The Band That Made Me Pee A Little.

Van Halen - Jump


When people ask me, "Hey you, what is your favorite kind of music?", I always say without thinking, Van Halen!
It started for me back in the 80's when I was a young lad fishing with my friend Huck Finn down by the crick. I heard music that sent chills up my spine. It was a Van Halen record (yes I said RECORD). I instantly fell in love with the band. What was the song you ask? Well, that's another story for a different day.

My older brother was getting tickets to go see Van Halen play in New Haven Ct at the Coliseum, which has since been torn down. I begged him to get me a ticket. He kept saying no, so finally I did what any good younger brother would do, I told mom. Well, I got the ticket and the day came, March 24th, 1984. I was only 12 years old at the time. Our seats were only 12 rows from the stage and I was in the middle of pot haven ( you see, at that time you could still smoke in public buildings and security did not check what people were smoking). The opening band was Autograph (They were really good).

The lights went down and all of a sudden a monstrous guitar sound came out from a wall of Marshall amps that made me pee a little. The announcement was made "Are you ready New Haven CT. Here they are, the mighty VAN HALEN!!!

The first song they played that night was "Unchained", a masterful hard rock song. As the night went on they played every song I wanted to hear. By the way, they were REALLY loud. I think I still have effects to this day.

At the end of the night they did "Jump", I thought to myself then "Self", I said, "This song has everything you need in a great rock song". I still believe that to this day.

"Jump" starts out with a melodic synthesizer that play a couple of chords but they grab your attention. Also, anyone who hears that even today knows what song is coming. Next, the rhythm takes over with a driving pulse. When the vocals are presented, here is the ringmaster David Lee Roth, belting out perfectly written lyrics that match the song to perfection. As the song goes on, what you start to notice is what a great visual effect the band has, Eddies Frankenstein red, black and white guitar. Dave's many flamboyant outfits mixed in with his on stage antics.
Back to the song. When the chorus comes in to play it is a simple arrangement along with simple lyrics " Might as well Jump". Then you are met with 2 gut busting solos by Edward. First the guitar solo has the signature licks he has made famous over the years but then the synth solo really burns up the keys which some people were surprised by. Actually, eddie was trained on classical piano at a young age.

There are so many things about this song that I love, I am getting the bends trying to finish this. So to simply put this, this song is great, this band is great (with David Lee Roth), this video is great ( video was shot with one camera. Sometimes one of the band members was filming when they were not in the shot).

If ever a band came out today that had even a small amount of talent and showmanship as Van Halen did, they would be huge. The formula for success never changes.