Sammy Hagar, From Colton, California, was popular in the early- mid 1980's … Read Full Bio ↴Sammy Hagar, From Colton, California, was popular in the early- mid 1980's for fast paced, guitar-driven, hard rock with a masculine, lets-go-party attitude, joined the band Van Halen as lead vocalist after David Lee Roth's departure from the group. (Before joining Van Halen he sang lead vocals in Ronnie Montrose's classic rock band Montrose, and had some single output, notably his release, "I Can't Drive 55".) As much as it was public surprise when Hagar joined the band, so it was when he left. Sammy Hagar now peddles his own line of high-quality "Cabo Wabo" tequila. In the Spring of 2007, Hagar sold his stake in Cabo Wabo tequila to an Italian beverage company for a reported $80 million.

Hagar, now a sort of modern-day Jimmy Buffett, has earned his place in rock n roll history as one of hard rock's premier front men who not only has an ample, strong, belting vocal range with soulful melody and tone, but his duality as a formidable lead guitarist and guitar-riff-monger puts him in a league shared with few others in terms of versatility and overall right to rock.

He now tours with Mike Anthony, former bassist for Van Halen.

He resides with his family in Mill Valley, CA.

Hagar is currently in a band called "Chickenfoot" with Michael Anthony, Red Hot Chili Peppers' drummer Chad Smith and guitarist Joe Satriani. Their self titled debut album was released to critical acclaim

Sammy Hagar is also known as the Red Rocker, due to the fact he almost always wears red shirts or plays a red guitar, or more likely that he has red hair?

Seems that Chickenfoot is on a hiatus as Joe Satriani has gone back to solo and CF has yet to follow up with a new LP.

3 in the Middle
Sammy Hagar Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

So much for friendly conversation
Simple advice between friends
When you step between two lovers
They're steppin' out, you're steppin' in
Oh Lord...here we go again
Hey! I'm in the middle, stuck here in the middle
Yea! I'm in the middle, I can't stand the middle
Hey! diddle diddle it sucks here in the middle

Yea! I'm in the middle, can't stand the middle
Three in the middle still leaves two on the outside
I'd rather be right white conservative or
Far left cult radical extreme
I never learned to keep my mouth shut
Just speak my mind every time
Can I lay it on the line?
Hey, I'm in the middle, I can't stand the middle
Yea! I'm in the middle, it sucks here in the middle
Hey! diddle diddle, I'm stuck in the middle
Yea! I'm in the middle, I can't stand the middle
Three in the middle still leaves two on the outside
Yea...I can't stand the middle!
Yea! Yea!
Well this thing is killing me
I'm in the middle, it sucks here in the middle
I'm in the middle, I can't stand the middle
Hey! I'm in the middle, I can't stand the middle
Hey! I'm in the middle, stuck here in the middle
Three in the middle still leaves two on the outside
I'm in the middle, can't stand the middle
In the middle, I can't stand the middle

In the middle, I can't stand the middle
Three in the middle still leaves two on the outside

Overall Meaning

"3 in the Middle" by Sammy Hagar is a song about being caught in the middle of two conflicting sides. The lyrics express the feeling of being in a situation where you are stuck between two lovers or two opposing groups, and no matter what you do, someone is going to be left out. The song begins with the idea of friendly conversation and simple advice between friends, but quickly spirals into a situation where stepping between two lovers is like stepping into a minefield. The chorus repeats the line "I'm in the middle, I can't stand the middle," emphasizing the frustration and discomfort of being in this position.

Hagar goes on to express his wish to be on one side or the other, to be either a conservative or a radical, but he acknowledges that his trouble seems to be his inability to keep his mouth shut and just share what's on his mind. The song ends with the repetition of the chorus, "I'm in the middle, can't stand the middle," driving home the point that being in the middle is uncomfortable and frustrating.

Overall, the message of this song is clear: being in the middle of two opposing sides is not easy, and it's something that many people can relate to. The lyrics are emotive, and the instrumental production of the song supports the message of the lyrics.

Line by Line Meaning

So much for friendly conversation
The attempt to have a friendly talk has failed.

Simple advice between friends
Advice given between two friends should be uncomplicated and easy to follow.

When you step between two lovers
Interfering in a romantic relationship can cause problems.

They're steppin' out, you're steppin' in
One or both parties in the romantic relationship may be leaving as a result of the interference.

Oh Lord...here we go again
This situation has happened before, and it is likely to happen again.

Hey! I'm in the middle, stuck here in the middle
The singer is caught between two conflicting parties and feels trapped in the middle of their dispute.

Yea! I'm in the middle, I can't stand the middle
The singer is expressing frustration with their position and wishes to be removed from it.

Hey! diddle diddle it sucks here in the middle
The artist dislikes being caught in the middle and finds the situation unpleasant.

Three in the middle still leaves two on the outside
Even when trying to act as a mediator between two parties, there may still be individuals who feel uninvolved or excluded from the situation.

I'd rather be right white conservative or
The artist would prefer to align themselves with a certain political ideology instead of being caught in the middle of a conflict.

Far left cult radical extreme
The singer is willing to embrace an extreme political ideology if it means avoiding the discomfort of being caught in the middle of a dispute.

I never learned to keep my mouth shut
The artist has a habit of speaking their mind, even if it may not be the best decision.

Just speak my mind every time
The singer values honesty and transparency in communication, even if it causes conflict.

Can I lay it on the line?
The singer wants to express their honest opinion or point of view on the situation at hand.

Yea! Yea!
An expression of frustration or exasperation with the situation.

Well this thing is killing me
The situation is causing a great deal of stress and anxiety for the artist.

I'm in the middle, it sucks here in the middle
Reiteration of the artist's feelings of dissatisfaction with their current position.

Hey! I'm in the middle, stuck here in the middle
Reiteration of the singer being trapped in the middle of two conflicting parties.

I'm in the middle, can't stand the middle
Reiteration of the singer's frustration with their position.

In the middle, I can't stand the middle
Repetition of the artist's displeasure with being caught in the middle of a dispute.

Three in the middle still leaves two on the outside
Reiteration of the fact that even when trying to act as a mediator, some individuals may still feel left out or excluded from the situation.

Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: SAMMY HAGAR

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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