Aerosmith & Run DMC - Walk this Way - 1976
Aerosmith & Run DMC - Walk this Way - 1976
Input
Walk This Way: A Fusion of Rock and Hip-Hop
Walk This Way by Aerosmith and Run DMC is a groundbreaking song released in 1976 by Aerosmith and later re-released in a collaboration with Run DMC in 1986. This song is a perfect example of the fusion between rock and hip-hop, two genres that had rarely intersected before this collaboration.
History and Background
In the mid-1970s, Aerosmith, a Boston-based rock band, first released "Walk This Way." This song, with its catchy riff and Steven Tyler's distinctive vocals, quickly became a hit. However, it was the 1986 collaboration with New York hip-hop group Run DMC that gave this song a new life and marked a pivotal moment in the history of music.
Musical Elements
"Walk This Way" features a blend of Joe Perry's iconic guitar riffs and the rap verses of Run DMC, creating a unique sound that bridged the gap between rock and hip-hop. The song's structure, integrating rap verses with a rock chorus, was innovative at the time.
Cultural Impact
This collaboration is credited with helping bring hip-hop to a wider audience and demonstrating the genre's commercial potential. It also showed that musical genres could successfully merge, influencing countless artists and songs in the years to follow.
Interactive Tasks
Quiz: Questions on the song
What year was the original version of "Walk This Way" by Aerosmith released? (1975) (!1986) (!1979) (!1984)
Which instrument's riff is a key feature of "Walk This Way"? (Guitar) (!Drums) (!Bass) (!Keyboard)
Who collaborated with Aerosmith to release the reimagined version of "Walk This Way" in 1986? (Run DMC) (!Public Enemy) (!Beastie Boys) (!LL Cool J)
In which city was Aerosmith formed? (Boston) (!New York) (!Los Angeles) (!Chicago)
What genre of music did "Walk This Way" help to popularize? (Hip-Hop) (!Country) (!Jazz) (!Electronic)
Quiz: Questions on the Performer
What is the name of Aerosmith's lead singer? (Steven Tyler) (!Joe Perry) (!Mick Jagger) (!David Bowie)
Which member of Run DMC primarily interacts with Aerosmith in the music video for "Walk This Way"? (Darryl McDaniels (DMC)) (!Joseph Simmons (Run)) (!Jason Mizell (Jam Master Jay)) (!Rick Rubin)
What is Aerosmith primarily known as? (A rock band) (!A hip-hop group) (!A jazz ensemble) (!A country band)
In which borough of New York City was Run DMC formed? (Queens) (!Brooklyn) (!Manhattan) (!Bronx)
Which Aerosmith member co-wrote "Walk This Way"? (Joe Perry) (!Brad Whitford) (!Tom Hamilton) (!Joey Kramer)
Quiz: Questions on the lyrics
What is the first line of "Walk This Way"? ("Backstroke lover always hidin' 'neath the cover") (!"Walk this way, talk this way") (!"She told me to walk this way") (!"Just give me a kiss")
What does the song's title, "Walk This Way," refer to? (Instructions on dance moves) (!A direction to follow someone) (!A style of walking) (!A path to success)
Which of these lines is NOT in the lyrics of "Walk This Way"? (!"Schoolgirl sweetie with a classy kinda sassy") ("Little missy innocent sugar, yeah") ("You ain't seen nothin' till you're down on a muffin") ("She told me to walk this way and talk this way")
In the song, where does the singer meet the girl? (At a high school dance) (!In a nightclub) (!At a rock concert) (!On the street)
What theme is prominent in the lyrics of "Walk This Way"? (Sexual innuendo and youthful experiences) (!Political activism) (!Personal struggles) (!Environmental issues)
Memory
| Aerosmith | Rock Band |
| 1986 Collaboration | Run DMC |
| Joe Perry | Guitar Riffs |
| Steven Tyler | Lead Singer |
| Hip-Hop and Rock Fusion | Walk This Way |
Open Tasks
Easy
- Explore Music Genres: Research and create a presentation on other songs that have successfully blended different music genres.
- Interview Music Fans: Conduct interviews with people who remember the release of the 1986 version of "Walk This Way" and document their experiences and opinions.
- Create a Playlist: Make a playlist of songs that mix different musical styles and share it with your classmates.
Standard
- Analyze Lyrics: Write an essay analyzing the lyrics of "Walk This Way" and discuss the cultural context in which the song was released.
- Music Video Analysis: Analyze the music video of "Walk This Way" in terms of its representation of rock and hip-hop cultures.
- Musical Timeline: Create a timeline showing key events in the history of rock and hip-hop, highlighting the release of "Walk This Way."
Difficult
- Create a Cover Version: Record your own cover version of "Walk This Way," blending a different genre with rock or hip-hop.
- Music Genre Research Project: Conduct a detailed research project on the influence of "Walk This Way" on subsequent music collaborations across genres.
- Songwriting Challenge: Write and perform an original song that combines elements of rock and another music genre of your choice.
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Oral Exam
- Discuss the Impact: Explain how the collaboration between Aerosmith and Run DMC for "Walk This Way" influenced the music industry.
- Comparative Analysis: Compare "Walk This Way" with another song that brought together different musical genres. Discuss the successes and challenges of each.
- Cultural Significance: Discuss the cultural significance of "Walk This Way" in the context of the 1980s music scene.
- Musical Innovation: Describe other musical innovations that have occurred since "Walk This Way" that have similarly blended diverse music genres.
- Artist Collaboration: Discuss the importance of artist collaborations in music and how they can lead to new musical styles or trends.
OERs on the Topic
Links
MUSIC QUIZ
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