This morning I was reading about a new album coming out next week by Van Halen and was curious to know more about it. So, as always, I began scouring the internet to find more information. Had a chance to hear the new song, "Tattoo," on Van Halen's website, but I also came across some very interesting history about the band. I admit, this may not be news to everyone, but I had no idea that the band's history was so intriguing -- and complicated. I missed a couple of years in there, too, because I didn't realize they had three lead singers (I had no idea they had a third one - Gary Cherone). I also did not realize that they were on the list of groups with finicky riders, which seemed prevalent in the '80s. No brown M&Ms for Van Halen. Not a single, solitary one. Seem picky? Well, turns out they used that as a test for their venue hosts. They requested a bowl of M&Ms with the brown ones removed. They wanted to make sure that the entire rider was read to assure safety measures written into the rider as well. Sounds like an excellent idea to me. Kind of like when you are talking to someone, and you realize they are not listening, so you say something off the wall and wait for their reaction. I've done this a couple of times. Anyway, I think if clarinetists were working at the host venue for a Van Halen tour, they would be more than happy to pick all the brown M&Ms out of the bowl.
Meanwhile, I always preferred their songs from the Sammy Hagar days. There were so many great love songs -- two of which I've previously posted ("When It's Love" and "Why Can't This Be Love"). I had forgotten about the third, "Love Walks In," and took a listen this morning. I had no idea what the lyrics were other than "....nothing feels the same..." and "...love comes walkin' in..." So, I listened to the rest of the lyrics and read an article about Sammy Hagar's meaning behind the lyrics. Apparently, he's had some extraterrestrial visits, and the song references these experiences. He sings, "Some kind of alien, waits for the opening, simply pulls a string, love comes walkin' in." In retrospect, I thought I heard the word "alien" in the lyrics, but I figured that I was just hearing the lyrics incorrectly. My brother and I used to argue over lyrics all the time in the 80s. Back in the day, you couldn't just look them up on a computer. So, looks like it really is "some kind of alien." Drat. I was sure it was love. I guess it still could be, but it's hard for me to conceptualize love and extraterrestrials in the same lyrics. Eh, well, I guess there's always Star Trek. My family loves that show, and Captain Kirk was always winning over these gorgeous alien ladies. Anyway, I hope you enjoy the video. Check out Alex Van Halen and his awesome Ludwig Vistalite set, too. Pretty awesome.
I have had this song stuck in my head for a while. Actually, it is the synthesized keyboard "ostinato" that is really what I hear over and over, but that is a good thing. It's got this crazy momentum with a tinge of a "robotic" sound that is very addicting. So, once you get past this in the intro, you'll hear the lyrics, and we're off to the races.... At least that's kind of what it feels like. This Van Halen classic was released in 1986, and it seems to energize me everytime I hear it. It really is timeless, and it is one of the most invigorating rock songs I've heard. Makes me want to run out and buy Gatorade and then run a marathon or something. I'm not sure what it is about this song that makes it so energetic and propelling, but I am hooked.
I think, perhaps, the chorus may be the key to the intense energy of this song... "It's got what it takes...so tell me why can't this be love?" Hmm... It's got what it takes. Yes. This is most likely the phrase that hints at sportsmanship, competition, athleticism, energy. Could be a commercial. Do you have what it takes? Could you be love? Sure puts the pressure on, but SCORE! Once you find the one who has what it takes, well, it just could be love...
It's getting pretty late, so I wanted to leave everyone with a nice, peaceful, calming song before signing off for the night. Van Halen's "When It's Love" begins with a beautiful synthesized opening -- perhaps a bit unexpected for the group. This song was written when Sammy Hagar joined as lead vocalist, which definitely put a new twist on the group's sound, look, and feel. "When It's Love" quickly pulls into high gear after the instrumental opening, and Sammy's voice ignites the engine so to say. Drums and guitar ad horsepower, and a full-fledged rock love song is created. I am not sure if it falls into the category of ballad because it's tempo and style are definitely much more upbeat than a typical rock ballad. As the song develops, the full band provides back-up vocals for the chorus, which repeats several times -- each time giving more momentum to the song. How do you know when it's love? How does it feel when it's love? Well, Van Halen tells us that we'll know. It is something that will last forever, something people feel together. I think I would agree. The beautiful synthesized instrumental section from the opening comes back in the end, with a bit of high hat, and voila! We feel love. Great song. Always makes me smile.
This morning I was reading about a new album coming out next week by Van Halen and was curious to know more about it. So, as always, I began scouring the internet to find more information. Had a chance to hear the new song, "Tattoo," on Van Halen's website, but I also came across some very interesting history about the band. I admit, this may not be news to everyone, but I had no idea that the band's history was so intriguing -- and complicated. I missed a couple of years in there, too, because I didn't realize they had three lead singers (I had no idea they had a third one - Gary Cherone). I also did not realize that they were on the list of groups with finicky riders, which seemed prevalent in the '80s. No brown M&Ms for Van Halen. Not a single, solitary one. Seem picky? Well, turns out they used that as a test for their venue hosts. They requested a bowl of M&Ms with the brown ones removed. They wanted to make sure that the entire rider was read to assure safety measures written into the rider as well. Sounds like an excellent idea to me. Kind of like when you are talking to someone, and you realize they are not listening, so you say something off the wall and wait for their reaction. I've done this a couple of times. Anyway, I think if clarinetists were working at the host venue for a Van Halen tour, they would be more than happy to pick all the brown M&Ms out of the bowl.
Meanwhile, I always preferred their songs from the Sammy Hagar days. There were so many great love songs -- two of which I've previously posted ("When It's Love" and "Why Can't This Be Love"). I had forgotten about the third, "Love Walks In," and took a listen this morning. I had no idea what the lyrics were other than "....nothing feels the same..." and "...love comes walkin' in..." So, I listened to the rest of the lyrics and read an article about Sammy Hagar's meaning behind the lyrics. Apparently, he's had some extraterrestrial visits, and the song references these experiences. He sings, "Some kind of alien, waits for the opening, simply pulls a string, love comes walkin' in." In retrospect, I thought I heard the word "alien" in the lyrics, but I figured that I was just hearing the lyrics incorrectly. My brother and I used to argue over lyrics all the time in the 80s. Back in the day, you couldn't just look them up on a computer. So, looks like it really is "some kind of alien." Drat. I was sure it was love. I guess it still could be, but it's hard for me to conceptualize love and extraterrestrials in the same lyrics. Eh, well, I guess there's always Star Trek. My family loves that show, and Captain Kirk was always winning over these gorgeous alien ladies. Anyway, I hope you enjoy the video. Check out Alex Van Halen and his awesome Ludwig Vistalite set, too. Pretty awesome.
