I Don't Want to Miss a Thing explained

I Don't Want to Miss a Thing
Cover:Idontwanttomissathing.jpg
Type:single
Artist:Aerosmith
B-Side:
Genre:
Length:4:59
Label:Columbia
Producer:Matt Serletic
Prev Title:Taste of India
Prev Year:1998
Next Title:What Kind of Love Are You On
Next Year:1998

"I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" is a song recorded by American hard rock band Aerosmith as the theme song for the 1998 science fiction disaster film Armageddon, in which lead singer Steven Tyler's daughter Liv starred. It is one of four songs performed by the band for the film, the other three being "What Kind of Love Are You On", "Come Together", and "Sweet Emotion". The power ballad[3] was written by Diane Warren, who originally envisioned it would be performed by "Celine Dion or somebody like that".[4] The song received its airplay premiere on May 12, 1998, and was officially added to radio a week later.[5]

"I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" was first released in Japan on July 29, 1998. In the United States, it was originally supposed to be a radio-only single from , but due to popular demand, Columbia Records issued the song commercially in August 1998.[6] [7] It subsequently debuted at number one on the Billboard Hot 100, giving the band their first and only number-one single in their home country, remaining at the top for four weeks. The song also peaked at number one for multiple weeks in several other countries, including Australia, Ireland, and Norway. In the United Kingdom, it sold over one million copies and reached number four on the UK Singles Chart. The song was nominated for an Oscar as Best Original Song at the 71st Academy Awards of 1998, but lost to "When You Believe" from The Prince of Egypt.[8]

The song was covered by American country music singer Mark Chesnutt for his album of the same name. In early 1999, his version was a top-twenty hit on the Billboard Hot 100 while also topping the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts.

Inspiration and background

In 1997, Diane Warren was watching Barbara Walters interview James Brolin and Barbra Streisand. Brolin said he missed Streisand when they were asleep, and Warren wrote down the words "I don't want to miss a thing", before there was even a song.[9] "When I first heard it," recalled drummer Joey Kramer, "it was just a demo with piano and singing. It was difficult to imagine what kind of touch Aerosmith could put on it and make it our own… As soon as we began playing it as a band, then it instantly became an Aerosmith song."[10]

Critical reception

The song received generally positive reviews from critics. Billboard wrote, "If you're among the many who adore Aerosmith when it indulges in power balladry à la "Angel", then you're in for a real treat. This tune from the imminent soundtrack to "Armageddon" shows the enduring rock troupe happily giving in to the romance of superstar tunesmith Diane Warren's sweet tune—but with an appropriate dash of guitar-juiced melodrama. Steven Tyler's signature belting is so intensely over the top that he frequently seems to be shrieking. It's a high-voltage performance that is matched by a collision of rock-styled instrumentation and grand, faux-classical orchestration. It's a recipe that will prove irresistible to programmers at top 40 and AC formats."[11]

Birmingham Evening Mail commented, "Songwriter Diane Warren weaves her magic again with a bombastic power ballad from the 'Armageddon' movie soundtrack. It perfectly suits Steven Tyler's sleazy vocals as the track moves towards its strings-soaked conclusion."[12] Daily Record called it an "epic ballad which has Steve Tyler impersonating of Bryan Adams".[13] They also noted it as an "end-of-the-night disco favourite".[14]

Music video

The music video was shot at the Minneapolis Armory in May 1998 and features scenes from the film along with a cameo by Liv Tyler in her role as Grace Stamper. While the band plays with an orchestra backing them in a studio filled with giant banners of NASA, the banners fall in the second chorus, revealing the studio to be the launchpad of Space Shuttle Freedom from the film, while F-15 and T-38 fighter jets fly in formation overhead.

Impact and legacy

This song was Aerosmith's biggest hit, debuting at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100, where it stayed for four weeks in September, and reaching number one around the world, including Australia, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Austria, Norway, Italy, the Netherlands, and Switzerland. It helped introduce Aerosmith to a new generation[15] and remains a slow dance staple.[16]

On November 28, 2015, boxer Tyson Fury sang the song after beating long reigning heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko in Düsseldorf, Germany.[17] Fury sang the song again after beating Tom Schwarz in 2019 at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas.[18]

Track listings

US CD and cassette single[19] [20]

  1. "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" – 4:58
  2. "Animal Crackers" – 2:36
  3. "Taste of India" (rock remix) – 5:52

UK CD1[21]

  1. "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" – 4:58
  2. "Taste of India" (rock remix) – 5:52
  3. "Animal Crackers" – 2:36

UK CD2[22]

