A Different Take on an Old Question: What Dave era songs should Dave NOT do?

**Edeble Ed** · 01.14.02, 01:40 PM

While I agree Dave's voice has gained strength is better and stronger, I can't say it is as good as it was in 1984. That said, he definitly can do most of the songs he did with VH. But Dave relied heavily on screams in practically every song. I don't think he can do that as much anymore.He can do screams, but not in every song in a live concert. But I was wondering which songs Dave should not attempt.

I would definitly say:
On Fire: unless MA takes the chorus, no way. On the album, Dave screamed that chorus, and there is no way he could maintain it right now.

You're No Good: Again, his screaming of the chorus places a major strain on an older Dave with an older voice. But MA could could possibly sing the chorus, while Dave takes the verses.

One thing Dave has going for him is that some of the songs he did with VH involved him talking. Unchained and Jump are examples of that. But some of the old songs might be too much for his voice in concert every night.

**ouncie33** · 01.14.02, 02:45 PM

The funny thing is, I don't recall David ever doing either of the songs you mentioned live. I have no idea what songs he's up to or which ones he should leave alone. One thing I do think, he should leave "Jump" out of the set because it's such a lame song!

**YankeeRose** · 01.14.02, 03:03 PM

I would say Hang Em' High, Loss Of Control, and Drop Dead Legs.

Anyway I think this topic is more suited for songs/albums, i'm moving it there now.

**Rikk** · 01.14.02, 03:24 PM

I love DROP DEAD LEGS and HANG 'EM HIGH.

Personally, I love 'em all. But if there's any he shouldn't do...I could live without hearing DANCING IN THE STREET. I also am sick of PRETTY WOMAN. I also wouldn't really want to hear CAN'T GET THIS STUFF NO MORE live. It's a fine song, but it's not spectacular and it wouldn't be that incredible live.

I also don't want to see them just rehash the entire first album. That would be an artistic dead end. Let them play some of the big Dave hits, a few obscure album cuts off the six albums, and a lot of new material with one or two Hagar cuts. Then it would really feel like a new Van Halen.

**Lou** · 01.14.02, 04:13 PM

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Rikk:
I love DROP DEAD LEGS and HANG 'EM HIGH.

Personally, I love 'em all. But if there's any he shouldn't do...I could live without hearing DANCING IN THE STREET. I also am sick of PRETTY WOMAN. I also wouldn't really want to hear CAN'T GET THIS STUFF NO MORE live. It's a fine song, but it's not spectacular and it wouldn't be that incredible live.

I also don't want to see them just rehash the entire first album. That would be an artistic dead end. Let them play some of the big Dave hits, a few obscure album cuts off the six albums, and a lot of new material with one or two Hagar cuts. Then it would really feel like a new Van Halen.<hr></blockquote>

I agree with much of what you're saying. First of all Drop Dead Legs has the best outro in rock history, and Hang 'em High is an underappreciated hard rocker with kick-ass drumming that about 7 people acknowledge. And BTW, I think Loss of Control is a great tune as well. Only EVH is capable of that kind of playing.

The only songs I wouldn't want them to do are "I'll Wait," "1984," "Dancing In The Streets," and "Big Bad Bill." There's no way the band would do "Can't Get This Stuff No More" as it is about the whole 1996 fiasco.

I also agree about rehashing Van Halen I. I really wish they'd play more from the other albums. On the 1984 tour boots, I thought the set list was too heavy on VHI and 1984 with almost nothing from the other 4 albums. When I saw Dave last November, I also thought he did WAY too much VHI material. He did "Runnin' With The Devil," Bart Walsh's version of "Eruption," "You Really Got Me," "Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love," "Atomic Punk," "Little Dreamer," and "Ice Cream Man." I mean that's 7 out of 11 songs, which is a lot when the whole concert has 19.

I think doing a couple of oldies that never made albums, such as "Big Trouble," or "Let's Get Rockin'" would be a real treat for the hard-core fans. The one thing I disagree with is that I don't want any Dave solo, nor do I want any Van Hagar. I just want Van HALEN, plain and simple.

**billy007** · 01.14.02, 06:22 PM

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by ouncie33:
The funny thing is, I don't recall David ever doing either of the songs you mentioned ("On Fire" and "You're No Good") live ...<hr></blockquote>

One of the few things my brain has retained of that concert I saw all those years ago was that they opened with "On Fire"!

