Aerosmith Songwriter Addresses ‘Dude Looks Like A Lady’ Accusations

Over the years, LBGTQ groups have criticized Aerosmith’s “Dude (Looks Like a Lady)” claiming that the 1987 hit is transphobic. But the song’s co-writer dismisses those charges.

Speaking to Talk Is Jericho, Desmond Child describes how they came up with the track and how the title is taken all wrong.

“And the wonderful thing about the song is, especially the second verse which goes, ‘Never judge a book by its cover, or who you’re gonna love by your lover’ – that’s a song of acceptance,” says Child, who has penned around 20 tunes with Aerosmith.

Continuing on the lyrics, Child, who is gay himself, adds, “If that isn’t, like, ‘Open your heart,’ I don’t know what is.”

Which other songs do critics take out of context?