Done with Mirrors cover art

  Studio Album · No. 8

Done with Mirrors Songwriting Credits by Aerosmith

1985 Geffen Records 9 tracks 35 min

Produced by Ted Templeman  ·  Engineered by Jeff Hendrickson, Tom Size, Gary Rindfuss, Stan Katayama, Howie Weinberg, Ken Caillat

Geffen Records Hard RockBlues Rock
100%
Authorship
Complete Artist

Holds writing credit on 9 of 9 tracks

Authorship Breakdown 9 / 9 documented

Who wrote the songs?

Scored across the 9 tracks with documented writers, by whether Aerosmith carries a lyricist or composer credit.

100%
9 trackswritten by Aerosmith 0 tracksoutside writers
Aerosmith's roles on this album

Share of the 9 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.

Lyricist100%
Composer100%
Producer0%
Performer100%

By the Numbers

9
Tracks
5
Lyricists
1
Producers
1985
Released
Data Insight

Done with Mirrors marked the reunion of Aerosmith's original lineup, with Joe Perry and Brad Whitford both returning to the band. Ted Templeman produced the record, the band's first for Geffen. The opening track and lead single, 'Let the Music Do the Talking,' is not a new song but a re-recording of the title track from the first Joe Perry Project album, credited to Perry and reworked with mostly new lyrics by Steven Tyler. The rest of the album returns the writing to the Tyler-Perry core, though it sold modestly compared to the comeback that followed.

Aerosmith's eighth studio album, released November 4, 1985. The reunion album, the classic five-piece lineup recording together for the first time since 1979, with Perry and Whitford both back. Despite the reunion, the album underperformed commercially, reaching number 36 on the Billboard 200. All nine tracks are originals: Joe Perry writes 'Let the Music Do the Talking' alone, a song he had originally released on his 1980 solo album. All five members share equal writing credit on 'The Hop.' The commercial failure led the band to seek outside professional songwriters for the following record.

Track Listing & Credits 9 tracks

Written by the artist Written by outside writers

Songwriter & Credit Spotlight 6 contributors

More from Aerosmith

Frequently Asked Questions Done with Mirrors

Why is Done with Mirrors significant in Aerosmith's history?
Done with Mirrors marked the reunion of Aerosmith's original lineup, bringing back guitarists Joe Perry and Brad Whitford. Released in 1985, it was the band's first album for Geffen Records and the start of their comeback, though commercial success came later with Permanent Vacation.
Is Let the Music Do the Talking an Aerosmith original?
Not entirely. It is a re-recording of the title track from the first Joe Perry Project album, originally written by Joe Perry. For the Aerosmith version, Steven Tyler rewrote most of the lyrics, and the running time was trimmed by about a minute.
How did the single Let the Music Do the Talking chart?
'Let the Music Do the Talking' peaked at number 18 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart in 1985. It was issued shortly before the album's release as the lead single.
Who produced Done with Mirrors?
Done with Mirrors was produced by Ted Templeman, known for his work with Van Halen and the Doobie Brothers. It was the only Aerosmith album he produced, and the engineering team included Jeff Hendrickson along with several assistant engineers.
Is Done with Mirrors certified?
Yes. Done with Mirrors was certified Gold by the RIAA for 500,000 units shipped in the United States. It sold modestly compared to the multi-platinum albums that came after Aerosmith's full commercial revival.
What does the title Done with Mirrors refer to?
The title plays on the phrase 'done with mirrors,' evoking illusion and sleight of hand. The original CD packaging printed the title and band imagery in reverse, requiring a mirror to read it, tying the concept to the cover design.

Sources