Aerosmith - Janie's Got A Gun 

Thank you STEVEN TYLER for founding Janie's House, a shelter for abused girls and women. :-)

This song was written by Steven Tyler and bassist Tom Hamilton, video directed by David Fincher, influenced by an article in Newsweek about children being abused in affluent suburbs. The music video, in 1989, was ground breaking at the time, impassioned and skillful. Steven Tyler's fantastic raspy vocals hit the right balance between sympathy and righteous anger. And Joe Perry, as the rest of the band, excellent as usual. The taboo subject, child abuse, infrequently covered before by a top tier band (exception of Benetar with Hell is for Children in 1980) was certainly done justice. Much needed, and long time in coming.

Winner of 2 MTV Video Music Awards 1990: "Best Metal/Hard Rock Video" and "Viewers Choice Award".

I leave my comment here so that when someone decides to leave a "like", I get a notification and reminds me that I have to listen to this song again.💜2024, anyone ?

2:49, when they make the guitar riffs sound like the oncoming sirens of a cop car or ambulance. Sheer genius.

It still blows me away how the drums are not just part of the "sound" of the song like a normal song. they are both telling the story and PART of the story. the delicate accent in the cock of the hammer, the loud percussive SNAP of the drums to mimic the sound of the shot, and finally the soft "click" of the hammer fall on an empty chamber. To this day i believe it to be the greatest use of drums to tell a story ever.

The detective doesn't get enough credit in this story. He successfully puts together just what happened, and upon seeing Janie, rather than treat her like a criminal and force her into handcuffs, further traumatizing an already deeply shocked young girl, he puts a blanket on her shoulders and helps her to his wagon. I wish more cops were like that.

Still listening in 2024

Song still gives me chills

This song has probably one of the greatest vocal bridges ever written

I never realized what this song was about until I read the lyrics. Wow. Cheers to Aerosmith for tackling a hard subject that needs to be paid attention to, especially today with all the stories hitting the news about abuse.

The line 'She said cuz nobody believes me' always makes me tear up

As a detective who fights child abuse and Aerosmith fan since... well, since EVER, I admire Steven more and more. Such a great iniciative to start a foundation to suport abused women!

Lesley Ann Warren was amazing in the little screen time she had here. From 1:56 to 2:08 shows just how much of a powerful and underrated actress she really is.

This song has always meant so much to me ... when I was 7-12 I was being molested by my "dad" and finally told and was put into foster care but I was safe .... Thank you @Steven Tyler

My favorite Aerosmith song still coming back in 2024 ❤

This song brought the issue of sex abuse to the forefront when I was younger. It helped me feel less alone too. Im glad this song came out and really at the time caused others to see a problem that used to be swept under the rug. Later they opened Janies House for abused kids.

Always been so glad Aerosmith wrote this song. So many people find themselves in terrible situations (not only child molestation) which are not of their making. Many have no voice, or are not believed when they speak out. Artists & celebrities are in a unique position to be able to speak for those who are overlooked & ignored. They're able to shine a spotlight on harmful behaviors often hidden in the dark. Many thanks to Aerosmith, & especially Mr. Steven Tyler, for his "Janey's House" program. God bless you, guys, & those whom you help.

I know exactly how Janie feels. Rocking 54 years old and still wake up fighting ... All the help in the would does not take the scars away. Listen to the children and watch how the play. Stop sexual abuse ....

Still listening and loving Aerosmith in 2024

This song really hits home for those of us that were abused by those that should have protected us. This song in a way saved me and gave me piece, as Janie did what I longed to do, but couldn't. I think this was their goal with this song, to let the abused know there's light at the end of the tunnel, not to go out and off your parents

Anyone else here because they like Aerosmith and it has nothing to do with a movie or another youtube video?

Holy shit this song is so deep as an adult

The way the opening sounds express the pain and confusion of abuse is just genius.

Man this takes me way back. Where does the time go

My father used me several times in the ways a husband should only do with his wife(my mother). I am in my 50’s now, and I am married, but still feel so dirty. I am so thankful that Jesus loves me and will never stop😊. Jesus understands how I feel and HE does not want me to feel dirty, but I am slow to let go of feeling dirty in HIS eyes, yet HE has, and never will forsake me as many others have. In Jesus eyes I am not dirty/filthy, it is only me that feels dirty/filthy. I always remember this: Jesus Christ has never done anything to me, Jesus Christ has done everything FOR me. My father WILL stand before The Lord and give an account for his CHOICES, he has gotten away with nothing.

Jesus Christ, the amount of genuine sincere just overall power he puts into these vocals is absolutely mind boggling to me. He puts every breath and every single thing he has into his vocals. That’s what makes him hands down top 10 best vocalists in the rock world.

