Aerosmith's "I Don't Want To Miss A Thing" from Armageddon has an unlikely source of inspiration. The song acts as the theme for the 1998 Sci-Fi film starring Liv Tyler, Aerosmith lead singer Steven Tyler's daughter, and has become a classic since debuting at number one on the Billboard charts. The song became Aerosmith's only hit to ever sit at number one on the American charts. The song was written by Grammy-winning songwriter Diane Warren known for penning a plethora of hits, including "Because You Loved Me" by Celine Dion, "Un-Break My Heart" by Toni Braxton, and "If I Could Turn Back Time" by Cher.
Warren wrote "I Don't Want To Miss A Thing" on her own, and the song was produced by Matt Serletic. It fits into the plot of Armageddon, as the film follows the love story between Liv Tyler's character Grace Stamper and Ben Afflect's A.J. Frost. Based on the lyrics, it's easy to assume the hit was penned by Tyler about a romantic relationship in his own life. There have also been theories the song is about Liv Tyler, similar to how Stevie Wonder wrote "Isn't She Lovely" about the birth of his daughter Aisha Morris. However, both theories are incorrect, as Warren found inspiration from elsewhere.
Who Really Inspired Armageddon's Theme Song
According to Ultimate Classic Rock, Barbra Streisand was in fact the inspiration behind the famous Aerosmith song from Armageddon. Streisand was talking about her relationship with James Brolin on 20/20 with Barbara Walters. Streisand told Walters she was with Brolin when he told her he didn't want to go to sleep because he would miss her. This inspired Warren to write down the title "I Don't Want To Miss A Thing" and get working on the song. When Michael Bay called Warren asking for a song for Armageddon, Warren knew the song she'd written was the perfect fit.
Warren initially imagined the song would be performed by Dion or someone in her genre because the song's demo was recorded as a piano ballad. Almost 25 years later, it's hard to imagine anyone else singing the song. "I Don't Want To Miss A Thing" went on to become Warren's 4th Oscar nomination in 1999 but lost to "When You Believe" by Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston from the film The Prince of Egypt. Luckily, the song's legacy has lived on even without the award.
Aerosmith's Song Is Almost Bigger Than Armageddon
It's hard to say if the song's legacy has outlived Armageddon, but it has become popular enough to stand on its own instead of being solely known for the film it was a part of, like Dion's "My Heart Will Go On" is mainly ed for its role in Titanic. "I Don't Want To Miss A Thing" even earned the rock band their own ride of the Disney parks called Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith.
The song has been covered several times, including a cover by country singer Mark Chesnutt. Aerosmith was also invited by Taylor Swift to sing the song to a whole new generation at her 1989 tour in 2015. It's safe to say "I Don't Want A Miss A Thing" lives on whether or not anyone re its role in Armageddon.
Source: Ultimate Classic Rock
