POLL: Do you like the song "I can't drive 55" by Sam Hagar?

[JamesHetfieldsAcneScars]

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https://youtu.be/RvV3nn_de2k?si=bVmFqdss-dkrLc1X


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[FreddyFender]

Nah. Annoying song.

There's Only One Way and Your Love is Driving Me Crazy are way better songs, imo.

[Bono Nettencourt]

^^^^
This.

It was kinda amusing to hear the 1st time as a 16 yo punk, but doesn't bear repeated listening.

Sam Hagar?

[tooth]

Wiki says Sammy has 20 studio records, twenty! Side one of Standing Hampton is my fave Hagar song. 55 was always dumb & the video was dumber.
1. "I'll Fall in Love Again"
2. "There's Only One Way to Rock"
3. "Baby's on Fire"
4. "Can't Get Loose"
5. "Heavy Metal"

[CrankerBait]

Hopelessly stuck in the 80s in terms of production, and not in a good way. Sounds like it could have or should have been part of the Beverly Hills Cop, Back to the Future or Miami Vice soundtrack. It doesn't rock much harder than "Ghostbusters."

Having said that, it is kind of cool in a nostalgic sense to listen to it once or twice in the summer on classic rock radio. Just Sammy having fun with a subject a lot of us can probably relate to at one point in our lives. Reminds me of being seventeen and pushing the old man's car a little too hard on a straight stretch of highway on the way to some house or beach party.

And, it beats the crap out of at least 95% of the music I hear when I occasionally tune in (briefly, in most cases) to modern rock or pop stations on the radio.

[daveg]

Hopelessly stuck in the 80s in terms of production, and not in a good way. Sounds like it could have or should have been part of the Beverly Hills Cop, Back to the Future or Miami Vice soundtrack. It doesn't rock much harder than "Ghostbusters."

Having said that, it is kind of cool in a nostalgic sense to listen to it once or twice in the summer on classic rock radio. Just Sammy having fun with a subject a lot of us can probably relate to at one point in our lives. Reminds me of being seventeen and pushing the old man's car a little too hard on a straight stretch of highway on the way to some house or beach party.

And, it beats the crap out of at least 95% of the music I hear when I occasionally tune in (briefly, in most cases) to modern rock or pop stations on the radio.

This.

I'm never gonna play it on purpose, but when I do hear it...especially if in the car on a nice summer day.... I'll crank it an will have me a bit nostalgic

[Stinky McFister]

His 78 live all night long record is the only thing worth listening to from him

Mostly shite after that

[DangerZone]

^^^^
This.

It was kinda amusing to hear the 1st time as a 16 yo punk, but doesn't bear repeated listening.

Sam Hagar?

Yes, belongs on a mix tape with “we’re not gonna take it”

[HueyRamone]

I dont know why, but hearing him say "I cant drive 55" always seemed like it was "I cant drive 55, because my car sucks so much it cant reach that speed" and not "I cant drive only 55, because my need for speed is too great".

I know the lyrics provide context, but when I first heard there was a song called "I cant drive 55", I was like "Well, step on the gas harder, pussy!"

Lastly, Its crazy to think the speed limit was actualy 55. Sam Hagar was right. That's (unnecessarily) slow as fuck! We need someone to write a song called "I cant blow 0.08"!

[MetalSludgeCEO]

Great song... for the time/era.

Isn't that Claudio guy the mechanic who suggested to EVH "Why don't you call Sammy?", to get him in VH?

Lastly... our first official TUFF demo was recorded at Sound City in March 1988, and Jesse Harms (Sammy's keyboard player) Produced it.

Jesse also played with Roth on a few tours as well... a great guy for sure!

$tEvil

[Jason Jennifer Leigh]

It’s the perfect early 80’s rock song and video, just like “I Love Rock n Roll” and “Jessie’s Girl”.

[SeniorGrande]

Hopelessly stuck in the 80s in terms of production, and not in a good way. Sounds like it could have or should have been part of the Beverly Hills Cop, Back to the Future or Miami Vice soundtrack. It doesn't rock much harder than "Ghostbusters."

Having said that, it is kind of cool in a nostalgic sense to listen to it once or twice in the summer on classic rock radio. Just Sammy having fun with a subject a lot of us can probably relate to at one point in our lives. Reminds me of being seventeen and pushing the old man's car a little too hard on a straight stretch of highway on the way to some house or beach party.

And, it beats the crap out of at least 95% of the music I hear when I occasionally tune in (briefly, in most cases) to modern rock or pop stations on the radio.

It actually ended up on Back To The Future Part II. As my favorite film series, its inclusion in the film is the only reason I voted "It's OK". Otherwise, it's just a dumb song.

[dmbrocker]

Yeah, I like it quite a bit. It’s a little goofy lyrically, but it’s good, cheesy fun.

[LSD69]

"Owww this thing is running great"



Best opening line in a video

NOT

[Bono Nettencourt]

I dont know why, but hearing him say "I cant drive 55" always seemed like it was "I cant drive 55, because my car sucks so much it cant reach that speed" and not "I cant drive only 55, because my need for speed is too great".

Actually, it's neither - the lyrics clearly detail that his problem is that he wants to run, but there's too many people in his way. That's actually kind of a stupidly clever bit of wordplay for a moon-june-spoon hack like the Spazz.

[Sleek]

I do nowt like the song. It is like dumbed-down Sammy Hagar with the most on-the-nose literal lyrics that have ever existed. There is no art or poetry to this song.

