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General => General Music Discussion => Topic started by: KevShmev on December 31, 2018, 01:58:30 PM

Title: Your favorites of these Van Halen songs (1978-1996)
Post by: KevShmev on December 31, 2018, 01:58:30 PM
This one is including the "hits" from both the original DLR and Sammy eras, rather than from just one. Should make it more fun.

You can vote for up to 8.

I went with:

Runnin' with the Devil
Ain't Talkin' Bout Love
Mean Street
Panama
Dreams
Black and Blue
Right Now
Humans Being

Title: Re: Your favorites of these Van Halen songs (1978-1996)
Post by: dparrott on December 31, 2018, 04:10:43 PM
I went with the ones I really know:
RWTD
Jump
HFT
FWYS
Mean Street
Panama
Jamie's Cryin
Title: Re: Your favorites of these Van Halen songs (1978-1996)
Post by: TAC on December 31, 2018, 06:08:12 PM
From this list...

Unchained
Hot For Teacher
Somebody Get Me A Doctor
Ice Cream Man
Meanstreet
Dance The Night Away
Top Of The World
Dreams
Title: Re: Your favorites of these Van Halen songs (1978-1996)
Post by: The Walrus on December 31, 2018, 06:49:51 PM
RWTD
Jump
Unchained
Ain't Talkin Bout Love
Dance the Night Away
Hot For Teacher
Everybody Wants Some
Panama

Side note: I don't listen to Van Halen. I've heard them on radio and TV so much throughout my life that I never want to hear them in my free time. But I counted up the songs I know (and like) - 12! Clearly, I need to listen to at least one album very soon.

Side note 2: I had to YouTube all the songs I wasn't sure I knew, and they were all Hagar tracks. Van Hagar just does not sound like Van Halen. I thought Dreams was Whitesnake's Here I Go Again for half a minute...
Title: Re: Your favorites of these Van Halen songs (1978-1996)
Post by: Cool Chris on December 31, 2018, 08:07:05 PM
I've only owned the debut and OU812 in my life though like Kattelox have heard plenty of VH in life via radio such that now I would never make a point to listen to them. One of those bands I wonder why I never liked more than I ever did.

Running with the Devil
Ain't Talking about Love
Love Walks In
Dance the Night Away
Ice Cream Man

When OU812 came out When It's Love was one of my favorite songs by any band but I can't give it a vote now.

Favorite VH song is Pretty Woman. That is a glorious rocking version of the already classic song.
Title: Re: Your favorites of these Van Halen songs (1978-1996)
Post by: Fritzinger on January 01, 2019, 03:23:28 AM
I don't know anything about Van Halen, but I like Jump, so I voted for Jump.
Title: Re: Your favorites of these Van Halen songs (1978-1996)
Post by: jjrock88 on January 01, 2019, 04:52:48 AM
Unchained
Ain't Talkin About Love
Jump
Panama
I'll Wait
And the Cradle Will Rock
Mean Street
Hot For Teacher
Title: Re: Your favorites of these Van Halen songs (1978-1996)
Post by: Lowdz on January 01, 2019, 05:25:06 AM
Unchained
Why Can’t This Be Love
Dreams
Don’t Tell Me
Panama
I'll Wait
Mean Street
Hot For Teacher

VH aren’t really up there in my top bands but I do like them. The DLR albums had the great songs but half an album of filler. Hagar era was more consistent on the good albums but  lacked the greatness of the early stuff, and they.
Title: Re: Your favorites of these Van Halen songs (1978-1996)
Post by: Big Hath on January 01, 2019, 10:20:27 AM
don't leave us in suspense.

AND THEY WHAT??
Title: Re: Your favorites of these Van Halen songs (1978-1996)
Post by: TAC on January 01, 2019, 10:23:45 AM
 :lol

I was thinking the same thing.
Title: Re: Your favorites of these Van Halen songs (1978-1996)
Post by: KevShmev on January 01, 2019, 10:25:29 AM
Favorite VH song is Pretty Woman. That is a glorious rocking version of the already classic song.

Very good, for sure.

