"Mean Street" is the first track on Fair Warning, Van Halen's fourth album. As soon as I heard this song on FM Radio, I believe it was 1981. I immediately got in my car, drove the record store and bought it. Oh, yea, it didn't take long to wear out the album.
Fair Warning was the ballsiest set from VH. They were deciding whether to be tough guys or party guys. I wonder what they would have sounded like it they had taken that darker direction in their musical career... This song is just nasty, with a nice dirty groove to it. Glad you enjoyed; loved watching your reaction!
Eddie and Alex Van Halen, brothers extraordinaire. Michael Anthony, the perfect awesome bassist accompaniment. David Lee Roth was the voice of the spirit of Van Halen. There has been nothing like them since!
Yeah, I know it was released in spring '81. Maybe we didn't have funds to buy it until months later... but for me, this album conjures dreary, back-to-school, rainy fall day feelings. And that cover was so compelling
It’s ok to listen to every VH song 4 times so you can appreciate something besides the guitar. That will ALWAYS be the first thing you notice with a VH song.
I've always thought that, musically, this was one of their best albums! It had kind of a darker vibe, too......and was a great album for cruising or just hanging out and partying...we took it to heart during such activities!
Dave was damn good at sounding bad ,he had a great tough sound even though his father was a pretty well off medical dr. and never lived on any mean street he knew the vibe and was bad as hell with it.
That's a fascinating take. And you're correct. Dave had just finished a solo trip to Haiti and Ed was angry. Dave was a story teller. Just like Bob Dylan, Paul Simon, Bruce
@@MRCATL3 The meanest encounter Dave probably ever experienced on his street being a young boy was a stray hungry dog , a wasp and a bee sting and a US postal mail man that was having a bad day ..That is my far off sight of just assuming because I did not grow up on a gang infested street either . Thanksx
DEFINITELY my favorite VH album...just had a darker sound YET still somehow fun !?! "Hear about it later" , "Unchained " and "Dirty Movies" are just masterpieces of amazing , virtuoso guitar rock ( along with this song of course ) !! Even tho its a different cd and singer , the song "Poundcake" has a similar feel and is also a totally kick a$$ song !!!!
Great opening track ! For me Fair Warning is their best album. In any case, it's probably the most groovy and darkest of all. Try any other song from this one ("'Dirty Movies'", "Sinner's Swing!" etc...), they're all excellent. if you ever plan to do the closing track "One Foot Out the Door", know that it is preceded by the instrumental "Sunday Afternoon in the Park" which is linked to it.
When I was in Boston 1984- I auditioned for a band who required me to learn three songs. One was Jump. The second one was a Culture Club song . The third was Every Breath You Take, After finding the singles (45’s) I went to the counter to pay. Behind me was a guy who resembled Boy George. Not him though. But, he looked at me in a way that made me feel very uncomfortable if you know what I mean. Jeez. I was just going to audition for a band! Lol
Harry, you have got to check out the Foundation of Van Halen`s music, Michael Anthony! "Sunday Afternoon in the Park/ One Foot out the Door" is an absolute must from the Fair Warning Album!
One of the baddest songs ever created and known to man! Only the Mighty Van Halen could have written and played it. Just a mean and nasty riff! There will never be another Edward Van Halen - NEVER!!!
it’s hard for me not to believe Green Day as Cali kids listening to this like everyone else and burning it into their brains as the prototype for their multiple songs about growing up in dystopia.
There are notes in the bending strings of Eddie's solos that do not exist...or haven't been proven yet! Lol like Dark Matter! Send this to CERN immediately!! Love ya Hari!
When they could control David Lee Roth and Eddie did not try to do too much,they were fire…Sometimes we forget how great Alex was on drums and Michael Anthony was on bass…
THIS song…the first time I heard it….messed me the f up. The groove is sick and as a trio, Ed, Alex and Mike are killing it. Yeah we all know the intro with the tapping. Awesome. But when the main riff kicks in, Ed is like “strap in mofos!”
But it wasn't them. Roth engineered the whole thing. It was 4 professional skydivers and the band wore the same jump suits so when they emerged taking off their suits it would appear as if they jumped out of the plane. If course no one knew about this until years later.
