What It Takes (song)

Infobox Single
Name = What It Takes


Artist = Aerosmith
from Album = Pump
B-side = "Monkey on My Back"
Released = 1990
Format = Cassette, CD, Vinyl
Recorded = 1989
Genre = Hard rock
Length = 5:09
Label = Geffen
Writer = Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, Desmond Child
Producer = Bruce Fairbairn
Chart position = * #9 (US Billboard Hot 100)
* #1 (1 week) (US Mainstream Rock Tracks)
* #46 (Australia)
Last single = "Janie's Got a Gun"
(1989)
This single = "What It Takes"
(1990)
Next single = "The Other Side"
(1990)

"What It Takes" is a song by American hard rock band Aerosmith. It was written by Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, and Desmond Child. It was released in 1990 as the third single from Aerosmith's critically and commercially successful 1989 album "Pump". It is one of Aerosmith's classic ballads, and is regarded by both fans and critics alike as among their best. Fact|date=February 2007 In the video "The Making of Pump", A&R man John Kalodner described the song as "a fuckin' masterpiece". It has also been described as "the best song ever with an accordion".Fact|date=October 2008

The album version of the song is followed by an untitled hidden track.

Chart performance

The single reached #9 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #1 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart.

Live in concert

In concert, Steven Tyler often sings the first verse a-capella before the band goes into the chorus and remainder of the song.

Music video

There are two videos for the song. One features the band performing in a bar. The other is culled from scenes from "The Making of Pump", a film which documented the recording process of the "Pump" album. The latter receives much greater airplay, and was also the version the band chose to include on their video collection "Big Ones You Can Look At".