Some of the tracks were significantly edited from their original versions. The single version of "Same Old Song and Dance" was used, and was edited down almost a full minute. It also contained an alternate lyric which wasn't heard on Get Your Wings. The original lyric was "Gotcha with the cocaine, found with your gun." The alternate lyric, included on the compilation, was "You shady lookin' loser, you played with my gun." "Sweet Emotion" also used the single version; it begins with the first chorus, cutting out the now famous talk box intro and the coda was replaced with a repeating chorus and fades out. "Kings and Queens" was also edited down, cutting the intro and certain other parts. "Walk This Way" was edited slightly, chanting the first chorus once instead of twice. The other remaining tracks were kept intact.
In 2004, a slightly revised version, Greatest Hits 1973–1988, was released, with the ten tracks in their edited versions retained, with five additional songs from the same era added, plus the 1991 version of "Sweet Emotion" and a live version of "One Way Street".
Greatest Hits is the band's highest RIAA certified album in the United States, having been certified 11x Platinum in 2007.
Dream On
Aerosmith Lyrics
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All these lines on my face getting clearer
The past is gone
It went by like dusk to dawn
Isn't that the way?
Everybody's got the dues in life to pay, yeah
I know nobody knows
Where it comes and where it goes
I know it's everybody's sin
You've got to lose to know how to win
Half my life's in books' written pages
Live and learn from fools and from sages
You know it's true, oh
All the things come back to you
Sing with me, sing for the year
Sing for the laughter and sing for the tear
Sing with me, if it's just for today
Maybe tomorrow the good Lord will take you away
Yeah, sing with me, sing for the year
Sing for the laughter and sing for the tear
Sing with me, if it's just for today
Maybe tomorrow the good Lord will take you away
Dream on, dream on, dream on
Dream until the dream come true
Dream on, dream on, dream on
Dream until your dream come true
Dream on, dream on, dream on
Dream on, dream on, dream on
Dream on, oh
Sing with me, sing for the year
Sing for the laughter and sing for the tear
Sing with me, if it's just for today
Maybe tomorrow the good Lord will take you away
Sing with me, sing for the year
Sing for the laughter and sing for the tear
Sing with me, if it's just for today
Maybe tomorrow the good Lord will take you away
The lyrics to Aerosmith's "Dream On" speak about the struggle of coming to terms with one's own mortality and the inevitability of time passing. This is evident in the opening lines where the singer looks into the mirror and sees the physical signs of aging. He realizes that time moves quickly and that the past is gone before we know it. The lines "Isn't that the way, everybody's got their dues in life to pay" reinforces the idea that everyone must face the consequences of their actions, good or bad.
The second stanza focuses on the realization of how little we know about the universe and the concept of sin. The lines "I know nobody knows, where it comes and where it goes. I know it's everybody's sin, you got to lose to know how to win" suggests that we can only learn from our mistakes and hardships. The line "Half my life's in books written pages, live and learn from fools and from sages" further supports this sentiment, as it suggests that one can gain knowledge and wisdom by studying the experiences of others.
The third stanza shifts to a call to action, encouraging listeners to sing and seize the moment. The line "Maybe tomorrow the good Lord will take you away" reinforces the idea that our time on earth is limited, urging listeners to make the most of every day. The repetition of the phrase "Dream On" in the chorus further reinforces the concept of hope and encourages listeners to continue pursuing their dreams.
Line by Line Meaning
Every time that I look in the mirror
As I gaze at my reflection, I see the passage of time etched on my face
All these lines on my face getting clearer
The wrinkles on my face become more pronounced as I age
The past is gone
The events that have taken place in the past are irrevocable
It went by, like dusk to dawn
The past events took place in a fleeting manner, just like the transition from dusk to dawn
Isn't that the way
This is a common occurrence
Everybody's got the dues in life to pay
Everyone has to face the consequences of their actions and decisions
I know nobody knows
No one knows for certain
Where it comes and where it goes
The exact origin and destination of life's journey are unknown
I know it's everybody sin
We all have our imperfections and flaws
You got to lose to know how to win
Experiencing defeat is an essential part of achieving success
Half my life's In books' written pages
My life experiences are documented in books
Live and learn from fools and From sages
There are lessons to be learnt from both the wise and the foolish
You know it's true, oh
This is a universal truth
All the things come back to you
All our actions have consequences that affect us in some way
Sing with me, sing for the year
Join me in song, let's celebrate the year
Sing for the laughter, sing for the tear
Whether we're happy or sad, singing can be therapeutic
Sing with me, if it's just for today
Even if it's just for today, let's sing together and enjoy this moment
Maybe tomorrow, the good Lord will take you away
We don't know what the future holds, so let's enjoy life while we can
Dream on
Keep dreaming
Dream until your dream come true
Never stop chasing your dreams
Dream on, Dream on, Dream on
Keep dreaming, keep striving
Dream until your dreams come through
Don't give up until you've achieved your goals
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Steven Tyler
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind