What It Takes by Aerosmith, song and lyrics. Every word of this masterpiece expresses the pain of my heart...everyday, from now until the end of time. For my wife...
They sure as hell don't make music like this anymore. The feeling it invokes......Damn. How will future generations experience this? That's the real tragedy here !!
I sang this song every day, at least once a day, for 3 years after my husband left me for another girl. I was absolutely shattered. Wore out 3 CD's and one DVD. I still play it now and then. It doesn't hurt so bad any more. I still love this song. Thank you Aerosmith. *BIG heart* :)
Susan Rasmussen I hope it is better for you now. I am going through this right now. It really hurts. I keep hoping she will change her mind but I know she won't
Was married until my wife pretty much went cold turkey on me and cheated on me with my friends. This song really shows how i felt afterwards, but for those out there who think that theres no one else out there then keep looking. I found the most amazing girl nearly a year on and im really far happier than i ever was before. Thanks though Aerosmith for an amazing song.
Tony Mann thanks for encouraging words. Mines a guy leaving because I’m not one of course lol but same stuff💔💔😭everyday is a hard uphill struggle, another day long crying spell lurking just beneath the surface for now. He chased me down and cornered me, then I relented and fell deeply in love, was sort of getting by ok on my own, seems extra cruel little twist. But anyway, I hope things have worked out well for you, maybe I can hope again someday too😭💔
Codilla yeah, mine ran off with the literal town whore, and in Jacksonville Florida that’s really saying something. Don’t get it, he chased me down at first..
Is my favorite too! I like above all other musics, although, Crying, Crazy, Hole in my Soul, and I Don't wanna lose a thing, and others, is fantastic. I love the intensity in the songs of Aerosmith, they are really full of passion.
This has to be one of the most perfect songs I can think of. Every note, every beat, every lyric, every sound that comes from Tyler's voice, the whole combination from start to finish ... flawless.
This music is such full of life, intense, beautiful, awesome. The arrangements, te lyrics, beautiful at infinity. In Brazil a romantic band does a version, so beautiful like the original, although the theme of the lyrics was different, but, it's was such a gift to people here, for the rising of soul that afford. Aerosmith fan from Brazil.
This song summed it up when I left a bitter marriage 20 years ago. Back then the pain was so deep I remember saying to myself "geez, I wish it was 20 years from now." Well, it is now 20 years later. Those wounds healed but it took a long time and needed a lot of effort. For people finding things unbearable now, all I can say is hang in there, have faith and you will be freed from it. Time is your best friend, use it with love.
***** Bless you Jon... just pray for healing, for you, for her, for the situation. It was a time in your life. New chapters have been written. Acknowledge it on your path. Allow the scars to heal. That was the way I made it. I hope this helps you.
This song is one of Aerosmith's GREATEST pieces of work. It's one of those songs for me that grew on me and those are the songs you love for a lifetime. Thanks for posting this.
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Such a beautiful song that has gotten me through more than one breakup. The lyrics are so perfect but I realized the subtle genius of the song when I heard him repeat over and over again at the end. "Let it Go" It's necessary to dwell in the pain for a while but eventually you have no choice but to let it go. You have to distract yourself as soon as those thoughts come into your head. Still dealing with heavy feelings from the last break up which is why I'm here but I can tell you the first break up doesn't occupy a single thought in my mind anymore. Eventually this last break up won't either. With so many people in the world it's a wonder how we choose the few people we love in our lives. There is something to learn from them all.
Most people, including Aerosmith's biggest fans, have no idea what a complete and true masterpiece this song track is. It may take listening to 1000 times, but once you see the inner-workings of "What it Takes," you have this "holy shit" moment when you realize the magnitude of its complexity. Desmond Child together with Joe Perry and Steven Tyler created this magic and I literally feel sad for anyone who hasn't a clue as to what I'm going on about here because it means they have never REALLY heard this song for what it is -- A true musical masterpiece.😎
The inconsistent chord changes could be considered complex I guess...but complex does not make a song great....a great song makes a song great....the magic of this number is the vocals specifically the range combined with the lyrics fitting the mood of the song perfectly.... Tyler's vocal range and harmonies and presence are what's most difficult and also what puts this song on another level
One of most passionate and deep felt tracks. Some songs get close to describing the pain. This one is spot on. Even if the pain was first experienced over 20 years ago, it helps to not feel alone in the agony that was felt. And years later, it is excellent to listen and reflect on it.
jrenae75 I sang this song for 3 years straight to help me get over a love that cut so deep..... I'm so glad the pain is finally gone.... but won't ever be forgotten..... Thank you Aerosmith!!! Love you!
