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Janie's Got a Gun
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Wikipedia article
{{Infobox song
| name = Janie's Got a Gun
| cover = JaniesGotaGun.jpg
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = Aerosmith
| album = Pump
| B-side = Voodoo Medicine Man
| released =
| recorded =
| studio =
| genre =
| length =
* (Album Version with "Water Song" Instrumental Intro)
* (Single Edit)
* (Clean Radio Version)
* (CHR Remix)
| label = Geffen
| writer =
* Steven Tyler
* Tom Hamilton
| producer = Bruce Fairbairn
| prev_title = F.I.N.E.
| prev_year = 1989
| next_title = What It Takes
| next_year = 1989
| misc =
}}
"'Janie's Got a Gun'" is a song by American rock band Aerosmith and written by Steven Tyler and Tom Hamilton. The song was released as the second single from 'Pump' in 1989, peaking at number four on the US 'Billboard' Hot 100 and number two on the 'Billboard' Album Rock Tracks chart in 1990. In Australia, the song reached number one, becoming Aerosmith's first of two number-one singles there. It also reached number two in Canada, number 12 in Sweden, and number 13 in New Zealand.
The song won the band a 1990 Grammy Award for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal.
Song structure
On the album, "Janie's Got a Gun" is preceded by a 10-second instrumental called "Water Song", which features the work of instrumentalist Randy Raine-Reusch, who uses a glass harmonica, wind gong, and bullroarers to produce the special effects heard at the start of the song.
Background and writing
Tyler came up with the main riff using a low-tone setting on his keyboard. Hamilton created the bassline. The guitars and drum parts were configured later and Tyler wrote the lyrics. The guitar solo, by Joe Perry, is accompanied by the main riff and rhythmic clapping. The song also uses the Slap Bass instrument patch from the Korg M1. In a 1994 interview with 'Rolling Stone', Tyler described the origin of the song:
:
The singer declared, "I got really angry that nobody was paying homage to those who were abused by mom and dad." The line "He jacked a little bitty baby" was originally "He raped a little bitty baby," but Geffen Records A&R executive John Kalodner felt the song had the potential to be a hit and was certain it would not get played on commercial radio with the word "rape" in it. Tyler often sings the original line when performing live. In addition, the line "...and put a bullet in his brain" changed to "...she left him in the pouring rain" for the radio version.
Music video
The music video was directed by David Fincher. Janie is portrayed by actress Kristin Dattilo. Her parents are played by Nicholas Guest and Lesley Ann Warren.
Charts
Weekly charts
Year-end charts
Certifications
References
Category:1980s ballads
Category:1989 singles
Category:1989 songs
Category:Aerosmith songs
Category:Geffen Records singles
Category:Glam metal ballads
Category:Hard rock ballads
Category:Murder ballads
Category:Music videos directed by David Fincher
Category:Number-one singles in Australia
Category:Song recordings produced by Bruce Fairbairn
Category:Songs about child abuse
Category:Songs written by Steven Tyler
Category:Songs written by Tom Hamilton (musician)
Category:Glam metal songs
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