New Song: Sammy Hagar’s New Rocking Tribute To Eddie Van Halen, “Encore, Thank you, Goodnight”

“Since you’ve been gone things don’t feel the same…” – Sammy Hagar, “Encore, Thank You, Goodnight”

While I was busy playing and replaying the new single from the recently reunited Alice Cooper band, “Black Mamba,” Sammy Hagar snuck up on me and dropped another new song – his second new track of the year – a touching, rocking tribute to the late Eddie Van Halen, “Encore, Thank You, Goodnight.” For those of you Sammy fans out there, you already know that earlier this year he teamed up with blues legend Joe Bonamassa for the new song “Fortune Teller Blues.” This brand new song, based on what I’m reading in the lyrics, seems to have been inspired by Eddie visiting Sammy in a dream… but that may just be Sammy taking a little literary license in the lyrics. The only other tribute song to Eddie that I’ve heard was “Eddie” by the Red Hot Chili Peppers on their last new LP, Return Of The Dream Canteen. While I dug that song, this one hits a little harder as Sammy was bandmates with Eddie in Van Halen, or Van Hagar if you want, for over a decade. And while the breakup, like most breakups, was acrimonious it’s clear that Sammy has a fond affection for the late guitar legend. And Sammy is right… since Eddie’s been gone things don’t feel the same… alas.

Sammy has gone through a number of different backing bands over the last several years. From Chickenfoot to The Circle, to the Waboritas (aka the Wabos), but no matter who he’s playing with his sound is still rooted in that hard rock formula he started with, way back when, in Montrose. It’s clear his time in Van Halen is on his mind as he’s been out on a tour dubbed “The Best Of All Worlds,” featuring his solo music, his Van Halen material and even a few Montrose tunes to boot. The tour’s title is obviously inspired by one of the Van Hagar era’s best tunes, “Best Of Both Worlds.” He’s now in the midst of a Vegas residency that my buddy Drummer Blake is headed out to see in the near term. Currently Sammy’s backing band (which is pretty spectacular) is: Michael Anthony, bass (he’s been teamed with Sammy since he too was kicked out of VH, no matter the band name); Kenny Aronoff, drums (Mellencamp, John Fogerty, Smashing Pumpkins); and Joe Satriani (solo, Chickenfoot). That’s a heckuva band. Satriani, as you’d expect, really shines on this track. But I have to admit, I’ve been a fan of Aronoff since his early days with Mellencamp on great albums like Scarecrow.

As I said, this song sounds like most Hagar tracks, it rocks. I don’t know if Satriani wrote the riffs or if he’s taking directly from Eddie’s song book, but he lays down the most Eddie Van Halen sounding guitar I’ve heard – that wasn’t actually Eddie. Randy Rhoads has got nothing on Joe, and I love Randy! The track starts with an extended guitar solo and it sounds like Joe is tickling those guitar strings just like EVH did, up on the neck, tapping. Then the band kicks in and then Sammy starts singing. Goosebumps man… The track, as the title implies, is a big thank you to Eddie for all the “good times” and “music” the two made together. There are little guitar phrases through out the song that Satriani lays down that sound so EVH that you’d think the man himself came back to life to play here. Michael Anthony does his usual wonderful harmony vocal as well holding down the bottom on bass. This is truly a fitting tribute to the man himself. Here’s the song:

At one point, during the song, you can hear a crowd chanting, “Eddie, Eddie,” and man if that doesn’t take you back to 1986 I don’t know what will. Sammy’s gratitude is all over this thing, “Thank you for the music (Thank you), Thank you for the song (Thank you), Thank you for the visit, what took so long?
(Thank you), Thank you for the good times, Fortune and the fame…” It would seem, from those lyrics, that Eddie appeared to Sammy and “gave” him the song. I’m not much on ghosts or spirits, but it’s a nice thought. I’m often visited by our first cat in dreams…he doesn’t communicate anything, it’s just great to see him… I was fond of that animal… but I digress.

Get out your old Van Halen t-shirts, turn this one up loud and pour a little sour mash into a glass and prepare to rawk! I have to admit, this track has me thinking about heading out to Vegas to see Sammy and the lads… It’s hard to lose someone, especially as early as we lost Eddie Van Halen. It’s nice to see Sammy put aside whatever rancor was in the breakup and sing his heart out for his fallen comrade. We should all be so lucky when we shuffle off this mortal coil and move on…

Cheers!