“Cryin’” is a powerful rock ballad by Aerosmith, released in June 1993 as the second U.S. single (third in the UK) from their album Get a Grip. Written by Steven Tyler, Joe Perry and Taylor Rhodes, the song became one of the band’s biggest hits of the 90s, known for its emotional intensity, bluesy rock sound, and an iconic music video that helped redefine their image for a new generation.
Lyrically, Cryin’ is about the ups and downs of a passionate but painful relationship, capturing feelings of love, betrayal, and heartbreak.
The song blends hard rock with bluesy influences, featuring a mix of acoustic and electric guitars, a soaring melody, and Steven Tyler’s raw, impassioned vocals. The song builds from a gentle, melancholic start to a powerful, anthemic chorus, making it both vulnerable and explosive. The addition of harmonica and strings adds a rich, dramatic layer to the song’s production.
The song was a major commercial success, reaching No. 1 on on Billboard Mainstream Rock chart, and No. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100. It helped Get a Grip become Aerosmith’s best-selling album, marking their continued dominance in the 90s rock scene.
The music video, starring Alicia Silverstone Stephen Dorff and Josh Holloway, became one of MTV’s most iconic videos, earning the band several awards at the Video Music Awards, including MTV Video Music Award for Video of the Year.