"5150" the song.... was it about Dave?
Follow us on...
Follow us on Twitter Follow us on Facebook Watch us on YouTube
Register
Likes Likes:  0
Results 1 to 15 of 15
  1. #1
    Runnin' With The Devil

    Join Date
    02.18.00
    Posts
    1,362
    Posts Per Day
    0.15
    Favorite VH Song

    Secrets
    Last Online

    09.12.24 @ 01:28 PM
    Likes (Given)
    25
    Likes (Received)
    81
    Thanks (Given)
    171
    Thanks (Received)
    452

    Achievements:
    Padawan PraiserWell-LikedVHLinks Proud!25,000 VHL Life PointsThee King

    Default "5150" the song.... was it about Dave?

    From the first time I heard the song "5150" I always thought the lyrics sounded a lot like they could be in reference to Dave. Now, of course, if Sammy had indeed written the lyrics then we can assume it was about a current or previous girlfriend/wife. But I can't imagine there was never a thought amongst the guys when they recorded it way back when that those lyrics seemed to sum up the relationship between Dave and the rest of Van Halen...

    "Always one more
    You're never satisfied
    Never one for all with you
    It's only one for me
    Oh, why draw the line?
    Meet you half the way
    And you don't know what that means..."
    Van Halen/Dave interviews from my archives:
    https://tinyurl.com/299dxh9j

    My Van Halen/Dave collection:
    https://tinyurl.com/9h85pfk

    My Record Collection videos:
    https://tinyurl.com/cxr2c5w2

    And finally... help a fellow fan out and check out some of my indie films:
    http://jointfilms.com/

  2. #2
    Big Bad Bill
    Infinite Cactus's Avatar
    Join Date
    12.05.04
    Age
    36
    Location
    Indiana
    Posts
    1,086
    Posts Per Day
    0.15
    Favorite VH Album

    MCMLXXXIV
    Favorite VH Song

    Dirty Movies/Mean Street
    Last Online

    Today @ 07:09 AM
    Likes (Given)
    218
    Likes (Received)
    11
    Thanks (Given)
    118
    Thanks (Received)
    25

    Achievements:
    Padawan PraiserVHLinks Proud!15,000 VHL Life PointsKnight Of Da Roundtable

    Default

    I heard rumors that this be true. ARgh.
    Van Halen Reunion Tour
    Louisville, Kentucky July 6th, 2004
    "It's a little hot in here tonight!"


    Van Halen 2012 Tour
    Louisville, Kentucky February 28th, 2012

    Van Halen 2015 Tour
    Noblesville, Indiana September 2nd 2015

    Assistant Director of Personnel
    The 3 Brigade

  3. #3
    The Full Bug
    vhrocker's Avatar
    Join Date
    01.18.06
    Age
    53
    Location
    "Mean Street", Oklahoma
    Posts
    2,197
    Posts Per Day
    0.32
    Favorite VH Album

    The one I'm listenin' to.
    Favorite VH Song

    Can't pick just one
    Last Online

    01.21.15 @ 09:57 AM
    Likes (Given)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    2
    Thanks (Given)
    0
    Thanks (Received)
    22

    Default

    I dont think its 'bout Dave.
    ALEX IS GOD!!!

    I've been doin' this for 'bout 20 years now, and I'll tell ya, to this day I still don't know the right drumstick from the left drumstick -Alex Van Halen


  4. #4
    Take Your Whiskey Home

    Join Date
    09.15.06
    Age
    49
    Location
    Minneapolis
    Posts
    6,568
    Posts Per Day
    0.99
    Last Online

    07.04.16 @ 09:03 PM
    Likes (Given)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    3
    Thanks (Given)
    0
    Thanks (Received)
    1

    Default

    Uh... I dunno. I don't think the VH boys were interested in meeting Dave halfway at that point. Well, maybe they were--if it was in the interest of kicking him in the nads.

  5. #5
    Hot For Teacher
    Menlow's Avatar
    Join Date
    08.02.04
    Age
    53
    Location
    South Florida
    Posts
    11,678
    Posts Per Day
    1.58
    Favorite VH Album

    VH II
    Favorite VH Song

    Unchained, DOA
    Last Online

    11.04.24 @ 05:07 PM
    Likes (Given)
    2
    Likes (Received)
    27
    Thanks (Given)
    4
    Thanks (Received)
    15


    Donor

    Achievements:
    25,000 VHL Life PointsThee King

    Default

    It would make more sense if the guy writing the lyrics wasn't the only one with no history with Dave.

