This girl that I knew
She loved me and blew me away
We made love, no doubt
But she never went out of her way
Yeah
I keep wonderin’, I keep wonderin’ why
Do the wings of your butterfly
Lightnin’ thunder
I keep wondering why
Hey, I think you need an attitude adjustment
Knock-down drag out
I got to make myself a latitude adjustment
With or without
I was rather naive
So I didn’t believe when you said
“Our love is in jail”
Honey, you hit the nail on the head
Well, I keep wonderin’, I keep wonderin’ why
Do the wings of your butterfly
Lightnin’, thunder
It ain’t no wonder why
Hey, I think you need an attitude adjustment
Knock-down drag out
Don’t you ever, baby, wonder where the lust went
With or without
Now I know what it is
A ’cause I know what you are
No more cryin’ eyes, my friend
Excuse fuckin’ moi
No more wonderin’
I got news for you
Hey, I think you need an attitude adjustment
Knock-down drag out
I gotta make myself a latitude adjustment
I’m headin’ south
Yeah, I think you need an attitude adjustment
From inside out
Unpacking the Message: A Relationship on the Rocks
“Attitude Adjustment” by Aerosmith paints a vivid portrait of a relationship strained by mismatched expectations and emotional disconnect. The narrator recounts a love affair that fizzled out, marked by a partner who never truly reciprocated his efforts. The song uses metaphorical language—like referencing the “wings of your butterfly”—to explore the fleeting and unpredictable nature of affection. The repeated call for an “attitude adjustment” signals frustration, suggesting the need for a major shift in perspective or behavior. Ultimately, the protagonist chooses self-preservation, deciding to move on and make a “latitude adjustment”—a clever play on words that hints at both emotional and physical distance.
Song Credits
Artist: Aerosmith
Songwriters: Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, Brad Whitford, Tom Hamilton, Joey Kramer
Release Year: 1985
Label: Geffen Records