Van Halen Diver Down Song by Song Thread

I bought the album when it came out. I liked it. At the time, I didn't know that "Where Have All The Good Times Gone" was a cover version.

 

What happened to the OP's rule about only discussing the song he announces? People are jumping ahead.

 

Where? I mentioned one thing about “Little Guitars” but I don’t see where this has happened other than me (or were you referring to me?).

 

No, others have done it, too.

 

Hang 'em High guitar track

 

Last Night demo

 

Love hearing stuff like this beyond cool Keep bringing it

 

Love this one. Could have been on WACF. I prefer the intro over the actual solo, but the solo is nice, happy. I also like Dave’s off-speed vox...it sets a mood.

 

Wolfe still looks like a bass roadie though.

 

Interesting. While viewing the Largo vid I was thinking that Ed pretty much plays how he wants and wondered how Alex followed him. I think it’s an optical and aural illusion, but it seems Ed is on his own regardless and it just seems to magically sync.

 

Great minds...

 

I agree they are in sync back in the old days but I think Ed sounds a bit off in that 2012 video. He is not as precise but that is to be expected with aging and substance abuse history.

 

Anyone tried to play this? At least the intro?

 

By the time they released DD, Van Halen were the Kings of California.

 

This was probably one of my 1st CD's I bought. Peter Criss' KISS solo album was the first - Diver Down might've been the second or third CD I bought back in like 1986-87.

I bought this CD because of the song 'Oh Pretty Woman'. I had the printed guitar tab from Guitar For The Practicing Musician and I wanted to hear VH's version.

I liked their version - it was spunky, but overall I did not like this album. I had VH self titled on vinyl and 1984 on vinyl but Diver Down was a real stinker for me on CD. This was one disc I wished I could've returned to the store.

The songs just weren't 'there' for me and the guitar tone or production of this album didn't strike me either.

 

I agree with most of this. It fits in with many of the other fast-paced rockers of the Roth era, but the melody is lacking and there just isn't anything memorable about it. I never listen to this song.

 

His presence is really weak for sure.

 

-hang 'em high- a nice fast paced track. kinda stock DLR era tune. to me the most interesting things on this album are the instrumental pieces

 

Happy belated birthday, Eddie Trunk!

 

Speaking of Eddie Trunk, here’s my shameless plug:

My buddy & I do an in-depth analysis of Diver Down on our Van Halen podcast here (also available on iTunes):

Episode #14: Don't Be Down on "Diver Down" + Dweezil Zappa interview

Thanks for humoring me, hope you take a listen. We have a lot of love for this underrated album.

 

Hang 'Em High

A GREAT VH deep cut. It's much better in this form than nagging a girlfriend "where were you last night?". Great pre-speed metal intensity with a very laid back almost R&B delivery from Dave. I wish they had gone back to the club days for a few more originals for this album (House of Pain was demoed, as was an early version of Jump), but this is a great original as it is.

 

Hang ‘Em High is a great VH tune. The riff and drumming are spectacular on this track. I do believe it was inspired by the Clint Eastwood movie of the same name. One of the great gems on this album. Probably my favorite original tune in the album.

 

Hey, I was at this show.

 

DIVER DOWN

Great album cover without a doubt.

In the ranks of the Diamond Era of VH, this one comes in last but that doesn't mean I don't like it, I do, very much. Different than the rest by a long shot, still though IMO it's a great album to listen to.

WHERE HAVE ALL THE GOOD TIMES GONE

When I first heard it, I knew I loved it. I didn't even know it was a cover at the time and couldn't of cared less if it was

After finding out it was a cover by yet again The Kinks, I said to myself, "Damn, they toned to re-record the whole Kinks catalog cause they sure make the song better"!

Turn this one up to ten!

 

HANG EM HIGH

Every time I hear this tune it makes me think of Clint Eastwood lol

I love it though, it's a very under rated and hidden gem in the VH arsenal of songs.