Best of Both Worlds (Van Halen song) explained

Best of Both Worlds
Type:single
Artist:Van Halen
Album:5150
Released:October 1986
Recorded:1985–1986
B-Side:Best of Both Worlds (Live)
Genre:Hard rock[1]
Length:3:58 (single version) 4:49 (album version)
Prev Title:Love Walks In
Prev Year:1986
Year:1986
Next Title:Summer Nights
Next Year:1986

"Best of Both Worlds" is a song by American rock band Van Halen on their album 5150 that was later released as a single in October 1986.[2] A music video taken from the Live Without a Net concert video[3] was in heavy rotation on MTV.[4]

Background

The song is about Sammy's optimistic look on Van Halen's future, and creating your own luck. Primarily a guitar-driven song, the second verse includes a few keyboard chords as incidental backing sounds.[5]

Reception

Cash Box said that "the guitar wizardry of Eddie Van Halen charges through the grooves of this song" and also praised Sammy Hagar's vocal performance.[6] Billboard said it has a "strong pop hook and hedonist philosophy."[7]

In 2011, the song was ranked at #5 on Ultimate Classic Rock's list of the Top 10 Van Hagar Songs.[8] They also ranked the song as best song from 5150.[9]

Personnel

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Elliott. Paul. January 5, 2021. The battle for Van Halen: how Sammy Hagar triumphed over Dave Lee Roth. August 4, 2021. Classic Rock.
  2. Book: The Great Rock Discography. 1995. 866 . 9780862415419 . Strong . Martin Charles . Canongate Press .
  3. Book: Inc, Nielsen Business Media . Billboard . 1986-11-29 . Nielsen Business Media, Inc. . en.
  4. https://books.google.com/books?id=ICUEAAAAMBAJ&dq=Programming+rotation+halen+%22both+worlds%22&pg=PA42-IA12 MTV Programming
  5. Web site: Wilkening. Matthew. May 6, 2011. Van Halen, 'Best of Both Worlds' – Lyrics Uncovered. March 23, 2021. Ultimate Classic Rock.
  6. Single Releases. Cash Box. November 22, 1986. 2022-08-07. 9.
  7. Billboard. November 22, 1986. 2022-08-07. 79. Reviews.
  8. Web site: Wilkening. Matthew. March 31, 2011. Top 10 Van Hagar Songs. March 23, 2021. Ultimate Classic Rock.
  9. Web site: Wilkening. Matthew. December 13, 2018. The Best Song From Every Van Halen Album. March 23, 2021. Ultimate Classic Rock.
  10. Mainstream Rock. 2021-03-23. Billboard.

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