“Cause I’m sick of your complainin’

About how many bills

And I’m sick of all your bitchin’

‘Bout your poodles and your pills

And I just can’t see no humor

About your way of life

And I think I can do more for you with this here fork and knife”

Boston’s legendary rockers Aerosmith had a colossal album on their hands with Get a Grip in 1993, as the record was loaded with huge singles such as “Amazing,” “Cryin’,” “Crazy,” “Livin’ On The Edge,” and “Eat The Rich.” Get a Grip became Aerosmith’s best-selling album worldwide, and second-best in the United States behind Pump. “Eat The Rich,” the first song on the record after the intro, is a humorous kick-off to this massively successful album.

Lead singer Steven Tyler sings in his unmistakable rasp about his solution for haughty, undeserving rich folks, and that solution involves dinner…as in them being someone’s dinner. You have to appreciate the irony in this song, as it’s delivered by one of the greatest rock and roll bands of all-time, the members of which were all plenty rich at the time (especially after sales proceeds from Get a Grip) and still are now. However, the song holds more nuance than that, as Steven Tyler is likely drawing the distinction between simply having tons of money, and being “rich” – stuffy, snobby, and self-righteous.

“Eat the rich

There’s only one thing that they’re good for

Eat the rich

Take one bite now, come back for more

Eat the rich

I gotta get this off my chest

Eat the rich

Take one bite now, spit out the rest”

I absolutely loved this song back in the 1990’s, as it stood out from all the ballad-y singles from the album (I liked those songs too, but I wasn’t quite the sap that I am now), and rocked it repeatedly once I got my hands on their greatest hits record Big Ones on cassette. The message is great – someone needs to stick it to the snooty rich people who look down on the rest of society, all the while bellyaching about the “problems” that come along with their inherited fortunes. Tyler’s solution is without a doubt unorthadox, and quite morbid, but it’s also hilarious.

“Believe in all the good things

That money just can’t buy

Then you won’t get no bellyache

From eatin’ humble pie

I believe in rags to riches

Your inheritance won’t last

So take your Gray Poupon, my friend

And shove it up your ass!”

Give this funny, fast-paced rocker a listen, as it’s one of Aerosmith’s most entertaining songs, and likely one that most people don’t know. The music video is posted below for your enjoyment. Come back to The No Seatbelt Blog next Tuesday for another two-decade-old gem from the world of rock!