Now Check Me Out on the Good Side Here

From their 1981 album Fair Warning, it's the rock band that ruled the 80's... with two different lead singers.  The original lead singer was the probably the most limber front man in rock history.  DLR leads Van Halen in today's 1981 song "So This is Love?"...




Ow, yeah
Now check me out on the good side here
Well my baby's on the corner and she's lookin' so fine
Put one and one together and it blowed my mind
A man needs love to live, I'm the livin' proof
Catch that smile and I hit the roof

Big double take, but ya keep on walkin', uh!
I'm in love
Once over, I'm over done

So this is love?
Ooh I need your lovin', come on baby, take me home
So this is love?
Ooh I need your lovin', I'm just skin an' bone

Goin' outta my way, know my way around
The grass is never greener an' there plenty around
All the other girls, they be put to shame
Over the edge and here I stay

Got me on pins and needles, and she knows
She's mine and, ain't lettin' go

So this is love?
Ooh I need your love, baby take me home
So this is love?
Ooh I need your lovin', I know

(Guitar Solo)

Ow! Got me on pins and needles, yes she knows
She's mine and, ain't lettin' go

So this is love?
Ooh I need your love. Whaa, yeah!
So this is love?
Ooh I need your love!
Ahh yeah! Baby, got ta have your love
Ooh I, Ooh I need, got to have that love
Baby, baby, wha-ha-ha! Still love
So this is love?
So this is love?
Ow! Wow! Woo!



"So This is Love?

by Van Halen
from the album:  "Fair Warning"
released:  1981

Everybody's Lookin' For Somethin'

The red rocker is sporting one red 80's outfit in today's video look back to 1988 and a hit from Van Hagar, err, Van Halen. The follow up to their most excellent "5150" album was "OU812" which featured this hit, "When It's Love"...
Lyrics | Van Halen lyrics - When It's Love lyrics "When It's Love" Single by Van Halen from the album OU812 B-side "Apolitical Blues" Released 1988 Recorded 5150 Studios, Hollywood, California, 1987-1988 Genre Rock, hard rock Length 05:39 Label Warner Bros. U.S. Billboard hot 100 peak: #5

This Is the Night, You'll See the Light

Tonight is the night for The Excellent 80's. It's the night I'll be in Tulsa to take in the Van Halen concert with opening act Kool and the Gang! I'll try to post some pics and video when I can. But for now, here is a double dip - one from Kool and the Gand, and one from Van Halen. First up is the appropriately titled 1984 hit from Kool and the Gang - "Tonight"...




Lyrics | Kool And The Gang lyrics - Tonight lyrics

"Tonight"

by Kool and the Gang
from the album: In the Heart
released: 1984

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #13


And also from 1984 and the album that pushed Van Halen into mainstream popularity on the Billboard pop charts, it's the never-gets-old #1 hit "Jump"...




Lyrics | Van Halen lyrics - Jump lyrics

"Jump"

Single by Van Halen
from the album 1984
A-side "Jump"
B-side "House of Pain"
Released January 5, 1984
Recorded 5150 Studios, Studio City, California, 1983
Genre Hard rock, New Wave, synthpop
Length 4:03
Label Warner Bros.
Writer(s) Eddie Van Halen
Alex Van Halen
Michael Anthony
David Lee Roth
Producer Ted Templeman

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #1

Have You Seen Her? So Fine and Pretty

From Van Halen II released in 1979, here is Van Halen's first top 20 hit with Eddie performing some tap harmonics, "Dance the Night Away"...




Lyrics | Van Halen lyrics - Dance The Night Away lyrics

"Dance the Night Away"
Single by Van Halen
from the album Van Halen II
A-side "Dance The Night Away"
B-side "Outta Love Again"
Released 1979
Recorded December 1978 - January 1979
Genre Hard rock
Length 3:07
Label Warner Bros.
Writer(s) Eddie Van Halen, Alex Van Halen, Michael Anthony, David Lee Roth
Producer Ted Templeman

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #15

80's Movie Weekend

In keeping with my Van Halen theme this weekend, we're taking a look back at a singing hamburger in 1985. Yes, I've already featured the classic John Cusack movie "Better Off Dead" in The Excellent 80's before, but it's worth another trip...

