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.

The Big Nail
Sammy Hagar Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Headin north on 101
Blastin Highway 61
I know every song Bob Dylan sung
Yeah this old Mustang still can run

Southern whiskey and berry wine
but I'm leavin the south pole far behind

From the Southern Cross to the Big Nail
Spent a couple nights in the county jail
Yeah I'm worn and kinda frail
I still told that judge he could go to hell

Them southern women they're really fine
But I'm leavin the south pole far behind

Southern Cross, the Big Nail
Ride on in to the setting sun
Southern Cross, the Big Nail
Done paid twice for everything I done
Southern Cross, the Big Nail
Southern Man gotta have some fun
Southern Cross, the Big Nail
Yeah this old Mustang still can run
Southern Cross, the Big Nail
The Big Nail continued

Southern Women, the berry wine
Well I'm leaving the south pole far behind

Southern Cross, the Big Nail
Paid twice for everything I done
Southern Cross, the Big Nail
Lookout baby here I come, here I come
Southern Cross, the Big Nail
Southern Cross, the Big Nail

Yeah this old Mustang still can run
Yeah

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Sammy Hagar's song, "The Big Nail," tell the story of a man leaving the South Pole and heading north on Highway 101. He reminisces about his time in the South, where he enjoyed Southern whiskey and berry wine and spending time with Southern women. The singer mentions spending a couple of nights in the county jail and telling the judge to go to hell, indicating a rebellious streak. He reflects on paying twice for everything he's done before riding into the setting sun and heading towards the Big Nail.

The Southern Cross and the Big Nail are symbolic locations in the song. The Southern Cross is a constellation that can only be seen from the Southern Hemisphere, indicating that the singer was originally based there. The Big Nail is believed to be a reference to the Golden Gate Bridge's nickname, denoting that the singer is headed towards San Francisco. The lyrics suggest that he's eager to escape his past in the South Pole and start anew.

The song's lyrics are open to interpretation, but they seem to celebrate the idea of freedom and liberation from one's past. The singer acknowledges that he's made mistakes in the past and paid the price for them but is determined to move on and have some fun. The song's lighthearted tone and upbeat melody further emphasize this message of moving forward and enjoying the journey.

Line by Line Meaning

Headin north on 101
I'm driving north on Highway 101

Blastin Highway 61
I'm listening to music while I drive, specifically Bob Dylan's Highway 61 Revisited album

I know every song Bob Dylan sung
I'm a big fan of Bob Dylan and know all of his songs

Yeah this old Mustang still can run
I'm driving a classic Mustang that is still in good shape

Southern whiskey and berry wine
I've been enjoying some drinks that are popular in the southern United States

but I'm leavin the south pole far behind
I'm leaving the southern part of the United States and heading towards the north

From the Southern Cross to the Big Nail
I've been traveling a long distance, specifically from Australia (which features the Southern Cross star pattern on their flag) to the United States (where there is a location called the Big Nail)

Spent a couple nights in the county jail
I had a run-in with the law and was put in jail for a short period of time

Yeah I'm worn and kinda frail
My time in jail has left me feeling tired and weak

I still told that judge he could go to hell
I'm not intimidated by the judge who put me in jail and expressed my disdain towards him

Them southern women they're really fine
I find the women from the southern United States to be attractive

Southern Cross, the Big Nail
These places are significant to me and represent my journey

Ride on in to the setting sun
I'm continuing my journey towards the west, where the sun sets

Done paid twice for everything I done
I've had to pay a high price for my past actions

Southern Man gotta have some fun
It's important for me to enjoy myself and have a good time

The Big Nail continued
My journey is ongoing and will continue beyond this point

Lookout baby here I come, here I come
I'm ready to take on whatever comes my way as I continue my journey

Yeah this old Mustang still can run
My car is still performing well and is helping me on my journey

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS

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