“Got to Find a Way” is an intriguing Aerosmith outtake from their 1987 sessions for the Permanent Vacation album. Also known by its alternative titles, “Mishugas” or “Mishegoss,” the song’s first verse introduces us to the Yiddish term “mishegoss,” which suggests a sense of craziness or idiosyncrasy.
While the exact writing credits remain unclear, the track bears the hallmarks of a Tyler/Perry collaboration. The rhythmic vocal delivery, combined with raunchy, fun lyrics over a guitar riff-oriented structure, is reminiscent of Aerosmith’s traditional style up to their 1985 album, Done with Mirrors. The lyrics paint a picture of flirtation and the chase, as the protagonist navigates the challenges of winning over a hard-to-get girl.
One take of the song features distinctive whistle sounds in the chorus and an extended outro where Joe Perry riffs a raw piece of “The Movie.” Another version includes two lines that Steven Tyler drew inspiration from The Zombies’ 1964 song “She’s Not There” (famously covered by Santana in 1977):
Oh well no one told me about her,
The way she lied,
Well no one told me about her,
How many people cried…
It’s worth noting that Carlos Santana’s version of “Black Magic Woman/She’s Not There” led many to mistakenly attribute the song solely to him, despite its original connection to Fleetwood Mac. Aerosmith’s admiration for Peter Green of Fleetwood Mac is evident in tracks like “Oh Well,” “Stop Messin’ Round,” and “Rattlesnake Shake.” Tyler even riffed on these lines during live shows, including a memorable performance on 12 July 1994 in Tel Aviv, Israel, during “Draw the Line.”
“Got to Find a Way” might have been left off Permanent Vacation due to its unfinished feel. While it boasts a cool groove, it doesn’t quite measure up to the tracks that made the final cut. The lyrics appear incomplete, serving more as a playful excuse for Tyler to sprinkle in some Yiddish and French. Despite this, it would have made a fantastic B-side.
Here are some of the lyrics from the song:
SOMEBODY CALL THE COPS
HOW COME YOU BUST MY CHOPS
YOU’RE PLAYIN’ MISHEGOSS ON ME
WHO YOU REMIND ME OF
AND WHERE YOUR HEAD I SHOVE
I KISS YOUR LOVE OF LOVE FOR FREE
SAY WHAT’S ON YOUR MIND
YA SAY YA WANNA GRIND
WE’LL DO IT ‘TIL I’M BLIND YA SEE
‘COZ I GOT TO FIND A WAY
GOT TO FIND A WAY
GOT TO FIND A WAY
yeah yeah goin’ to play
GOT TO FIND A WAY
GOT TO FIND A WAY
GOT TO FIND A WAY
BA’ YEAH
WHEN I SAY OO-LA-LA
YOU SAY EXCUSE MOI
LIKE YOU DONE SAY CHA-CHA TA ME
ha-ha
YOU SAY I THINK I’M CLASS
HOW COME YOU HOOK YOUR ASS
DON’T GIVE NO LIP AN’ SASS TA ME
BECAUSE GOT TO FIND A WAY
GOT TO FIND A WAY
I GOT TO FIND A WAY
Yeah-ah yeah-yeah-yeah
GOT TO FIND A WAY
GOT TO FIND A WAY
GOT TO FIND A WAY…
The Back-Burner: Aerosmith Outtakes & Demos 
Santana’s song “She’s not there”? More like The Zombies’ song “She’s Not There” — which is more likely what Tyler was thinking of.
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fair point! yet, Steven did attend Woodstock 69 and Santana must have made an impression, either version is what likely influenced him. Happy to update the entry.
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