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Lyrical inaccuracy in the song “1985” by Bowling for Soup
Posted on 1/29/23 at 4:37 pm
Posted on 1/29/23 at 4:37 pm
The entire concept of the song is how much better things were in 1985 and that she doesn’t understand what’s going on with music today.
Well perhaps the mom in the song wasn’t paying attention.
There was another “guy singing in Van Halen” but I never thought Gary Cherone was in the public consciousness much, especially from the perspective of a regretful 80s mom.
quote:
And who's the other guy that's singin' in Van Halen?
Well perhaps the mom in the song wasn’t paying attention.
quote:
After a string of eight solo albums, culminating with the million-sellers “Standing Hampton,” “Three Lock Box” and “V.O.A.,” and hundreds of sold out concert appearances across the country, Hagar joined Van Halen in 1985
There was another “guy singing in Van Halen” but I never thought Gary Cherone was in the public consciousness much, especially from the perspective of a regretful 80s mom.
This post was edited on 1/29/23 at 7:19 pm
3
Posted on 1/29/23 at 4:57 pm to Bjorn Cyborg
The song was recorded in 2003 by SR-71. First released May 2004. BFS changed a few lyrics, including the Vh line, and released their version in July 2004.
Contrary to what Wiki says, Ive always taken the VH line to refer to Gary Cherone.
Contrary to what Wiki says, Ive always taken the VH line to refer to Gary Cherone.
Posted on 1/29/23 at 7:21 pm to johnqpublic
Yea, I had my dates wrong on the song. I looked up the release date, and 1994 was the date Bowling for Soup was formed. I looked at it wrong.
I still don’t think Gary Cherone was well known enough for your average chick to opine about him.
I’m a big Van Halen fan and I barely remember the brief Cherone era.
I still don’t think Gary Cherone was well known enough for your average chick to opine about him.
I’m a big Van Halen fan and I barely remember the brief Cherone era.
Posted on 1/29/23 at 7:40 pm to Bjorn Cyborg
Maybe I'm lost, but why couldn't the lyrics be referring to Hagar?
Posted on 1/29/23 at 11:04 pm to shutterspeed
Because the song 1985 was lamenting how things were different now (in 2004) and reminiscing on how things were in 1985.
Sammy Hagar was the lead singer of Van Halen in 1985, so he wouldn’t be some strange “other guy”
Also, Hagar was already famous at that time, so our mom in question would already know who he was.
I can’t imagine a person from 1985 seriously saying “who’s the other guy singing in Van Halen” in reference to Sammy Hagar.
Obviously this is a tongue in cheek discussion.
I do actually think the song is about Hagar, and I am pointing out that the songwriters were young and did not understand the timing of when all that took place.
Also, Gary Cherone joined the band in 1997, only stayed for one album and was long gone by 2004 when this song was written.
Sammy Hagar was the lead singer of Van Halen in 1985, so he wouldn’t be some strange “other guy”
Also, Hagar was already famous at that time, so our mom in question would already know who he was.
I can’t imagine a person from 1985 seriously saying “who’s the other guy singing in Van Halen” in reference to Sammy Hagar.
Obviously this is a tongue in cheek discussion.
I do actually think the song is about Hagar, and I am pointing out that the songwriters were young and did not understand the timing of when all that took place.
Also, Gary Cherone joined the band in 1997, only stayed for one album and was long gone by 2004 when this song was written.
This post was edited on 1/29/23 at 11:20 pm
Posted on 1/30/23 at 12:40 am to Bjorn Cyborg
quote:
I do actually think the song is about Hagar, and I am pointing out that the songwriters were young and did not understand the timing of when all that took place.
Jared Reddick, the guy who wrote that line, was born in 1972. Started playing music on 1985 (hmmm….) and according to Wiki “Reddick and guitarist Chris Burney knew each other in high school (they met in 1986) and as students in the 1980s, they grew up on the commercially successful heavy metal music of bands such as Quiet Riot, RATT, and Mötley Crüe”.
It would appear they would be quite clear as to when Hagar was in VH and who Hagar is. They would likely also have been aware of Cherone both before and during his VH tenure.
Posted on 1/30/23 at 6:47 am to Bjorn Cyborg
quote:
Sammy Hagar was the lead singer of Van Halen in 1985, so he wouldn’t be some strange “other guy”
But he became lead singer in 1985, so to someone who was a casual fan, but not necessarily a huge music fan in general, he certainly would have been the “other guy”.
Posted on 1/30/23 at 8:15 am to Bjorn Cyborg
Posted on 1/30/23 at 8:20 am to Bjorn Cyborg
quote:
Because the song 1985 was lamenting how things were different now (in 2004) and reminiscing on how things were in 1985.
Sammy Hagar was the lead singer of Van Halen in 1985, so he wouldn’t be some strange “other guy”
he isn't the "other guy" in this case, it'd be cherone would it not? If the theme is "1985 was better / modern day 2000s sucks" then wouldn't hte lyric "who's that other guy singing with van halen" clearly be saying "whoever this other guy is that's singing with them now sucks compared to 1985"?
