"Best of Both Worlds" | ||||
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Single by Van Halen | ||||
from the album 5150 | ||||
B-side | "Best of Both Worlds (Live)" | |||
Released | October 1986 | |||
Recorded | 1985–1986 | |||
Genre | Hard rock[1] | |||
Length | 3:58 (single version) 4:49 (album version) | |||
Songwriter(s) | Sammy Hagar, Eddie Van Halen, Alex Van Halen, Michael Anthony | |||
Van Halen singles chronology | ||||
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"Best of Both Worlds" is a song by American rock band Van Halen on their album 5150 that was later released as a single in October 1986.[2] A music video taken from the Live Without a Net concert video[3] was in heavy rotation on MTV.[4]
Background
The song is about Sammy's optimistic look on Van Halen's future, and creating your own luck. Primarily a guitar-driven song, the second verse includes a few keyboard chords as incidental backing sounds.[5]
Reception
Cash Box said that "the guitar wizardry of Eddie Van Halen charges through the grooves of this song" and also praised Sammy Hagar's vocal performance.[6] Billboard said it has a "strong pop hook and hedonist philosophy."[7]
In 2011, the song was ranked at #5 on Ultimate Classic Rock's list of the Top 10 Van Hagar Songs.[8] They also ranked the song as best song from 5150.[9]
Personnel
- Sammy Hagar — lead and backing vocals
- Eddie Van Halen — guitar, keyboards, backing vocals
- Michael Anthony — bass guitar, backing vocals
- Alex Van Halen — electronic drums
Charts
Chart (1986) | Peak position |
---|---|
U.S. Billboard Mainstream Rock[10] | 12 |
References
- ^ Elliott, Paul (January 5, 2021). "The battle for Van Halen: how Sammy Hagar triumphed over Dave Lee Roth". Classic Rock. Retrieved August 4, 2021.
- ^ Strong, Martin Charles (1995). The Great Rock Discography. Canongate Press. p. 866. ISBN 9780862415419.
- ^ Inc, Nielsen Business Media (1986-11-29). Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc.
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has generic name (help) - ^ MTV Programming Billboard December 13, 1986
- ^ Wilkening, Matthew (May 6, 2011). "Van Halen, 'Best of Both Worlds' – Lyrics Uncovered". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved March 23, 2021.
- ^ "Single Releases" (PDF). Cash Box. November 22, 1986. p. 9. Retrieved 2022-08-07.
- ^ "Reviews". Billboard. November 22, 1986. p. 79. Retrieved 2022-08-07.
- ^ Wilkening, Matthew (March 31, 2011). "Top 10 Van Hagar Songs". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved March 23, 2021.
- ^ Wilkening, Matthew (December 13, 2018). "The Best Song From Every Van Halen Album". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved March 23, 2021.
- ^ "Mainstream Rock". Billboard. Retrieved 2021-03-23.