Dum, dum, dum, honey, what have you done? Dum, dum, dum, it's the sound of my gun Dum, dum, dum, honey, what have you done? Dum, dum, dum, it's the sound Janie's got a gun Janie's got a gun Her whole world's come undone From lookin' straight at the sun What did her daddy do? What did he put you through? They said when Janie was arrested They found him underneath a train But man, he had it comin', now that Janie's got a gun She ain't never gonna be the same Janie's got a gun Janie's got a gun Her dog day's just begun Now everybody is on the run Tell me now it's untrue, what did her daddy do? He jacked a little bitty baby, the man has got to be insane They say the spell that he was under the lightning and The thunder knew that someone had to stop the rain Run away, run away from the pain, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah Run away, run away from the pain, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah Run away, run away, run, run away Janie's got a gun Janie's got a gun Her dog day's just begun Now everybody is on the run What did her daddy do? It's Janie's last I.O.U She had to take him down easy and put a bullet in his brain She said, "'Cause nobody believes me, the man was such a sleaze" He ain't never gonna be the same Run away, run away from the pain yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah Run away, run away from the pain, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah Run away, run away, run, run away Janie's got a gun Janie's got a gun Janie's got a gun Everybody is on the run Janie's got a gun Her dog day's just begun Now everybody is on the run Because Janie's got a gun Janie's got a gun Her dog day's just begun Now everybody is on the run Janie's got a gun Janie's got a gun

when people argue over great bands Aerosmith is always overlooked, great guitar work and a fantanstic frontman

Aerosmith definitely deserved the Grammy they got for this musical piece

This man... he's so talented. He literally defined a music genre for decades. I bet they could put out an album now and just blow everyone's minds

It breaks my heart in a million pieces that there are children out there who experience this living hell of a life. I've never experienced this type of abuse, but it hurts my heart and fills me with indescribable rage, just knowing that it could be anyone. Aerosmith has been my favourite group since I can remember, because they make the greatest music and also because they have heart, and they use their gift of music to advocate for the voiceless. I'm not sure if this will be read, because it's been a year, but if it is, God bless you guys and thank you so much for your fantastic music and the joy it brings. No other group makes music with heart like this.

No one is talking about the great job that Aerosmith did about the rape awareness. Is something important even nowdays. Great song.

I, personally, with legitimate evidence to support my thesis, believe that Janie is, in fact, in possession of a firearm.

A brilliant piece of music. The comments seem too arrogant. This is powerful stuff most bands could never do.

*We need the classic rock back in this generation*

This song means so much to me, i am a man who was abused and my revenge was this song. Boys are abused sexually everyday and i wish i could protect them but i can't, people don't know how this can make their lives a hell

That song is a masterpiece from start to finish. Aerosmith still rules in 2023

A lot of girls (and boys) have gone through what Janie went through. Sad but awesome song

My all-time favorite song by Aerosmith. What a masterpiece!!!

Top class rock act. The theme and lyrics are powerful but let´s not forget that the orchestration in this song is out of this world. I remember when it came out I was blown away but the intricate guitar parts, the stumping drums, and vocal crescendos. It still remains a great piece of rock music.

her mother knew and closed her eyes to it. She was just as guilty.

0:11 One of the best intros in Rock history, love it!

The pain of what I went through will never go away.

Top 5 favorite Aerosmith songs!❤️

I didn't experience sexual or physical abuse from my father, but the emotional and even at 30 to this day is unreal. Love this song and the story it holds. Definitely timeless

Anyone here in 2024?

this is a classical rock song that will make a long-lasting impression even in 2021..

TIMELESS CLASSIC!!!!!

I was a sexually abused teenage, 13. In 1973, things were swept under the carpet, or in my mother's case, ignored. My step father, was the perpetrator. I relate to this, because I was going to dose his coffee with rat poisoning. I didn't, but he died of a heart attack, at 59 years old. I never shed a tear.

