Mean Street - Van Halen - Isolated Guitar (guitar only)

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Mean Street by Van Halen - Isolated Guitar - Guitar Only. For use as an educational resource to learn the guitar part to Mean Street (you'll need it). Use as a backing track for bass, drums, and/or vocals.
Album Title: Fair Warning
Release Date: April 29, 1981
~Album Tracks:
Side 1
1. Mean Street
2. Dirty Movies
3. Sinner's Swing!
4. Hear About It Later
Side two
5. Unchained
6. Push Comes to Shove
7. So This Is Love?
8. Sunday Afternoon in the Park
9. One Foot Out the Door
~ Van Halen
Michael Anthony - bass guitar, backing vocals
David Lee Roth - lead vocals
Eddie Van Halen - guitar, synthesizers, backing vocals
Alex Van Halen - drums
~ Mean Street Lyrics
At night I walk this stinkin' street past the crazies on my block
And I see the same old faces and I hear that same old talk
And I'm searching for the latest thing, a break in this routine
I'm talkin' some new kicks, ones like you ain't never seen
This is home, this is Mean Street
(This is) Yes-ah home, the only one I know
An' we don't worry 'bout tomorrow 'cause we're sick of these four walls
Now what you think is nothin' might be somethin' after all
Now you know this ain't no through street, the end is dead ahead
The poor folks play for keeps down here, they're the living dead
Come on down, (Huh! Ow!) down (This is) to Mean Street
They're dancin' now, look! Out on Mean Street
Dance baby!
It's always here and now my friend, it ain't once upon a time
It's all over but the shouting, I come to take what's mine
We're searchin' for the latest thing, a break in this routine
Talkin' some new kicks, ones like you ain't never seen
This is home, (Ooh) this is Mean Street
(This is) Yes-ah home, only one I know
See, a gun is real easy
(This is Mean Street) in this desperate part of town
(This is home) Turns you from hunted into hunter (Yeah)
(This is Mean Street) You go an' hunt somebody down
Wait a minute, ah (This is home) Somebody said "Fair warning", Lord
(This is Mean Street) Lord, strike that poor boy down!
Tags: Mean Street Guitar Cover Lesson

[@robertbeasley5595]

Probably the meanest guitar track ever laid down!!!!!

[@avolite719]

Great guitar track ... BUT not the meanest by a long shot.

[@Big_Island_Boi]

Definitely a top 10... and Eddie probably has 8 or 9 of those top 10.

[@donwoodward7944]

I think this song has the greatest rock guitar tone ever recorded.

[@jimfromoh8944]

A lot of people think that VH1 had his best tone but this is pretty hard to beat. That open G before the first verse is iconic.

[@BAND-MAID-USA]

That open G is so ridiculous. Gives me chills how full it sounds. And so mean. This song and Mean Street have the ultimate tone to me. Eddie is the beat thing that ever happened to rock music.

[@playdiscgolf1546]

Yeah Fair Warning was the best sounding album In my opinion. And this was a great way to start it off!

[@blackstaticband]

Check out "Sinner's Swing"

[@jwil4905]

@@BAND-MAID-USA This song IS Mean Street, but I agree with the rest of your statement.

[@TheScooter1963]

There will never be another EVH... he will always be The GOAT

[@brokenspokes3739]

There is hope watch Jacob deraps mean street video on you tube 16 at the time

[@matthewcasebolt1902]

@@brokenspokes3739 Eddie was an innovator, pioneer of a sort. It only takes someone that makes sounds others don’t

[@Peacefullyfree365]

Eddie’s playing was awesome and so were the songs!

[@ianjones2731]

@@brokenspokes3739 lol Jacob is not the next evh

[@hinney827]

@@brokenspokes3739 imitation is not nearly the same thing as innovation and discovery.

[@footnotedrummer]

Honestly... Eddie is one of the GOATs. You can't deny it.

[@michael1]

That's literally true. 1955 year of the chinese zodiac is goat. Dave lee roth born 1954 is horse - which probably explained his singing voice

[@john564holloway]

🤣@@michael1

[@LockSpaz]

Who in their right mind would deny it?

[@footnotedrummer]

@@LockSpaz ... far too many people say "he's over-rated". If even one person says that... it's too many. \m/>

[@johnegan4762]

I think this would have even made Jimi Hendrix’s jaw drop. So innovative and powerful.

