55 Responses to “Van Halen songs in the movies”

1. McQuestion says:
   November 29th, 2009 at 11:57 am

   Has anyone mentioned the upcoming cast musical number of Van Halen’s Jump on this week’s episode of “Glee”?

   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yuDv4Vohof8

   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glee_%28TV_series%29

2. Patrick says:
   November 29th, 2009 at 12:27 pm

   Could have sworn that I’m The One was also in Private Parts.

3. Patrick says:
   November 29th, 2009 at 12:28 pm

   Also a couple of non movie VH sound clips….

   Family Guy- Drop Dead Legs
   American Dad- Unchained

4. Fanboy says:
   November 29th, 2009 at 12:28 pm

   Almost all songs are from the DLR era. Filmmakers have good taste!

5. 5150fan says:
   November 29th, 2009 at 12:30 pm

   I thought for sure Humans Being was recorded specifically for the Twister soundtrack.

6. Rich says:
   November 29th, 2009 at 12:45 pm

   Yeah, pretty sure that Fire In The Hole was on the soundtrack, not just played in the film.

7. DLR says:
   November 29th, 2009 at 1:09 pm

   I believe Humans Being was from Twister and Fire In The Hole was featured on Lethal Weapon 4. Also Respect The Wind - a great instumental was featured on Twister.

8. Ed says:
   November 29th, 2009 at 1:30 pm

   I didn’t realize Van Halen had songs named (Movie Score) and Donut City.

9. Dave says:
   November 29th, 2009 at 1:57 pm

   Humans Being is definitely on my Twister Soundtrack CD.

   What film is the picture of the hamburger playing the stripy guitar from ? I don’t get the connection, it’s lost on me…

10. Dave says:
    November 29th, 2009 at 1:58 pm

    D’oh - Better Off Dead - popped up when I did a mouseover - D’oh !

    

11. Rick Pride says:
    November 29th, 2009 at 2:22 pm

    I always thought “Intruder” would be great in Butt Patrol 75. Lol

12. Panama Red says:
    November 29th, 2009 at 5:07 pm

    Thanks for the list. Very cool. That scene with the hamburger playing “Everybody Wants Some” from Better Off Dead is great. That’s a pretty funny movie. I knew Van Halen songs were in a lot of movies , but didn’t realize they were in that many. Some really good movies too like Superbad, Weird Science to name a couple. The Twister Score is worth checking out with the extended version of “Respect the Wind”. I kinda wished Van Halen would have put out an instrumental album after hearing that. Especially after all of the lead singer issues at the time.

    I defenitly think I would listen to “Van Halen III” a lot more if it was just an instrumental album with Eddie and Alex jamming and experimenting with different sounds than having to listen to that cheezball Cherone trying to sound like Sammy Hagar.

    Also I think “Crossing Over” (Japan “Balance” C.D. & B-side single) is one of the best Van Halen songs ever. I wish they would have done a whole album with that vibe/sound. I didn’t know about the 4 non blondes cover of “I’m the One”. I wonder if it’s any good? Might have to check that out. Does anyone think “Catherine” and “Rise” from “Sacred Sin” are worth looking for? I haven’t heard them. Also, Years ago I tried finding the song “Wild Life” from the “Donut City” soundtrack and also “Bad Habits” from the Sgt. Bilko movie. No luck with donut city and unless you want to fork out a crapload for an out-of-print record. And apparently Sgt. Bilko was such a flop they didn’t bother issuing a soundtrack. I’m not even sure if those songs are worth hunting for. It’s just kind of irritating that some songs aren’t available to listen to or purchase. Anyway, thanks for any feedback.

13. DLR says:
    November 29th, 2009 at 5:19 pm

    Panama Red;

    You should be able to catch Catherine from Sacred Sin on You Tube. I have seen it there before. Pretty cool stuf with all footage shot in 5150 even has EVH on Al’s drumkit playing. Definately worth checking out. I totally agree with the instrumental ideas you have. If you take out the screaming on III it had potential.

14. Dave Vincent says:
    November 29th, 2009 at 7:18 pm

    In terms of VH, some others were on soundtracks to my knowledge. “HB” on Twister, which I’m sure was a typo, but I believe “JC” was on Private Parts’. “FITH” was on LW4’s but by a different band, Anthony Anderson Orchestra and Voices, oddly enough. Wonder why?