Dum-dum-dum, honey, what have you done? Dum-dum-dum, it's the sound of my gun Dum-dum-dum, honey, what have you done? Dum-dum-dum, it's the sound Nah, nah, nah, nah, nah, nah Nah, nah, nah, nah, nah, nah Janie got a gun Janie got a gun Whole world's come undone From looking straight at the Sun What did her daddy do? What did he put you through? They said when Janie was arrested They found him underneath a train But, man, he had it coming Now that Janie's got a gun She ain't never gonna be the same Janie got a gun Janie got a gun Her dog day's just begun Now everybody is on the run Tell me now it's untrue What did her daddy do? He jacked a little bitty baby The man has got to be insane They say the spell that he was under The lightning and the thunder Knew that someone had to stop the rain Run away Run away from the pain, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah Run away Run away from the pain, yeah, yeah Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah Run away, run away, run, run away Janie got a gun Janie's got a gun Her dog day's just begun Now everybody is on the run What did her daddy do? It's Janie's last IOU She had to take him down easy And put a bullet in his brain She said: 'Cause nobody believes me The man was such a sleaze He ain't never gonna be the same Run away Run away from the pain, yeah, yeah Yeah, yeah, yeah Run away, run away from the pain, yeah, yeah Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah Run away, run away, run, run away Janie's got a gun Janie got a gun Janie's got a gun Now everybody is on the run Janie got a gun Her dog day's just begun Now everybody is on the run (honey, honey, what's the problem?) 'Cause Janie got a gun (tell me it ain't right) Janie got a gun (was it daddy's cradle robbing that) Her dog day's just begun (made you scream at night?) Now everybody is on the run Janie got a gun Janie got a gun Her dog day's just begun Now everybody is on the run

I don't listen to Aerosmith but,this song is absolutely amazing

Steven Tyler has just opened his "Janie's House", to help abused women. Thanks Steven.

Such a beautifully chaotic guitar solo, absolutely perfect for the song. This song and video are masterpieces.

Steven Tyler wrote this on an early Korg synthesizer. Just a brilliant composition.

This song has one of the most slamming and expressive intros I've ever heard - That bass, vocal, drums, interesting sound effects etc.... Grateful there's a place where girls can go to today. Thank you. 💗

31 year old song, directed by David Fincher, and still potent as ever.

This song hurts....I remember watching this with my dad right before I moved out at 16. I remember looking into his soul and sending a clear message that it was going to be him or me that wouldn't be around much longer. But God!!!! God sent Aunt Sharon to rescue me and give me a different option, a way out. I wonder how things would have turned out if she hadn't of come.

2024 and I'm still loving this song.

Hands down, the best song in Aerosmith's repertoire, and I'll be bloody damned if this isn't one of the best music videos ever made!

This song got me through my teens after years of sexual abuse. 🤜🤛 to everyone that's survived childhood trauma

Let me tell you something, I fell in love with this song as a kid, to this day, I still love this song

Amazing to see all the people still listening...

My favourite Aerosmith song, so dark and the music is awesome! The gunshot drums are on point!

I have watched this music video more than 100 times. I memorized each lyric of this song. It hurts to know what Janie had been through. And still there are another Janie suffering in PAIN. ...

This song was written for a girl who shot and killed her father because he had been sexually abusing her since she was a toddler. Our corrupt justice system put her in prison, but after appealing, a GOOD Judge believed her and commuted her sentence. Justice.

Aerosmith was even bigger in the nineties than they were in the 70's.

25 years later I realize I was too young to appreciate how wonderful this band was. From the difficult topics they brought into light, the music being masterpieces. Not even wanting to compare what we are listening nowadays.

It took a lot of stone's to write a song about something that (unfortunately) happens every day, But no one wants to talk about 🤗 I thank God for Aerosmith- Thank you for acknowledging my pain 🥰

I do appreciate this guy. His voice and moves. Legend Steven Tyler!

Here's a funny story about this song. I was in line at the DMV & they were playing a lot of my generations great music. Even the guard was getting into it. When I got to the front of the line by the guard, he told me his funny story. He saw a kid who was coming in for his very DL wearing an Aerosmith t-shirt. The guard said "Janie's got a gun". The kid said "WHERE?!". So he had to explain that it was a big hit for Aerosmith. He said "who?". "You're wearing their logo. Don't you even know who they are?" The kid said, "No. My Mom & Dad went to Vegas to see some concerts of old music (yeah, he said OLD music!) & all they brought me was this t-shirt." "So why are you wearing it if you don't even know who they are?" "Because it was the only clean shirt I could find". Then everyone in line cracked up! The DMV actually made everything very easy for me that day. The next day, I brought the whole staff a big platter of cookies as a thank you. The guard was already on a break so I asked a woman if she'd bring him a couple. She asked if he'd know my name & I said "Just tell him "Janie's Got A Gun. He'll know!" So she went in the back & less than 30 seconds later, I could hear him laughing loudly. Sometimes in life, it's those small shared moments that can really make you feel good about life.

It's 2018 and still listening to this! I get chills song at part where Tyler drops his mic to the side then Joe Perry just blasts his guitar after that...about 2:45...Damn! Powerful song!