Here is the Eddie Van Halen guitar playing hamburger performing "Everybody Wants Some"...



Johnny wants his two dollars and he'll stop at nothing to get it!



It's a Better Off Dead Christmas...



Better Off Dead

Directed by Savage Steve Holland
Produced by Gil Friesen
Michael Jaffe
Andrew Meyer
Written by Savage Steve Holland
Starring John Cusack
David Ogden Stiers
Diane Franklin
Curtis Armstrong
Amanda Wyss
Music by Rupert Hine
Cinematography Isidore Mankofsky
Distributed by
Warner Bros.
Paramount Pictures
Release date(s) August 23, 1985
Running time 97 minutes
Country United States
Language English
Box office $10,297,601

I Been To the Edge

And there I stood and looked down... I plan on wearing the same outfit as DAve has on in this video when I attend the Van Halen concert next Tuesday in Tulsa. You got to got to bleed baby! Another classic off of Van Halen I, here is a live version of "Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love"...




Lyrics | Van Halen lyrics - Ain't Talkin' 'bout Love lyrics

"Ain't Talkin' 'bout Love"
Single by Van Halen
from the album Van Halen
B-side "Feel Your Love Tonight"
Released 1978
Recorded 1977
Genre Heavy metal, hard rock
Length 3 min 50 sec
Label Warner Bros.
Writer(s) Eddie Van Halen
David Lee Roth
Producer Ted Templeman

Give Me a Call Sometime

Yesterday was some Kool and the Gang, so today is some Van Halen for you as The Excellent 80's prepares to take in the Van Halen concert in Tulsa on May the 1st. Even though this song is technically from 1978, here is concert footage from 1982, with the band knocking out "Jamie's Cryin'"...



Lyrics | Van Halen lyrics - Jamie's Cryin' lyrics "Jamie's Cryin'"

by Van Halen
from the album: Van Halen I
released: 1978

As a bonus today, check out a 1984 interview between MTV's Martha Quinn and David Lee Roth...

You've Got Me Captured. I'm Under Your Spell.

Well, I've been under the spell of Van Halen and all of its drama for some 30 years now every since I bought "Diver Down" on cassette back around 1982-83. With today being February 7th, it marks the first all-new Van Halen album since 1998's colossal disappointment - "Van Halen III" with Gary Cherone on lead vocals. This marks the first all-new album with David Lee Roth on vocals since 1983's "1984" album, and I for one couldn't be more excited. The band kicks off its tour February 18th in Louisville, and though I won't be there, I will be in Tulsa, OK at the BOK Center on May 1st when the band rolls through there. If only Michael Anthony were still strumming bass, but I'll take three out of four at this point in their careers.

In honor of their return, from their "1984" album, here is their top 20 hit (a poor concert video - it was 1984 though!) "I'll Wait"...




Lyrics | Van Halen lyrics - I'll Wait lyrics

"I'll Wait"
Single by Van Halen
from the album 1984
A-side "I'll Wait"
B-side "Girl Gone Bad" (US)/"Drop Dead Legs" (UK)
Released 1984
Recorded 5150 Studios, Hollywood, California, 1983
Genre Hard rock
Length 4:45
Label Warner Bros.
Writer(s) Eddie Van Halen, Alex Van Halen, Michael Anthony, David Lee Roth, Michael McDonald
Producer Ted Templeman

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #13

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone! The Excellent 80's is thankful for your continued viewership whether you've only been in here a few times or many times over the years. I found this little clip from Nickelodeon's "Thanksgiving Fest," but it's really just the commercials that came on. I love the BK's commercial and the Nintendo commercial and graphics are just outstanding...



