“One Time” is one of those mysterious tracks that never made it onto an official Aerosmith album but continues to intrigue fans decades later. Recorded during the Permanent Vacation sessions, it was one of the many songs that didn’t make the final cut but still left its mark on the bootleg circuit. One particular version of the track leaked in the mid-90s, appearing on a bootleg titled Permanent Outtakes. This version featured a sparse mix, with only bass, vocals, and a keyboard, which led many to believe that the song was incomplete. However, deeper dives into the Aerosmith archives suggest that there are full-band versions of “One Time” that give the track a funkier feel, something that aligns with the experimental vibe of the outtakes from this era. It’s likely that the other instruments were simply muted in the mix that leaked, rather than never being recorded, hinting at a more complete version existing somewhere in the vault.
The origins of “One Time” are believed to trace back to the Rick Rubin sessions in 1986. Aerosmith, at that time, was searching for a resurgence, and Rubin’s influence led the band to explore their raw, bluesy roots with a modern edge. The structure of “One Time” shows a lot of potential, even in its unfinished state. The bassline, prominent in the leaked mix, suggests that bassist Tom Hamilton may have had a significant hand in writing the track. His signature groove cuts through the sparse arrangement, lending the song a solid foundation despite its lack of polish.
The song itself has been shrouded in confusion for years, mainly because some bootlegs erroneously labeled it as “Anybody Out There,” a completely different track. The two songs have no relation, and yet, this mislabeling has only added to the lore surrounding “One Time.” Fans who have heard both can immediately tell the difference—the raw, funky energy of “One Time” is unmistakable, even in its stripped-down form.
Lyrically, “One Time” is classic Aerosmith. Steven Tyler’s vocals, while not fully fleshed out, offer a mix of improvisation and the kind of raunchy, playful swagger that the band was known for at the time. Lines like “Give it to me one time, give it all night” harken back to the band’s blues and rock roots, evoking the kind of attitude that made Aerosmith icons of the genre. The lyrics feel spontaneous, perhaps even unfinished, but they carry the same energy and rebelliousness that defined much of the band’s work during this era.
One of the most interesting aspects of “One Time” is the use of the keyboard, played by Tyler himself. The Korg keyboard, which appears in several Permanent Vacation outtakes, adds a funky, almost experimental layer to the track. This element, combined with Hamilton’s driving bassline, gives “One Time” a groove that sets it apart from other Aerosmith songs from that period. It’s a glimpse into the band’s willingness to play with different textures and sounds, even if they didn’t always make it to the final album.
Why “One Time” was shelved remains a mystery. Perhaps the band felt it didn’t fit with the more polished sound of Permanent Vacation, or maybe it was simply overshadowed by other tracks. The Permanent Vacation album marked Aerosmith’s big comeback, and every song on the record had to make a statement. It’s possible that “One Time,” with its unfinished lyrics and funky groove, didn’t quite fit into the cohesive vision the band had for the album. Whatever the reason, the song now lives on in the shadowy world of bootlegs, a hidden gem for diehard fans who seek out every rare track they can find.
“One Time” is more than just an outtake. It’s a piece of Aerosmith’s history, a snapshot of the band during a time of creative resurgence. Though it remains officially unreleased, it stands as a testament to the band’s prolific output and their willingness to push musical boundaries. For those who have heard it, “One Time” is a reminder that even in the world of rock legends, there are still secrets waiting to be discovered.
I GOTTA TELL IT ALL YA’LL HER LOVIN’ LITTLE HEART
THAT’S WHY I WOKE YA UP I’LL TELL YA WHAT YA PART
READ IT TO ME BABY I’LL BE LYIN’ ON YOUR FACE
EVERBODY GOES DARLIN’ BUT YA CAN’T KEEP UP THE PACE
WHAT WAS IN FOR ME IS THE SAME THAT’S IN FOR YOU
THAT’S WHY YOU’RE THE
GIVE IT TO ME ONE TIME
GIVE IT ALL NIGHT
AH GIVE IT TO ME ONE TIME
I FEEL ALL RIGHT
HOW ‘BOUT LOVE DARLIN’ GIVE ME SOME LORD
GIVE ME WHAT FOR
WHEN YOU’RE ON THIS SIDE OF THE BOARDç
EVER COP A DOOR WHEN YA GOTTA PISS IN THE CUP
EVERY COP A LOVE YA WHEN YOU’RE ALWAYS WARMIN’ UP
GIVE IT ALL YA GOT WHEN YA GOT ALL YA CAN
BLAME IT ALL ON MAMA KIN
AH GIVE IT TO ME ONE TIME
GIVE IT ALL NIGHT
AH GIVE IT TO ME ONE TIME
AH KEEP IT ALL NICE
OH MY OL’ LORD HE SAID KEEP ON GOIN’
OH SOMETHIN’ WRONG AND I KICKED THE THE DOOR
GOT RIGHT UP THEN KICKED THE DOOR
KICKED THE DOOR OH ONLY NOT THAT DOOR
GIVIN’ AH OOH-OO OOH
GUITAR
GIVE IT TA ME
GIVE IT TA ME ONE TIME
GIVE IT ALL NIGHT
AH GIVE IT TA ME ONE TIME
I FEEL ALL RIGHT
TALK ABOUT THE TIME I SAW THE SAME OL’ THANG
ABOUT THE TIME IN SUMMER WINTER FALL AND SPRING
GIVE IT TO ME ALL DARLIN’ WITH A HOLLOW HEADED LOVE
IF YOU’RE GONNA LOVE ME WHEN YOU’RE HARD TA LOVE
GITS SO HARD OR THEY’RE LIVIN’ ON DUST
ALL YA GOTTA DO IS THE PELVIC THRUST
AH GIVE IT TA ME ONE TIME
GIVE IT ALL NIGHT
GIVE IT TA ME ONE TIME
GIVE IT ALL NIGHT
GIVE IT TA ME ONE TIME
GIVE IT ALL NIGHT
GIVE IT TA ME ONE TIME
GIVE IT ALL NIGHT
AH GIVE IT TA ME ONE TIME
GIVE IT ALL NIGHT
GIVE IT TA ME ONE TIME
OUT ALL NIGHT
GIVE IT TA ME ONE TIME
GIVE ME ALL NIGHT
GIVE IT UP ONE TIME
The Back-Burner: Aerosmith Outtakes & Demos 