[@everonlyallforthee]

I was just thinking this. Jimi would have loved it.

[@jaysonraphaelmurdock8812]

Jimi would have called Ed a baaaad mutha phuqa.

[@ckmoore101]

Oh for sure. I think Jimi would have been Eddies #1 fan. I could definitley see Jimi, had he lived, own a Music Man, EVH edition. Although, he probably would have had his own Fender signature line also, reverse headstock of course. :)

[@billygreenville59]

@@ckmoore101 Jimi would have become SUPER RICH, had he lived.

[@st7728]

I know it would.

[@davelittlewood195]

I know the Eddie is most known for his solo's but I think that his rhythm playing is the most impressive

[@markward2396]

True artist

[@Twerk79]

​@StoneOnBass😊😊😅😊😊

[@souflikar6702]

This guy gets it. Spot on!

[@MoreMeRecording]

100! Like I've always said about Page (especially his critics for being "sloppy") ya but those *compositions though*.....EVH was a maniac of a rhythm player and of course like one of his heroes, Page, an incredible composer. At the end of the day you ain't got shit if you don't have a strong song.

[@ClarkWhittington-qi5dh]

Agree with your riffs statement and tone statement

[@NitroModelsAndComics]

My hero, under the microscope. He only gets better as you analyze him.

[@totc6196]

Isn’t that the fucking truth. King Edward

[@dudefrombarrie]

These iso tracks really help you understand just how good the dude really was.

[@worryfreemusic-jasoncagle5284]

It’s absolutely unreal man! Never ceases to amaze me.

[@seancurry5073]

Robert Frias, you are a genius. Your comment should be an example for the definition of the word "TRUE". I usually never comment on peoples comments until i read yours. Thank you.

[@NitroModelsAndComics]

@@seancurry5073 That may be the nicest thing anyone has said about anything I've said in some years.Thank You Sir

[@michaelb.42112]

This song is THE definition of guitar tone in the Dictionary. 🎸

[@GLHS592]

EVH's rhythm playing is just as good as, if not better than, his solos. I just love the crunchy sound of his guitar. Where he came up with all that stuff is beyond me.

[@bradalker5332]

You got that right. His rhythm playing was every bit as fantastic as his solo playing. Like Hendrix before him, Jimi had some amazing rhythm playing.

[@popwarner8029]

With Eddie it wasn't really considered rhythm guitar. It was really all guitar. Michael Anthony held down a lot of the rhythm groove. This was Dubbed 2 guitar parts. But somehow Eddie Van Halen was able to pull it off in concert because of Michael Anthony's Dynamic Bass playing

[@chrispile3878]

All great players play THE SONG. Keef said so, and who is going to argue with him?

[@bigredmachine1]

This was always my favorite RHYTHM track by him!

[@CribNotes]

Damn.....EVH's groove is fuckin perfect.

[@Catholicnick1845]

If you ever feel bad just know that this Earth is 4.6 billion years old and you've managed to live at the same time Eddie Van Halen was alive RIP Eddie we love you ❤🎸

[@anthonyabate6779]

Dude perfect!! Thank you for sharing that.. lmfao!! Fuckin 51 never did that cross my mind!! Now I’m not that sad anymore when I hear Eddie!! So thanks!! Silly smh

[@pbasser2]

Brings a tear to my eye…..

[@BC99]

The guy was just on a different trip than everyone else. It's hard to even call this guitar playing in a conventional sense. In its own category.

[@BassPlayerCenter]

Not to mention he was a self taught prodigy

[@BC99]

Not sure if I agree with that, both he and Alex took piano lessons for years and Eddie was noted for his improvisational ability. Their dad was also a professional musician so they were certainly surrounded by music and training from a young age even it wasn’t specifically guitar related.

[@Scottocaster6668]

@@BassPlayerCenter That's why he's so unique. No rules, just replicate what's in your head, to guitar. That's the real technique, "What's going on musically in his head" 😲

[@steveg.9556]

Wow...perfectly put. Couldn't agree more.

[@VODECI]

@@BC99 piano and guitar couldn’t teach you how to play and set up the amp like this in 1981

[@Sixxiron]

A guitar tone that 40 years later is still being chased! Long live THE King!

[@bretviola6871]

That tone is second to none!!!!

