About The Song
“Rag Doll” is a song by the American rock band Aerosmith. It is from their 1987 album Permanent Vacation. It was released as the final single from the album in 1988. It was written by Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, Jim Vallance, and Holly Knight. The song “[filters] the essence of Aerosmith’s funkiest moments through the boom-thwack beat of the hair-metal ’80s”.
The song’s lyrics were primarily written by Tyler and Vallance, Perry originating the guitar riff, and Vallance writing the bass line. The song was originally titled “Rag Time”; however, John Kalodner did not like that, so Holly Knight was called in to help change that lyric. She suggested “Rag Doll”, which was actually another title Tyler and Vallance had considered.
The song is notable for drummer Joey Kramer’s 1-2-1-2 lead beat in the beginning of the song, Joe Perry’s slide guitar, and a horn section arranged by Tom Keenlyside. The song is in B minor. The melody and lyrics to the second verse are based on the vocal countermelody of the Rolling Stones’ cover of Hank Snow’s “I’m Movin’ On” that appears on Got Live If You Want It! in which Keith Richards sings “Yes, I’m movin'” in response to Mick Jagger singing “I’m movin’ on”. The music on the radio single differed from the album version in having a more urgent, driving beat, fueled by Tom Hamilton’s bass, and slightly different sax notes. This version had an earlier fadeout, omitting the classic clarinet and trumpet duet behind Tyler’s scat singing. The video is based on the album version of the song.
Video
Lyrics
Rag Doll living in a movie
Hot tramp Daddy’s little cutie
You’re so fine they’ll never see you leaving by the back door, man
Hot time get it while it’s easy
Don’t mind come on up and see me
Rag Doll baby won’t you do me like you done beforeI’m feeling like a bad boy
Mm just a like a bad boy
I’m ripping up a Rag Doll
Like throwing away an old toy
Some babe’s talking real loud
Talking all about the new crowd
Try and tell me of an old dream
A new version of the old scene
Speak easy on the grape vine
Keep shuffling in a shoe shine
Old tin lizzy do it until you’re dizzy
Give it all you got until you’re put out of your miseryRag Doll living in a movie
Hot tramp Daddy’s little cutie
You’re so fine they’ll never see you leaving by the back door, man
Hot time get it while it’s easy
Don’t mind come on up and see me
Rag Doll baby won’t you do me like you done beforeYes I’m moving
Yes I’m moving
Get ready for the big time
Tap dancing on a land mine
Yes I’m moving
Yes I’m moving
Old tin lizzy do it until you’re dizzy
Give it all you got until you’re put out of your miseryRag Doll living in a movie
Hot tramp Daddy’s little cutie
You’re so fine they’ll never see you leaving by the back door, man
Hot time get it while it’s easy
Don’t mind come on up and see me
Rag Doll baby won’t you do me like you done beforeYes I’m moving
Yes I’m moving
Get ready for the big time
Get crazy on the moonshine
Yes I’m moving
I’m really moving
Sloe gin fizzy, do it until you’re dizzy
Give it all you got until you’re put out of your miseryRag Doll living in a movie
Hot tramp Daddy’s little cutie
You’re so fine they’ll never see you leaving by the back door, man
Hot time get it while it’s easy
Don’t mind come on up and see me
Rag Doll baby won’t you do me like you done beforeRag Doll living in a movie
Hot tramp Daddy’s little cutie
You’re so fine they’ll never see you leaving by the back door, man
Hot time get it while it’s easy
Don’t mind come on up and see me
Rag Doll baby won’t you do me like you done before