From Afar......spooky!

**BrokenCombs** · 12.06.00, 05:36 AM

I still say this is the BEST song off of Van Halen III.

I was listening to it again last night at home...(cranking it a bit) and the guitar is so incredible in it..And Gary's vocals on this track are not buried in the mix (like so many songs on VH III IMO) You can actually hear his vocals more clearly... and the song is so damn spooky, subject-wise AND in it's very delivery.

A great song...Truly one of my favorite Van Halen songs...I like that it is such a different sound for VH...! And it was pulled off well!

From Afar reminds me a little bit of: "Every Breath Yoyu Take" from The Police. Same type of subject matter: obsessed stalker who won't rest...

Killer song!

I'm still not overly blown away by VH III. IMO there are so many things that are wrong with that record...ie: Poor mix, Gary's vocals buried too much, so-so lyrics, and that horrible expirement "How Many Say I".....BU
T I DO think that "From Afar" is a really excellent song!

What does everyone else think?

**Glenn** · 12.06.00, 07:03 AM

I agree that it's a really cool song, very moody and different for Van Halen.

But I still say that Year To the Day is the jewel in III.

------------------
The Michael Jordan of Van Halen websites!!!
www.vhlinks.com

**BrokenCombs** · 12.06.00, 08:49 AM

For me, I prefer From Afar as a complete song from end to end...Subject matter is wild, the lyrics are not cheesy, and the sound is amazing.

I will say that the best guitar solo on VH III is most certainly found in the song: Year To The Day.

I guess I just prefer From Afar overall.

**Rat Salad** · 12.06.00, 10:26 AM

I agree, From Afar is a cool tune. Second best off of 3 right after Year to the Day. Year to the Day was the best live song played on the 3 tour....I am not even sure if From Afar was played????

------------------

Here's to your thin red line....MMMMMM I'm stepping over!

**Glenn** · 12.06.00, 12:07 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Rat Salad:
Year to the Day was the best live song played on the 3 tour....I am not even sure if From Afar was played????

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>I'm almost positive they never played From Afar live. Which is probably just as well; IMO it's atmosphere wouldn't have come off very well in a live setting.

------------------
The Michael Jordan of Van Halen websites!!!
www.vhlinks.com

**Garywascooltoo** · 12.06.00, 01:20 PM

I can't agree with you all more. From afar is an awesome song, but year to the day is a gem with the most amazing solo.

I caught the III tour in KC and Gary and the band were "on" that night. Year to the day was great live and Glenn is right on. From afar would not have gone over well live.

I am a little dreamer, but if you've read my posts, you know I am a big VH fan in all eras and also a GC fan. With the thread on Ballet or the Bullet and this thread, I am having fun talking about VHIII songs. Keep it up guys.

------------------
"Forked tongue in double-speak"

"Your iron lung's a bag of wind"

**Dan Halen** · 12.06.00, 04:40 PM

I also agree about From Afar. It's one of the bright spots on a considerably lousy album. I think it would have made a great single. But Fire In The Hole and TWILY are my favorite Cherone songs.

------------------
"Van Halen is the 'Get the fuck off the sidewalk if ya don't like our drivin' ' kinda music!" -DLR

**diggyd** · 12.06.00, 05:33 PM

Wow! Am I the only one who doesn't like that song??? My wife even likes it. I just don't like it. I don't like Josephina and I really can't stand How Many Say I. The rest of the cd is listenable. Call me crazy but I like Once...go figure.

------------------
GO PACKERS !!!

**Stuff No More** · 12.07.00, 05:27 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by diggyd:
Call me crazy but I like Once
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

There's nothing crazy about liking Once

Now the video, well, that's a video only a mother could love.

------------------
Fall in line, say the word...
VHLinks Forum Moderator (Opinions)
Up Front Fanatics!

**Garywascooltoo** · 12.07.00, 09:18 AM

Once was also a great song. Different mood entirely. I liked the departure from the typical sound. An uplifting and emotional song. At my first listen of III, it was initially my favorite song. I grew to love the other songs at different times I listened to the album.

After downloading TWILY, I will agree that that song absolutely needed to be on III.

------------------
"Forked tongue in double-speak"

"Your iron lung's a bag of wind"

**vh3fan** · 12.07.00, 12:29 PM

The intro is great. Reminds me of something from early VH. The song is great too. You can actually hear Michael Anthony on this song. When I first heard 3 I wasnt so sure about it but From Afar stood out right away.
3

------------------
UP FRONT FANATICS

vh3fan aka the not so alone warrior
" a good soldier is always prepared during the times of peace"

"loved by many hated by few"

"buying my way into 5150"

**YankeeRose** · 12.07.00, 07:33 PM

I don't like From Afar at all!

I can't stand Once either, mainly because of Gary's singing on them.

The songs I love from 3 are Dirty Water Dog, Without You, and One I Want, those are good songs.

I like Josephina too.

------------------
Right Now you're reading my post!
She's a vision from coast to coast...
Kicking back ain't kicking you...
Don't disturb my paradise,
i've asked you once, I asked you nice...
Up Front Fanatics!

**Ernie Ball** · 12.07.00, 08:32 PM

I think it's a catchy tune . Alex's drum sound is kinda cool .

**Down In Flames** · 12.08.00, 02:03 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by BrokenCombs:
I still say this is the BEST song off of Van Halen III. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

That's what I've always felt, too.

The creepy intro riff, the lyrics, singing, WARPED solo... Gotta love it.

I think it should have been the second single.

------------------
"Hey Down, my brotha, never ever forget your priorities... Beer first, trash second." - A life lesson, courtesy of track 5

Official Bartender Of VHForums