"Rats in the Cellar" & "Combination"

I've mentioned before that Steven Tyler seems to have a thing for cross-referencing lyrics. Here's the first case that he's now measuring against himself. If the song "Toys in the Attic" is a crazy dream, "Rats in the Cellar" is the gritty, delirious reality. Rocks is an album soaked in drugs, amphetamines, sex and other bad habits and attitudes. Here is an aggressive, panicky, hyperactive, frustrated track that gives you a glimpse into the darkside of having "Toys in the Attic." It's absolutely one of the most out-of-control tracks on the album, and puts you right inside all that excess and hard living, without romanticizing it too much. I think part of the appeal of Rocks for me is that it's not romantic or idealistic, the way Toys was.



Joe Perry's contribution to Rocks staggers in after "Rats" like a hangover. It has this whirling, lopsided guitar riff that rises and falls, and a dual lead vocal that makes both Steven's and Joe's voice sound numb and inhuman. Which is perfect for the level of darkness and deadness invoked by the song. Joe Perry's first solo-written tune was his best. It's not a climactic moment of greatness by any means, but it's one of the many key points that makes Rocks... well, rock.