[@acaciawarner9468]

Van Halen 1981 Fair Warning...Best Album....Best Tour!!!

[@mdm73100]

Greatest tone and his best playing of all the VH albums totally agreed.. This is so sick , dirty and nasty …amazing..!!

[@danielbombard8237]

Another example of why this was the greatest ever

[@johnmcmahonBXLA]

This is why we keep hearing the Mozart reference. After this, all the copycats that followed now seems pointless. This will live forever. We love you Eddie, Rest In Peace.

[@monsterk7603]

Amen, and well said. \,,/

[@southernstateofmindhelps]

DAMN! This man has no equal in guitarists! RIP EVH

[@TopJimmy2]

I love the whole song but that section in the solo that sounds like he's strangling the guitar is amazing. Its been sending chills up my spine since 1981.

[@beenrudy]

That rhythm section in the solo is so filthy!

[@lasjames7516]

man listen closely to how he changes the rhythm riff during the solo - its unreal

[@mikewrightify]

That whole ending section just does it for me it sounds like it's coming from another planet it's just the nuances the ambience it who thinks this s*** up who would have thought this up in the '70s

[@Challender]

Fuckin A I resemble that remark! Then you hear it live you are never the same.

[@totc6196]

Makes my face scrunch up and explode with energy I hope a turd doesn’t fly out. On a serious note arguably the best guitar tone layed to tape and most explosive solos rip to the king.

[@brokenmarbles70]

The Brown sound in all its glory, this is a masterpiece RIP Eddie

[@MrPercussionPete]

The very definition of rock guitar. The impeccable timing, that badass roaring sound. Eddie forever. What a giant.

[@e.l.norton]

Eddie was a MUSICIAN. Yeah, there were other mechanics who copied the superficialities of Van Halen, but they NEVER copied the music. They were players. Eddie was/is a master musician. Nobody could write the way he did, or combine blues, swing, and classical driven by a God sent guitar tone that lived and breathed all on its own. The man will never have an equal..

[@truescotsman4103]

well put. he was a guitar god among mortal musicians.

[@dyster5179]

Vito Bratta was very much a clone for that first White Lion album. It bothered me greatly.

[@guitarplayer_de]

RIP Ed, most innovative and best sounding Rock guitarist ever. Yes, this is the ultimate Rock guitar tone we're all trying to imitate and in the attempt we all have to fail. 🙏🏻🎸🔥

[@scottpeters4401]

You can really hear how his amp wasn’t completely gained out like you think it is…Everything is so articulate…Eddie was a true master….These isolated tracks show just how great he really was…Nobody did it better..

[@jameson3500]

yeah, as most know Eddie would use a variac to dial down the voltage in his amps, which in turns gives less gain and a more "spongy" sound.

[@michaelwerner4027]

I've always believed Eddie, while one of the greatest guitar players ever, was equally adept at knowing how play in service to the song. His solos and lines were always in keeping with, and in service to the song. Too many times we hear about 'great guitar players' who weren't aware of the context they were playing, so their solos sounded out of place and disjointed. Eddie's playing always made sense in the song and helped elevate anything and everything he played on.

[@MoreMeRecording]

And exposes how much Mike's unison playing fattened up the tone where at first blush you think its part of Eds sound.

[@BrunoPetcov]

@@MoreMeRecordingYes!!! Especially the little phrase at the end o the chorus

[@TheAxe4Ever]

I wish someone would totally isolate, without the solo, the killer, tasty rhythm Eddie did underneath the solo. Eddie’s solo’s are legendary of course, but his rhythm playing is the stuff of life!

[@area51audio]

Totally agree .. his rhythm playing is where it's at. It's those players like Ed, Dime, Michael Sweet....with drummers for brothers - that's a good path to amazing rhythm chops....play off the drummer.

[@willcoennen4234]

u soo right man, what a badass. i miss Eddie soo badd.

[@ianhamilton4816]

Totally agree!!!!

[@ralphhyland8661]

No doubt! NOBODY did the rhythm and groove like him.

[@SuperGaleford]

Umm…he’s literally playing that riff under the solo the entire song.

[@92naz32]

R.I.P. to the King, Edward Lodewijk Van Halen. Like the death of family & friends that I've lost I don't see myself ever not feeling this great loss the rest of my days. None better.

