WCSX Classic Cuts : Rag Doll

WCSX Classic Cuts

Aerosmith: "Rag Doll"

The Hook: Steven Tyler played a most unusual instrument called flesh bongos on the song.

Album: Permanent Vacation

Year: 1987

Writers: Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, Jim Vallance and Holly Knight

Stats: Peaked at number-12 on Billboard's Album Rock Tracks chart and at number-17 on the Hot 100.

Background: Aerosmith used a most unusual instrument on "Rag Doll" from their 1987 album Permanent Vacation. Singer Steven Tyler tells what they called it and what it actually was.

Aerosmith singer Steven Tyler on a most unusual instrument he used on “Rag Doll.” OC:…flesh bongos. :30

“Flesh bongos. Flesh bongos are the buttocks of young female strippers in Vancouver. I was watching them and these girls were so sexy, I mean, they were serious. I thought to myself, ‘We need something else on this album that’ll be like a clincher, something I can carry on and tell my kids that I once did.’ So what the hell, right? I asked the two, ‘You want to be on the album? We’ll give you credit.’ I don’t know if they thought they were going to sing or whatever, but they came in and they were buns up and kneelin’ and I was wheelin’ and dealin’. [Pounds out rhythm] If you listen real hard to ‘Rag Doll’ you’ll hear the flesh bongos.”