“Dream On” may have been one of the first power ballads and set the standard for many, if not all, that would follow it, but it would be one of many that Aerosmith released in their over 50-year career. Nearly 25 years later, they’d release a song on the soundtrack for the movie Armageddon that would play during countless Father and Bride dances at weddings for many years to come. That song is “I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing.”
In 1998, Aerosmith contributed four songs to the Armageddon soundtrack, but one song outshone the rest, becoming a single outside of the soundtrack and a radio hit upon its release. Written originally by a songwriter named Diane Warren, the song was intended to be sung by “Celine Dion or somebody like that.”
Diane Warren was Billboard’s Songwriter of the Year from 1997 to 1999. She also received an Emmy, a Grammy, and two Golden Globes. Career songwriters are often outshone by the stars who perform their songs. Still, Diane penned nine number 1 hits and 33 top 10 hits in her career. Some recognizable examples are DeBarge’s “Rhythm of the Night,” LeAnne Rimes’ “How Do I Live,” Toni Braxton’s “Un-Break My Heart,” and Cher’s “If I Could Turn Back Time.”
The title and lyrics of “I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing” were inspired by Darren watching a Barbara Walters interview with James Brolin and Barbara Streisand, where James said he missed Barbara while they were asleep.
It’s interesting to imagine how this song would have turned out had an adult contemporary artist like Celine Dion recorded it instead of power ballad gods Aerosmith. Probably would’ve had a “My Heart Will Go On” (part deux) vibe, which probably would have been overshadowed by the original that came out the year before.
Regardless, the boys turned a piano demo into a smash hit, their biggest hit in fact. It debuted at number one on Billboard, where it would stay for four weeks.
It’s a heartfelt love song. Country artist Mark Chesnutt would be the first to cover and re-release the song, reaching number 17 on the Billboard chart and number 1 on the US country chart. That isn’t the cover we want to discuss today, though. We like the smaller artists of today sharing covers online. Keeping digital DIY alive.
Music Travel Love performed a version of this song with Indonesian artist Felix Irwin and three acoustic guitars. One thing I love about the Moffatt brothers’ covers is how they showcase international artists. These artists might not otherwise get the exposure they deserve.
It’s refreshing to hear talent from around the globe, along with their beautiful singing and playing. As I’ve said before, the Moffatt brothers’ blood harmonies are truly musical magic, and they give us plenty of it on this cover, per usual.
The three take turns singing lines during each verse, while playing harmonized guitar chord progressions that fill out the space wonderfully without feeling cluttered in the slightest. The same can be said when they all join in to sing the choruses together. It’s tasteful and emotive. It’s warm comfort food in music form.
Paired with the gorgeous visuals we have come to expect from the MTL boys’ videos, we get an opportunity to meditate on the thoughtfully sweet lyrics and melodies. A moment to be present with yourself and whatever you feel grateful for, whether it be appreciating where you are, the scenery, the loved ones you’ve surrounded yourself with, and the memories made in life. It’s a lovely version that evokes a calm in the listener, that might otherwise be difficult to find when listening to Steven Tyler screech out the vocals in the original.