Quite obv Eddie loved funk and had great sense of rhythm ( DLR is on record discussing the time he took EVH to see Earth Wind and Fire) so few Rock guitarist have that .Back in the day their repertoire included a good amount of R and B tunes .
Some of Van Halen is timeless...actually most of Van Halen can be said to be timeless. I was paying attention when these songs were released. It is always fascinating to discover people just discovering this art. Van Halen is music at its most virtuosic and creative. It moves you. It demands that you listen. So many artists today are afraid to be innovative. Van Halen approached their art from the stand point of "everyone get the fu*k out of our way."
I guess growing up with Van Halen from the beginning I was naive maybe about Diamond Dave. He was the living definition of a rock star but I never ever seen him with a girlfriend and that's okay. I'm sorry he felt like he couldn't be himself. Eddie's death took a huge toll on Dave. Eddie was immortal or so we thought.
Heh, nice. I bought that album on cassette in ninth grade. Given the artwork on the cover I shoulda bought the record! [grin] The guitar on this song is mean all right. Van Halen could get serious when seriousness was called for -- or menace. The hunted becomes the hunter... Compare it with "Atomic Punk" from their first album. PS. "Mean Streets" (1973) was a crime film directed by Martin Scorsese starring Harvey Keitel and Robert De Niro. It might have inspired the lyrics to this song.
Have you reviewed Bon Jovi yet? They've been playing for fourth years. Jon, the lead singer wrote and co-wrote their music. He got covid in 2021 and lost his voice. They were my favorite band after Led Zeppelin. I am also a huge Elvis fan also. Thanks, len
Dave had just gotten back from a solo trip to Haiti. Eddie was mad. Anyone who calls Van Halen some hair band is ignorant. Nobody has made music like this before or after. Funk music with a weird edge
Видеоклипы
One of there most kick ass songs to me .This tune has Balls
"Mean Street" is the first track on Fair Warning, Van Halen's fourth album. As soon as I heard this song on FM Radio, I believe it was 1981. I immediately got in my car, drove the record store and bought it. Oh, yea, it didn't take long to wear out the album.
No words left on the cassette! LMAO
My favorite album from VH
I remember hearing So This is Love on the audio in a clothing store with my parents.
"Mean Street" is an absolute must as a part of any Van Halen playlist.
Fair Warning was the ballsiest set from VH. They were deciding whether to be tough guys or party guys. I wonder what they would have sounded like it they had taken that darker direction in their musical career...
This song is just nasty, with a nice dirty groove to it. Glad you enjoyed; loved watching your reaction!
DLR ruined VH. Sammy was not the answer. They needed someone cool from the start and not that two-bit balding schekeler.
I always liked the groove on this track. Michael Anthony's bass line is pushing it along through the whole tune.
bass and cymbals (actually, I think that cymbals are the ones that are pushing the groove on this tune)
HEAR ABOUT IT LATER is my favorite Van Halen deep cut. Same album as this
Eddie and Alex Van Halen, brothers extraordinaire. Michael Anthony, the perfect awesome bassist accompaniment. David Lee Roth was the voice of the spirit of Van Halen. There has been nothing like them since!
This was unlike anything anyone had ever heard before. Van Halen was a great innovator and guitar player.
Lets not forget about Alex killing it on the drums.
Every song on the first 4 Van Halen albums are 🔥🔥🤘🏻
THE ONE AN ONLY EXCEPTION IS VANHALLEN 3 NEVER BUY IT OR LISTEN TO IT WHAT WERE THEY THINKING BACK IN 97,98 AN 99..
This is my favorite VH song.
i think this is them at their best
Yeah, I know it was released in spring '81. Maybe we didn't have funds to buy it until months later... but for me, this album conjures dreary, back-to-school, rainy fall day feelings. And that cover was so compelling
It’s ok to listen to every VH song 4 times so you can appreciate something besides the guitar. That will ALWAYS be the first thing you notice with a VH song.
As with so many songs!