However, I left most of the covers off of this poll on purpose.
Title: Re: Your favorites of these Van Halen songs (1978-1996)
Post by: King Postwhore on January 01, 2019, 10:51:11 AM
Unchained
Don't Tell Me (What Love Can Do)
And the Cradle Will Rock...
Beautiful Girls
Love Walks In
Can't Stop Lovin' You
Mean Street
Why Can't This Be Love?
Title: Re: Your favorites of these Van Halen songs (1978-1996)
Post by: Setlist Scotty on January 01, 2019, 01:21:42 PM
I went with:
Runnin' with the Devil
Right Now
Unchained
Humans Being
Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love
I'll Wait
Everybody Wants Some
Panama

But had some other tracks been included, that list would’ve been different. Specifically, I really like Mine All Mine, The Seventh Seal, Me Wise Magic, As Is and Honeybabysweetiedoll. Depending on my mood, I might even pick a song from (gasp) VHII, which frankly sucks for the most part, but there’s a handful of songs that I do like (From Afar, Once and Fire in the Hole).
Title: Re: Your favorites of these Van Halen songs (1978-1996)
Post by: jammindude on January 01, 2019, 03:55:16 PM
I went with

Unchained
Runaround
Ain't Talkin Bout Love
Hot for Teacher
Poundcake
Ice Cream Man
I'll Wait
Panama

I'm a DLR kinda guy, but Unlawful is my favorite Sammy album because it has the two best singles they ever did with Sammy on one album.  IMO
Title: Re: Your favorites of these Van Halen songs (1978-1996)
Post by: King Postwhore on January 01, 2019, 04:34:24 PM
Panama is a song I hope I never hear again. 
Title: Re: Your favorites of these Van Halen songs (1978-1996)
Post by: pg1067 on January 01, 2019, 04:48:34 PM
Right Now
Dreams
Beautiful Girls
Unchained
Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love
Dance the Night Away
Top of the World

Also Hang 'Em High from Diver Down
Title: Re: Your favorites of these Van Halen songs (1978-1996)
Post by: Adami on January 01, 2019, 04:50:42 PM
Not a deep VH fan. But....


Right Now
Jump
Dreams
Humans Being
Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love
Hot for Teacher
Everybody Wants Some
Panama
Title: Re: Your favorites of these Van Halen songs (1978-1996)
Post by: TAC on January 01, 2019, 05:06:02 PM
Panama is a song I hope I never hear again.

Believe it or not, I hear it on my work intercom all the time.
Title: Re: Your favorites of these Van Halen songs (1978-1996)
Post by: King Postwhore on January 01, 2019, 05:07:03 PM
Panama is a song I hope I never hear again.

Believe it or not, I hear it on my work intercom all the time.

That is a big part of why I can't listen to it anymore.
Title: Re: Your favorites of these Van Halen songs (1978-1996)
Post by: TAC on January 01, 2019, 05:08:35 PM
I thought it blew in 1984.
Title: Re: Your favorites of these Van Halen songs (1978-1996)
Post by: King Postwhore on January 01, 2019, 05:19:35 PM
I never liked it and being overplayed drives me batty.   Same for DL Rock Of Ages.
Title: Re: Your favorites of these Van Halen songs (1978-1996)
Post by: KevShmev on January 01, 2019, 05:23:58 PM
You guys are heathens. :P

Panama was, is and will always be a great song. :coolio
Title: Re: Your favorites of these Van Halen songs (1978-1996)
Post by: jammindude on January 01, 2019, 05:37:20 PM
By the way....if you want my list of "honorable mentions"

I'm the One
Atomic Punk
Bottoms Up
Fools
Take Your Whiskey Home
Could This Be Magic
Dirty Movies
Hear About It Later
Hang Em High
The Full Bug
Drop Dead Legs
Title: Re: Your favorites of these Van Halen songs (1978-1996)
Post by: King Postwhore on January 01, 2019, 05:39:30 PM
You guys are heathens. :P

Panama was, is and will always be a great song. :coolio


I will mock you until the end of times for this. :lol
Title: Re: Your favorites of these Van Halen songs (1978-1996)
Post by: TAC on January 01, 2019, 05:44:08 PM
reminds me of a certain Helix tune.
Gimme an M...….(crowd)M
Gimme and O...………….O
Gimme a C...……………...C
Gimme a K...……………..K

What'cha gonna do?

MOCK YOU!
Title: Re: Your favorites of these Van Halen songs (1978-1996)
Post by: Stadler on January 01, 2019, 06:24:06 PM
Panama is a song I hope I never hear again.

Believe it or not, I hear it on my work intercom all the time.

Usually, I'm in lock step with both of you on shit like this, but here, Spanky, I have to live my own life. I love that song (though I'm sure it has something to do with the time I was making out with my girlfriend in high school and at one point - during the breakdown - she whispered "listen to the song").
Title: Re: Your favorites of these Van Halen songs (1978-1996)
Post by: TAC on January 01, 2019, 06:26:27 PM
Pretty sure she whispered to reach down between your own legs! :lol
Title: Re: Your favorites of these Van Halen songs (1978-1996)
Post by: Stadler on January 01, 2019, 06:29:38 PM
Pretty sure she whispered to reach down between your own legs! :lol

Dammit.   

