Heart covers Aerosmith classic: Wilsons deliver defiant 'Janie's Got a Gun'

Ann and Nancy Wilson performed a reworked version of Aerosmith's 1989 hit 'Janie's Got a Gun' during a concert at the Hollywood Bowl on Thursday. The sisters served as the only female-fronted group on the bill for the 'California Dream On' event.

The duo began their short set by playing 'I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You).' This song was originally made famous by Aretha Franklin and was later covered by Aerosmith on their 2004 album Honkin' on Bobo. The audience reaction intensified when the Wilsons moved to their final track.

'Janie's Got a Gun' was released as the second single from the Aerosmith album Pump in 1989. The original lyrics tell the story of a young woman who kills her abusive father. The Wilsons altered the emotional tone of the narrative for their version.

The sisters started the song by intertwining their vocals to mimic the harmonies used in the original recording. Ann Wilson then took over the lead lines, delivering the lyrics with a forceful vocal style. This approach shifted the character of Janie from a sympathetic figure trapped by her circumstances to a more defiant and resilient person.

Both bands share a similar career trajectory, having both emerged in the 1970s, experienced periods of lower activity, and returned to prominence in the 1980s. Aerosmith is scheduled to perform a second and final 'California Dream On' show at the Hollywood Bowl on Sunday, Nov. 1.