  6. #6
    The Full Bug
    Dont disturb my Paradise's Avatar
    Join Date
    12.02.06
    Age
    52
    Location
    Sunshine Coast, Australia
    Posts
    2,110
    Posts Per Day
    0.32
    Favorite VH Album

    5150. F.U.C.K
    Favorite VH Song

    Love walks in. 5150. Feelin
    Last Online

    11.10.24 @ 09:11 PM
    Likes (Given)
    3
    Likes (Received)
    397
    Thanks (Given)
    8
    Thanks (Received)
    277

    Achievements:
    Well-Liked50,000 VHL Life PointsKnight Of Da Roundtable

    Default

    Its the best VH Song ever!!!!!

    and its got nothing to do with Dave I tell you
    What is understood need not be discussed

    "Dont disturb my paradise. I've asked you once. I've asked you nice" - "SERIOUS JU JU"

    "I am in a blissful state. Dont bug me!!!" - Richard Dreyfuss "The Goodbye girl" 1977

  7. #7
    no stinkin click!
    muffdiver's Avatar
    Join Date
    05.27.02
    Location
    canada
    Posts
    7,763
    Posts Per Day
    0.95
    Favorite VH Album

    all
    Favorite VH Song

    strung out....
    Last Online

    10.15.20 @ 11:51 PM
    Likes (Given)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    8
    Thanks (Given)
    0
    Thanks (Received)
    9


    Premium Member

    Donor

    Achievements:
    25,000 VHL Life PointsKnight Of Da Roundtable

    Default

    It's about Sam's tennis partner.....

  8. #8
    Hot For Teacher
    Bad to the Bone's Avatar
    Join Date
    03.05.02
    Age
    52
    Location
    Detroit MI
    Posts
    11,721
    Posts Per Day
    1.41
    Favorite VH Album

    FUCK or 5150
    Favorite VH Song

    Mine All Mine, 5150
    Last Online

    Yesterday @ 12:30 PM
    Likes (Given)
    2007
    Likes (Received)
    1052
    Thanks (Given)
    1702
    Thanks (Received)
    1898

    Achievements:
    Master PraiserSupremely-LikedThee King75,000 VHL Life Points

    Default

    I don't think they were written about Dave, I think if anything Ed said "try to write about a person that's not a team player" or something so they might be indirectly written about Dave. Sam didn't know Dave at all back then so I don't think he could have written about him unless the rest of the band just bitched and bitched about him the whole time so it translated to a song.

    I do think it's one of the best VH songs, lyrically, musically..it's really a standout song.

  9. #9
    Somebody Get Me A Doctor
    sixstring's Avatar
    Join Date
    03.22.04
    Age
    52
    Location
    texas
    Posts
    9,859
    Posts Per Day
    1.31
    Favorite VH Album

    1984 / 5150
    Favorite VH Song

    the ones with ed on them.
    Last Online

    05.06.20 @ 04:10 PM
    Likes (Given)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    3
    Thanks (Given)
    4
    Thanks (Received)
    20


    Donor

    Achievements:
    25,000 VHL Life PointsKnight Of Da Roundtable

    Default

    I always thought it was in reference to Sammy's first wife, Betsy...
    "20 minutes (late to work)? Shit. Last year I woke up three weeks too late.
    My advice is to go for the alien abduction story. Look bemused, dishevelled and on the verge of tears as you recount your story of intrusive and degrading medical tests.
    Worked for me anyway. I still have colleagues asking me what it is like to fuck a green womanoid with seventeen breasts.
    Alternatively just walk in and inform everyone that alcoholism is indeed a disease and that they should be less judgemental and perhaps a little more supportive."
    - graeme on the addiction to this place.

    "something tells me that after the nuclear holocaust, there'll be twinkies, cockroaches, and a dave vs. sammy argument going on somewhere".
    - han valen, 6.11.04

    "in my best "saw" scary movie voice: "oh, yes, there will be beagles."
    - hatchetforce, 6.7.06

  10. #10
    Take Your Whiskey Home

    Join Date
    06.17.03
    Age
    36
    Location
    New Brunswick Canada
    Posts
    7,102
    Posts Per Day
    0.91
    Favorite VH Album

    You name it
    Favorite VH Song

    See above
    Last Online

    10.24.24 @ 06:03 PM
    Likes (Given)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    53
    Thanks (Given)
    212
    Thanks (Received)
    178

    Achievements:
    Padawan PraiserWell-LikedVHLinks Proud!25,000 VHL Life PointsThee King

    Default

    I can't see it being about Dave, Betsy seems more plausible to me. Maybe it was written in general about the two of them? A general song about people who take and never give?

  11. #11
    Take Your Whiskey Home

    Join Date
    09.15.06
    Age
    49
    Location
    Minneapolis
    Posts
    6,568
    Posts Per Day
    0.99
    Last Online

    07.04.16 @ 09:03 PM
    Likes (Given)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    3
    Thanks (Given)
    0
    Thanks (Received)
    1

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Ain't Talkin' Bout' Love View Post
    I can't see it being about Dave, Betsy seems more plausible to me. Maybe it was written in general about the two of them? A general song about people who take and never give?
    "You've got to give to live."

