Featured Image: (Pacer Graphic / Darby Self)
As hard rock reached it peak in the 1980s and 1990s, one lead singer stepped up and turned this thing around (right now).
Sammy Hagar is a prominent hard rock artist who is probably best known for his work as lead singer of Van Halen from 1985 to 1996. Even though he is a notable musician who is also a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductee, he is not a well-known name today, even though many other bands such as: AC/DC, Led Zeppelin, Bon Jovi, Queen, Black Sabbath and so on, are.
“The Red Rocker” was born on Oct. 13, 1947 in Salinas, California. He became a rocker during the 1970s, but did not really gain much momentum until his hit single, I Can’t Drive 55, the leading song on his eight album, VOA. This song is a certified classic with an exciting, upbeat tune. It is a pure fun song that establishes Hagar as a comedic “rebel without a cause” figure, with lyrics like “Post my face, wanted dead or alive/Take my license, all that jive/I can’t drive 55!”
This song includes stellar vocals by Hagar, jamming guitar accompaniments and a memorable music video that shows an over-the-top brawl in a courtroom, all because he did not want to go the proper speed limit. This song became such a big success that it was the song that convinced Van Halen to recruit Hagar to their band.
When Hagar joined Van Halen, he had big shoes to fill following David Lee Roth’s exit. Roth had become a big face for the band with his own distinct voice and style, having been the lead singer from Van Halen I in 1978 all the way up to 1984 in 1984. Whereas Roth had a more rough voice and was responsible for some of the band’s more explicit and vulgar tracks, Hagar made up for with his clean voice and inspirational pieces.
In 1985, his first album with the band, 5150, was drastically different from what was expected from the Roth era, but was very unique and outstanding in its own right. It included plenty of catchy love tunes written by Hagar, such as Why Can’t This Be Love? and Love Walks In, which were both a lot more inspiring lyrically and softer instrumentally than most of the band’s previous works. Most of all, these pieces included Hagar’s crystal clear vocals that pierced through each lyric. I cannot think of any other lead rock singer with as high a pitch—yet beautiful a timbre as Hagar does.
The most impressive song on this album to both me and Hagar himself is Dreams. Like most of the other songs on the album, the song strongly relies on a synthesizer, which many might think makes the song sound dated, but I think helps it stand out as shining product of its time. This song overall highlights Hagar’s impressive range as a vocalist glided through the fast-paced song effortlessly. The song creates this almost-magical feeling of dreams coming true that I rarely see encapsulated in such a way. Hagar sings in a way that both excites and comforts the listener, with heartfelt lyrics like “So baby, dry your eyes/Save all the dreams you’ve cried/Cause that’s what dreams are made of.”
After 5150‘s success, Hagar went on to produce other masterful albums like OU812, For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge and Balance. While there are many great songs in these albums, including but not limited to When It’s Love and Can’t Stop Lovin’ You, I think the best song might just be Right Now.
This song grasps your attention as soon as you hit play, starting with a soft, quick piano track that grows more and more menacing as it goes on. Then the lyrics come in and hit you, as Hagar tries to convince you to take action “right now.” It starts to play out like a energetic rock ballad as it becomes louder. The song ends perfectly by segueing back into the piano melody it started with, finishing with a nice parallel to the intro.
Following a lot of band drama I prefer not to get into, Hagar’s time on Van Halen ended with Humans Being in 1996, a riveting and chaotic song that was made for the Twister soundtrack. Even though Hagar’s Van Halen era has been over for about thirty years, it can still be enjoyed by rock fans like me today.
Hagar does not get he credit he deserves because his music has never made a big resurgence like many other bands in the hard rock and metal scene. Even though many may dismiss him because he replaced David Lee Roth, his music does have its own unique quality to it that is very distinct and can be appreciated if given a listen.
Even though he is past his prime, Hagar has also produced some newer pieces such as the recent Encore, Thank You, Good Night, which shows that he can stand the test of time and can still make some undeniable hit songs right now.
RECOMMENDED WORKS: I Can’t Drive 55 | Dreams | Right Now | Humans Being
