This Van Halen fan-made video is a mash-up of four TV appearances the band did in 1981-82. Besides lip-syncing the song, David Lee Roth also mimics playing a guitar in two of the videos.
"Unchained" is a popular song by the American rock band Van Halen. It was released as the second single from their 1981 album "Fair Warning." The song was written by the band's lead vocalist, David Lee Roth, guitarist Eddie Van Halen, drummer Alex Van Halen, and bassist Michael Anthony. "Unchained" is known for its energetic and hard-hitting rock sound, which was characteristic of Van Halen's music during that era.
David Lee Roth referred to the song as "Hit the Ground Running" while they were working on it. The song makes significant usage of the MXR M-117 flanger, which became a famous sound and pushed sales of the pedal. The song was responsible for popularizing the sound of the flanger. On the Eddie Van Halen Flanger MXR pedal, a preset was also included for the flanger. It employs a Drop D tuning, and it intersperses suspended fourth chords throughout the piece. During the song's interlude, producer Ted Templeman is heard singing for the first and only time with the band, saying, "Come on, Dave, gimme a break!" The line is remarkable because it was Templeman's only vocal contribution to the band.
The song features Eddie Van Halen's signature guitar work, including his innovative guitar technique. Alex Van Halen's powerful drumming and Michael Anthony's backing vocals add to the song's dynamic sound. David Lee Roth's charismatic and flamboyant vocals also contribute to the song's overall energy.
Special thanks to Simon Alkon for the help with the Ted Templeman part.
Source Videos Used:
Van Halen 1982 performing on French TV
https://youtu.be/UEmx2PQ-2jc?si=QTHortpUMxsceTQg
Van Halen Unchained German TV 1981
https://youtu.be/wdH53lMzuHQ?si=jMDBUhYxQgWi6gtC
Van Halen Unchained Spanish TV 1981
https://youtu.be/j8Dz3Z0LydU?si=Di9C_nUQM9FvwMKm
VAN HALEN Unchained French TV 1981
https://youtu.be/RspeLQKvV5c?si=ls1Flj7UVE0_7kL5
Lyrics:
Alright!
Haaa ha ha ha!
You say, I cannot get there from here, baby
Then I don't care where I'm goin'
Here's to your thin red line
Mmm, I'm stepping over
Thought you'd never miss me 'til I got a fat city address
Non-stop talker, what a rocker
Blue-eyed murder in a size five dress
Change, nothin' stays the same
Unchained, and ya hit the ground runnin'
Change, ain't nothin' stays the same
Unchained, yeah ya hit the ground runnin'
I know, I don't ask for permission
This is my chance to fly
Maybe enough ain't enough for you
But it's my turn at a try
Thought you'd never miss me 'til I got a fat city address
Non-stop talker, what a rocker
Blue-eyed murder in a size five dress
Change, nothin' stays the same
Unchained, and ya hit the ground running
Change, ain't nothin' stays the same
Unchained, yeah ya hit the ground runnin'
Change, nothin' stays the same
Unchained, yeah ya hit the ground runnin'
Change, ain't nothin' stays the same
Unchained, yeah ya hit the ground runnin'
Woo hoo! Take a look at this!
Hey man, that suit is you!
Woo-whee! You'll get some leg tonight for sure!
Tell us how you do! Hoo hoo hoo!
(Come on Dave, gimme a break)
Hey-hey-hey-hey! One break, comin' up!
Change, ain't nothin' stays the same
Unchained, yeah ya hit the ground runnin'
Changed, ain't nothin' stays the same
Unchained, yeah ya hit the ground runnin'
Change, ain't nothin' stays the same
Unchained, yeah ya hit the ground runnin'
Change, ain't nothin' stays the same
Unchained
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