:)
Title: Re: Your favorites of these Van Halen songs (1978-1996)
Post by: devieira73 on January 02, 2019, 06:58:00 AM
The VH hits are really great, it was hard to pick only 8! To me, Hagar era was a bit stronger in that area. Just to mention, I don’t understand why “mine all mine” was never a bigger hit. Maybe my fave VH song!
Title: Re: Your favorites of these Van Halen songs (1978-1996)
Post by: cramx3 on January 02, 2019, 08:27:57 AM
I just picked my five favorites, any of the rest could have filled out the other 3 to make 8.

Panama
Jump
Runaround
Dreams
Aint Talkin Bout Love
Title: Re: Your favorites of these Van Halen songs (1978-1996)
Post by: bosk1 on January 02, 2019, 08:41:06 AM
VH-I was a game changer for me in terms of music I listened to.  I don't know how many times I listened to it, but it was definitely one of the most played albums in my initial formative musical years--if not THE most played.  But the subsequent albums had no identity whatsoever, up until 1984.  That album was VERY different.  But still, outside the hits, the rest of the album gets lumped into that DLR-era pile of songs that I don't even remember now, other than the ones that to this day get a ton of radio play.  So the only thing memorable of the DLR era for me was the first album, and probably an album to an album and a half worth of hits.  And that's not bad.  But they went from

Then Sammy joined, and 5150 was as big a game changer for me in terms of VH fandom as the first album was in terms of rock fandom in general.  Almost every song was a winner, and the band was once again playing with conviction. 

All in all, they are a band that early on seemed like they could have been a favorite.  But after the debut album, they just became a band that would put out an album with one or two really great songs and a bunch of unmemorable filler.  Stellar album in 5150, and then back to the same pattern, but with a much higher ratio (maybe up to half an album) of really good songs.  But the problem for me with Van Halen overall, even with a lot of the good songs, is that the lyrics were just embarrassing.  And I eventually just came to the realization that not being 12 years old was really a hindrance to being able to enjoy their music.  That's the difficultly I have with polls like this, or even listening to most of their music at all these days.
Title: Re: Your favorites of these Van Halen songs (1978-1996)
Post by: Samsara on January 02, 2019, 08:48:31 AM
Really tough. I became a VH fan with Sammy at the helm. For me, For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge is the band's best record. But I do love DLR stuff too. 1984 is chock full of hits, the debut just smokes. Really a shame VH just can't get on the same page, mend fences with and embrace its two most popular singers (and Michael Anthony) and go out with the original lineup plus Sammy, and do a stadium tour. And Wolfgang can open as a solo artist/band.

Just so stupid they can't make it happen. I know money isn't the be all, end all, but an original VH with Sammy and Dave would make GnR's "reunion" look like child's play in terms of earnings and popularity.
Title: Re: Your favorites of these Van Halen songs (1978-1996)
Post by: bosk1 on January 02, 2019, 08:56:09 AM
^Yeah.  It would be good for the fans, good for their legacy, and just good for classic rock in general. 

Hadn't thought about this, but if Eddie is [theoretically] adamant about the bass player situation, maybe there is a suitable compromise on that front as well:  just as with the vocalists, bring Wolfgang AND Michael, and have them split the set.  Not ideal, but it would work.
Title: Re: Your favorites of these Van Halen songs (1978-1996)
Post by: Adami on January 02, 2019, 08:57:32 AM
Heard an interview with Sammy that said when they all toured together, they weren't allowed to be inside the same building when the other was singing.

That's just insane.
Title: Re: Your favorites of these Van Halen songs (1978-1996)
Post by: PowerSlave on January 02, 2019, 08:59:52 AM
I have to disagree with you Bosk. Women and Children First is one of the greatest hard rock albums ever recorded. Pure rock'n roll energy front to back.

The only DLR classic era album that I struggle with is Diver Down, but there's still some great songs on it. Secrets has a really nice groove.

