Aerosmith – Night in the Ruts (1979): Album Review, Tracklist & Fun Facts
Released in November 1979, Night in the Ruts is Aerosmith’s sixth studio album and a turbulent entry in their catalog. Recorded during a period of intense personal and professional turmoil, the album reflects the band’s struggles with substance abuse, management issues, and internal conflicts—yet it still delivers flashes of the hard rock brilliance that defined their 1970s output.
Album Overview
Produced by Jack Douglas, Night in the Ruts was created under difficult circumstances. Steven Tyler temporarily left the sessions due to exhaustion, forcing Joe Perry and Brad Whitford to step up creatively. Despite these challenges, the band captured a raw, gritty sound that emphasized heavy guitar riffs, swaggering rhythms, and bluesy hard rock.
The album blends hard rock aggression, soulful blues elements, and occasional experimental touches. Lyrically, it touches on themes of frustration, decadence, and resilience, mirroring the band’s chaotic state while hinting at the creative spark that would later revive their career.
Tracklist – Aerosmith: Night in the Ruts (1979)
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No Surprize
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Reinforced Concrete
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Chiquita
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Bone to Bone (Coney Island White Fish Boy)
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Three Mile Smile
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Mia
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Bone to Bone (Reprise)
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Santa Fe
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Think About It
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Lightning Strikes
Album Review
Night in the Ruts opens with “No Surprize,” a classic bluesy hard rocker featuring Joe Perry’s cutting guitar riffs and Steven Tyler’s signature raspy vocals. “Reinforced Concrete” continues the energy with driving rhythms and catchy hooks, while “Chiquita” showcases the band’s funkier side.
One of the highlights, “Bone to Bone (Coney Island White Fish Boy),” combines gritty storytelling with playful instrumentation, reflecting Aerosmith’s unpredictable style. “Three Mile Smile” and “Mia” deliver emotive, slower-paced moments that contrast with the album’s harder tracks.
While some critics noted a lack of cohesion due to Tyler’s absence during part of the recording, Night in the Ruts retains raw energy and hints of brilliance, particularly in guitar work and songwriting. Tracks like “Think About It” and “Lightning Strikes” close the album with strong, high-octane performances that keep the hard rock fire alive.
Fun Facts, Trivia & Did You Know
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• Fun Fact: Steven Tyler left the studio during much of the recording due to exhaustion and personal issues, making Night in the Ruts one of the band’s most chaotic albums to record.
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• Trivia: Despite the turmoil, guitarist Joe Perry co-wrote most of the songs, showcasing his leadership and creativity during this period.
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• Did You Know? The album’s title reflects the band’s feeling of being “stuck in a rut” during a difficult time personally and professionally.
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• Fun Fact: Night in the Ruts reached #11 on the Billboard 200, proving that Aerosmith still had commercial power despite internal struggles.
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• Did You Know? The album includes contributions from session musicians to fill gaps caused by Tyler’s temporary absence.
Night in the Ruts captures Aerosmith at a low point personally but still creatively potent. Its raw, chaotic energy and standout guitar performances make it a unique entry in the band’s discography—a snapshot of resilience and rock ‘n’ roll grit.