[@tomwil77]

Eddie was probably the hardest working guitar player ever. Not only did he usually play nonstop on every song, but he took a bunch of different sounds and combined them all into something that worked very well for whatever song he was playing on. His playing was quite complex, but it always pleased the ear.

[@jojonorris8047]

One of the greatest guitar players that will ever walk this planet. 💪♥️🎵🎶🎸🌎

[@AmpAHolic-wn6mr]

The definitive magic Plexi tone at its pinnacle. This album will always be the be all VH album for me.

[@michaelponce7326]

Agreed. And to me his old plexi was his best tone...js

[@Jezza819]

Yep. My favorite VH album too.

[@johnmarshall3903]

Totally agree

[@poeboyjackson]

Nobody played (or plays) like Eddie and Eddie never played like anyone else. There is never a standard riff in any Van Halen song. He even made the covers his own. Thank you God for Eddie Van Halen.

[@bobjames5264]

HOW can someone give THIS a thumbs-down??? Guitar players have to hear this to know just how impeccable Eddie’s playing was. Even in his rhythm playing, Eddie was one of the most expressive guitar players who ever lived. From straight tones to pinch harmonics to muted notes, he knew exactly what nuances he wanted in all his guitar parts, and executed them flawlessly. And just think: he started out on drums and initially wanted nothing to do with the guitar. 😮

[@kelvindraughon4181]

I wonder who these two "A" holes are that gave this a thumbs down!

[@SBuckmann]

Probably a few F-ing Millenials with sh-t parents and a depraved upbringing don't recognize greatness... Or it could be an "Its too loud, what do you mean this isn't Lawrence Welk old timer...."

[@coreybondurant]

I agree, Bob! I'm a lifelong drummer, but can still appreciate his greatness. RIP Great One!

[@kelvindraughon4181]

@Liberty AboveAllElse LOLOLOLOLOL!!!!

[@charlesmorrison6633]

He started on classic piano nd won competitions, as did Alex. then Eddie tried drums.

[@tedwoe]

My absolute favorite Van Halen song, I mean I love 'em all, but this one....DAAAAYYUUUMM!!!! And it's all because of that guitar!

[@gregh3248]

The solo on the end fade is some of his best work. Mean Streets is my favorite VH song

[@ZumadoggGoogle2]

Who would have been A-OK paying to see EVH play these isolated parts LIVE. So much was made about the singers. I like this even more.

[@sp3ci4lkpo]

Singers? So much said? Huh? It was always about Eddie Van Halen. Sure... DLR was the greatest front man of the time (possibly still), and people liked him, but Eddie was from another planet.

[@JacobLiveRemasters]

​@@sp3ci4lkpo DLR ranks among some of the best frontmen ever during his prime. If you watch them live at Fresno 1978 you'll see what I mean, he really puts on a show. Although his singing voice wasn't the greatest, he was a very good lyricist for the musical ideas Eddie came up with. I agree though, Eddie was definitely the driving force for the band's success and he blew everyone away. VH together were unstoppable in the 70's

[@weirdshibainu]

I really wish EVH had done an MTV unplugged set with just him.

[@HardRockMaster7577]

I'm for a boxed set of EVH isolated tracks and for Alex Van Halen.

[@djjazzyjeff1232]

I feel that EXACT way about Dokken and George Lynch, some of those albums instrumentally are so good, but it's Don's questionable vocal choices that makes so the songs don't have any "life." All the pieces are there on paper, but it just doesn't translate. I like watching videos of George from the front row where you can't hear the singer lol.

[@thomaspeters9174]

FUCKIN AMAZING.. i cant believe he's gone.. I dont think ill ever get over it...💔

[@brentramsey]

Same here It’s hard to comprehend

[@SuperGaleford]

One year ago today.

[@warborn_inc.]

It will never really feel right that we live in a world without him

[@kp6173]

@@warborn_inc. He was one of a kind,that's what made him special.

[@watvrwemakemusic1983]

Yes. I just turned my grandson on to Eddie...just one week before... My grandson said ' he's good, Pa... You know him?' he loves watching ' the elephant sound' ed has influenced everyone... We were jamming, and and we have a track called ( 41) that I've been told sounds a little like Eddie..I hope I grabbed a hold of the vibe... It's just how we play! Thanks Eddie!

