Uncle Salty told me stories of a lonely
Baby with a lonely kind of life to lead
Her mammy was lusted, Daddy he was busted
They left her to be trusted ’til the orphan bleeds
But when she cried at night, no one came
And when she cried at night, went insane
Uncle Salty told me when she was just a baby
That she’d get by and maybe someday she’d see
But soon she found her mother’s love for all the others
The pushers and the shovers was the life to lead
But when she cried at night, no one came
And when she cried at night, went insane, ow!
Ooh, it’s a sunny day outside my window
Ooh, it’s a sunny day outside my window
Ooh, oh yeah
Ooh, oh yeah, yeah yeah
Now she’s doing any for money and a penny
A sailor with a penny or two or three
Hers is the cunning for men who come a-running
They all come for fun and it seems to me
That when she cried at night, no one came
And when she cried at night, went insane
Ooh, it’s a sunny day outside my window
Exploring the Story Behind “Uncle Salty”
“Uncle Salty” by Aerosmith paints a haunting picture of hardship and neglect through the lens of a young girl’s life. The lyrics recount tales of abandonment, capturing the struggles of someone left to fend for herself amid a world that offers little compassion. The narrative voice, presumably Uncle Salty, shares stories of a child growing up in desperate circumstances, hinting at cycles of pain and exploitation. The song juxtaposes the stark reality of her life with the ironically sunny day outside—a subtle nod to the contrast between outer appearances and inner turmoil. Ultimately, “Uncle Salty” is a poignant reflection on innocence lost and the ways people cope with heartbreak and isolation.
Song Credits
- Artist: Aerosmith
- Songwriters: Steven Tyler, Tom Hamilton
- Release Year: 1975
- Label: Columbia Records