Studio Album · No. 6
Night in the Ruts Songwriting Credits by Aerosmith
Produced by Gary Lyons, Aerosmith · Engineered by Gary Lyons, Peter Thea, Rod O'Brien
Holds writing credit on 6 of 9 tracks
Authorship Breakdown 6 / 9 documented
Scored across the 9 tracks with documented writers, by whether Aerosmith carries a lyricist or composer credit.
Share of the 9 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.
By the Numbers
Night in the Ruts was made amid the collapse of the original lineup: Joe Perry departed mid-recording in 1979 after an argument with Steven Tyler, having finished guitar on only part of the album. His parts were completed by Brad Whitford along with outside players including Richie Supa, Neil Thompson, and Jimmy Crespo. The record leans heavily on covers to fill out the running time, including 'Remember (Walking in the Sand)' (originally by the Shangri-Las, written by George 'Shadow' Morton), 'Reefer Head Woman' (a Jazz Gillum blues cover), and 'Think About It' (a Yardbirds cover). The Tyler-Perry originals that remain reflect a band in transition rather than at full strength.
Aerosmith's sixth studio album, released November 1, 1979. The album is notable as the last with Joe Perry until 1984, he departed during recording on July 28, 1979, following a backstage altercation. Perry completed guitar parts on six tracks before leaving; additional guitar work came from Brad Whitford, Richie Supa, Neil Thompson, and Jimmy Crespo. The album features three Tyler-Perry co-writes, one Tyler solo original, and five covers spanning blues, rock, and soul: the Shangri-Las' 'Remember (Walking in the Sand),' the Yardbirds' 'Think About It' (credited to Keith Relf, Jimmy Page, and Jim McCarty), and blues standards.