I played this song, What It Takes, every day for 3 years until the tears started to subside some for my husband.... even now, 20 something years later.... it still hurts and I cry at the end..... I would hug this song if I could.
mine too...great memories 😜😜 (most of me crying my heart out, screaming out the lyrics as it runs for days on end, on replay, full blast, during all of my "teenage angst", and teen heart breaks) sorry mom...hah 😕
This reminds me of my dad. Once, we where rocking out in his car to this song. And he was repeating the chorus, asking if I understood. Ahh, the memories
My All time favorite Aerosmith song! It resonates with me every time I hear it! This song was written by someone hurting bad! Another is "love bites" def leppard
A lot of times when I hear this on the radio they cut out the entire ending portion starting at 4:14, which is like the best part of the song. Glad I can hear the full thing here.
My all time Aerosmith favorite. The reason why is because it's got more of that certain classic Aerosmith sound to it than mostr tunes they've done. Sreve's harmonies really come out in this tune (3:00 - 3:15). You can tell he put a shhitload of blood an guts into this one. It takes balls to bleed your heart into a microphone for everyone to hear it ya know. Steve, you are the ruler.
my heart is totally breaking more everyday from this man who told me he loved me so, my person. When I think it couldn't possibly crack more, another little piece falls off. I'm not sure I want to let it go, then it will be like it never happened. Cathartic Aerosmith, thank you, on this awful morning.
+EmpireYellow1 I'd say forgive them but I know all to well what it feels like to have every little piece of your heart ripped out of your chest and crushed under foot......forgiving is next to impossible and forgetting IS....that being said, take the experiance and turn it into something good for yourself. Yes, by all means forgive the shit bird, but never forget and ALWAYS look for the best in people....it may be hard to find but its there
Takes me back to 8th grade when i was heartbroken over some loser and jamming this in my room lol. Aerosmith is timeless. I've been listening to them since I was in the womb😂 my dream is to see them live at least once in my life.
You ever find that poetry worded, truly finds you back once it makes more sense, maybe it was always relevant but not quite perfectly, but the weight of certain intracacy tells you if you are on time or early.. it's more than a feeling...
I listen to this heading down south to New Jersey Sometimes when flying down the Highway!! Thanks Aerosmith for a great song!!! Still one of the best songs from the 2000’s
I've been an Aerosmith fan since the first time I heard "Sweet Emotion" on a 45 RPM vinyl record on the "juke box" in the cafe/bar of a small Holiday Inn in Williamston, NC in 1975. I'll turn 67 in May of 2020. I don't know if it's maturity or that many failed relationships, or maybe they're the same thing. It still took over 30 years to realize that "What It Takes" is the perfect song for anyone who is growing old without a significant other. Mike Griffin
So I’m just now getting into Aerosmith or even this type of music in general other then hearing it in the background as a Kidd. Sh*t is amazing!!! Glad I’m on it now
I simply love this song, but unfortunately it reminds me of someone who deceived me and I didn't find out how many years later. It's still hard letting go. Damn hard.
I freaking love the end-how it completely sounds like Steven is in pain and everyone is telling him to let it go, yet it still sounds like gorgeous music.
It took me that long as well,but I think I was 41 so was she and the woman use to be with a friend of mine back when I was 15, years went by and I have not seen her in over 25yrs... I finally found her on Facebook and we started chatting,she was married but she wasn't happy and was going to get a divorce... We hooked up about 2 weeks after we started chatting and she was the best thing/person/woman that I have ever met and been with in my 41yrs of life at the time... She was my best friend and the love of my life... We was together for a year and a half and she passed away. I was so hurt and depressed because she was the best thing that ever happened to me,the depression I was in was so bad that I attempted suicide... I now think about those 18 months we was together and they were the best time of my life!!!
2022 And still rocking this song! Love you Arrowsmith! I got my baby back after years and weve been happy for 20 years. Nothing going to tear us apart again.
Great song.... Great album!!! I was only eleven and I knew that... Geez what happened to music, I remember I got this Xmas 89.... PUMP! My eleven year old would never ask me for a rock album....then again it's not 89 :(
This was a great song that many can all relate to. It came from a period when Aerosmith wanted all their songs to sound the same (it seemed). But it stood out.
I’ve heard this song a thousand times, always kinda just blended in as “an Aerosmith song”. Then one day I actually listened to it, and it just hit different. Suddenly I can’t get enough, probably Steven Tyler’s quintessential performance. He’s adding something to every word.
So unknown and so incredible. Maybe their best or of their top songs. Strong and sweet, irresistible Steve Tyler charisma and this music...Paradise is here
Musically what makes this song click so well is that the chorus is actually a key change. It begins in G Major, but shifts to F Major. It's a beautiful thing.
Lol! This is one of my favorite songs of theirs, and I'm just now learning music theory. I learned the verse without playing the music, and I couldn't find the chorus at all. Then when I did, my singer shouted so it's a key change! Totally funny!
Great song if someone break your heart and she's moved on while you're still putting the pieces together. Hard as hell to see your ex found someone and you haven't yet too.... such a great song
Every time I hear this song I'm reminded of this diner my mom used to take my brother and I to in Baltimore back in the late 80s. Each booth had a mini jukebox and I would play this song every time we went there. The place is long gone, but the memories aren't.