Most of the songs that I would choose aren't on this list, so I'll list my favorite two songs from each of the DLR classic era albums:

VH:
Ain't Talkin' 'bout Love
Feel your love tonight

VH2:
Light up the sky
Women in love

WACF:
Fools
Romeo Delight

FW:
Sinner's Swing
Unchained

DD:
Secrets
The Full Bug

1984:
Drop Dead Legs
Girl Gone Bad
Title: Re: Your favorites of these Van Halen songs (1978-1996)
Post by: bosk1 on January 02, 2019, 09:04:24 AM
I have to disagree with you Bosk. Women and Children First is one of the greatest hard rock albums ever recorded. Pure rock'n roll energy front to back.

I can't really disagree with you.  I had tons of friends back in the day that were hugely into that album, and I can pretty much say that about most VH albums.  All I can say is, for me, they never really did much for me outside of three albums total, and even those I have a hard time with because I find them so lyrically immature.  But I completely get that there are many out there who feel differently.
Title: Re: Your favorites of these Van Halen songs (1978-1996)
Post by: cramx3 on January 02, 2019, 09:07:48 AM
It would be a fans dream come true to have one set of VH with Sammy and Anthony and another with DLR and Wolfgang.  It'll never happen though, too much ego to break through.
Title: Re: Your favorites of these Van Halen songs (1978-1996)
Post by: PowerSlave on January 02, 2019, 09:11:36 AM
I have to disagree with you Bosk. Women and Children First is one of the greatest hard rock albums ever recorded. Pure rock'n roll energy front to back.

I can't really disagree with you.  I had tons of friends back in the day that were hugely into that album, and I can pretty much say that about most VH albums.  All I can say is, for me, they never really did much for me outside of three albums total, and even those I have a hard time with because I find them so lyrically immature.  But I complete get that there are many out there who feel differently.

You make a good point about the lyrics. I simply try to ignore them and rock out  :lol
Title: Re: Your favorites of these Van Halen songs (1978-1996)
Post by: KevShmev on January 02, 2019, 09:16:25 AM
As good as Women and Children First is, it's only my 5th favorite VH album...of the original 6! ;)

As for the lyrics, yeah, they are usually pretty juvenile, but I have always seen VH as party rock, so they work given the style. 
Title: Re: Your favorites of these Van Halen songs (1978-1996)
Post by: cramx3 on January 02, 2019, 09:25:22 AM
VH lyrics never bothered me, it's meant for fun and they might be dumb, but they are fairly fun lyrics.  However, some of those lines are just soo ridiculous and the way DLR would sing/talk them just kind of puts it over the top.  I get why people might be turned off by it.  It just comes off as fun though to me.
Title: Re: Your favorites of these Van Halen songs (1978-1996)
Post by: hefdaddy42 on January 02, 2019, 09:34:35 AM
From this list, I've got

Dreams
Beautiful Girls
Unchained
Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love
Hot For Teacher
Ice Cream Man
Mean Street
Panama




Shout out to Big Bad Bill (Is Sweet William Now)
Title: Re: Your favorites of these Van Halen songs (1978-1996)
Post by: pg1067 on January 02, 2019, 10:04:15 AM
VH was obviously huge when I was growing up.  I didn't start getting into popular/rock music until high school, but the "VH" symbol was ubiquitous on my classmates' Pee-Chees in junior high.  When I started getting into rock music, I felt like I needed to check out VH.  It was during the Diver Down album cycle, so I got that album and really enjoyed it.  I didn't realize half the album was covers, but Hang 'Em High was my favorite and probably is still one of my favorite VH songs.  The rest of VH's catalog is, however, mostly lackluster, with only 1-3 really good songs per album:

VH - I initially thought RwtD was really good, but now it's kind of a one trick pony with a nice riff and really silly vocals.  Eruption is wankery.  YRGM is ok.  Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love is good.  Jamie's Cryin' is another one trick pony.  Ice Cream Man was initially amusing.  Feel Your Love Tonight is ok.

VHII - DtNA and Beautiful Girls are really good, but the rest of the album is meh.

WACF - AtCWR is ok, but not great.  Otherwise, nothing about the album grabs me.

FW - Unchained is my absolute favorite VH song.  The rest of the album is nothing great.

DD - See above

1984 - My first new VH album, and one of the most massively overrated albums of the 80s.  The hype around Jump was ridiculous.  Panama was a little better, but I never liked it.  It's a classic example of how awful lyrics can drag down a musically strong song.  Hot for Teacher was just dumb.

5150 was, on the whole, probably stronger than any DLR album, but it was a different band.  OU812 was awful.  FUCK had a few good songs, and that's where I parted company with VH.

