Jaded
A raw, emotional confession of a love worn down by time and betrayal.
Jaded is a haunting power ballad by American rock legends Aerosmith that serves as an emotional anchor in their late-career resurgence. Released during the height of their Get a Grip era, the track captures a raw vulnerability rarely seen in hard rock anthems, exploring themes of heartbreak, disillusionment, and the exhaustion of maintaining a relationship that has lost its spark. It stands as one of the band's most enduring ballads, showcasing Steven Tyler's dynamic vocal range and Joe Perry's melodic guitar sensibilities.
Quick Facts
- Artist
- Aerosmith
- Album
- Just Push Play
- B-side
- Angel's Eye
- Released
- 16 January 2001
- Genre
- Pop rock
- pop metal
- alternative rock
- power pop
- Length
- 3:34
- Label
- Columbia
- Writer
- Steven Tyler; Marti Frederiksen
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The song's creation was born from genuine personal turmoil within the band members at the time, blending their own struggles with addiction and recovery into a broader commentary on human connection. It became a defining moment for the group to show that they could handle deep introspection without losing their rock edge. The emotional weight of the track resonated deeply with audiences who were navigating their own relationship difficulties, cementing its status as an anthem for those feeling let down by love.
Reader's Guide
Musically, the track is built on a foundation of acoustic guitar that slowly evolves into a soaring electric arrangement, highlighting the band's ability to blend soft introspection with hard rock power. The composition relies heavily on dynamic shifts, starting intimate and building to a cathartic crescendo driven by Joe Perry's signature bluesy licks.
Lyrically, it explores the exhaustion of emotional labor in a failing relationship, using metaphors of fading light and coldness to describe the loss of passion. It avoids clichés by focusing on the psychological state of being 'jaded' rather than just sadness.
The accompanying music video, featuring dramatic black-and-white imagery and intense close-ups, amplified the song's emotional gravity and became a staple on MTV during its peak. This visual storytelling helped cement the track as a classic, bridging the gap between the band's hard rock roots and their adult contemporary appeal.
Its legacy endures as one of Aerosmith's most beloved ballads, frequently performed in live settings where it often brings the stadium to a hushed reverence before exploding into applause.
Track listing
US maxi-CD single
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jaded (album version) | 3:34 | |
| 2 | Jaded (acoustic mix) | 3:34 | |
| 3 | Angel's Eye | 3:21 | |
| 4 | Jaded (Guitars mix) | 3:34 | |
| 5 | Under My Skin (reprise) | Tyler, Joe Perry, Frederiksen, Mark Hudson | 1:00 |
US and UK 7-inch single
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jaded (album version) | 3:34 |
| 2 | Angel's Eye | 3:22 |
UK CD single
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jaded (album version) | 3:34 | |
| 2 | Won't Let You Down | Tyler, Perry, Frederiksen, Hudson | 3:36 |
| 3 | I Don't Want to Miss a Thing | Diane Warren | 4:59 |
Track listing from the source article.
Did You Know?
- The song was co-written by Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, and Desmond Child, blending personal experience with professional songcraft.
- It reached high positions on international charts, proving the band's global appeal extended beyond just hard rock anthems.
- Steven Tyler has described the song as one of his most personal compositions regarding love and loss.
More in Songs & Singles
Elsewhere in Aerosmith
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