 18, 1987, Aerosmith had their ninth studio album, Permanent Vacation, release on Geffen Records. That was 24 years ago my fellow Rockaholics. Where were you 24 years ago? Were you born yet? Were you lost in the farthest region of the Amazon Rain Forest? Maybe you were like me, sleeping until noon everyday and partying until six in the morning. I couldn’t live like that now! Hell, as that ultra-classic Aerosmith song goes: Dream On.
Despite whatever you may have been doing, wherever that may have been, this Aerosmith album made quite the Hard Rock impact on MTV and FM radio back in 1987. I can recall seeing the music video for Dude (Looks Like A Lady) for the first time, all those years ago. I was semi-interested. It’s not a bad song, still it’s not Mama Kin either. I remember vividly the teary eyed ballad Angel being played on every FM Rock station every five minutes back then too. (Or so it seemed). Yuck.
Rag Doll. Once this song first hit my eardrums I was grimacing. I couldn’t figure out how Aerosmith could go from Sweet Emotion to sweet annoyance so swiftly. Yuck again. Hangman Jury is no better either. Overall, this is my least favorite Aerosmith album from their unquestionably legendary discography. Sure, Permanent Vacation has sold multi-million copies worldwide since it’s release date. Mainstream appeal back in 1987 resulted in overexposure, which equates to the masses wanting to run out and buy, just as it happens now in the Rock music world.
Heart’s Done Time, Magic Touch and Permanent Vacation are three songs on this album that I truly like. So all is not lost when it comes to Permanent Vacation being my least favorite Aerosmith album. I’ve always adored the heavier and harder sound that Aerosmith was and is so famous for. Would I recommend this album to a buddy? Nope. I would say buy the digital songs that you like individually instead.
Two years later, in 1989, Aerosmith released their tenth studio album Pump. I always gravitated toward Pump, really digging that album to this day. One thing is for certain, Aerosmith did catapult themselves into the Rock n’ Roll stratosphere with Permanent Vacation. Trust me, I will forever be an Aerosmith fan, nothing beats the classics this band churned out during those influential 70’s. When it comes to Permanent Vacation, I was and still am one of those fans who just wasn’t buying into the fast food approach that this album represented towards the song.
Aerosmith:
Steven Tyler – vocals, piano, harmonica
Joe Perry – lead guitar
Brad Whitford – rhythm guitar
Tom Hamilton – bass
Joey Kramer – drums, percussion
* Permanent Vacation was produced by Bruce Fairbairn.
Permanent Vacation – Track Listing:
Heart’s Done Time
Magic Touch
Rag Doll
Simoriah
Dude (Looks Like A Lady)
St. John
Hangman Jury
Girl Keeps Coming Apart
Angel
Permanent Vacation
I’m Down
The Movie
* For more info on Aerosmith, click on the link below:
LONG LIVE AEROSMITH.
Stone.
Metal Odyssey > Heavy Metal Music Blog 
August 18, 2011 at 9:55 am
This was the album that started the decline of the once great Aerosmith
August 18, 2011 at 10:16 am
Amen to that. It’s when Aerosmith just grabbed their “flavor of the month” membership card and checked in at the mainstream hotel.
When it comes to their follow-up “Pump”, I just associate too many cool memories to it of hanging out and good times. I do feel “Pump” is a better album than “Permanent Vacation” too.
August 18, 2011 at 3:52 pm
Pump was their last great album and you’re right, they did go mainstream after this one. To answer your question, 1987 was the year I first got married while living in London.
August 20, 2011 at 9:23 pm
Wow, 1987 is a memorable year for you! I guess in the end, the commercial pop route did sell records for Aerosmith… we can’t deny that one. 70’s Aerosmith is still my favorite Aerosmith. \m/
August 18, 2011 at 4:29 pm
I didn’t hate the album, but I certainly did not love it, Aerosmith where turning into Aero Jovi, with Desmond ‘ Can I ruin your artistic intergrity’ Child co writing songs, and the whole thing geared toward MTV kids who only knew Aerosmith because of the Run DMC video, not a great album by any stretch of the imagination.
August 20, 2011 at 9:26 pm
LOL! “Aero Jovi”… that’s a fun one there Manny! 🙂
Desmond Child wrote for everybody it seems. Except for Slayer. 😮