Here's some more sweet 80's commercials sandwiched in the Garfield Thanksgiving special...



I'm also thankful for Van Halen so enjoy a little VH on this special, special day!




Lyrics | Van Halen lyrics - Unchained lyrics

"Unchained"
Single by Van Halen
from the album Fair Warning
A-side "Unchained"
B-side "Sinners Swing!"
Released 1981
Recorded 1981
Genre Hard rock, heavy metal
Length 3:29
Label Warner Bros.

Ain't No Way I'm Sittin' Home Tonight

Hey, happy July to everyone! Summer is in full force and so I wanted to bring you a live performance and appropriate track from one of the best bands of all-time. The band of course is Van Halen, and this underrated song comes from their famed "5150" album. Although the song didn't crack the Billboard top 100 it did peak at #33 on the Rock Tracks chart. It remains one of my favorites from the album and just makes you want to go cruise the Sonic drive in tonight doesn't it? Here is "Summer Nights"...




Lyrics | Van Halen lyrics - Summer Nights lyrics

"Summer Nights"

by Van Halen
from the album: 5150
released: 1986

If You Want to See Other Guys, Baby I Could Let It Slide

Many of you that frequent this little blog know what a Van Halen fan I am, so when today's little ditty came out in 1988 I wasn't sure what to make of it. It didn't have the distinctive Van Halen sound and actually had a little blues and a little country sound mixed in. It has grown on me over the years but doesn't rank in my top 10 on my favorite Van Halen songs by any means, but I still enjoy it from time to time. Needing no explanation about the title, here is Van Halen with Sammy on lead vocals - "Finish What Ya Started"...

Van Halen Finish What You Started from Mark A on Vimeo.

"Finish What Ya Started"

by Van Halen
released: 1988
from the album: OU812

#9

Well, it's back to my favorite rock band ever with their most popular hit. It's the song that propelled them to superstar status in the mainstream in 1984 just before they decided to get rid of their lead singer. The band was formed in Pasadena, CA, in 1972 and discovered by Kiss' Gene Simmons who originally wanted the band to be called Daddy Long Legs. Thank goodness that didn't happen and thank goodness for this song which was the band's only #1 single and can still be heard to this day at various basketball arenas around the country before a jump ball. Here's the very limber and flexible Diamond Dave, bassist Michael Anthony, and the Van Halen brothers.

#9 "Jump"
by Van Halen




Lyrics | Van Halen lyrics - Jump lyrics

#61

Today's video on our countdown has great drums, great keyboards, and reminds you that the "new" lead singer of Van Halen can shred a little bit on the guitar himself. After the band got rid of Dave, I dreaded whomever was going to step into his egomaniacal shoes. But, being honest here, the album 5150 remains my favorite Van Halen studio album ever. Maybe 1986 was just the right time in my life to accept such a lead singer change for one of the world's greatest rock band ever. I don't know. I could probably have 10 Van Halen videos in my countdown, but I won't. Here is one of my favorites and one of their best Sammy-led power ballads.

#61 "Love Comes Walking In"
by Van Halen




Lyrics | Van Halen lyrics - Love Comes Walking In lyrics

No One Could Look as Good as You

Today's video became one of the first videos banned by MTV, but viewing it today, it's just plain silly to see why... you have midgets molesting a "female", a samurai warrior, a Tarzan like character, a gunslinger, and a Napoleon type general... put this all together and you get the wacky Van Halen video from their remake of the Roy Orbison hit "Oh, Pretty Woman"...


Van Halen Oh Pretty Woman
Uploaded by Celtiemama. - Watch more music videos, in HD!