"Sorry, got caught up in Eddie doing Eddie things." ....Brocephus....we feel you. It's a total thing. 😂😂🤣🤣
My all time favourite VH album. Every song is amazing
Sinner's Swing is a fall down a metal stair case landing on your feet!
I've always thought that, musically, this was one of their best albums! It had kind of a darker vibe, too......and was a great album for cruising or just hanging out and partying...we took it to heart during such activities!
This track ticks all the groove and rock boxes.
Always loved this and Unchained from this album.
Eddie was nothing short of a monster on the guitar. He's definitely Top 3 tier guitarists ever.
To me this IS VH at their finest...
Dave was damn good at sounding bad ,he had a great tough sound even though his father was a pretty well off medical dr. and never lived on any mean street he knew the vibe and was bad as hell with it.
That's a fascinating take. And you're correct. Dave had just finished a solo trip to Haiti and Ed was angry. Dave was a story teller. Just like Bob Dylan, Paul Simon, Bruce
@@MRCATL3 The meanest encounter Dave probably ever experienced on his street being a young boy was a stray hungry dog , a wasp and a bee sting and a US postal mail man that was having a bad day ..That is my far off sight of just assuming because I did not grow up on a gang infested street either . Thanksx
DEFINITELY my favorite VH album...just had a darker sound YET still somehow fun !?! "Hear about it later" , "Unchained " and "Dirty Movies" are just masterpieces of amazing , virtuoso guitar rock ( along with this song of course ) !! Even tho its a different cd and singer , the song "Poundcake" has a similar feel and is also a totally kick a$$ song !!!!
Best Van Halen song EVER!!!
Mean Street, amazing song. Its always relevant to the around us especially in 2023.
Great opening track ! For me Fair Warning is their best album. In any case, it's probably the most groovy and darkest of all. Try any other song from this one ("'Dirty Movies'", "Sinner's Swing!" etc...), they're all excellent. if you ever plan to do the closing track "One Foot Out the Door", know that it is preceded by the instrumental "Sunday Afternoon in the Park" which is linked to it.
Best fade out in music history! I wish this song went on for another 5 minutes of that!
Sinner's Swing, So This is Love, Push Come to Shove, One Foot Out the Door, this is just insane music.
Dirty Movies...."Do you remember when that girl was prop queen?....Oh, wow..."
Van Halen’s dark record but it’s kick ass …
This tune was INSANE in a live show.
Anthony don't quit. He still getting down with Hagar " chicken foot"
When I was in Boston 1984- I auditioned for a band who required me to learn three songs. One was Jump. The second one was a Culture Club song . The third was Every Breath You Take, After finding the singles (45’s) I went to the counter to pay. Behind me was a guy who resembled Boy George. Not him though. But, he looked at me in a way that made me feel very uncomfortable if you know what I mean. Jeez. I was just going to audition for a band! Lol
street style rock in the coolest sense of the term for van halens style .
Well done my friend!!!
The King 🤴
Alex is an amazing drummer sounds like thunder
Silverfox with another winner! Love vintage Van Halen w/DLR!
You and everyone else when this song first came out. That damn GEE TAR.
Fair Warning is my favorite VH album!
best song you could ever do right here
Harry, you have got to check out the Foundation of Van Halen`s music, Michael Anthony! "Sunday Afternoon in the Park/ One Foot out the Door" is an absolute must from the Fair Warning Album!
One of the baddest songs ever created and known to man! Only the Mighty Van Halen could have written and played it. Just a mean and nasty riff! There will never be another Edward Van Halen - NEVER!!!
By far best Van Halen album.
I think you're assessment of this song was fantastic
My favorite VH album, the last one I really loved.
My first Van Halen cassette as a kid
it’s hard for me not to believe Green Day as Cali kids listening to this like everyone else and burning it into their brains as the prototype for their multiple songs about growing up in dystopia.
Just a great vibe esp in the break when DLR turns off axis from mic then returns. Stunning.
My Favorite Album from VH..Maybe. Women and Children First. Ain't to shabby!
Great song to dance to
Best song in their catalog. In a walk.
