1971, we all heard the starters gun
New York was such a pity
But at Max’s Kansas City we won
We all shot the shit at the bar
With Johnny O’ Toole and his scar
And then old Clive Davis said
He’s surely gonna make us a star
I’m going to make you a star
Just the way you are
But with all his style
I could see in his eyes
That we is going on trial
And it was no surprize
The boys kept kicking ass
As usual time would tell
But some bitch in the choir
Throw water on the fires of hell
She loved to show and tell
Lord, she loved to tell
But with all our style
You could see in our eyes
That we is still on trial
And it was no surprize
No surprize
No surprize
No surprize
Midnight lady, situation fetal
Vaccinate your ass with your phonograph needle
I say look here, friend of mine
You scratch like you need calamine
Flamingo boots, soles a creaking
Still in love and Puerto Rican too
Riding on wheels of hell
Smoking our axle grease
Oh, the backstage is rocking
And we’re copping from the local police
That’s right, the local police
Or the justice of peace
But with all our style
You could see in our eyes
That we is still on trial
And it was no surprize
No surprize
No surprize
No surprize
Rock n’ roll, junkie whore
Got my foot inside the door
Knock knock, knock knock, knock
Nobody’s keeping score
Bad times go away
Come again some other day
Topaz and sazzafraz
Will keep the blues away
Candy store, rock n’ roll
Corporation jellyroll
Play the singles, it ain’t me
It’s programmed insanity
You ASCAP, Or BMI
Could ever make a mountain fly
If Japanese can boil teas
Then where the fuck’s my royalties…aar
A Raw Look at Rock ‘n’ Roll Beginnings
“No Surprize” by Aerosmith is a gritty, semi-autobiographical track that dives into the band’s early struggles and triumphs in the New York music scene. The lyrics paint vivid pictures of smoky bars, wild characters, and the constant hustle for recognition. With references to industry figures and notorious venues, the song captures both the excitement and cynicism of chasing fame. The repeated phrase “no surprize” reflects Aerosmith’s sense of inevitability in facing challenges, with a sly wink at the unpredictability of the music business.
Behind the Lyrics: Irony and Industry
The song is laced with irony, poking fun at industry gatekeepers, fleeting success, and the commercialization of rock. Lines about royalty disputes and “programmed insanity” highlight the band’s awareness of the corporate side of music. At the same time, the lyrics celebrate the wild, chaotic spirit that defined Aerosmith’s early years—full of ambition, excess, and raw energy.
Song Credits
Songwriters: Steven Tyler, Joe Perry
Release Year: 1979
Label: Columbia Records