From 1974 until 1985, Van Halen consisted of Eddie Van Halen; Eddie's brother, drummer Alex Van Halen; vocalist David Lee Roth; and bassist/vocalist Michael Anthony. Upon its release in 1978, the band's self-titled debut album reached No. 19 on the Billboard pop music charts and would sell over 10 million copies in the U.S. By 1982, the band released four more albums (Van Halen II, Women and Children First, Fair Warning, and Diver Down), all of which have since been certified multi-platinum. By the early 1980s, Van Halen was one of the most successful rock acts of the day. The album 1984 was a commercial success with U.S. sales of 10 million copies and four hit singles; its lead single, "Jump", was the band's only U.S. number one single.
In 1985, Roth left the band to embark on a solo career and was replaced by former Montrose lead vocalist Sammy Hagar. With Hagar, the group released four U.S. number-one, multi-platinum albums over the course of 11 years (5150 in 1986, OU812 in 1988, For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge in 1991, and Balance in 1995). Hagar left the band in 1996 shortly before the release of the band's first greatest hits collection, Best of Volume 1. Former Extreme frontman Gary Cherone replaced Hagar and recorded the commercially unsuccessful album Van Halen III with the band in 1998, before parting ways in 1999. Van Halen then went on hiatus until reuniting with Hagar in 2003 for a worldwide tour in 2004 and the double-disc greatest hits collection The Best of Both Worlds. Hagar again left Van Halen in 2005. In 2006 Roth returned, but Anthony was replaced on bass guitar by Eddie's son, Wolfgang Van Halen. In 2012, the band released their final studio album A Different Kind of Truth, which was commercially and critically successful; it was also Van Halen's first album with Roth in 28 years and the only one to feature Wolfgang.
As of March 2019, Van Halen is 20th on the RIAA list of best-selling artists in the United States; the band has sold 56 million albums in the States and more than 80 million worldwide, making them one of the best-selling groups of all time. As of 2007, Van Halen is one of only five rock bands with two studio albums to sell more than 10 million copies in the United States and is tied for the most multi-platinum albums by an American band. Additionally, Van Halen has charted 13 number-one hits on Billboard's Mainstream Rock chart. VH1 ranked the band seventh on a list of the top 100 Hard Rock artists of all time.
Eddie was diagnosed with cancer in 2001, and died of the disease on October 6, 2020. A month after his father's death, Wolfgang confirmed that Van Halen had disbanded.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Van_Halen
Studio albums
Van Halen (1978)
Van Halen II (1979)
Women and Children First (1980)
Fair Warning (1981)
Diver Down (1982)
1984 (1984)
5150 (1986)
OU812 (1988)
For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge (1991)
Balance (1995)
Van Halen III (1998)
A Different Kind of Truth (2012)
Ballot Or The Bullet
Van Halen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
No truer words have ever been said
Well are you prepared for your very last breath?
Don't you dare start what you cannot finish
So when we face, face the adversary
No longer are we the minority
And when history repeats her hour
Though not in vain like your forefathers
Freedom, never had no room for cowards
For in the end, there will be equality
By any means necessary
The ballot or the bullet
The choice is up to you
The ballot or the bullet
Tell me, what you gonna do?
The sword or the pen
Can't be held by the same hand
What's it gonna take to liberate?
An emancipation, a false proclamation?
All these token words that you legislate
Sound a little bit absurd
Hey, and a little too late
When a house is divided, it just will not stand
Once it's decided, a line drawn in the sand
Ah, the ballot or the bullet
The choice is up to you
The ballot or the bullet
Tell me what you gonna do
The sword or the pen
Can't be held by the same hand
The ballot or the bullet
The choice is up to you
The ballot or the bullet
Tell me what you gonna do
The ballot or the bullet
The choice is up to you
The ballot or the bullet
Tell me what you gonna do?
The sword or the pen can't be
The sword or the pen can't be
The sword or the pen can't be
The sword or the pen can't be
The sword or the pen can't be
Held, held by the same hand
Van Halen's song "Ballot or the Bullet" is a political statement on the importance of individual choice and action. The first verse begins with the famous phrase "Give me liberty or give me death," a quote from Patrick Henry's speech urging the Virginia Convention to join the Revolutionary War. The words "No truer words have ever been said" emphasize the weight of this statement and set the tone for the rest of the song.
