What the hell is wrong with "How Many Say I"?

**Van Roth Sucks** · 06.26.07, 06:51 AM

OK, so it's not as good as the Van Halen songs you hear, but it is at least on par with the best Van Roth songs. It is a solid song, I don't know why people hate it.

**snare812** · 06.26.07, 06:59 AM

It's ed stretchin out and people wouldn't accept it..

i still listen to it and thinks it's a wonderful piece of music.

carry on

**Stiil_A_Fan** · 06.26.07, 07:01 AM

Originally Posted by Van Roth Sucks

OK, so it's not as good as the Van Halen songs you hear, but it is at least on par with the best Van Roth songs. It is a solid song, I don't know why people hate it.

I honestly can not comment on something I a never listened to.

**Kimmie5150** · 06.26.07, 07:05 AM

Originally Posted by Stiil_A_Fan

I honestly can not comment on something I a never listened to.

Well really listen to it so you can make a comment neighbor!

**willy4pres** · 06.26.07, 07:34 AM

The first time I heard it I thought it was the most horrible song any major artist has ever written/performed.

In my old shop we used to play it 24/7 just to screw with people who walked in to "hang out".

It's great if you like the song, but I think by admitting it you might end up on an FBI list.

**darthadv** · 06.26.07, 07:36 AM

it's a weaker song compared to what ed and gary are both individually capable of... and this is coming from a big extreme fan (both pre and post "more than words")... if that was supposed to be the big ballad, it just didn't cut it... and i gave iii a chance, special tin collector's edition and everything...

if you can get your hands on it, listen to nuno's solo song, "flow" - that's a nice, out of the ordinary ballad that doesn't sound like a tired retread of previous ballads or something that's so left of center it's not pleasing to the ear... "how many say i" just doesn't flow (no pun intended)... another good out of the ordinary ballad type of song was extreme's "tragic comic" - it didn't take off, but it didn't have much of a push behind it... something that's a little closer to the feel of "how many..." is "seven sundays" on the same extreme album, but chock full of harmonies...

so, to sum up, the song is weak compared to what they've done before...

**VAREB** · 06.26.07, 07:46 AM

The Piano and the Cello are nice.

**Filthy 150** · 06.26.07, 07:56 AM

I see it as Edward being a little too personal via his music.

That or it is Bizarro-Van Halen.
(If that doesn't make sense, listen to Panama or Unchained...then toss HMSI on and see if it makes sense then)

**SuckaInA3Piece** · 06.26.07, 07:56 AM

Musically speaking, it's a beautiful piece. I get what they were trying to do with Ed on lead vox, and that's cool and all. It just didn't work, so I can understand why people don't like it.

**bigdrewhalenite** · 06.26.07, 08:07 AM

it's being preached at by a rich rock star to help the homeless. Easy for him to do when he owns a Lamborghini for each day of the week; not so easy for me to do when I'm working two jobs to support my own family.

Also, Ed's vocals sound almost strangled during the chorus as he's trying to hit notes out of his comfort range. As a singer with some training, I find it really painful to listen to.

Finally, I find the cellos to be really cheesy, to the point of being schmaltzy.

FWIW, that's what I think is wrong with "How Many Say I."

**broken9500** · 06.26.07, 08:23 AM

Originally Posted by darthadv

it's a weaker song compared to what ed and gary are both individually capable of... and this is coming from a big extreme fan (both pre and post "more than words")... if that was supposed to be the big ballad, it just didn't cut it... and i gave iii a chance, special tin collector's edition and everything...

if you can get your hands on it, listen to nuno's solo song, "flow" - that's a nice, out of the ordinary ballad that doesn't sound like a tired retread of previous ballads or something that's so left of center it's not pleasing to the ear... "how many say i" just doesn't flow (no pun intended)... another good out of the ordinary ballad type of song was extreme's "tragic comic" - it didn't take off, but it didn't have much of a push behind it... something that's a little closer to the feel of "how many..." is "seven sundays" on the same extreme album, but chock full of harmonies...

so, to sum up, the song is weak compared to what they've done before...

you know your nuno! Flow is a great song...as is Tragic Comic...and Seven Sundays is a masterpiece.

**smme5150** · 06.26.07, 08:50 AM

Originally Posted by Van Roth Sucks

OK, so it's not as good as the Van Halen songs you hear, but it is at least on par with the best Van Roth songs. It is a solid song, I don't know why people hate it.

While it is a beautiful piece of music, Ed just doesn't work on the vocals.Furthermore Gary's harmonies just sound brutal. The lyrics are way out there VH wise, as preaching to us is not what they do.Finally the cello just not good from ED. As someone else stated, it just doesn't fit. The whole thing is just a jumble wreck of a piece of music. The piano is beautiful as an intro, and would have been good as an intro to a badass guitar riff ala Zakk Wylde in BLS. It just leaves you flat at the end and definitely not hoping for more on the next record. I like a good last song that makes you want to hear the next record. Just aweful.

**smme5150** · 06.26.07, 08:56 AM

Originally Posted by Van Roth Sucks

OK, so it's not as good as the Van Halen songs you hear, but it is at least on par with the best Van Roth songs. It is a solid song, I don't know why people hate it.

While it is a beautiful piece of music, Ed just doesn't work on the vocals.Furthermore Gary's harmonies just sound brutal. The lyrics are way out there VH wise, as preaching to us is not what they do.I will say i saw it performed live in Chicago, and it was better live but still uncomfortable. Finally the cello just not good from ED. As someone else stated, it just doesn't fit. The whole thing is just a jumbled wreck of a piece of music. The piano is beautiful as an intro, and would have been good as an intro to a badass guitar riff ala Zakk Wylde in BLS. It just leaves you flat at the end and definitely not hoping for more on the next record. I like a good last song that makes you want to hear the next record.I will also would have liked to see the Gary project do 1 more record as I think they would have hit the mark on volume 2. Just aweful and understandable why the Gary project fell flat. And to Van Roth, you must be jokin, this is by far the worst song ever attached to the Van Halen name.

**wham bam will rock** · 06.26.07, 08:58 AM

The song needs more tuba.

But seriously.....

As a piano piece, its nice. Ed's voice is like a bastard mix of Tom Waits and Leonard Cohen. Most people bash Ed's voice, but I don't. I would rather hear Ed sing than some American Idol wannabe that sounds like a thousand other people with a 'nice, professional' voice.

The melody/chorus is fine, but the lyrics are just plain lame. Especially the bits about "the homeless walkin' by" and "changing the channel/hungry child".

I liked Cherone's lyrics for III, for the most part, but he missed the boat on this one.