**FORD** · 01.14.02, 07:05 PM

They can leave out Jump and Panama.

I'm actually sick of both, considering they have been done on every DLR, Van Hagar, and Van Danniels tour for the last 18 years. While it's true the real band only performed these songs on one tour, they all have to be as sick of them as I am.

**Cabo Kid** · 01.14.02, 07:31 PM

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by FORD:
They can leave out Jump and Panama.

I'm actually sick of both, considering they have been done on every DLR, Van Hagar, and Van Danniels tour for the last 18 years. While it's true the real band only performed these songs on one tour, they all have to be as sick of them as I am.<hr></blockquote>

I'd like to hear "Panama" the correct way instead of the slightly different version they started doing with Sammy. For all you drummers out there, you know what I mean. When they go "jump back, what's that sound, here she comes..."

It's a pretty heavy and straight-aheah 4/4 beat. It was recorded this way on "1984" and on the live 84 shows. However w/Sam & Gary, they do some sort of different beat during the "here she comes" phrase. You'd know it if you heard it.

I'm also tired of "Jump", "WCTBL" (although I doubt they'd do it with Dave), "RWTD" and "YRGM". Dust off some killers like "DOA", "LUTS", "I'm The One", "Romeo Delight", "Full Bug" and "Cradle". I know they did a few of those during the VH3 tour, but I want to hear DLR and VH do 'em.

**Cabo Kid** · 01.14.02, 07:32 PM

double post...

[ January 15, 2002 at 07:05 PM: Message edited by: Cabo Kid ]</p>

**Glenn** · 01.14.02, 08:23 PM

It will be interesting to see which 'lesser' songs make the setlist if they tour. Much as many of us could live without Jump, I think we all KNOW it will be there. So will Panama, Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love (which would get my first vote for songs to be left off the setlist), Hot For Teacher, Dance The Night Away, Runnin' With the Devil, You Really Got Me etc. VH were always so bad at mixing up their setlists, and with this type of reunion, that habit is sure to stay the same. And given that they'll be concentrating the setlist on the majority, which will be non die-hards, the so-called 'rarities' will be few and far between.

Onto the topic, given that I feel that Dave struggles more with the faster paced material, I doubt you'll hear On Fire in the show. Romeo Delight may very well be another that gets sacrificed for this reason. On the other hand a song like Little Dreamer stands a good chance of being played because its style suits Dave's voice better.

**Raldo** · 01.15.02, 06:06 AM

If I had to pick one or two, my choices would be 'Outta Love' and 'Dancing In The Street'.

'Outta Love' is a good song but there are countless others that I'd rather hear. 'Dancing In The Street' is so overplayed on our local Classic Rock station that I'm pretty sick of it.

**Rikk** · 01.15.02, 06:12 AM

I agree, Raldo. OUTTA LOVE AGAIN has always been a very below-par Dave-era song for me. It's fine, I guess. The solo is pretty ferocious, but the song itself is pretty lame musically and vocally (although Mike's bass playing is pretty frantic).

And DANCING IN THE STREET is the only Dave-era recording I genuinely don't like.

**TOM_5150** · 05.07.09, 10:11 AM

Originally Posted by Rikk

I agree, Raldo. OUTTA LOVE AGAIN has always been a very below-par Dave-era song for me. It's fine, I guess. The solo is pretty ferocious, but the song itself is pretty lame musically and vocally (although Mike's bass playing is pretty frantic).

And DANCING IN THE STREET is the only Dave-era recording I genuinely don't like.

Outta Love Again is one of my favorites! I'd put this one on my concert wish list.

**wombattt** · 05.07.09, 01:40 PM

Originally Posted by TOM_5150

Outta Love Again is one of my favorites! I'd put this one on my concert wish list.

mine too...Alex always impresses me on this track.

**At0micPunk** · 05.07.09, 05:10 PM

For me they are all golden. I can not think of one if I heard them playing it I'd think "man this song sucks, going to pee now instead of the drum solo". Even the cover songs. Thats my opinion. lol

I'd LOVE to hear MWM next time they tour! Unlikely but with Dave's voice stronger than it was when he recorded that I think it would rip! Awesome tune.