The lyrics go on to urge listeners to be prepared for the consequences of their actions and not to start anything they cannot finish. The adversity faced is likely a reference to social/political inequality and injustice, as the song touches on themes of liberation and freedom. The song states the important message that equality will be achieved through any means necessary.
The chorus is a call to action, giving people the option to choose between "the ballot or the bullet." The use of "the sword or the pen" suggests that change can come through peaceful reform or through revolution, and that both options have their place.
Overall, "Ballot or the Bullet" is a powerful statement on the importance of taking action and standing up for what you believe in. It encourages listeners to think critically and actively participate in the political process, promoting democracy and equality.
Line by Line Meaning
Give me liberty or give me death
I am willing to die for my freedom
No truer words have ever been said
These words are powerful and meaningful
Well are you prepared for your very last breath?
Are you ready to sacrifice everything for your freedom?
Don't you dare start what you cannot finish
Do not begin a fight that you cannot win
So when we face, face the adversary
When we confront our enemies
No longer are we the minority
We are no longer a marginalized group
And when history repeats her hour
When similar events occur in history
The pendulum will swing, swing into power
The balance of power will shift
Though not in vain like our forefathers
Our efforts will not be wasted like those who came before us
Freedom, never had no room for cowards
Bravery is necessary to obtain freedom
For in the end, there will be equality
The ultimate goal is equality
By any means necessary
We will do whatever it takes to achieve our goal
The ballot or the bullet
We must choose between peaceful means or violent ones
The choice is up to you
It's your decision
The sword or the pen
Either violent or peaceful action can be taken
Can be held by the same hand
The same person can take either course of action
What's it gonna take to liberate?
What actions are necessary to obtain freedom?
An emancipation, a false proclamation?
Is a proclamation of freedom sufficient or is it a false promise?
All these token words that you legislate
Promises that are not backed up by action
Sound a little bit absurd. Hey! And a little too late
These promises are ridiculous and came too late
When a house is divided, it just will not stand
A divided nation is weak and cannot succeed
Once it's decided, a line drawn in the sand
Once a decision has been made, it cannot be changed
Ah! The ballot or the bullet
Repeating the choice again
The sword or the pen can be held by the same hand!
Repeating that actions can be taken in either way
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Edward Van Halen, Alex Van Halen, Michael Anthony, Gary Francis Cherone
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
E.W. "SquErl" Tiffin
Yuppers!!! Too high of an expectation.
I think the grooves are interesting! Music is good.
Tunes aren't super catchy, however. Mix is a little tinny and under-watery..
Gary is a great singer. Guy got scapegoated. No way he walked in in-charge. 🤣
Solid album! ...but, I liked Balance, too! ...kinda a minority..
Sal C
I think after listening to this album after the death of EVH and focusing on his incredible talent, I have to come to the mind that this would have been much better received had this been released as a solo album. The expectation and drama of having an new "Van Halen Singer" put too high of an expectation for this release. I predict this album will be seen in a more positive, and respected light. For me, it's been like finding a lost Van Halen unreleased album because I unfortunately listened to all the bullshit and dismissed it a the time now only to really listen to and I'm amazed at the brilliance of the playing and songwriting and have come to realize what a great job Gary Cherone did with the vocals.
Jac Sig
Sal C. I agree with you. I believe Ray Daniels set up Gary Cherone singing on the album.
David Nissim
I think this album is like wine. Give it time to grow on people, and maybe they'll like it eventually.
GriezmannMania
The more i listen to this album the more i value it. That idea in itself is something common among people who listen to it. Its very experimental on eddies part and i love it, im always searching for unique and different parts of his work, and this album has a lot to offer. He seemed here to be getting more and more abstract in his playing, and tbh i rather enjoy that, its just it doesnt tend to get as much mass popularity.
Belateddr steve
I totally agree with your opinion
je di
I agree with your observations. If you view any of the purely guitar covers of this song, one can see the complexity and innervation involved in getting that seemingly synthesized song from just a guitar without effect pedals. It proves that he was not just treading water. Just a pity about the political lyrics.
Jayson Raphael Murdock
Nothing wrong with the lyrics at all. Political or not
Herman Helmich
GriezmannMania Right, abstract, very interesting... it grows on you just takes more spins than ‘why can’t this be love’. This kicks ass.... only first time i hear this
LRN_News
Eddie was also experimenting with Methamphetamine at the time lol
Bill Buckmaster
I seen this tour Gary Sharone was freaking incredible. I don’t care what anybody says. Vanhalen was so comfortable on the stage when I seen them. Unbelievable happy they were.