[@edwardz65]

Just as badass now as it was in ‘81. RIP, Eddie.

[@svogender]

Yeah... It's badass now... But back then it was BADASS... !!! 😍😍👍👍

[@sadmachines6991]

My dad was the auto shop teacher at only 21 years of age, of the auto shop class at the pasadena continuation high school Eddie was in with his friend, my uncle victor, also my dads youngest brother. They were both guitarists in their own bands. Victor said him and Eddie used to smoke weed out back behind class.

[@tonycapraroiii]

best guitar ever --any song

[@Big_Island_Boi]

That's a pretty strong statement... considering his entire catalogue. I mean... Unchained...? Eruption...? Aint Talkin' Bout Love...? I'm the One...? Atomic Punk...? On Fire...? So many choices.

[@paulcostelow7713]

He was always a master of the "weird noises" and little fills, a perfectionist. After 30 years of playing guitar, I'm still in awe, even more so now!

[@mikegoldstein1246]

This is just down right dirty. It's so good and not comparable by anyone...he's just so fluid and precise.

[@djjazzyjeff1232]

It's dirty and clean all at the same time. Like a well tuned V8 burnin' right!

[@musicalSFCat]

Eddie's intro during that era in the guitar world was freakin' epic. One of thee most bad ass riffs in hard rock history too. Nobody changed the guitar world like Eddie in the '70s, since Hendrix. IMHO

[@DaddyDave7747]

I've been playing guitar for 46 years. Even if I could live a million lifetimes, I could never be as good as Ed. They broke the mold when Ed was born.

[@dewayneavans8715]

Same here

[@davida6889]

Keeping that golden timing in his rythym playing ..funky and heavy metal at the same time ...Ed and his brother have this formula ...hits you hard and still yet funky ...makes you dance and bang your head at the same time ..

[@michaelwilson2497]

I don't think he and his brother's timing is actually timing. It's like Van Halen time. Something not meant for baseline humans. So many off beats and the staccato's get you. They were like one person. There will never be another. Sure there are other great guitarists, but he made all of them except for a rare few, change the way they play.

[@setiyoung1611]

The whole fair warning album is just perfect.

[@mikeys7536]

It’s amazing how technical the guitar parts are in this song. Just shows what a musical genius he really was.

[@djjazzyjeff1232]

All of the songs have elements of that, it's what give VH their signature thing.

[@juangomez-mo6wl]

The harmonics Eddie does at beginning of this song are phenomenal 😌🎸

[@jameyd4155]

Listening to these isolated tracks … the man didn’t need a band! He WAS the band! No disrespect to Alex, Mike or DLR, but he said as a TITAN, and the music coming from him stands alone - on it’s own greatness. Love ya EVH, thanks for all the great vibes your music brought us!

[@renzo4296]

EVH was phenomenal, his style and technique was so unique and so amazing!

[@sinnertrain7405]

I love that Eddie mostly used just ONE guitar track on this song and most of the other EVH songs.

[@BAND-MAID-USA]

Such a genius. Unreal. And how could ANYONE thumbs down this?

[@charlesperry671]

I knew eddie was experimenting with the Eventide units in fair warning but man, hearing it isolated gives you an idea on just how much fuller it makes the sound. So punchy with that slight crystal sound while maintaining the sizzle of VH1 & VH2. Pure magic

[@Mr.Saltwater]

What are you referring to on Even Ride? Googled it came up empty. Thanks if you know

[@charlesperry671]

@@Mr.Saltwater spelling mistake. Was meant to say Eventide. It’s a brand that sells chorus and detune effect racks, namely the ones that eddie used

[@johnnyguitar65]

You can really hear it at 2:05....such a tasty lick...not overly complex or “show offy “ just full of nasty groove.

[@benjaminwoodrowmusic6070]

@@johnnyguitar65 he's turned the phaser on for that bit...the op is referring to the slightly detuned effect throughout which adds a chorus effect.

[@charlesperry671]

@@johnnyguitar65 one of the main reasons I love Eddie. Not only is his rhythm playing his strongest point, he also never forced effects or techniques into a song to show off, he simply manipulated them to make what he was playing sound the best it possibly could.

[@jaytothem2238]

Craziest thing is he wrote A LOT of these songs on piano. Eddie will always be the king. Like alien technology in his hands or something. Just unbelievable!

