“They Stole My Song—And I Loved It” — Steven Tyler Admits Jealousy After Guns N’ Roses Covered Mama Kin on Their Debut Album, Calling Them Aerosmith’s True Heirs. In 1986, Steven Tyler felt a sting of jealousy when a “dangerous” new band called Guns N’ Roses covered his song “Mama Kin.” But the envy quickly turned to pride. Tyler didn’t see a theft; he saw the true heirs to Aerosmith’s throne. Discover why he claims GNR’s raw rebellion actually helped his own band find their fire again.

In the mid-1980s, Aerosmith was a band fighting to reclaim its throne after years of internal strife and substance abuse. Meanwhile, on the Sunset Strip, a group of “dangerous” young rockers called Guns N’ Roses (GNR) was rising, fueled by a raw energy that mirrored Aerosmith’s 1970s heyday. When GNR released their debut EP, Live ?!@ Like a Suicide, in 1986, it featured a high-octane cover of the Aerosmith classic “Mama Kin.” While many veteran rockers might have resented “new kids” encroaching on their legacy, Steven Tyler saw a reflection of his own band’s soul.

The Song That Signed the Band

To understand why “Mama Kin” mattered so much, one must look at its history. Written by Steven Tyler for Aerosmith’s 1973 self-titled debut, it was the track Tyler believed would make them famous. He was so confident in it that he had “MA KIN” tattooed on his left bicep (reportedly because his arm was too thin for the full title). A live performance of the song in 1972 famously convinced Columbia Records president Clive Davis to sign the band for $125,000. When GNR—led by Axl Rose and Slash—recorded the cover, they were paying homage to their primary architects.

“Jealous but Proud”

Steven Tyler has often admitted to a complex mix of emotions when he first heard GNR’s version. The cover, later re-released on the 1988 album G N’ R Lies, stripped away the original’s saxophone and replaced it with Slash’s aggressive, sleazy guitar riffs and Axl’s piercing vocals.

“I was jealous because they sounded so much like us when we started,” Tyler later reflected. “But I was proud. They stole my song in the best way possible. They took that fire and made it their own.”

Rather than feeling threatened, Tyler viewed GNR as the “most worthy successors” to the hard-rock throne. He famously stated that they helped Aerosmith find their “form” again by reminding them of the hunger they once had.

Data: The Impact of a Cross-Generational Bond

The relationship between the two bands was backed by massive commercial synergy and legendary live moments:

The 1988 Tour: GNR opened for Aerosmith during the Permanent Vacation Tour. It was a legendary pairing where GNR delivered what critics called the “greatest rock show ever” just before Appetite for Destruction hit #1.

Paris 1992: The bond culminated in a massive televised concert at the Hippodrome de Vincennes. Steven Tyler and Joe Perry joined GNR on stage to perform both “Mama Kin” and “Train Kept A Rollin’.”

Sales Impact: By the time G N’ R Lies was released in 1988, it sold over 5 million copies, elevating the Aerosmith track to a global anthem for a new generation.

Saving the Spirit of Rock

The mutual respect went beyond the music. In January 2016, Steven Tyler revealed on the Howard Stern Show that he played a role in the eventual GNR reunion. Having gone through his own “Toxic Twins” fallout with Joe Perry, Tyler reportedly told Axl Rose in the years leading up to the reunion:

“You need to get the f—k back together again soon, because we all miss you.”

He drew on advice he once received from Jon Bon Jovi, telling Axl that the world “needed” their music. While GNR later playfully mocked the idea of anyone “taking credit” for their reunion, the bond remains ironclad. As of late 2025, the GNR cover of “Mama Kin” is considered one of the greatest in rock history—a moment where a legend looked at the band “stealing” his spotlight and, instead of fighting it, climbed on stage to join them.