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1984

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Album

1984 · After Diver Down, guitarist Eddie was dissatisfied: singer David Lee Roth and producer Ted Templeman preferred to keep keyboards small. In 1983 he built his own studio, 5150, and began experimenting there with synthesizers. Here he wrote the new songs without interference from Roth or Templeman. The recording took about three months, whereas the band's earlier records were often finished in less than two weeks.

The result was a mixture of synthesizer songs and the guitar work the group was known for. The short instrumental opener 1984 and the single Jump revolve around the synthesizer. Jump became Van Halen's only number-one hit on the American Hot 100. Panama has a heavy guitar riff and the sound of Eddie's Lamborghini, recorded with microphones at the exhausts. The video for Hot for Teacher got heavy airplay on MTV. The album reached number two in America, behind Michael Jackson's Thriller, and brought the band a broader audience. Roth left in 1985.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to Panama and notice the engine sound that comes through between the heavy guitar riff. That is Eddie's car, recorded close to the exhausts.

Track list

  1. 119841:08Apple Music ↗
  2. 2Jump4:02Apple Music ↗
  3. 3Panama3:30Apple Music ↗
  4. 4Top Jimmy2:00Apple Music ↗
  5. 5Drop Dead Legs4:14Apple Music ↗
  6. 6Hot for Teacher4:43Apple Music ↗
  7. 7I'll Wait4:40Apple Music ↗
  8. 8Girl Gone Bad4:34Apple Music ↗
  9. 9House of Pain3:20Apple Music ↗

30-second previews via Apple Music. Listen to the whole album on Apple Music ↗

See also

Categories: Albums and songsGlam metal and stadium rock