  1. "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" – 4:58
  2. "Pink" (live) – 3:45
  3. "Crash" – 4:26

UK 7-inch picture disc and European CD single[23] [24]

  1. "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" – 4:58
  2. "Taste of India" (rock remix) – 5:52

European maxi-CD single[25]

  1. "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" – 4:58
  2. "Taste of India" (rock remix) – 5:52
  3. "Crash" – 4:25
  4. "Animal Crackers" – 2:36

Australian and Japanese CD single[26] [27]

  1. "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" – 4:58
  2. "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" (rock mix) – 4:58
  3. "Taste of India" (rock remix) – 5:52
  4. "Animal Crackers" – 2:36

Personnel

Personnel are adapted from the Armageddon soundtrack's liner notes.[28]

Aerosmith

Additional personnel

Charts

Weekly charts

Weekly chart performance for "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing"!Chart (1998)!Peak
position
Colombia (Notimex)[29] 3
Denmark (IFPI)[30] 8
Europe (European Hot 100 Singles)[31] 1
Greece (IFPI)[32] 1
Honduras (Notimex)[33] 3
Hungary (Mahasz)[34] 5
Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40)[35] 1
Italy (FIMI)[36] 1
Latvia (Latvijas Top 40)[37] 1
Scandinavia (Music & Media)[38] 6
Spain (AFYVE)[39] 4

Year-end charts

Year-end chart performance for "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing"!Chart (1998)!Position
Australia (ARIA)[40] 4
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[41] 6
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[42] 13
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[43] 27
Canada Top Singles (RPM)[44] 19
Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM)[45] 27
Europe (European Hot 100 Singles)[46] 3
France (SNEP)[47] 58
Germany (Official German Charts)[48] 14
Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40)[49] 1
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[50] 18
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[51] 23
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[52] 4
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[53] 5
UK Singles (OCC)[54] 17
US Billboard Hot 100[55] 23
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[56] 38
US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)[57] 18
US Mainstream Rock Tracks (Billboard)[58] 19
US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[59] 5
US Rhythmic Top 40 (Billboard)[60] 94

Decade-end charts

Decade-end chart performance for "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing"!Chart (1990–1999)!Position
US Billboard Hot 100[61] 73

Release history

Region!scope="col"
DateFormat(s)Label(s)
United StatesMay 18–19, 1998Columbia[62] [63]
JapanJuly 29, 1998CDSony[64]
United StatesAugust 18, 1998Columbia[65] [66]
United KingdomAugust 31, 1998

Mark Chesnutt version

I Don't Want to Miss a Thing
Cover:I Don't Want to Miss a Thing Mark Chestnutt.jpg
Type:single
Artist:Mark Chesnutt
Album:I Don't Want to Miss a Thing
B-Side:"Wherever You Are"[67]
Released:[68]
Genre:Country
Length:4:10
Label:Decca
Producer:Mark Wright
Prev Title:Wherever You Are
Prev Year:1998
Next Title:This Heartache Never Sleeps
Next Year:1999

In December 1998, country music artist Mark Chesnutt released a cover version of the song. His rendition is the first single and title track from his 1999 album of the same name.[69]

Chesnutt chose to cover the song through the suggestion of his record producer Mark Wright, who had heard the Aerosmith version on his car radio. According to Wright, he and Chesnutt only listened to Aerosmith's rendition twice before recording, in order to allow Chesnutt to come up with a rendition that was "his". Because the two thought that his version had potential as a single, his label Decca Records withdrew his then-current single "Wherever You Are" in late 1998 and began promotion of "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" instead.[70] Chesnutt also said that he chose to do the song because he thought that it would help revive his then-flagging album sales and chart performance.[71]

Despite showing favor toward the cover at the time, Chesnutt remarked in 2016 that he "didn't want to cut it" and that, even though his version topped the country music charts and was successful on radio, sales were poor for both the single and the corresponding album. He also noted that soon afterward, he exited his label after refusing their offer to cover another pop song.[72]

Weekly charts

Weekly chart performance for "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing"!Chart (1998–1999)!Peak
position

Year-end charts

Year-end chart performance for "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing"!Chart (1999)!Position
Canada Country Tracks (RPM)[73] 21
US Billboard Hot 100[74] 67
US Country Songs (Billboard)[75] 9

