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Hair metal, ballsy blues riffing and a glam-rock swagger in one irresistible package, Aerosmith were superb in the 1970s, almost fell apart in the drug-addled early 1980s, then relaunched themselves with a succession of huge radio hits. The Very Best Of (Sony BMG) is released tomorrow, just weeks after their singer, Steven Tyler, entered rehab for the unforgettably worded “foot repair pain”. This chronological 10 shows the band at their most majestic.

1 Train Kept A-Rollin’ Covering 1940s blues and making it their own in 1974; a live staple since.

2 Walk This Way A huge hit, of course, with Run DMC in 1986, but this earlier version, with one of Joe Perry’s (and rock’s) greatest riffs, is no slouch.

3 Sweet Emotion Toys in the Attic’s other masterpiece: angry, bluesy, blistering and gigantic.

4 Back in the Saddle Kicking off 1976’s Rocks, power chords and wailing vocals to the max.

5 My Fist Your Face One of their greatest titles; the song (from the career-reviving Done with Mirrors) is pretty ace, too.

6 Dude (Looks Like a Lady) Social/sexual observation, Aerosmith-style, in 1987.

7 Love in an Elevator “Living it up when I’m going down”, indeed.

8 Livin’ on the Edge One of their hugest songs, a great big bludgeon of a tune, from 1993.

9 Ain’t That a Bitch Axl Rose, eat your heart out.

10 I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing Lighters aloft for power-ballad heaven. Go on, you know you want to.

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