15. Dave says:
    November 29th, 2009 at 8:02 pm

    Donut City:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nedFRgbwP10

16. Dave says:
    November 29th, 2009 at 8:05 pm

    4 Non Blondes - I’m The One:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZtT5Fr-Meg

17. VH Dude says:
    November 29th, 2009 at 8:23 pm

    I’d recommend renting or even buying “The Wild Life” if you can find it (it’s well worth the purchase if you are a die hard VH fan). I bought it on LaserDisc almost 20 years ago just to get hear Ed’s parts (yeah a laserdisc…it’s like a giant DVD). It’s really cool to listen to all the little contributions Eddie made to it. There are quite a few short instrumentals throughout the film. Notable are early versions of A.F.U. Naturally Wired and Right Now. Donut City is a cool instrumental named after the donut shop in the film (I also have a full recording on cassette - someday I’ll transfer to DVD). There’s also a great instrumental that plays while the end credits roll. Not as good as Respect The Wind, but still fun to listen to. The movie’s not bad either, actually a funny 80’s flick with lots of gratuitus boob shots. Rick Moranis has someshort but funny scenes too. I don’t think there is a CD of the soundtrack, but even if there was, you wouldn’t get all of the little quick instrumentals scattered in the film. Hope that gives some of you something fun to look forward too.

18. Corey says:
    November 29th, 2009 at 9:09 pm

    So where’s that clay figure picture from?

19. Alan says:
    November 30th, 2009 at 12:40 am

    Anyone remember the late eighties, Don Johnson, Susan Sarandon movie, “Sweethearts Dance”. Only saw the preview, but remember them playing the DLR version of “California Girls” in the clip.

20. little John says:
    November 30th, 2009 at 3:07 am

    Great list! Didn’t know Van Halen had that many songs in movie’s!! But the one that truly stands out as a cult favourite is the amazing piece of music that was in ‘Back To The Future’. I think everyone knows what music I’m talking about? The scene where Michael J Fox is dressed as an alien wakes his father up with Van Halen blaring from the headphones!! CLASSIC!!

21. Colin says:
    November 30th, 2009 at 10:22 am

    Fire in the Hole is played during the movie. It’s on the guy’s Walkman before Mel Gibson and Danny Glover take him out.

22. andym says:
    November 30th, 2009 at 11:23 am

    Corey, the claymation thing was from the movie “Better Off Dead”.

    FYI to the regulars like Atomic Punk, Ron VH, etc. because I know we’ll see more messages to VH from you guys……Eddie, Alex, Dave, Wolfgang, Sammy, Mikey, Gary, Joan Jett, KISS, Bret Michaels, or anyone else who was in or almost in VH does NOT read the posts here!! IT’S JUST A FAN SITE!!!

23. andym says:
    November 30th, 2009 at 11:30 am

    PS - Why don’t we list Crystal Pepsi and car commercials while we’re at it??? That’s been the most common way to hear random VH that’s not on the radio over the past 15+ years!

24. bosox says:
    November 30th, 2009 at 11:40 am

    I wish Eddie did an instrumental in the early 80’s.

25. bosox says:
    November 30th, 2009 at 11:41 am

    album that is

26. halenhagar says:
    November 30th, 2009 at 12:29 pm

    Yeah, what about the BEST Van Halen song ever, “Humans Being” from the 1996 Twister soundtrack??????
    If they stayed on that path they would have been bigger than life.
    Why would Eddie end such a great thing????
    To Bad.

27. Panama Red says:
    November 30th, 2009 at 1:00 pm

    Thanks DLR. Watched both videos on Youtube of Catherine and Rise. Catherine was pretty cool, I’ve never seen that footage before at 5150. Pretty cool to see Ed behind a drum kit.
    Thanks Dave for the links. Appreciate it! Finally got to hear Donut city. I bet there is a ton of music just lying around somewhere at 5150. Hopefully it will all be released someday or at least used for future songs/albums. I won’t hold my breath though.
    I also remember hearing something about some work Eddie did with Brin May back in the day. Like the “Brian May Project” or something. I can’t remember the details.
    VH Dude, I was just talking about Laserdiscs the other day and how I’m sure a lot of people don’t even know about those things. They weren’t around for long. Thanks for the info.