  12. #12
    Hot For Teacher
    Bad to the Bone's Avatar
    Join Date
    03.05.02
    Age
    52
    Location
    Detroit MI
    Posts
    11,721
    Posts Per Day
    1.41
    Favorite VH Album

    FUCK or 5150
    Favorite VH Song

    Mine All Mine, 5150
    Last Online

    Yesterday @ 12:30 PM
    Likes (Given)
    2007
    Likes (Received)
    1052
    Thanks (Given)
    1702
    Thanks (Received)
    1898

    Achievements:
    Master PraiserSupremely-LikedThee King75,000 VHL Life Points

    Default

    I don't think it was about Betsy, they seemed to be OK at the time, there used to be an entertainment tonight interview on youtube where Sam talks about how they're still happy after 20+ years, they didn't get divorced until 194ish.

  13. #13
    Hang 'Em High

    Join Date
    10.10.05
    Age
    56
    Location
    Boston
    Posts
    17,906
    Posts Per Day
    2.57
    Favorite VH Album

    ('78-'84) VH 1; ('86-'95) 5150
    Favorite VH Song

    Dave- I'm The One ; Sam- 5150
    Last Online

    11.17.17 @ 01:11 PM
    Likes (Given)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    7
    Thanks (Given)
    475
    Thanks (Received)
    876

    Default

    I've just always thought it was about an ex-girlfriend or something. I never made the connection to Dave and I really doubt it's about him.
    .
    .
    .
    VH with Dave ('78-'84) - The best years....the "real" VH.
    VH with Sam ('86-'96) - Incredible era....."We have renamed this town 'New Halen!'.
    VH with Gary ('98) - Fucking disaster. WTF was that??
    VH with Wolf/Dave ('12-'15) - Amazing comeback. Smokin' album and tours.

  14. #14
    Hang 'Em High
    chefcraig's Avatar
    Join Date
    06.01.02
    Location
    A Confederacy of Dunces
    Posts
    19,370
    Posts Per Day
    2.36
    Last Online

    03.07.10 @ 07:18 AM
    Likes (Given)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    34
    Thanks (Given)
    0
    Thanks (Received)
    17

    Depends solely upon how much one reads into it. For instance, after leaving VH, Dave Roth stated in interviews that he'd wished for a parting of the ways in order for the band to take a well deserved rest, sort out some stiffling personal issues (Ed and Al's drinking in particular) then get it back together, like Aerosmith. I'd often wondered if the "why draw the line" (an Aerosmith title) section of the song was aimed at Dave in this regard, followed by the mention that compromise was beyond his reach.

    Yet coupled with the very public stance against Roth in interviews at the time (and the live definition of "5150" by Hagar as describing a whacked out, flipped out sort of person), it gets confusing.

    I'd always taken the "5150" thing as a comment more about Ed Van Halen's self confessed awareness of his own strangeness (leading him to naming his studio after the phrase), which even Rolling Stone had gone as far as to call "Michael Jacksonly" (back when this was a compliment on musical ability, not a reference to a fondness for young boys). So to title a song "5150" sort of leads one away from any clarity in the matter, and in fact is certainly contradictory.

    Are there any published interviews out there with Hagar expounding upon his lyrics? Perhaps that would shed some light on things.
    "The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore, all progress depends on the unreasonable man."
    George Bernard Shaw

  15. #15
    Eruption
    IntoTheEther's Avatar
    Join Date
    02.17.07
    Posts
    287
    Posts Per Day
    0.04
    Favorite VH Album

    5150
    Favorite VH Song

    Judgement Day, Mine All Mine
    Last Online

    04.29.10 @ 09:00 PM
    Likes (Given)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    0
    Thanks (Given)
    0
    Thanks (Received)
    4

    Default

    maybe im crazy, or just too high, but i thought "inside" was more a dig at dave...?

 

 

Similar Threads

  1. "Say Uncle," "You Wear It Well," "River Wide" and "Left for Dead."
    By extreme red roth in forum VH Songs/Albums/Videos
    Replies: 61
    Last Post: 03.06.21, 03:47 AM
  2. Dave plays bluegrass versions of "Jamie's Cryin'" and "Jump"...
    By NOaverageJOE in forum Main VH Discussion
    Replies: 47
    Last Post: 05.18.06, 08:23 PM
  3. Dave Plays his song "Ashley Abernathy" on radio show
    By Rebel67 in forum The Diamond One
    Replies: 18
    Last Post: 04.06.06, 06:37 PM
  4. Axl Rose doing "Dance the Night Away" and "5150"
    By danielsale in forum Main VH Discussion
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 11.21.05, 08:44 PM
  5. Replies: 19
    Last Post: 07.09.02, 04:42 PM

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •