Guest
Track 8 from their second self-titled album released in 1979 copyright Warner Bros. Records and again recorded at Sunset Sound Recorders in Hollywood. This follow-up to their monster debut proved they were the real deal and worthy of respect. The previous album was like “lightning in a bottle” and how do you follow that? Even though they must have felt intense pressure, they seemed to take it all in stride. Eddie was in his glory and the rest of the boys were well up to the task. The studio sessions began only a week after they finished their first world tour and the album was completed in a week. Eddie’s performance on “Spanish Fly” is incredible and cemented his reputation as one of the best and most innovative guitarists. “Dance the Night Away” was their first self-written Top Forty hit, reaching No. 15 on the Billboard chart. However, the album received mostly negative reviews accusing them of just copying other popular bands of the day. Retrospective reviews are excellent of course, comparing it to their debut album for the strength of material and musicianship but with more of a “party” feel to the songs. It reached No. 6 on the Billboard album chart and achieved 5X Platinum status in 2004 with sales of 5.7 million copies in the U.S. alone. Recorded in HQ format from the original vinyl. Written by Eddie Van Halen, Alex Van Halen, Michael Anthony & David Lee Roth and produced by Ted Templeman. RIP Eddie Van Halen. Featuring: David Lee Roth – Lead vocals Eddie Van Halen – Lead, rhythm & classical guitars and background vocals Michael Anthony – Bass & background vocals Alex Van Halen – Drums We was broke and hungry on a summer day They sent the Sheriff down to try and drive us away We was sittin' ducks for the policeman They found a dirty-faced kid in a garbage can, ah-ha And I'm alone, I'm on the highway, oh yeah (Dead or alive) dead or alive Broken down and dirty, dressed in rags From the day my Mama told me, “Boy, you pack your bags“ I sent the mayor down in his pickup truck The jury look at me, say, “outta luck“, ooh-ooh, yeah And I'm alone, I'm on the highway, oh, yeah (Dead or alive) dead or alive Now I'm broken down and dirty, dressed in rags From the day my Mama told me, “Boy, you pack your bags“ There we was sittin' ducks for the policeman They found a dirty-faced kid in a garbage can, they did, yeah, yeah Babe, I'm alone and I'm on the highway, oh, yeah (Dead or alive) dead or alive I'm gone, ooh-ooh, yeah Hey Yeah, down that road Yeah, yeah I'm a spark on the horizon