28. Skutch says:
    November 30th, 2009 at 1:14 pm

    More evidence that Lethal Weapon 4 is a piece of crap.

29. Rick Pride says:
    November 30th, 2009 at 1:36 pm

    Halenhagar. I agree that was some amazing stuff.

30. RA 8 1 2 says:
    November 30th, 2009 at 1:59 pm

    4 non blondes version sucked. Funny thing about 4 non blondes is that the lead singer and song writer Linda Perry has done tons of stuff in the industry. Written for Christina Aguilara, etc. A couple years ago the San Francisco Chapter of the Recording Academy honored Linda Perry, Sammy Hagar and Some other guy. I attended. It was a cool event. I had no idea that she had done so much. I only thought she was known for that one song. Mikey was there and had the chance ot meet them both and chat for a bit.

31. Rick Pride says:
    November 30th, 2009 at 2:03 pm

    It was Ray Daniels that destroyed Van Halen. That douchebag!!!!

32. bosox says:
    November 30th, 2009 at 2:07 pm

    HalenHagar, ya it is too bad that they broke up with Dave the first time. Imagine what the follow-up album to 1984 would have been like. Too bad huh.

33. Dirty Duck says:
    November 30th, 2009 at 2:12 pm

    halenhagar:

    “Humans Being” = Best VH song EVER!!!?

    UGH!

    Shiiiiine on… shiiiiine on!! LOL!!! Christ! The only part of that song worth mentioning was eddie’s solo….love it!

    That song may be the best VANHAGAR song for sam fans

    But see, with classic VH….ALL those SONGS are the BEST BAAABAAAY!!!

34. Rick Pride says:
    November 30th, 2009 at 3:03 pm

    Ah well let’s look forward not backward we got thee Diamond One back and he’s going to hit the ball out of the park!!!

35. redarrow5150 says:
    November 30th, 2009 at 10:23 pm

    Eruption was in “Back To The Future” with Michael J. Fox. Remember the scene when he wakes up McFly with space out fit and puts earphones and cranks it up. Great scene!

36. hampus says:
    December 1st, 2009 at 2:37 am

    sos sällskapsresan does not include any VH tune, only a keyboard sound similar to “jump”

37. donoVH says:
    December 1st, 2009 at 2:50 am

    “Donut City” = “Turn Me Loose” by Loverboy!

38. Dirty Duck says:
    December 1st, 2009 at 6:27 am

    redarrow5150:

    That scene in back to the future didnt feature “eruption”.
    The guitar licks you hear were actually made for the movie by eddie. Dont know if it had a name. Maybe “mustard on my leg”
    I remember back in my teens constantly “rewinding” that part of the movie so I could tape it on my “boom box”…lol…the good ol’ days….

39. troll73 says:
    December 1st, 2009 at 10:21 am

    The Wayne’s World soundtrack had a cover of “Rock Candy” that was performed by the Bullet Boys. Rich, “Fire In the Hole” was seen in pretty much the 1st part of Lethal Weapon 4. The guy who was torching everything was listening to it on his headphones.

40. Cam Winston says:
    December 1st, 2009 at 11:05 am

    First time I heard Humans Being was in the theater (VH fan, but not fanatic) watching Twister on its opening night and it took about 7 licks before I muttered to my wife “sounds like Eddie Van Halen” & soon as Sammy chimed in “There.is.just.e.nuff.Christ.in.me.” I literally yelled “VAN HALEN!”

    Little did I know that song was the straw that broke the camel’s proverbial back for Van Hagar.

    Side note that most of you may already know:
    Previous to that part of the movie, as they’re leaving Helen Hunt’s aunt’s house, the orchestra (for lack of a better phrase) for the movie plays a prelude to the song. Very interesting, and cool, to hear violins playing Humans Being prior to the guitar kicking in. At least I think it’s violins.

41. 5150fan says:
    December 1st, 2009 at 11:47 am

    For some unknown reason, there was no actual soundtrack for Lethal Weapon 4. Just a cd of “music inspired by the L.W. motion pictures” cd. It contains a cover version of F.I.T.H. that’s worse than the original…..if that’s possible. The actual song only appeared in the movie.

    I’m agreeing with what halenhagar said. Humans Being is the best of the VH soundtrack songs by far, and Ray Daniels is a prick!