[@amychristian1172]

His use of effects is spot on. Understated and served the song perfectly. There's alot of talk lately about this or that one being THE Goat. Ed may very well been the actual greatest of all time imho...

[@franksaldana6570]

@C.Nash there’s flanger on part of the riff that he uses very sparingly

[@benjaminwoodrowmusic6070]

​@C.Nash there's a harmonizer on the guitar for the entire song as well

[@Bill-iy4fc]

Phase 90 on the sliding chords at the start of the solo section

[@johngower2208]

EVH had a swagger and attitude in his playing unlike any other guitarist. best of all time

[@beenrudy]

Such a badass tone! RIP EVH

[@michaelponce7326]

@itsabig the plexi head has nothing to do with his tone?

[@angelozararis8096]

If you only knew Eddie how much you are so missed by me your #1 me and millions. Love you.

[@These_go_to_eleven_1959]

It's very difficult to describe in words what this did to me as someone who was learning to play Rock guitar when I first it in 1981.. Kind of surprised I Continued on? I felt defeated as well as inspired at the same time!

[@mojodojo5533]

I get chills listening to this. Especially the outro solo isolated. Never have heard it like that! So many little nuances that you cannot hear over the band.

[@centaur70]

100 % pure bad a.;s.;s. ...... That final ending to this song is killer. I think I must have worn out my cassette tape on my boom box...lol

[@jetcitysinatra7300]

I never realized just how little guitar there is in this song. The bass and drums fill this out and make the guitar sound like there is more that is playing than there actually is.

[@zzyzxx13]

I just listened to this gem again tonight for the first time since my previous post seven months ago, and the ending here is interesting to me. I know the track fades-out on the album, but here we hear his guitarwork beyond the fade-out. That it ends so abbruptly at 5.06 leaves you wanting more, and it also makes you think he could have continued-on for another 5.06 minutes. What a talent he was!

[@mojodojo5533]

Somewhere in KZbin land is a live version where he takes the outro solo a measure or two further. Freaking awesome.

[@timothyhudson7999]

I can totally hear Alex and Dave's parts in the background in my head. This is awesome.

[@tubewrestler59]

With every note he ( Edward ) was able to breathe life into that guitar, turning it into a creature that spit out musical fire, sound effects that growled and screamed, always with the perfect amount of tonality. 1978- 1985 was electric because of him and the original band’s chemistry. It really was a once in a lifetime experience. I’m so glad I lived it.

[@herc122]

I love the riff under the guitar solo too. Everything about this recording is totally badass!

[@HONORYOUROATH]

That riff under the solo is sick. Listen closely it’s pretty much the riff from ZZ Top’s La Grange.

[@ABoyd1852]

Ive listened to that opening solo a 1000 times. Listen, pick the needle up, start back at the beginning. Over and over and over.

[@c.a.k.comedy692]

This tone man… it’s full but somehow hollow, dark and gritty but still crisp and crunchy. Absolute favorite album right here

[@richardb8220]

Greatest tone ever.

[@jasoncagle1657]

Absolutely ridiculous! That last few minutes of this song is just unreal with the rhythm. The whole song is. Never will anyone come close.

[@johningham2718]

This boys and girls is what happens when you combine the best of 2 songs (voodoo queen and she's the woman)! Simply AWESOME!!!

[@tonyb8660]

the intro to the lead is one of the most amazing things I've ever heard.

[@kevinpowers9024]

When I was 18 years old, I saw him play this live on the Fair Warning tour in Charlotte, NC. FW has always been my fav VH album and tour. IMO, they were at their best on the FW tour. That was a really good show. Forty years ago? How the hell did that happen lol! Time goes by way too fast. Rest in peace Eddie. Thanks for all the great music. I made a bunch of road trips to see you in concert back in the day. Fun times.

[@dougtull4594]

Still jaw-dropping. These are some of the best riffs and solos in the history of guitar.

[@mikeyn3611]

Amazing! Every note meant something. Every silence did too.

[@daktarioskarvannederhosen2568]

this single song summarily contains the greatness of eddie

[@robertfrederick4714]

We are so fortunate to have been able to experience the genius of the master. Never again will an instrument be changed like that Edward had an every key to unlock every possibility of the Guitar! RIP. Eddie VanHalen

[@mojodojo5533]

Exactly! I mean what else can be done. I will be shocked if someone ever "reinvents" the guitar EVER.

