It kind of gave you hope for all of mankind.

The year: 1986. The collaborators: worn out late ’70s rockers Aerosmith, and up-and-coming rap superstars Run-D.M.C. When the two bands created a rap ‘n’ rock version of Aerosmith’s anthem to high school testosterone, “Walk This Way,” it seemed the very black and very white worlds could meld seamlessly. The video zoomed into MTV’s heavy rotation (a first for a rap video), and it breathed new life into the formaldehyde-laden veins of Aerosmith. It’s also a pretty cool tune.

Listen to “Walk This Way”