42. halenhagar says:
    December 1st, 2009 at 4:46 pm

    Thanks, Van Halen Fans, (DLR Lovers can go suck an egg) I did mean that “Humans Being” was the best Soundtrack Van Halen song, and it is. I love Classic Van Halen and I like new and improved newer Van Halen with Hagar at the helm, but I see no grand slam happening with Roth in 2010 or after, he is washed up and if Hagar who is older than him can belt out lyrics like he does. Dave has no chance. I think Eddie will find another singer. I also was not disapointed when Van Halen choosed Gary Cherone, I was excited, bought the album and went to see them on tour. they had 3 pretty good songs on that album. Just not a powerhouse album like all the previous Roth/Hagar CD,s excluding “Woman and Children First” which was kinda an underground LP.

43. Pete says:
    December 3rd, 2009 at 8:54 am

    PANAMA RED - “Crossing Over” was a really cool tune, and the only one that Ed ever wrote the lyrics for. It still kicks my ass to this day. Very heavy, very cool, very spooky.

    DUCK - Count me as someone who sees “Humans Being” as one of the best VH tunes, in my humble opinion. It’s an angry tune that seemed to capture the vibe of the band at the time. It’s raw and snarly, and I count it as one of my faves for sure.

    But as I said earlier, I realize that art is subjective, so what’s good for this goose may be insufficient to your gander, right? Cheers Duck…

44. Dirty Duck says:
    December 3rd, 2009 at 2:41 pm

    Pete,

    Not arguing with ya…just curious about something you mentioned about “Humans Being”…
    You thought the song had an angry vibe about it?
    I always thought the chorus “shine on” sounded positive, no?
    I’m taking it you mean the song overall?

    You know what I picked up on? Humans Being and Me Wise Magic kinda have that same kinda tone. I always thought that me wise magic sounded angry….until the chorus: do you believe?
    Right? The same kinda goes for humans being….
    What do you think pete?

45. Panama Red says:
    December 4th, 2009 at 11:38 am

    Pete- I know, the first few times I heard “Crossing Over” The hair on the back of my neck stood up. I remember hearing that Eddie played some of the drum parts and I think Sammy said Eddie was the one who didn’t want it on the American Balance C.D. because it was to weird or different sounding than the rest of the album, and Eddie said they wouldn’t play it live because he couldn’t play drums and guitar at the same time. I don’t think anyone would have complained if they used his drum track during the live performance if it meant we could hear that live. I mean some of Alex’s drum solo’s have had over dubbed drums and horns. Also, I think Sammy said it was inspired by the death of Ted Templeman. I really wish Van Halen could have put out more songs with that kind of dark, heavy and powerful vibe. You could tell by the sound and feeling of that song that it had deep meaning for the band. Cool Stuff.

46. Dirty Duck says:
    December 4th, 2009 at 11:58 am

    Panama Red:

    I dont usually get involved in conversations regarding sammy era stuff but just thought I’d let you know: It was “Ed Leffler” who passed that sam was close with. Ted Templeman is still alive as far as I know.

47. johnny beane says:
    December 4th, 2009 at 9:41 pm

    I used to have The Seduction of Gina (1983) on vhs.
    A local tv station here in the bay area used to play it every once in a while back in the mid 90’s.

    The film was shot here in san francisco.

    Eddie did the opening scene and a scene where Val is driving over the bay bridge, i always thought it was cool music.

    Was sorta like what he did for the wild life.

    Anyone have it on mp3 - the music.
    Id like to hear it again.
    If so contact me please.

48. halenhagar says:
    December 5th, 2009 at 10:21 am

    Guys here are the lyrics and the songfacts to the song “Humans Being”

    There is just enough Christ in meTo make me feel almost guiltyIs that why God made us bleedTo make us see we’re Humans Being?You break this, I’ll break all thatYou break my balls with all your crapSpread your disease like lemmings breedingThat’s what makes us Humans BeingShine on, shine onShine on, shine on(Guitar Solo)Yeah! Some low life flat head scum infectsThe sickness in his eyes reflectsYou wonder why your life is screamingWonder why we’re Humans BeingShine on, shine onShine on, shine on(Guitar Solo)Humans, Humans BeingWe’re just Humans (That’s what makes us)Humans Being (That’s what makes us)We’re just humans (That’s what makes us)Humans Being (That’s what makes us) We’re just humans (That’s what makes us)Humans Being (That’s what makes us)Humans Being!We’re just humans (That’s what makes us)Humans Being (That’s what makes us)Humans Being!