There are notes in the bending strings of Eddie's solos that do not exist...or haven't been proven yet! Lol like Dark Matter!
Send this to CERN immediately!! Love ya Hari!
My favorite VH song !
When they could control David Lee Roth and Eddie did not try to do too much,they were fire…Sometimes we forget how great Alex was on drums and Michael Anthony was on bass…
THIS song…the first time I heard it….messed me the f up. The groove is sick and as a trio, Ed, Alex and Mike are killing it. Yeah we all know the intro with the tapping. Awesome. But when the main riff kicks in, Ed is like “strap in mofos!”
now we need fair warning by Van Halen !
This is a hard driving rock song
My favorite Van Halen song. Eddie's best guitar sounds!
1978 Anaheim Stadium. VH came in by way of parachutes and landed backstage. They blew everyone away.
But it wasn't them. Roth engineered the whole thing. It was 4 professional skydivers and the band wore the same jump suits so when they emerged taking off their suits it would appear as if they jumped out of the plane. If course no one knew about this until years later.
@@vellaropedart9190 - I knew of course but it was highly original!
@@BigC. Dave was a genius in that sense. Kind of like how he got the roadies to break down the set up down to an hour and a half😂😂😂
Van Halen is more than Eddie Van Halen. Micheal Anthony laid down some sick bass lines.
👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 Van Halen!
Their best album in my opinion....
The brown sound!
great reaction. May I recommend "Ice Cream Man"
Quite obv Eddie loved funk and had great sense of rhythm ( DLR is on record discussing the time he took EVH to see Earth Wind and Fire) so few Rock guitarist have that .Back in the day their repertoire included a good amount of R and B tunes .
VH #1 RIP Eddie! we miss you!!!!
Some of Van Halen is timeless...actually most of Van Halen can be said to be timeless. I was paying attention when these songs were released. It is always fascinating to discover people just discovering this art. Van Halen is music at its most virtuosic and creative. It moves you. It demands that you listen. So many artists today are afraid to be innovative. Van Halen approached their art from the stand point of "everyone get the fu*k out of our way."
This Song is Fire....💣
Right on,Harri!! More VH!!!!!!!!(plez)
Harri give Cabo Wabo a shot
I guess growing up with Van Halen from the beginning I was naive maybe about Diamond Dave. He was the living definition of a rock star but I never ever seen him with a girlfriend and that's okay. I'm sorry he felt like he couldn't be himself. Eddie's death took a huge toll on Dave. Eddie was immortal or so we thought.
The only thing wrong with this song is that the outro shouldve gone on for another 3-4 minutes.
Heh, nice. I bought that album on cassette in ninth grade. Given the artwork on the cover I shoulda bought the record! [grin] The guitar on this song is mean all right. Van Halen could get serious when seriousness was called for -- or menace. The hunted becomes the hunter... Compare it with "Atomic Punk" from their first album. PS. "Mean Streets" (1973) was a crime film directed by Martin Scorsese starring Harvey Keitel and Robert De Niro. It might have inspired the lyrics to this song.
Edward Van Halen = the GOAT.
AC/DC HAVE A DRINK ON ME.
that is were they came from. VH.
Al a drummer. from VH.
King Edward
Not me...I was listening to Dave kick some ass !!!!!
Are there lyrics to this song? All I can hear is that killer guitar.
Thank you for this reaction...EDDIE WAS THE BEST
its loosely based about the l.a mean streets my friend
Have you reviewed Bon Jovi yet? They've been playing for fourth years. Jon, the lead singer wrote and co-wrote their music. He got covid in 2021 and lost his voice. They were my favorite band after Led Zeppelin. I am also a huge Elvis fan also. Thanks, len
Bon jovi lmao. Poor music, weak musicians , meager talents mediocre vocals. Save ur ears and skip this silly group
Dave had just gotten back from a solo trip to Haiti. Eddie was mad. Anyone who calls Van Halen some hair band is ignorant. Nobody has made music like this before or after. Funk music with a weird edge
"Swing"
play my music.
See a gun is real easy, in this desperate part of town/turns you from hunted into hunter…aint that the US in a nutshell these days?