This tune aims at high-class people who think their wealth empowers them to belittle others.
Aerosmith was certainly rich when they issued this song, but they come from humble origins and can’t stand the superior attitude of unusual wealthy personalities
Joe Perry and Steven Tyler of Aerosmith penned this number with Jim Vallance, a Canadian musician who also co-wrote “Rag Doll” and “Young Lust.”
They arranged the piece together in Vallance’s bunker studio. The jungle beat came about after Tyler began slamming away on a keyboard. Perry developed a guitar riff, and Valance combined a guitar phrase. The rhythm sections were played on Polynesian timber drums. Six players were brought in to play them.
A forceful rock song, this was released as the second single from Get A Grip, following another uptempo song, “Livin’ On The Edge,” which made No. 18 in the US. “Eat The Rich” didn’t top the chart, but when the record company tested a different track, issuing the ballads “Cryin’,” “Amazing” and “Crazy,” the LP peaked at No. 1 and got Aerosmith back on MTV and Top 40 radio.