...and I say that as a person who would cut a bitch over Standing Hampton.

Lastly, Its crazy to think the speed limit was actualy 55. Sam Hagar was right. That's (unnecessarily) slow as fuck! We need someone to write a song called "I cant blow 0.08"!

Liiiike, nobody actually went 55...but since it was the legal limit nationally, when you rented a truck they would have a governor on it so it could not go over 55. We'd be doing 400 mile overnights between gigs with cars zooming past while we were stuck at the goddam speed limit.

Fucking sucked.

[Tenacious_Dio]

It's fine.

As much as I dislike Van Hagar, I enjoy most of Sammy's solo catalog. Basic meat and potatoes rock.

[Bono Nettencourt]

I do nowt like the song. It is like dumbed-down Sammy Hagar

is that even possible

[Metal Sludge]

Wiki says Sammy has 20 studio records, twenty! Side one of Standing Hampton is my fave Hagar song. 55 was always dumb & the video was dumber.
1. "I'll Fall in Love Again"
2. "There's Only One Way to Rock"
3. "Baby's on Fire"
4. "Can't Get Loose"
5. "Heavy Metal"

Standing Hampton is a great album.
Piece of my Heart is my favorite.
I always thought this was a cover of Janis Joplin's song (Rough Cutt does a great cover of this too), but nope! Janis covered it too.
The original was Erma Franklin, she is Aretha Franklin's sister...who knew?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUM161EgKdI

[HueyRamone]

I dont know why, but hearing him say "I cant drive 55" always seemed like it was "I cant drive 55, because my car sucks so much it cant reach that speed" and not "I cant drive only 55, because my need for speed is too great".

Actually, it's neither - the lyrics clearly detail that his problem is that he wants to run, but there's too many people in his way. That's actually kind of a stupidly clever bit of wordplay for a moon-june-spoon hack like the Spazz.

Pretty sure they write him up for 125.

[St_Augustines_Pears]

I like it.

[Michael Hotts Ghost]

I prefer other songs on the album like Dick in the Dirt, Rock is in my Blood, , Swept Away, Burning Down The City. (Burning Downs lyrics are pretty horrible though).

[JamesHetfieldsAcneScars]

Sam Hagar?

Sorry, i meant Samuel Hagar.

[Tommy2Tone84]

Hopelessly stuck in the 80s in terms of production, and not in a good way. Sounds like it could have or should have been part of the Beverly Hills Cop, Back to the Future or Miami Vice soundtrack. It doesn't rock much harder than "Ghostbusters."

Having said that, it is kind of cool in a nostalgic sense to listen to it once or twice in the summer on classic rock radio. Just Sammy having fun with a subject a lot of us can probably relate to at one point in our lives. Reminds me of being seventeen and pushing the old man's car a little too hard on a straight stretch of highway on the way to some house or beach party.

And, it beats the crap out of at least 95% of the music I hear when I occasionally tune in (briefly, in most cases) to modern rock or pop stations on the radio.

Ted Templeman produced it

[CrankerBait]

Hopelessly stuck in the 80s in terms of production, and not in a good way. Sounds like it could have or should have been part of the Beverly Hills Cop, Back to the Future or Miami Vice soundtrack. It doesn't rock much harder than "Ghostbusters."

Having said that, it is kind of cool in a nostalgic sense to listen to it once or twice in the summer on classic rock radio. Just Sammy having fun with a subject a lot of us can probably relate to at one point in our lives. Reminds me of being seventeen and pushing the old man's car a little too hard on a straight stretch of highway on the way to some house or beach party.

And, it beats the crap out of at least 95% of the music I hear when I occasionally tune in (briefly, in most cases) to modern rock or pop stations on the radio.

Ted Templeman produced it

Must have been putting more of his time and energy into 1984 at the time.

[Tommy2Tone84]

Hopelessly stuck in the 80s in terms of production, and not in a good way. Sounds like it could have or should have been part of the Beverly Hills Cop, Back to the Future or Miami Vice soundtrack. It doesn't rock much harder than "Ghostbusters."

Having said that, it is kind of cool in a nostalgic sense to listen to it once or twice in the summer on classic rock radio. Just Sammy having fun with a subject a lot of us can probably relate to at one point in our lives. Reminds me of being seventeen and pushing the old man's car a little too hard on a straight stretch of highway on the way to some house or beach party.

And, it beats the crap out of at least 95% of the music I hear when I occasionally tune in (briefly, in most cases) to modern rock or pop stations on the radio.

Ted Templeman produced it

Must have been putting more of his time and energy into 1984 at the time.

Most likely not, given 1984 was released on January 9, 1984 and VOA wasn’t released until July 23. That’s plenty of time.

I like the production of VOA. Swept Away has always been a favorite of mine.

[Danzig in the Dark]

Liiiike, nobody actually went 55...but since it was the legal limit nationally, when you rented a truck they would have a governor on it so it could not go over 55. We'd be doing 400 mile overnights between gigs with cars zooming past while we were stuck at the goddam speed limit.

Fucking sucked.

So, you were the fucker holding Sammy back? No wonder you hate it.

[CrankerBait]

Ted Templeman produced it

Must have been putting more of his time and energy into 1984 at the time.

Most likely not, given 1984 was released on January 9, 1984 and VOA wasn’t released until July 23. That’s plenty of time.

I like the production of VOA. Swept Away has always been a favorite of mine.

Hadn't listened to "Swept Away" for 30+ years until a few minutes ago. One of the better songs on the record.