Favorite Track from Van Halen's Women and Children First

Huzzah for a day off work finally. Now to get back to business...



Recorded Dec '79 - Feb '80
Released 3/26/80

Absolutely the pinnacle of VH's career and the final step before things really went south (arguable starting with the disaster-filled photo shoot for the album). There's no way anyone can listen to this album and think these boys are having a rough time. It's a wild, crazy, sonic spin from start to finish, with no fireworks to spare. The tension that can be heard in the three albums after this are nowhere to be found. And Romeo Delight is the thrashiest proto-thrash song I've ever heard.

So it may surprise some to hear that my favorite track is actually "Could This be Magic." Yes, it's a Dave number, and no, there's no shredding to be found here or pyrotechnics. But it's quite simply a lovely song that defies genre and era. Dave's crooning, coupled with some damn classy poetics, is as spot-on as it was for Little Dreamer. The harmonies carry so much bliss and joy. I still catch myself singing the chorus at any random point in the day. But, most importantly, it was here that we learned Eddie was quite accomplished at slide work. And the band sounds so damn happy.

Honorable mentions: In A Simple Rhyme (their perfect pop song), Take Your Whiskey Home (swagger-haven).

I also prefer the original cut of Growth where it faded out in anticipation of returning for the next album.

I went with 'Fools', I like when the main riff kicks in about a minute and a half into the song and Mikey gets a chance throughout the song to stray from copying the main riff or doing his signature da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da and venture just far enough to show he has some prowess on the bass. Lyrically it's probably the weakest on the album but the lyrics suit the music rather well.

As far as "Growth' is concerned it appeared some years later on EVH's tongue.

Evah-buddy wants some! Ah want some tooooo!
Evah-buddy wants some! Baby how'bout chooooo?

Great album! I picked "Everybody Wants Some" but I love everything on this. "Romeo Delight" absolutely rips!

I went with Cradle.

This release was huge for me. Saw the tour concert.
It was the only time that I saw the band, a way back seat.
The vibe at that time, was close to the unique vibe Sabbath previously had.
A few years later, I remember playing in a garage band Everybody Wants Some -
The intro drumming was similar to TUSK by Fleetwood Mac...but wowza...
Even in a garage band, that song was outrageous.

I picked Whiskey Home....southern blues hint.....
.swampy....moonshine...canoe....
Love the spot on perfect singing in the beginning
to the old folk guitar with nylon strings....
"Some go to women. Some go to Jesus.
Though I'm absolutely certain both are all right "

Everybody Wants Some with Could This Be Magic a close second.

It was a toss up between Everybody Wants Some! and Romeo Delight...........


Went with Romeo Delight. That song just ROCKS!!!!!

Love the whole album but went with 'Everybody wants some"..my second choice would be "In a Simple Rhyme"...and that cool little riff that closes out the album  ...

Everybody Wants Some!

"Everybody Wants Some"

This was one album that came with a poster that didn't get put up on the wall.

James B. wrote:

"Everybody Wants Some"

This was one album that came with a poster that didn't get put up on the wall.

My elder sister had it up in her room...

Went with Cradle but as mentioned the album is most excellent and who could forget this from the movie Better Off Dead:

https://youtu.be/kz6Kcz62onA

Romeo Delight

martinsane wrote:

Went with Cradle but as mentioned the album is most excellent and who could forget this from the movie Better Off Dead:

https://youtu.be/kz6Kcz62onA

Crazy absurdist fun all in that flick, but that sequence is the best part.

Take your Whiskey Home!

Everybody Wants Some !!

Fools and Romeo Delight.