Aerosmith – Nine Lives (1997): Album Review, Tracklist & Fun Facts
Released in March 1997, Nine Lives is Aerosmith’s thirteenth studio album, continuing their commercial and creative success from the 1990s. Following the massive success of Get a Grip and Pump, this album blends hard rock, blues, and radio-friendly hooks, while also incorporating some modern rock elements, reflecting Aerosmith’s adaptation to the late ’90s music scene.
Album Overview
Produced by Kevin Shirley and Aerosmith, Nine Lives features a mix of high-energy rockers, melodic ballads, and experimental tracks, showcasing the band’s versatility. The album’s themes include love, lust, excess, and personal reflection, while some songs touch on darker and more playful narratives, keeping the Aerosmith swagger intact.
Commercially, Nine Lives was a strong performer, reaching the Top 10 on the Billboard 200 and generating multiple hit singles that continued Aerosmith’s dominance on radio and MTV.
Tracklist – Aerosmith: Nine Lives (1997)
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Falling in Love (Is Hard on the Knees)
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Taste of India
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Pink
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Cryin’ in the Rain
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Fever
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Body Wishes
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Full Circle
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Kiss Your Past Goodbye
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Nine Lives
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Hole in My Soul
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Walk on Water
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I’m Ready (bonus track on some editions)
Album Review
Nine Lives opens with “Falling in Love (Is Hard on the Knees),” a fun, upbeat rocker with punchy riffs and playful lyrics. “Taste of India” showcases exotic instrumentation and an experimental edge, reflecting Aerosmith’s willingness to push their sound in new directions.
“Pink” became a hit single, combining witty, suggestive lyrics with catchy hooks and a bluesy hard rock groove. “Hole in My Soul” delivers a melodic, emotional punch, while “Nine Lives” itself is a heavier, riff-driven track highlighting the band’s classic hard rock power.
Tracks like “Cryin’ in the Rain” and “Kiss Your Past Goodbye” explore personal and romantic themes, adding depth and variety to the album. While critics had mixed reactions to Nine Lives, fans appreciated the blend of classic Aerosmith energy with modern production, making it an essential entry in the band’s late ’90s era.
Fun Facts, Trivia & Did You Know
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• Fun Fact: Nine Lives was Aerosmith’s first album to feature modern hard rock production techniques alongside their classic blues-rock sound.
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• Trivia: The single “Pink” reached #1 on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock chart and became known for its playful and colorful music video.
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• Did You Know? Falling in Love (Is Hard on the Knees) and Hole in My Soul were also hit singles that received heavy radio airplay.
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• Fun Fact: The album title, Nine Lives, references the band’s resilience, having survived decades of excess, lineup changes, and industry challenges.
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• Did You Know? Aerosmith toured extensively after the album’s release, performing worldwide to promote Nine Lives and connect with fans of all generations.
Nine Lives is a vital part of Aerosmith’s late ’90s catalog, blending classic rock energy with playful experimentation and radio-ready hooks. It reflects a band still confident in their sound and capable of evolving with the times.
