Van Halen

Released: April 29, 1981

Songwriter: Eddie Van Halen Alex Van Halen Michael Anthony (Bassist) David Lee Roth

Producer: Ted Templeman

[Intro]

[Verse 1]
At night I walk this stinkin' street
Past the crazies on my block
And I see the same old faces
And I hear that same old talk
And I'm searching for the latest thing
A break in this routine
I'm talkin' some new kicks
Ones like you ain't never seen

[Chorus 1]
This is home
This is Mean Street
It's our home
The only one I know

[Verse 2]
And we don't worry 'bout tomorrow
Cause we're sick of these four walls
Now what'd ya think is nothing
Might be something after all
Now you know this ain't no through street
The end is dead ahead
The poor folks play for keeps down here
They're the living dead

[Chorus 2]
Come on down
Down to Mean Street
They're dancing now
Out on Mean Street

[Guitar Solo]
Dance, baby!

[Verse 3]
It's always here and now, my friend
It ain't 'once upon a time'
It's all over but the shouting
I've come to take what's mine
We're searching for the latest thing
A break in this routine
Talkin' some new kicks
Ones like you ain't never seen

[Refrain]
This is home
This is Mean Street
It's our home
Only one I know

[Outro]
(This is home)
See, a gun is real easy
(This is Mean Street)
In this desperate part of town
(This is home)
Turns you from hunted into hunter
(This is Mean Street)
You go and hunt somebody down
But hear me now
(This is home)
Somebody said, "Fair Warning, Lord!
(This is Mean Street)
Lord, strike that poor boy down!"

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

more tracks from the album

Fair Warning

From the album

Fair Warning (1981)

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Mean StreetVan Halen

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Fair Warning