High-spirited, blond-haired frontman Sammy Hagar has lived it up throughout his five-decade career, and at age 76 is still soldiering on. While there are those who likely think that he’s just a sand-and-surf, party-hearty character based on certain hit songs, Hager has more to explore with his music. There is certainly a joie de vivre that he brings to his hard rock anthems, but at other times he balances things with more serious issues on his mind. Here are eight great Sammy Hagar tracks that span the rambunctious to the righteous.
“Love or Money” from Danger Zone (1980)
I may be crazy, but I ain’t no fool, declares Hagar at the start of this pumped-up rocker about what he values in life and love. It’s more raw than his later ‘80s stuff with a killer groove, snaking bass work, and wailing guitar solo. He always knew how to combine his raucous riffage with dulcet vocal harmonies in many of his tunes, and this is a great example.
“There’s Only One Way to Rock” from Standing Hampton (1982)
Come on, we all know there’s more than one way to rock. Despite its erroneous title, this fierce anthem still features one of Hagar’s most signature riffs and exuberant choruses and makes for a great driving song. It’s also an interesting contrast to the poppier songs that helped him reach new commercial heights in Van Halen. This track is more stripped-down and heavy, and it charges full steam ahead.
“Remember the Heroes” from Three Lock Box (1982)
This deep cut from Hagar’s seventh solo album is a collaboration with Loverboy singer Mike Reno and Journey keyboardist/backing vocalist Jonathan Cain (who co-wrote it). It’s a moody, six-minute electric ballad in which Hagar addresses the plight of Vietnam veterans, which was still a big topic back at that point, and the fact that many soldiers make the ultimate sacrifice for their country. Judging from recent YouTube comments, there are many serviceman who still relate to this song.
“I Can’t Drive 55” from VOA (1984)
This is certainly one of Hagar’s most famous tunes. The national speed limit was set at 55 through a provision of the 1974 Emergency Highway Energy Conservation Act passed due to the energy crisis of 1973. The national speed limit was not raised to 65 until 1987, so Hagar was expressing the frustration of those who wanted to put more pedal to the metal. Combine his speeding manifesto with a tongue-in-cheek video in which the Red Rocker comes up against all manner of authority on the topic, and you get an eternal ‘80s classic.
“Marching to Mars” from Marching to Mars (1997)
Featuring one of the quirkier riffs in the Hagar repertoire, “Marching to Mars” closes out Hagar’s first post-Van Halen album. It saw him recover quickly following his departure from that famed band after 11 serving years on their front line. There’s an upbeat tone to this mid-tempo stomper, and the lyrics seem to serve as a sequel to the last song on this list.
Everybody’s marching to Mars
Gonna settle down there
Get me a house and a car
Save each other from ourselves
Poke our heads out of the sand
Sayin’ here I am
Marchin’ to Mars
“Mas Tequila” from Red Voodoo (1999)
Sure, this is the kind of drinking song you’d expect from the Red Rocker. But let’s face it: The man loves his tequila. He created his Cabo Wabo brand in 1996 and later sold it for $80 million in 2010. Arriving during the post-grunge era, “Mas Tequila” throws back to the sound of Gary Glitter’s “Rock and Roll Part 2” with its stomping tom work and gang choruses. That makes sense given Glitter and Mike Leander get co-songwriting credit for this drinking anthem. (Hagar was ahead of the interpolation movement.) It ain’t deep, but it’s a whole lot of mindless, boozy fun.
“Serious Juju” and “The Message” from Ten 13 (2000)
“Serious Juju” is a darker track in the Hagar continuum, opening with his subdued, Trent Reznor-like delivery over ominous bass before the song explodes into a despairing, agitated rocker. It’s a clear warning to people who think they can abuse the environment and face no repercussions from Mother Earth. Sadly, it is more relevant today than when he recorded it. It dovetails into the next song “The Message,” which is like a brooding, piano-laced variant of Van Halen’s “Right Now,” with a protagonist looking to a higher power for answers on surviving tumultuous times.
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Photo by Andre Csillag/Shutterstock
Local News
