Permanent Vacation (Aerosmith album)
Permanent Vacation is the ninth studio album by American rock band Aerosmith, released in August 1987 by Geffen Records.
The album marked a turning point in the band's career. It was their first to employ songwriters outside the band, instead of featuring songs solely composed by them. This came at the suggestion of executive John Kalodner. He also pushed the band to work with producer Bruce Fairbairn, who remained with them for another two albums. It was also the first Aerosmith album to be promoted by heavy music video airplay on MTV. Though Done with Mirrors was intended to mark Aerosmith's comeback, Permanent Vacation is often considered their true comeback, as it was the band's first truly popular album since their reunion. "Rag Doll", "Dude ", and "Angel" became major hits and helped Permanent Vacation become the band's greatest success in a decade.
The album features a cover of the Beatles' "I'm Down", which originally appeared as a B-side to their single "Help!" in 1965. This was Aerosmith's second commercially released Beatles cover, after "Come Together".
Permanent Vacation has sold over five million copies in the U.S.
In the UK, it was the first Aerosmith album to attain both Silver and Gold certification by the British Phonographic Industry, achieving these in July 1989 and March 1990 respectively.
Track listing
Personnel
Adapted from the album liner notes and AllMusic. Track numbers refer to CD and digital releases of the album.Aerosmith
- Steven Tylerlead vocals, piano, harmonica, organ, plunger mute
- Joe Perryguitar: lead guitar, lead and rhythm guitar on track 1, backing vocals, pedal steel guitar on "Rag Doll"
- Brad Whitfordguitar: lead and rhythm guitar on track 1, lead guitar on tracks 8, 10 & 12
- Tom Hamiltonbass guitar
- Joey Kramerdrums
- Drew Arnottmellotron on "Angel" and "The Movie"
- Tom Keenlysideclarinet, tenor saxophone, horn arrangement on "Dude " and "Rag Doll"
- Ian Putzbaritone saxophone on "Dude " and "Rag Doll"
- Bob Rogerstrombone on "Dude " and "Rag Doll"
- Henry Christiantrumpet
- Bruce Fairbairntrumpet, cello, background vocals
- Scott Fairbairncello
- Mike Fraserplunger mute
- Morgan Raelsteel drums
- Jim Vallanceorgan on "Rag Doll" and "Simoriah"
- Christine Arnottbacking vocals on "The Movie"
- Bruce Fairbairn – production
- Mike Fraser – engineering, mixing
- Bob Rock – engineering
- Ken Lomas – assistant engineering
- George Marino – mastering
- Kim Champagne – art direction
- Andy Engel – illustrations
- Neal Preston – photography
Charts
| Chart | Peak position |
| US Billboard 200 | 11 |
| Canada RPM 100 Albums | 7 |
| Japanese Albums Chart | 75 |
| UK | 37 |
Singles
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
| 1987 | "Dude " | Mainstream Rock Tracks | 4 |
| 1987 | "Dude " | The Billboard Hot 100 | 14 |
| 1987 | "Hangman Jury" | Mainstream Rock Tracks | 14 |
| 1987 | "Rag Doll" | Mainstream Rock Tracks | 12 |
| 1988 | "Angel" | Mainstream Rock Tracks | 1 |
| 1988 | "Angel" | The Billboard Hot 100 | 3 |
| 1988 | "Dude " | Hot Dance Music/Club Play | 41 |
| 1988 | "Rag Doll" | The Billboard Hot 100 | 17 |