[@whiskybravo4648]

@@mojodojo5533 They said the same thing about Hendrix….Then Sir Edward appeared. We may not see another in our lifetime, but hopefully we will, someone so inspired by what came before that they’ll take it to another level just as Eddie did.

[@mojodojo5533]

@@whiskybravo4648 Yeah but I don't think there is another level! Lol! If someone does, I probably won't like it. Ed just had a lot of intangibles. Particularly his sense of rhythm and how to create melody with a guitar that sounded like an atomic weapon.

[@michaelehlert9]

Fair Warning turned me into a die hard VH fan and this song, like so many had my friends and me wondering “how the hell is he doing that.” All the while having incredible grooves and rhythm tracks. This sets him apart from every other guitarist IMO.

[@thelowe6393]

Eddie was absolutely brilliant. I'm always at a loss for words listening to his mastery of the guitar. As important to the craft as Hendrix was. VH will live on forever!

[@jamesscouten7579]

Eddie is and always will be the game changing innovator of our time on guitar. If you don't believe that then you are obviously not a guitar player!

[@maxmenius9839]

That intro is beautiful controlled chaos. What a groovy, killer rhythm.

[@steveg.9556]

Everything is perfect. Those chops...out of this world.

[@Nightjar726]

His rhythm is insane. In time , but a freestyle feel. He is sometimes ahead of the beat and sometimes behind. But always lands on his feet. Just mind boggling even 55 years after hearing this. Still blows my mind

[@robpaul6204]

Just amazing. The more I listen to it I realise how great he was. LEGEND

[@smedleybutler8787]

The song blew my mind when I first heard it in 82. You got to love the open e 0:36. Still have problems playing that shuffle 0:52

[@DLH.23]

Most badass intro on any record I can think of......I remember hearing this the first time when I was 7 years old and that pretty much changed everything about the guitar for me. And 50 million other people

[@SaberToothGary]

SO fuggin bad ass!! Nobody swings like the King!!

[@loumason6120]

1981 was one of the best years in mankind's history and Eddie was God's gift to Rock!

[@BassPlayerCenter]

Yes - my "cool" uncle bought me this vinyl album when it first came out!

[@Catchfishcookfisheatfish]

Never gets old!!!!!!!!

[@anthonyabate6779]

So Fuckin true!!!

[@porscheguy718]

This reminds me more that what he has recorded has never been duplicated by anyone else. Rip Eddie you were an inspiration and ridiculously talented.

[@InfamousReptillian420]

Literally flawless

[@zzyzxx13]

I love these isolated guitar tracks! There are so many subtleties that are lost on the album under the bass, drums and vocals. I don't remember hearing that Eddie was a perfectionist, but now I know why he was always noodling around on his guitar in his bedroom at home, during the day and in his hotel room on the road. He was just perfecting all these fills and subtleties as much as he was working on the riffs and solos. Ed's the man!!

[@YoDuker]

The purist electric guitar rock n roll player the universe ever produced.

[@chrisglendinning8899]

This is why i never get sick of vh... its not like listening to BTO...so many subtle nuances , its timeless

[@stephenlandry9061]

His rhythm playing is phenomenal

[@3TVforall]

That’s why he was so great not only killer on leads . He was an awesome rhythm player & riff master 🤘🏻

[@jimmyjennings8956]

Eddie Van Halen came from a higher dimension, nobody will ever match his creativity, nobody has sense 78 and i dont see anyone doing it yet or anytime soon.

[@reneperales8951]

He's the master at playing rhythm as lead, and playing lead with rhythm without a hick-up.

[@Makai77]

My favorite intro ever. My favorite guitarist ever.

[@jimswordsnchords1759]

F*king love this. Even has the full ending that is lost with the fade out on the original track!

[@ralphhyland8661]

I have always loved Eddie's rhythm and fills since the 1st album came out when I was in 10th grade in 78. A true master and one of one. RIP bud, be seeing down the road someday

[@DANTHETUBEMAN]

He jumps ahead in the timing creating a sense of urgency to the riff. It works. You hear it a lot more in this track.

[@bigsauce1116]

Brought a tear to my eye but still had a smile on my face🤘