The stories about VH concerts in the late 70s/early 80s were legendary.  I didn't get around to seeing the band until the FUCK tour.  It was cool, but nothing different than dozens of other concerts I'd seen.
Title: Re: Your favorites of these Van Halen songs (1978-1996)
Post by: Grappler on January 02, 2019, 10:09:33 AM
No surprise here - I picked 8 Sammy era songs.  The DLR era is just so over-played for me.  They're just like Sabbath - the original lineup is absolutely iconic, but the band's songwriting improved so drastically after the change from the original singer to someone who has a better voice and is a much better singer.

I saw the 2004 reunion tour with Sammy and don't ever need to see Van Halen again.  Sammy's solo shows are so much more fun and he's played a few VH tunes each time I've seen him live.

The poll is definitely missing Best of Both Worlds and Seventh Seal, two of my favorite VH songs.  I'm glad Humans Being was an option, since that song is awesome.
Title: Re: Your favorites of these Van Halen songs (1978-1996)
Post by: Stadler on January 02, 2019, 10:14:29 AM
Couple thoughts:

One, count me in as someone that's not really interested in seeing Sammy and Dave on stage together (or on a tour together).  I much prefer the DLR era, and for me it's like Sabbath: I didn't want Dio and Ozzy on the same stage either (and no one was really calling for it).  Ditto Gillan/Coverdale or Dio/Bonnet/Turner.  I saw the Michael Schenker tour with Barden/Bonnet/McCauley/White and frankly, when McCauley and White were on stage I was waiting for Barden to sing again.   

Two, recognizing the greatness of VH-I, 1984 and WaCF, I would offer that side one of Fair Warning is their greatest single album side.

Three, I'm not sure I get the lyrical issue; isn't it like anything else?   Maybe it's that I'm a Kiss fan and so I'm used to it, but short of Marillion/Fish/Rush, the level of lyrical insight in rock'n'roll isn't really that high to begin with.  Don't many of us overlook the faux (and maybe not so faux) satanism in a lot of rock, and don't many of us kind of ignore the overly evangelical side of some of Neal Morse's lyrics?   I will also add that the lyrics of "A Different Kind Of Truth" are not only better than you'd expect, they are VERY good.  Roth either kept diligent notes across the years he was out of the band, or just put in the hard work, but there is some interesting and very clever word play in those lyrics.
Title: Re: Your favorites of these Van Halen songs (1978-1996)
Post by: bosk1 on January 02, 2019, 10:21:42 AM
I'm not sure I get the lyrical issue....  Maybe it's that I'm a Kiss fan and so I'm used to it...

Well, not to be condescending, but you just unintentionally hit the nail on the head.  That's why Kiss has never interested me in the least bit and why I have never and will never be a fan.  So, yeah, bingo.

Don't many of us overlook the faux (and maybe not so faux) satanism in a lot of rock...?

Um...no.  It is precisely why I don't listen to a lot of music that I would likely otherwise find appealing in terms of sound.

...and don't many of us kind of ignore the overly evangelical side of some of Neal Morse's lyrics?   

No again.  Why would you?  Aside from the fantastic musicianship, it is one of the primary reasons I am such a big fan.
Title: Re: Your favorites of these Van Halen songs (1978-1996)
Post by: Anxiety35 on January 02, 2019, 10:28:43 AM
No Eruption?
Title: Re: Your favorites of these Van Halen songs (1978-1996)
Post by: bl5150 on January 02, 2019, 10:31:17 AM
   I will also add that the lyrics of "A Different Kind Of Truth" are not only better than you'd expect, they are VERY good.  Roth either kept diligent notes across the years he was out of the band, or just put in the hard work, but there is some interesting and very clever word play in those lyrics.

That's something I have commented on before too........ADKOT in particular.  Across his solo career DLR developed into a very strong writer with a knack for clever humour.   Even on average albums like Your Filthy Little Mouth some of the lyrics are great.  On ADKOT he knocked it out of the park .

And this is from someone who normally takes scant notice of lyrics.
Title: Re: Your favorites of these Van Halen songs (1978-1996)
Post by: KevShmev on January 02, 2019, 07:31:03 PM
No Eruption?

I didn't include any of EVH's solo pieces (which Eruption mostly is).
Title: Re: Your favorites of these Van Halen songs (1978-1996)
Post by: pg1067 on January 03, 2019, 10:49:16 AM

This is going to sound a lot like what Bosk wrote....

I'm not sure I get the lyrical issue; isn't it like anything else?   Maybe it's that I'm a Kiss fan and so I'm used to it, but short of Marillion/Fish/Rush, the level of lyrical insight in rock'n'roll isn't really that high to begin with.

