Van Halen

Released: February 7, 2012

Songwriter: Alex Van Halen David Lee Roth Eddie Van Halen Wolfgang Van Halen

Producer: John Shanks Van Halen

[Verse 1:]
You can always tell the winners
The saints and the sinners
Down at the starting line
I'm a lucid vision
Of the unforgiven
I'm your wave-tossed guy

King-size repercussions
Trouble by the dozens
The stakes have never been higher

Come back when you're younger
Cause I can feel the thunder
1-800-IT'S TIME

[Chorus:]
Oh Yeah
We came, we came, we came, through blood and fire
We came, we came, we came, through blood and fire
Now look at all of the people here tonight

[Verse 2:]
It's a world of fools
That's just what's expected
None of 'em know it
Or even suspect it
God must love the lazy
Shiftless and the crazy
He put so many in line

[Chorus]

[Verse 3:]
Forgotten empires
Lost victories long past
Every time I bloomed again
I thought it was the last
And then something crazy happens
And... BOOM!
I'm doing the victory dance!

Told ya I was comin' back...
(Told Ya!)
Say you missed me...
(Say it!)
Say it like ya mean it!

[GUITAR SOLO]

You can always tell the winners
The saints and the sinners
Down at the starting line...

[Chorus]

Van Halen is one of the most iconic American rock bands of all time. Formed in Pasadena, California in 1972, the group’s primary line-up consisted of Eddie Van Halen on guitar, Alex Van Halen on drums, David Lee Roth providing lead vocals, and Michael Anthony providing bass duties and significant harmonies.

Their first six albums, recorded and released between 1977–1984, are considered to be classics and pioneering efforts in the field of hard rock. Eddie Van Halen’s groundbreaking guitar sound and techniques completely changed the landscape of music and radio culture in the 1980s. His and brother Alex’s virtuosity, along with David Lee Roth’s charisma and bassist Michael Anthony’s foundational contributions garnered the band early comparisons to their predecessors—Led Zeppelin—a group who had a profound influence on them. Though, even more so than Jimmy Page, Eddie cites Eric Clapton as having the biggest impact on his playing.

In 1977, after recording a demo with Gene Simmons (who wanted the band to change their name to “Daddy Longlegs”) they were introduced to KISS‘ management, who told Simmons they wouldn’t sign them

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