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)
Beats Workin'
Van Halen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've been reading what the bloggers say
How about a great big slice for me?
Otherwise or professionally
Beats workin'
Startin' up in my feet
Goes to workin'
Live this life of luxury
Sho-nuff beats workin' for me
Kid'll land on his feet
If he don't land on his seat, woo
This beats workin' baby
'Cause I'm red hot
Baby like it or not
Don't you know that (woo)
This beats workin' baby?
'Cause I'm red hot
Baby like it or not
One empty floor
Stands between the stage
And the welfare door
Heads or tails
Of the same bread
Coin of the realm
Just like the man said
Beats workin'
Starting up all in my feet
Goes to workin'
On the rest of me
Got a feelin' all in my head
Try to do it
Like the good book said
Kid'll land on his feet
If he don't land on his head
This beats workin' baby
'Cause I'm red hot
Baby like it or not
Don't you know that
This beats workin' baby? ('Cause I'm red hot)
'Cause I'm red hot
Baby like it or not
This beats workin' baby
This beats workin' baby
This beats workin' baby
'Cause I'm red hot
Baby like it or not
Woo-hoo
In this song, Van Halen is singing about the benefits of living a luxurious life compared to working for a living. The opening lyrics, "Here today, gone later today, I've been reading what the bloggers say," suggest that the singer is living a fast-paced life and is not too concerned with what people think or say about them. They are enjoying the good life and don't want to go back to a boring and monotonous work routine.
The lyrics, "Beats workin', starting up in my feet, goes to workin' on the rest of me," further emphasize how much more enjoyable the singer's current lifestyle is compared to working a traditional job. They are energized and excited about living this way. The line "Kid'll land on his feet if he don't land on his seat" suggests that sometimes taking risks and going after what you want can pay off in big ways.
The chorus of the song repeats the idea that this life of luxury beats working for a living. There is also the mention of being "red hot," possibly referring to the adrenaline rush that comes with living life on the edge.
Overall, the song is an ode to enjoying the good life and living on your own terms, even if it means taking risks and living outside of societal norms.
Line by Line Meaning
Here today, gone later today
Life is uncertain, anything can happen anytime
I've been reading what the bloggers say
I've been staying updated with the latest news and opinions
How about a great big slice for me?
Can I have my share of happiness and success?
Otherwise or professionally
I want to be successful, regardless of how I achieve it
Beats workin'
This lifestyle is better than working hard all day
Startin' up in my feet
It starts with a passion that drives me forward
Goes to workin'
That passion fuels me through the rest of my life
On the rest of me
And helps me achieve success in all aspects of life
Live this life of luxury
Living a life of comfort and abundance
Sho-nuff beats workin' for me
It is definitely better than working hard for a living
Kid'll land on his feet
I'll come out on top, no matter what
If he don't land on his seat, woo
Even if I stumble or fall, I'll get back up and keep moving forward
Baby like it or not
Whether you approve of my choices or not
One empty floor
There's just one thing standing between me and success
Stands between the stage
I'm almost at the top, but not quite there yet
And the welfare door
If I fail, I'll be left with nothing
Heads or tails
It's a gamble, and the outcome is uncertain
Of the same bread
But both sides of the coin come from the same source
Coin of the realm
Money is the only thing that matters
Just like the man said
As the saying goes
Got a feelin' all in my head
There's a burning desire in my heart and mind
Try to do it
I'm giving it my all
Like the good book said
I'm following the teachings of the wise
This beats workin' baby
This lifestyle is better than working hard all day
'Cause I'm red hot
Because I'm passionate and driven
Don't you know that (woo)
Don't you understand?
One empty floor
There's just one thing standing between me and success
Stands between the stage
I'm almost at the top, but not quite there yet
And the welfare door
If I fail, I'll be left with nothing
Baby like it or not
Whether you approve of my choices or not
Woo-hoo
Expressing enthusiasm and excitement
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Wolfgang Van Halen, Alex Van Halen, David Lee Roth, Edward Van Halen
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Eduardo Miotto
Here today, gone later today
I've been reading what the bloggers say
How about a great big slice for me?
Otherwise or professionally
Beats workin'
Startin' up in my feet
Goes to workin'
On the rest of me
Live this life of luxury
Sho-nuff beats workin' for me
Kid'll land on his feet
If he don't land on his seat
This beats workin' baby
'Cause I'm red hot
Baby, like it or not
Don't you know that
This beats workin', baby
'Cause I'm red hot
Baby, like it or not
One empty floor
Stands between the stage
And the welfare door
Heads or tails
Of the same bread
Coin of the realm
Just like the man said
Beats workin'
Starting up all in my feet
Goes to workin'
On the rest of me
Got a feelin' all in my head
Try to do it like the good book said
Kid'll land on his feet
If he don't land on his head
This beats workin', baby
'Cause I'm red hot
Baby, like it or not
Don't you know that
This beats workin', baby
'Cause I'm red hot
Baby, like it or not
This beats workin' baby
This beats workin' baby
This beats workin' baby
'Cause I'm red hot
Baby, like it or not
Justin H. Music
Such an amazing high note for VH to go out on. Rock In Peace Eddie❤️❤️🤘🤘
Brett Bardallis
Sad to think this was their last song but I think they went out the right way with Dave and the whole Van Halen family to make one last epic album/song
James McGrann
Rest in peace Edward. The last track on the last album and that Outro is haunting.
braden2112
I would say now the outro is Van Halen shutting off the lights and saying one final goodbye to the crowd before walking out the door. Rest in peace Edward Van Halen...
Matt Johnson
@braden2112 I think Ed only came back because of Wolfgang. Wolfgang was the mastermind behind this last version of Van Halen and bringing back the old DLR sound. Spending time as father and son and reminded Ed of his roots. So we owe WVH a ton. I also think Ed knew this might be the last album based on that last song. It is like old California backyard kegger party VH is saying hey howdie and goodbye happy trails. A fitting end to an amazing legacy. With Wolfgang as the bridge to the next generation of rock. My take on it. It's fuckin brilliant and makes you happy as heck and a little misty eyed all at once.
braden2112
@Matt Johnson I agree with that statement! Wolfie deserves the credit!
Bledsoe Bluvd Music
It's reminiscent of the beginning of "Runnin' with the devil", It's a book end. The first track from the first album - The last track on the last album.
RIP Edward.
HarpoSpoke
Luckily we live in a world where the people who love the new album can listen to it and the people who don't can not listen to it. Works out nice, don't ya think? Personally I'm blown away by how good this album is. Never thought they had this in them.
Mike Bumgardner
Totally. This a great, and is really nice to know that Roth can still sing in conjunction of the music.(they way he sings in those later live gigs different, to say the least). Imo of course.
PTSD SUCKS!
DITTO! Blown away 🤯🤯🔥🔥🔥🎸