Notes and References

  1. Book: Goldsmith, Melissa Ursula Dawn. Listen to Classic Rock! Exploring a Musical Genre. 2019. ABC-CLIO. 978-1-4408-6579-4. 27.
  2. Web site: Harvilla. Rob. July 2, 2018. The Last Great Movie Credits Anthem: On 20 Years of Aerosmith's "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing". January 26, 2021. The Ringer.
  3. News: Bonnie Tyler's Total Eclipse of the Heart and the 20 other best power ballads. https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/what-to-listen-to/21-best-power-ballads/i-dont-wanna-miss-a-thing/ . January 12, 2022 . subscription . live. July 23, 2015. June 8, 2021. The Telegraph.
  4. Web site: Diane Warren: How I wrote I Don't Want To Miss a Thing, If I Could Turn Back Time and Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now. July 26, 2016. Shortlist.com. June 8, 2021.
  5. I Don't Want to Miss a Thing. Gavin Report. 2205. 64. May 8, 1998.
  6. Warren Is Chart-Topping Tunesmith. Bronson. Fred. Fred Bronson. Billboard. 110. 24. 122. June 13, 1998.
  7. Hot 100 Singles Spotlight. Sandiford-Waller. Theda. Billboard. 110. 24. 89. July 25, 1998.
  8. News: It's Hollywood's night to let its stars shine . https://web.archive.org/web/20230506201752/https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-louis-post-dispatch-its-hollywoods/124161530/ . March 22, 1999 . May 6, 2023 . May 6, 2023 . 5 . . . live.
  9. News: Surprising story of the song from 'Dirty Dancing' and some of the other iconic love songs from movies. Valiente. Alexa. ABC News. February 13, 2018. February 15, 2018.
  10. Rich . Chamberlain . The stories behind the songs: Aerosmith – I don't want to miss a thing . . 235 . May 2017 . 26.
  11. Flick, Larry. Larry Flick. Reviews & Previews: Singles . . June 6, 1998 . 20 . December 6, 2020.
  12. "Single of the Week". Birmingham Evening Mail. August 25, 1998. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
  13. "Chart Slot". Daily Record. October 30, 1998. Retrieved December 3, 2020.
  14. "Chart Slot". Daily Record. October 16, 1998. Retrieved December 3, 2020.
  15. Web site: Aerosmith — I Don't Want to Miss a Thing' - The Vault on EN . EntertainmentNutz.com . April 5, 2008.
  16. Rolling Stone: Rock List: The 25 Greatest Slow Dance Songs Ever . Rolling Stone . https://web.archive.org/web/20130117152136/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/blogs/staff-blog/rock-list-the-25-greatest-slow-dance-songs-ever-20070604 . dead . January 17, 2013 . April 5, 2008.
  17. News: Bartleet . Larry . Tyson Fury sings 'I Don't Want To Miss A Thing' to celebrate boxing championship win . December 1, 2020 . NME . November 29, 2015.
  18. News: Rathborn . Jack . Tyson Fury vs Tom Schwarz: Brit sings Aerosmith's 'I Don't Want to Miss a Thing' after knockout win in Las Vegas . December 1, 2020 . The Independent . June 16, 2019.
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  20. I Don't Want to Miss a Thing. Aerosmith. 1998. US cassette single sleeve. Columbia Records. 38T 78952.
  21. I Don't Want to Miss a Thing. Aerosmith. 1998. UK CD1 liner notes. Columbia Records. 666408 2.
  22. I Don't Want to Miss a Thing. Aerosmith. 1998. UK CD2 liner notes. Columbia Records. 666408 5.
  23. I Don't Want to Miss a Thing. Aerosmith. 1998. UK limited 7-inch picture disc sleeve. Columbia Records. 666408 7.
  24. I Don't Want to Miss a Thing. Aerosmith. 1998. European CD single liner notes. Columbia Records. COL 666032 1.
  25. I Don't Want to Miss a Thing. Aerosmith. 1998. European maxi-CD single liner notes. Columbia Records. COL 666032 2.
  26. I Don't Want to Miss a Thing. Aerosmith. 1998. Australian CD single liner notes. Columbia Records. 666095 2.
  27. I Don't Want to Miss a Thing. Aerosmith. 1998. Japanese CD single liner notes. Sony. SRCS 8630.
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  67. Book: Whitburn, Joel. Hot Country Songs 1944 to 2008. Record Research, Inc. 2008. 93. 978-0-89820-177-2.
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  70. Decca's Chesnutt Does Rock 'Thing' . Deborah Evans Price . Billboard . 30, 32 . December 19, 1998.
  71. Web site: It's more than a tradition thing for country's mark Chesnutt . The Morning Call . August 8, 1999 . March 26, 2019 . Alan Sculley.
  72. Web site: Mark Chesnutt: Looking back... and looking forward . Sounds Like Nashville . July 14, 2016 . March 28, 2019 . Chuck Dauphin.
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