The song's main riff was written by Joe Perry on a Fender Bass VI, which gives the song its distinctive "growl". Brad Whitford plays the lead guitar part. "Back in the Saddle" also features one of the heaviest and noticeable bass lines by Tom Hamilton. The song is also notable for the slow buildup of the drum beat and guitar riff in the beginning of the song, as well as the sound effects of a galloping horse and whips, and screams and yodeling by Steven Tyler at the end of the song. A real bullwhip was intended to be used for the whip effects and hours were spent trying to get it to crack. The band members ended up cut up and hurt without making any progress. Eventually, the band decided the whip effects would be created by whirling a 30-foot cord from the studio, then by firing a cap gun to create the crack of the whip (the sound effects are more prominent in the Quadraphonic mix of the album (Columbia CAQ 34165)). When the song is performed in concert, Steven Tyler often makes more noticeable lyrical and visible references to sex. Although the lyrics, by Steven Tyler, were written with the simple idea of cowboys and sex, this song took on new meaning after Aerosmith reunited in 1984 and embarked on their Back in the Saddle tour.
Today, the song remains a staple on classic rock radio and in concert. It is arguably one of the heaviest songs of Aerosmith's Top 40 singles, and is cited by rock musicians Slash and James Hetfield as among their favorite rock songs.
Back in the Saddle
Aerosmith Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm back in the saddle again
I'm back
I'm back in the saddle again
Ridin' into town alone by the light of the moon
I'm lookin' for old Sukie Jones, she crazy horse saloon
Barkeep gimme a drink, that's when she caught my eye
I'm back in the saddle again
I'm back
I'm back in the saddle again
I'm back
Come easy, go easy, all right until the rising sun
I'm calling all the shots tonight, I'm like a loaded gun
Peelin' off my boots and chaps, I'm saddle sore
Four bits gets you time in the racks, I scream for more
Fools' gold out of their mines, the girls are soaking wet
No tongue's drier than mine, I'll come when I get back
I'm back in the saddle again
I'm back
I'm back in the saddle again
I'm ridin', I'm loadin' up my pistol
I'm ridin', I really got a fistful
I'm ridin', I'm shinin' up my saddle
I'm ridin', this snake is gonna rattle
I'm back in the saddle again
I'm back
I'm back in the saddle again
I'm back
Ridin' high
Ridin' high
Ridin' high
The song "Back in the Saddle" by Aerosmith is a powerful, high-energy rock song about a cowboy's return to town after being away for some time. The singer of the song is excited to be back and is looking for adventure. The lyrics are full of references to cowboy culture, including mentions of a saloon, a barkeep, and chaps. The singer describes his interactions with a woman named Sukie Jones, who catches his eye, and his encounter with other women in town, who are "soaking wet" and attracted to him. The song is upbeat and catchy, with a strong guitar riff and driving drum beat that propel the lyrics forward.
The song speaks to the universal human need for adventure and a break from routine. It is an anthem for those who long to escape their ordinary lives and experience something new and exciting. The lyrics are full of colorful imagery and metaphor, painting a vivid picture of cowboy life and the thrill of being back on the trail. The chorus, with its repeated phrases of "I'm back, I'm back in the saddle again" is both catchy and empowering, encouraging the listener to feel confident and strong, ready to take on whatever challenges come their way.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm back
The singer is announcing their return.
I'm back in the saddle again
The singer is stating that they are returning to their old ways.
Ridin' into town alone by the light of the moon
The singer is approaching the town on their own while there is still light.
I'm lookin' for old Sukie Jones, she crazy horse saloon
The artist is looking for a person named Sukie Jones at the Crazy Horse Saloon.
Barkeep gimme a drink, that's when she caught my eye
The artist asks for a drink and sees a woman catch their eye.
She turned to give me a wink, that'd make a grown man cry
The woman gave the singer a flirtatious wink.
Come easy, go easy, all right until the rising sun
The singer is living life casually until the morning comes.
I'm calling all the shots tonight, I'm like a loaded gun
The artist is in control of the night and compares themselves to a loaded gun.
Peelin' off my boots and chaps, I'm saddle sore
The artist is taking off their riding gear and feeling sore from riding a horse.
Four bits gets you time in the racks, I scream for more
The artist is implying that they are paying for sexual services and wanting more.
Fools' gold out of their mines, the girls are soaking wet
The singer thinks that the women are fake and are putting on a performance.
No tongue's drier than mine, I'll come when I get back
The artist is so thirsty that they cannot speak and promises to continue their activities when they return.
I'm ridin', I'm loadin' up my pistol
The singer is getting ready to ride and load their weapon.
I'm ridin', I really got a fistful
The singer has a lot of something (presumably money or liquor) in their hands while riding.
I'm ridin', I'm shinin' up my saddle
The singer is cleaning their saddle while they are riding.
I'm ridin', this snake is gonna rattle
The artist is confident and ready to take on any challenges.
Ridin' high
The artist is feeling invincible and powerful.
Ridin' high
The feeling of invincibility is repeated.
Ridin' high
The feeling of invincibility is repeated for the last time.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: MATRACA MARIA BERG, STANLEY LYNCH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@teddycraddock2030
Lyrics:
(Chorus)
I'm back
I'm back in the saddle again
I'm back
I'm back in the saddle again
Ridin' into town alone
By the light of the moon
I'm looking for ol Sukie Jones
She crazy horse saloon
Barkeep gimme a drink
That's when she caught my eye
She turned to give me a wink
That make a grown man cry
(Chorus)
Come easy, go easy
All right until the rising sun
I'm calling all the shots tonight
I'm like a loaded gun
Peelin' off my boots and chaps
I'm saddle sore
Four bits gets you time in the racks
I scream for more
Fools' gold out of their mines
The girls are soaking wet
Not tounge's drier than mine
I'll come when I get back
I'm back in the saddle again
I'm back
I'm back in the saddle again
I'm riding, I'm loading up my pistol
I'm riding, I really got a fistful
I'm riding, I'm shining up my saddle
I'm riding, this snake is gonna rattle
(Chorus)
Ridin' high
Ridin' high
Ridin' high already
@malcolmmarshall5946
I will never forget when I was 16 years old, playing this song pretty loud on my Pioneer stereo, my prim and proper, 67 year old British grandma gave a little giggle and said "Oh that was smashing, can you please play that one again?" Bless her, she was a cool ole granny.
@gboard17
Great song. I'm a one man band on youtube.
@JakeTheComicBookDude
@@gboard17 song heard from the 2010 DC non superhero action comedy, “RED”.
@bowensby1
Good music is timeless...
@JakeTheComicBookDude
@@bowensby1 ok
@daviddemaria3982
Kick ass granny!
@jeffreychase692
Literally one of the best rock songs ever. Insane energy
@gregwilkinson5185
I don't know which one is better. Toys in the attic or Rocks!
@joedellaselva1251
You picked up on the same vibe as I did when I first heard it as a 14 y/o. This is Beethoven's 5th in classic music terms. Something other worldly happened when Aerosmith composed and then played it. 1A,1AA, etc? Sweet Emotion, Kick Start my Heart, Jet City Woman + She Sells Sanctuary (full 7-minute version).
@juliereminiec4937
This was when Aerosmith was a metal band