I'm not a Kiss fan, but it's not because of the lyrics.  Also, there's a pretty big gap between "I wanna rock and roll all night and party every day" and "Ow oh, hey you, Who said that? Baby, how you been?" (when I cited Panama as "a classic example of how awful lyrics can drag down a musically strong song," I was actually thinking of Jump, which isn't nearly as good musically as Panama).


Don't many of us overlook the faux (and maybe not so faux) satanism in a lot of rock

I'm sure some do, but I don't.  It's one reason I don't listen to Slayer despite the band churning out some really good riffs now and then.


and don't many of us kind of ignore the overly evangelical side of some of Neal Morse's lyrics?

I can't speak to this because I've never (to my knowledge) heard a Neal Morse song, but it's one reason I never got into Stryper beyond buying Soldiers Under Command 30+ years ago.


I'm not suggesting I need all lyrics to be Peartian (heck, I enjoy mid- to late 70s and early 80s Scorpions notwithstanding some pretty dumb lyrics, but the lyrics are one reason why I don't ever listen to Scorpions on a near endless loop), but some measure of intelligibility would be nice, and there are instances where lyrics ruin otherwise decent/good music.
Title: Re: Your favorites of these Van Halen songs (1978-1996)
Post by: Stadler on January 03, 2019, 11:16:28 AM
Well, I apologize to you and Bosk if you thought I was pointing fingers, I was merely making a general observation that we all sort of look for what we look for in music.   Jon Anderson's lyrics don't really make much sense either, and while Neil is a great lyricist at times, not all his are winners either ("net boy, net girl!").   I think Dave's lyrics are less about being "bad" than they are about reflecting the mood and vibe of the moment.  Dave is not Springsteen, by design.  His is a carefree, live-by-the-seat-of-your-pants ethos and the words reflect that.    I love Iron Maiden, but I take "666, the number of the beast! 666, the one for you and me!" with a grain of salt.  I love REM tremendously, but when Stipe is singing "Ignoreland" or "Exhuming McCarthy", both in my REM Top 10, it's taken in the spirit of the music, since I couldn't be further from that place politically than I am.

Dave is easily in my top five rock stars I'd love to have a beer with; I have a very sneaking suspicion that he's a lot different than the "Diamond Dave" persona he projects, and a lot more on the ball, introspective, and calculating than he lets on.   
Title: Re: Your favorites of these Van Halen songs (1978-1996)
Post by: pg1067 on January 03, 2019, 11:20:42 AM
Well, I apologize to you and Bosk if you thought I was pointing fingers, I was merely making a general observation that we all sort of look for what we look for in music.   Jon Anderson's lyrics don't really make much sense either, and while Neil is a great lyricist at times, not all his are winners either ("net boy, net girl!").   I think Dave's lyrics are less about being "bad" than they are about reflecting the mood and vibe of the moment.  Dave is not Springsteen, by design.  His is a carefree, live-by-the-seat-of-your-pants ethos and the words reflect that.    I love Iron Maiden, but I take "666, the number of the beast! 666, the one for you and me!" with a grain of salt.  I love REM tremendously, but when Stipe is singing "Ignoreland" or "Exhuming McCarthy", both in my REM Top 10, it's taken in the spirit of the music, since I couldn't be further from that place politically than I am.

Dave is easily in my top five rock stars I'd love to have a beer with; I have a very sneaking suspicion that he's a lot different than the "Diamond Dave" persona he projects, and a lot more on the ball, introspective, and calculating than he lets on.

You weren't "pointing fingers" and have nothing to apologize for, but you did say you didn't understand something I wrote, so I felt it appropriate to clarify.  Jon Anderson is sort of an odd duck in this discussion, but I agree that a lot of what he writes doesn't make sense.  And I agree that "Virtuality" is Rush's best example of the concept under discussion (although I don't think the song is particularly strong musically).  Ultimately, this is all about line-drawing, and I understand that others draw their lines in places different than I.
Title: Re: Your favorites of these Van Halen songs (1978-1996)
Post by: bosk1 on January 03, 2019, 11:31:56 AM
Well, since we're on the subject of lyrics, I guess for me, I can easily "overlook" lyrics that are obscure and hard to understand.  And I can easily overlook lyrics that take positions I don't identify with.  I have a much harder time overlooking lyrics that take a position that is antithetical to something I feel strongly about.  And the line is, admittedly, blurry and shifting.  But I think, to an extent, a lot of us do that.  It's just where we draw the lines and how willing we are to shift them that differs.