2019 thank you for founding Janie’s house shelter for abused girls & women . I definitely understand this situation without having nobody to turn to when there’s abuse & etc.. thankful for people like you and foster care .❤️👏🏽

Loved this song in high school. Now I'm really listening to the lyrics years later. What a masterpiece.

1989. This song has really stood the test of time. Thank you, Aerosmith

At first listen this song seems simple yet when you really listen to it it’s truly one of the most well written emotional songs in history - what a fucking masterpiece

This video and song was ahead of its time. To those survivors still standing today - I stand with you.

We were listening to that album nonstop when driving to Highschool near Sacramento 1990. Thank you very much for the great music!

Here are the lyrics- Dum, dum, dum, honey, what have you done? Dum, dum, dum, it's the sound of my gun Dum, dum, dum, honey, what have you done? Dum, dum, dum, it's the sound Janie's got a gun Janie's got a gun Her whole world's come undone From lookin' straight at the sun What did her daddy do? What did he put you through? They said when Janie was arrested They found him underneath a train But man, he had it comin', now that Janie's got a gun She ain't never gonna be the same Janie's got a gun Janie's got a gun Her dog day's just begun Now everybody is on the run Tell me now it's untrue, what did her daddy do? He jacked a little bitty baby, the man has got to be insane They say the spell that he was under the lightning and The thunder knew that someone had to stop the rain Run away, run away from the pain, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah Run away, run away from the pain, yeah, yeah Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah Run away, run away, run, run away Janie's got a gun Janie's got a gun Her dog day's just begun Now everybody is on the run What did her daddy do? It's Janie's last I.O.U She had to take him down easy and put a bullet in his brain She said, "'Cause nobody believes me, the man was such a sleaze" He ain't never gonna be the same Run away, run away from the pain yeah, yeah Yeah, yeah, yeah Run away, run away from the pain, yeah, yeah Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah Run away, run away, run, run away Janie's got a gun Janie's got a gun Janie's got a gun Everybody is on the run Janie's got a gun Her dog day's just begun Now everybody is on the run Because Janie's got a gun Janie's got a gun Her dog day's just begun Now everybody is on the run Janie's got a gun Janie's got a gun

Steven Tyler has to be one of the only rock singers whose voice still sounds remotely similar to how it used to sound

Can we all take a moment to appreciate Joe Perry's guitar playing in this song. It's incredible!

It's 2023 and I'm still listening.

Steven Tyler.. he's got so much swag...

In my youth I found the intro of this song ("The Water Song") frightening, as it lead into the steady chanting lyrics of "... What have you done?" It is perfectly bookended by the harmonies which leads the listener out of the song ("Honey, honey, what's the problem..."), leaving you with an uncomfortable feeling in the pit of your stomach. The marriage of the song and the music video was brilliantly done, especially during the chorus of "Run away...", with its "Psycho"-esque violin stabs punctuating the image of Janie running through oncoming traffic. This was one of the more powerful uses of this early medium of storytelling, and it has withstood for over 30 years. Thank you, Aerosmith.

No autotune, no attitude, no fancy clothes. Just jeans and t-shirts, plus the most talented musician on the planet.

The “what did her Daddy do?!” line always gives me chills. Poor Janie.

I'm 13yrs clean now. But in my active addiction me & the girls I used with would blast this & drive down a windy road non stop.. they said I was Janie. Replacing her name with mine. Growing up molested non stop, never having a voice. Somehow this song gave me what a needed, freedom for those however many minutes. A lot more I could say .. but God Bless You Janie! You Are A Hero!!❤💜💜

The haunting yet overlooked end lyrics at 4:56 - “Honey, honey what’s your problem? Tell me it ain’t right. Was it daddy’s cradle robbin’ that made you scream at night...”

''Janie Briggs' got a gun'' lololol

There are only a few things in life that genuinely, absolutely perplex me. One of them is the fact that this song doesn't have 1 Billion views at this time.

One of my favorite Aerosmith songs

I loved this song even for it's subject matter and dark content. To me it's one Aerosmith's best songs.

When I first heard this song as a kid, “the spell that he was under… the lightning and the thunder…” made me think this was partly a supernatural horror. The nightmarish feel only strengthened when I found out it was a much more real hell…

Bruce Fairbairn took this guys and this album to a timeless masterpice.... Pump is their best album

One of the best songs I've ever heard in my life! -Love and respect from India.

One of the greatest guitar solos of all time!

My favourite song from them ever. ‘Janie’s last IOU’, lyrics are so impactful.

At 3:02 this became one of the greatest solos of all time ❤

One of many reasons Aerosmith are legends.

From 4:58 till the end the song always gives me chills.