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)
Big Fat Money
Van Halen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Bad for the rock, bad for the roll
Bad for the heart, bad for the brain
Bad for damn near everything
Oh yeah
Oh, Oh
It must be good for something
Telephone, telefax, telefunkin', teletrash
Tell a cop, tell a friend
Think we've hit the stoney end
Nothing left, nothing right
Now they want a bigger bite
Everybody wants some
Everybody wants big money, oh yeah
They want big fat money
That's what I want
Big fat money
Too much temptation
Enough to kill a generation
Space station, starvation, premature ejaculation
This ain't groovin', this ain't funky
It's on my back
But it ain't my monkey, no
Alright, gimme some of that big big
Money
That's what I want
Big fat money
Big big money
Oh, smoke this, eat that
My ol'lady's gettin' fat
High rise, high rent
Before it's earned, it's all been spent
Where's it gonna come from?
Who's it gonna go to?
Ain't beatin', but I'm being eatin' by
Money, oh yeah
Big big money, woo
Gimme, gimme, gimme, gimme
Some of that big money, alright
That's what I want
Well alright (yeah) Oh oh, big big money
Now gimme, gimme, gimme (big money)
Some of that big money, woo
That's what I want
All I need
Gimme big fat money
Yeah
Gimme, gimme, gimme, gimme
Gimme some of that big fat money
The lyrics of Van Halen's song "Big Fat Money" are a commentary on the all-consuming nature of money and how it can corrupt every aspect of our lives. The song starts off acknowledging that many people see money as a negative force, bad for the soul, rock and roll, heart, and brain. However, despite all its negative aspects, the song suggests that money must be good for something because we can't seem to get enough of it. We are willing to do anything, from paying rent to telling lies to get our hands on more money.
The song lyrics go on to paint a picture of how money can lead to self-destruction. It references addiction, temptation, high rents, and the constant pressure to earn more, which can break even the strongest of us. Money is portrayed as a disease in this song, destroying everything in its path. The lyrics also reference space stations, starvation, and premature ejaculation, suggesting that even the most advanced technology and basic human needs can be affected by the constant pursuit of money.
In the end, the song lyrics are a cry for money. The singer demands big fat money and repeats it over and over again, highlighting the insatiable hunger people have for wealth. However, the lyrics suggest that money will ultimately lead to ruin, even as we continue to pursue it.
Line by Line Meaning
Some say money is bad for the soul
People say that money is not good for one's morality or spirituality.
Bad for the rock, bad for the roll
Money is bad for both rock and roll music genres.
Bad for the heart, bad for the brain
Money is detrimental to one's physical and mental health.
Bad for damn near everything, oh
Nearly every aspect of life is negatively affected by money.
It must be good for something
Despite its negative impact, money must have some benefits.
Come on pay the rent
Money is required for basic necessities like rent.
Telephone, telefax, telefunkin', Teletrash
Money is required for communication, but can also be wasted on unnecessary things.
Tell a cop, tell a friend
Money is involved in social interactions like informing law enforcement or confiding in a friend.
Think we've hit the stoney end
We have reached rock bottom or are in a difficult financial situation.
Nothing left, nothing right
We have exhausted all possibilities for earning money.
Now they want a bigger bite
Those who already have money want more.
Everybody wants some
Everyone desires to have money.
Everybody wants big money, oh yeah
Everyone wants to have a lot of money.
They want big fat money
People crave and desire an excessive amount of money.
That's what I want
The singer desires large amounts of money.
Too much temptation
Having large amounts of money can lead to excessive desires and unhealthy temptations.
Enough to kill a generation
Money can cause so much destruction that it can impact an entire generation.
Space station, starvation, premature Ejaculation
Money is involved in seemingly unrelated issues such as the funding of space stations, but can also cause negative impacts like hunger and sexual dysfunction.
This ain't groovin', this ain't funky
Lack of financial stability and excessive focus on money is not cool or desirable.
It's on my back
The pressure of needing money is a constant burden for the artist.
But it ain't my monkey, no
The artist is not responsible for the negative consequences of money and the desire for it.
Oh yeah, gimme some of that big big Money
The artist desires a large amount of money.
Smoke this, eat that
Money is spent on drugs and food.
My ol'lady's gettin' fat
Money is spent on indulgences and attracting a partner.
High rise, high rent
Money is required for expensive housing that requires high rent.
Before it's earned, it's all been spent
The singer has a history of spending money before earning it.
Where's it gonna come from?
The singer is uncertain where future money will come from.
Who's it gonna go to?
The artist is uncertain who will receive future money.
Ain't beatin', but I'm being eatin' by Money, oh yeah
Money is consuming the artist's life, despite the artist not directly pursuing it.
Big big Money, gimme, gimme, gimme
The singer desires a large amount of money.
Some of that big Money, alright
The singer desires a significant amount of money.
That's what I want
The artist desires large amounts of money.
Well alright, oh, big big Money
The artist is excited about the prospect of obtaining a large amount of money.
Now gimme, gimme, gimme
The artist is insistent on obtaining more money.
Some of that big Money
The singer wants to have a large amount of money.
That's what I want
The artist desires a lot of money.
That's all I need
The singer believes that money is the only thing they need.
Gimme big fat Money
The singer desires an excessive amount of money.
Gimme, gimme, gimme, gimme
The singer is insistent on obtaining more money.
Gimme some of that big fat Money
The artist desires an excessive amount of money.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Alex Van Halen, Edward Van Halen, Sammy Hagar, Michael Anthony
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jason Calvin
I had read that the guitar solo to this song was recorded in one take - the producer asked Eddie if he had a hollow-body guitar, so Eddie grabbed a Gibson ES-335 and played something jazzy as the producer had asked him to demonstrate, not knowing that the guitar track was armed and that his jazzy noodling was being recorded. Take 1... Done. Legendary.
James Gomez
So cool. I like to use this song to demonstrate Eddie's crazy ears. Playin' those fuckin' changes
Michael Tanner Moss
Lol bro Eddie made this album just like every album it’s blues because it’s. A blues guitar riff lol with a shot of EVH baby lol
Mark Slima
After all these years listening to Van Halen I've missed this song. Super awesome energy!
Jac Sig
Alex sounds insane on this song!
Doug Millyard
Whole "Balance" album rocked
Juan Pablo Marin
God on guitars!! Eddie the greatest!
Iknowthelaw
This is the closest Sammy came to Dave's level. This is a witty lyric that doesn't take itself too seriously. Also love the keys toward the end of the tune.
Jac Sig
DLR doesn't come close to Sammy Hagar. Sammy could actually sing!
Hilborn Nailhead
Settle down children, put your differences aside......it's time to rock.