Lyrics | Van Halen lyrics - Pretty Woman lyrics

Diver Down
Studio album by Van Halen
Released April 14, 1982
Recorded 1982, Sunset Sound, LA; Warner Bros. Recording Studios (formerly Amiga Studios), LA
Genre Hard rock
Length 31:24
Label Warner Bros. Records
Producer Ted Templeman

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #12

The Excellent 80's Is Two

A happy birthday today to this little blog that started out two years ago as a lark - a place to just post some silly 80's music videos, tv, movies, sports, etc. It's been a labor of love for two years, or maybe some sort of psychotic obsession... whatever the case, I'm over 580 posts... so, thanks for stopping in on occasion and keep on living the dream...

A double shot today from my favorite rock band (get it? double meaning two) as a birthday present for everyone... Van Halen rocks in the third year of existence for The Excellent 80's first off with Diamond Dave, some cable flying, Michael Anthony's Jack Daniels bass, and the song "Panama"...

Van Halen - Panama
Uploaded by Dan_of_the_Land. -

Lyrics | Van Halen lyrics - Panama lyrics

"Panama"

Single by Van Halen
from the album 1984
Released 1984 (US)
Format 7"
Recorded 5150 Studios, Hollywood, California; 1983
Genre Hard rock
Length 3 min 31 sec
Label Warner Music Group (US)
Producer Ted Templeman

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #13


Have you seen Junior's grades? Here is a televised lip-synched performance of "And the Cradle Will Rock"... Dave's outfit is so gay/over the top that it actually steals the scene in this performance... gotta get me some of those boots!

Van Halen - And The Cradle Will Rock
Uploaded by Dan_of_the_Land. -

Lyrics | Van Halen lyrics - And The Cradle Will Rock lyrics

"And the Cradle Will Rock..."
Single by Van Halen
from the album Women and Children First
A-side "And the Cradle Will Rock..."
B-side "Loss of Control"
Released 1980
Format 7"
Genre Hard rock
Length 3:31
Label Warner Bros.
Producer Ted Templeman

Contact Is All That It Takes

And then you sense a change... nothing feels the same... all your dreams are strange... Valentine's Day is fast approaching people, so you best get in the mood and what better way than with a power ballad from one of the best damn groups of all-time... it's Eddie on keyboards, Sammy shredding on the guitar, Michael Anthony on bass, and Alex pounding away on the skins, here is Van Halen from the album named after Eddie's home studio, 5150, with "Love Walks In"...

Van Halen Love Walks In
Uploaded by Celtiemama

Lyrics | Van Halen lyrics - Love Walks In lyrics

"Love Walks In"

by Van Halen
from the album: 5150
released: 1986

Now Waldo, I Hope You Find Some Friends This Year

Well, school is starting up again or about to start up again, and, well... I wonder what the teacher's gonna look like this year... whoa!

Van Halen - Hot For Teacher
Uploaded by Dan_of_the_Land

Hot For Teacher Lyrics

“Hot for Teacher”

Single by Van Halen
from the album 1984
B-side Little Guitars
Released January 9, 1984
Format 7" Vinyl record
Recorded 1983, at 5150 Studios, Hollywood, California
Genre Hard Rock
Length 4:44
Label Warner Music Group
Writer(s) Eddie Van Halen, David Lee Roth, Michael Anthony, Alex Van Halen
Producer Ted Templeman

He's Baaaaaack

A new, old lineup, a new tour, lots of hype... Van Halen with Diamond Dave at the lead will be touring again soon. The only thing different (besides the fact that they are 20+ years older than they were the last time they toured together) is that legendary bassist Michael Anthony is being replaced in the band by Eddie's teenage son, Wolfgang. Nothing like being a 15-16 year old kid touring in a legendary band with your legendary father, uncle, and a psycho lead singer who will surely ruin this reunion. I give Dave about 12 months before he's on the outs again. The video that catapulted them to superstardom...

Van Halen - Jump
Uploaded by hushhush112

Jump Lyrics

from the album 1984
Released 1984
Length 4:03
Peak chart positions
#1 (US) Billboard Hot 100 (5 weeks)
#7 (UK)