Posted on 1/30/23 at 8:37 am to WG_Dawg
But Cherone was gone by around 1998. He was long gone when the song was written.
Posted on 1/30/23 at 8:43 am to johnqpublic
Again, this topic is kind of a joke discussion, so I’m not arguing this musical minutiae (although, that’s what this board is for)
But the time is just too far off for it to be Cherone. No one in 2004 was talking about Gary Cherone in Van Halen, especially not some 1980s chick regretting her life choices.
It’s just a lazy, poorly written line.
And now …… are we ready to talk about the fact that Ozzie is not, and was not an actor?
Too soon?
But the time is just too far off for it to be Cherone. No one in 2004 was talking about Gary Cherone in Van Halen, especially not some 1980s chick regretting her life choices.
It’s just a lazy, poorly written line.
And now …… are we ready to talk about the fact that Ozzie is not, and was not an actor?
Too soon?
quote:
It would appear they would be quite clear as to when Hagar was in VH and who Hagar is. They would likely also have been aware of Cherone both before and during his VH tenure.
Posted on 1/30/23 at 9:14 am to WG_Dawg
quote:
he isn't the "other guy" in this case, it'd be cherone would it not? If the theme is "1985 was better / modern day 2000s sucks" then wouldn't hte lyric "who's that other guy singing with van halen" clearly be saying "whoever this other guy is that's singing with them now sucks compared to 1985"?
Ah, yes, I wasn't paying too much attention to the lyrics, but that would make more sense.
Posted on 1/30/23 at 9:36 am to Bjorn Cyborg
I think the whole point is that David Lee Roth is the “right” singer and Sammy Hagar is “the other guy”. A casual rock n roll fan would have definitely thought it was weird when the entire tone of the band shifted after 1984.
Also, Ozzy was an “actor” on “The Osbornes” which was an obviously scripted reality tv show. Heck, they had an episode where the lead singer from The Used was supposed to be Sharon Osbourne’s boyfriend.
On the other hand, the song is mostly referencing generic 80’s nostalgia. There’s been more than a few different attempts by artists to make their own versions referencing different dates. I’ve performed one called 2005 and it’s…terrible
Also, Ozzy was an “actor” on “The Osbornes” which was an obviously scripted reality tv show. Heck, they had an episode where the lead singer from The Used was supposed to be Sharon Osbourne’s boyfriend.
On the other hand, the song is mostly referencing generic 80’s nostalgia. There’s been more than a few different attempts by artists to make their own versions referencing different dates. I’ve performed one called 2005 and it’s…terrible
This post was edited on 1/30/23 at 9:43 am
Posted on 1/30/23 at 10:27 am to kingbob
anyone other than DLR would be "the other guy".
Also, when did motley crue become classic rock?
Also, when did motley crue become classic rock?
Posted on 1/30/23 at 10:35 am to MorbidTheClown
I say forget Bowling for Soup (I always thought they were corny and not in a good way)
and just listen to "Van Halen" by Nerf Herder instead
and just listen to "Van Halen" by Nerf Herder instead
Posted on 1/30/23 at 10:43 am to Keep Stirring
quote:
always thought they were corny and not in a good way
See, I enjoyed them because they were always somewhat satirical and sarcastic.
quote:
Also, when did motley crue become classic rock?
Around 1999, I believe.
Posted on 1/30/23 at 10:47 am to kingbob
quote:
See, I enjoyed them because they were always somewhat satirical and sarcastic.
But there's like 50 (if not more) punk bands who do the same thing and are better.
They toured with the Aquabats last year, who are like 1,000 times better live/fun than Bowling for Soup
This post was edited on 1/30/23 at 10:52 am
Posted on 1/30/23 at 11:07 am to kingbob
quote:
I think the whole point is that David Lee Roth is the “right” singer and Sammy Hagar is “the other guy”.
As a Van Halen fan, I certainly agree with this. But Hagar was a rock star in his own right at that time, and was the lead singer of Van Halen LITERALLY in 1985. But I digress.
Posted on 1/30/23 at 1:41 pm to Bjorn Cyborg
quote:
And now …… are we ready to talk about the fact that Ozzie is not, and was not an actor?
OzzY's first credited "acting" part was Trick or Treat released in 1986. He then showed up with cameos in things like Parker Lewis Can't Lose in 1990. This increased through the 90s culminating in 2002 with his "reality" show. Yes, he wasn't an "actor" as his main gig (although there isn't much "real" with a "reality" show). Ive always taken this line to be a lamentation of how someone who was once evil incarnate is now routinely on television screens as a family man, "defanging" his evil and demystifying the persona.
Posted on 1/30/23 at 2:01 pm to Keep Stirring
Is this what you wanted, Sammy Hagar?
Sammy Hagar, is this what you wanted, man?
Dave lost his hairline, but you lost your cool, buddy
Can't drive 55? I'll never buy your lousy records again
Sammy Hagar, is this what you wanted, man?
Dave lost his hairline, but you lost your cool, buddy
Can't drive 55? I'll never buy your lousy records again
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