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)
It's About Time
Van Halen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Last time, wrong time
Outside, out of line, uh
Yeah, but this time's our time
Right on, we'll let it shine, get up
Turn your clock back
Paint it red on black
Oh hell yeah
Come on
Alright
Hey, hey, hey
You can spend my money
Don't you waste my time (my time, my time)
Well we're right now makin' up for lost time, yeah
Alright alright
I think it's high time we lay it out there on the line
Now it's about time
It's about time
It's about time
Yeah
Bright lights, old fights
This time we got it right, yeah
It's been a long time, overtime
Second flash, you're out of sight, yeah, so get up
Turn your clock back
Paint it red on black
We'll get it all right back
Oh hell yeah, yeah
Come on
It's alright
Hey, hey, hey
You can spend my money
Don't you waste my time (my time, my time)
Well, we're 'bout to make it up to ya, big time
Big, big, big, big time
Well it's about time we lay it out there on the line
Woo
It's about time
It's about time
It's a just about time
Just about time, yeah
(Return)
(Return)
It's alright
Yeah, spend my money
Don't you waste my time (my time, prime time)
Well, we're gonna make it up to you big time
(Big time, big time)
Because it's high time we lay it out on the line
It's about time
It's about time
It's about time
It's just about time
It's about time
It's about time
It's all about
Talk about
Want to know
There ain't no doubt
It's about time
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Woo, you go ahead, turn your clocks back
Yeah, ow
The song It's About Time by Van Halen is an upbeat and energetic rock song that presents a message of seizing the moment and making the most of life. The lyrics begin by acknowledging that the past may not have been perfect, but that it is time to focus on the present and embrace the opportunities that it presents. The repetition of "turn, turn, turn" suggests a turning point or change, and the lyrics encourage the listener to "paint it red on black," which could be interpreted as a call to create a bold and memorable future.
The chorus emphasizes the importance of time, with the repeated phrase "It's about time" serving as both a statement and a call to action. The lyrics encourage the listener to make the most of their time, to not waste it, and to take the necessary risks to achieve their goals. The use of the phrase "big time" suggests that the rewards for taking these risks will be significant and memorable.
Overall, the lyrics of It's About Time present a message of optimism, urging the listener to live in the moment and pursue their dreams with passion and determination.
Line by Line Meaning
(Turn, turn, turn, turn, turn)
Repetition of the sound of turning clocks, setting the tone for the song.
Last time, wrong time
Referring to past mistakes; missed opportunities.
Outside, out of line, uh
Feeling disconnected and not in harmony with others; not fitting in.
Yeah, but this time's our time
Optimistic about the present moment; focusing on the opportunity at hand.
Right on, we'll let it shine, get up
Motivational message to rise to the occasion; showcasing one's best qualities.
Turn your clock back
Metaphor for revisiting past experience, and bringing lessons learned from past experience into the present.
Paint it red on black
Creating a bold persona, standing out from the crowd.
Bring it all right back
Reflectively returning to positive experiences.
Oh hell yeah
Exclamation of excitement and agreement to the message of the song.
Come on
Encouragement to keep up the positive energy.
Alright
Affirmation of the current situation being good or satisfactory.
Hey, hey, hey
Upbeat sound effect to maintain the energetic tone of the song.
You can spend my money
Offering financial support to a person or cause.
Don't you waste my time (my time, my time)
Warning someone not to take advantage of their schedule or attention.
Well we're right now makin' up for lost time, yeah
Making up for past regrets or missed opportunities; signals a change in actions or plans.
I think it's high time we lay it out there on the line
Acknowledging the need to be honest and upfront about an issue or concern.
Now it's about time
Emphasizing the current moment being opportune for action or change.
Bright lights, old fights
Picturing a scene of challenging past events or conflicts.
This time we got it right, yeah
Expressing confidence in the current situation or action.
It's been a long time, overtime
Highlighting a sense of urgency or extra effort required after a long delay or absence.
Second flash, you're out of sight, yeah, so get up
Metaphor for taking action quickly before opportunities vanish; push to seize the moment.
It's a just about time
Suggesting that the opportunity is right on the horizon, so be ready.
It's all about
This is a key moment or lesson to be learned.
Talk about
Let's discuss this issue or opportunity further.
Want to know
Emphasis on the need to learn more and take action accordingly.
There ain't no doubt
Emphasizing the certainty of the situation or opportunity at hand.
Woo, you go ahead, turn your clocks back
Celebratory encouragement to look back at past achievements and be proud of one's accomplishments.
Yeah, ow
Exclamation of excitement and energy.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Edward Van Halen, Alex Van Halen, Michael Anthony, Sammy Hagar
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
aussieboy77
Very underrated song. This rocks and is one of Sammy's best efforts.
aussieboy77
@Theuniverse Isaniceplace The lyrics are fine. They're easy to sing along to and they fit the song well.
Flamestar320 power to the people
Theuniverse Isaniceplace I'm sure that Eddie was the main songwriter for most of Van Halen's career. The rest of the personnel from VH are just credited to the songs.
CrazyCooper102
Well how come you didn't right it then? If a high school kid could've written then how come you didn't right before him then??! Huh? That's what I thought.
CrazyCooper102
This one was way more important of a heavy metal rock song than just the regular Hard rock Van Halen song. I like it!
babyscream
they should have recorded a complete new album by then, they were on fire!!! This song kicks major ass!
babyscream
@Sword Monkey point taken. Never thought about that. I'd add Humans Being, Me Wise Magic and Can't Get This Stuff No More.
Sword Monkey
VH was at its best when they were on the verge of breaking up. Edward seemed to use his anger and animosity in his writing and playing. Fair Warning, 1984, this song...
Mike m.
RIP to eddie
Sarah Edwards
Read Sammy’s memoir Red.
It’s lucky they got three new tracks out.
Eddie was a mess.