Van Halen

Released: February 7, 2012

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

Producer: Van Halen John Shanks

[Verse 1]
Headless body in a topless bar
Warring clans in lowered cars
A buck is still a buck in Shanghai, and a buck is all you earn
A great night for all concerned
Steel fingers play a deadly song
Whole lotta Shakespeare going on (and on and on)

[Pre-Chorus]
It’s all happening downtown
You painted daughters of the Tong underground don’t mess around

[Chorus]
Welcome to China Town
Well, you're in our town, now
Welcome to China Town
Whoo!

[Verse 2]
Heroes aren't born, they're cornered
And this corner is where we write the story
(Two tribes warring)
Downtown after hours
The best to you each morning
Can't survive and think to win
Drugged into sin
Next episode begins and begins and begins and begins

[Pre-Chorus]
It’s all happening downtown
You painted daughters of the Tong underground don’t mess around
Whoo!

[Chorus]
Welcome to China Town
Well, you're in our town now
Welcome to China Town

[Bridge]
It’s all happening downtown
Welcome to my town, my town, my town!

[Guitar Solo]

[Pre-Chorus]
It’s all happening downtown
You painted daughters of the Tong underground don’t mess around

[Chorus]
Welcome to China Town
Well, you're in our town now
Welcome to China Town
Welcome to my town, my town, my town!

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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