    Songfacts:

    This song (a rocker) was contracted for the soundtrack for the movie Twister by Van Halen. The band was supposed to have the first half of 1996 off. In that time, Eddie was going to have hip surgery, Alex was supposed to get his neck fixed and Sammy’s wife was preparing to have their first child. They were convinced by Ray Danniels that this movie was huge and the money would carry them for he remainder of 1996.

    Hagar had written a song called “The Silent Extreme,” which Alex later renamed “Humans Being.” There was a lot of friction between Sammy and the band because Sammy was in Maui with his pregnant wife and the others wanted him to fly to the studio and finish the song. Eddie pleaded with Sammy and said they needed only a minute and a half of lyrics added and he suggested “Bah, bah, bah. I hate this, I hate that, you dirty rat.” Sammy said “that sucked.” Sammy finally said okay, and came up with this line: “There is just enough Christ in me/To make me feel almost guilty/Is that why God made us breed/To make us see we’re humans being.” Sammy sang the song in three parts in about an hour and a half and split. This played a key roll in the end of the relationship between Hagar and Van Halen.

    The phrase “Shine-on Shine-on” in the lyrics is similar to “We all Shine on” from John Lennons “Instant Karma.” This phrase, according to Steven King, inspired his term for “to shine” in the film The Shining. In the film Twister, The Shining is being played in the drive in when a twister hits.

49. Pete says:
    December 5th, 2009 at 5:57 pm

    PANAMA RED & DUCK…thanks for making this place interesting again…

    P.RED…”Crossing Over” was about a friend of Ed’s who ended his own life. As I understand it, he wasn’t a famous person, and it was something that shook Ed up pretty bad. (”I never got to, really know you, the way I want to now”.) Sad. Great tunes usually capture a pretty raw emotion or vibe. This one is a brilliant piece.

    The reason I understand it wasn’t played live is that the guitar effect was difficult to reproduce. I believe it was an idea left over from the Dave era that didn’t see the light of day for whatever reason.

    Cool stuff indeed.

50. Panama Red says:
    December 6th, 2009 at 2:07 pm

    Halenhagar, Pete, Dirty Duck, Thanks for the info/correction. I got mixed up. My memory sucks!
    The time of “Humans Being” really was a volatile time for VH w/ Sammy. I remember hearing that Eddie was criticizing Sammy, saying something like Sammy kept coming up with lyrics about tornadoes and Eddie saying they didn’t want a song specifically about tornadoes. And that Sammy just got on a plane and left before the song was finished. So Eddie had to sing/mix the parts of “that’s what makes us” “Were just humans”. And then “allegedly” VH started working with DLR behind Sammy’s back, around the same time frame.
    When Humans Being came out on the radio the D.J. in my area(who knows Hagar) was saying stuff like “Will this be the last song with Sammy Hagar?”. I was like, what the hell are you talking about you moron! Little did I know. Then there was a brief period of denial, anger, sadness, than acceptance. lol
    I hope they can stick it out with Roth and put out a new album. I wish it was with Mikey too though. I thought I remember hearing when Roth Reunited with VH very briefly back in the day of “Me Wise Magic” They recorded a couple of other songs before they broke up again. I think one of em was a cover of Magic Carpet Ride. I could be wrong, like I said my memory sucks. Man, when I write I just ramble. My A.D.D. takes me all over the place.

51. Panama Red says:
    December 7th, 2009 at 1:12 pm

    I was listening to the Howard Stern show when Private Parts came out. Howard said he asked the Van Halen camp if they would write and record an original song for his movie. But he wanted DLR not Sammy, and he said he didn’t care about Mike. He said he heard back from them that they wanted ONE MILLION dollars for ONE SONG!! Howard passed. I think this was when Ray Daniels was managing them.

52. Pete says:
    December 7th, 2009 at 3:28 pm

    RED…that’s right about “Private Parts”, and then Dave gave him that horrible tune of the same name. It was weird to hear Dave “sucking up” like that to Howard, especially since he eventually started a competing radio show and was trounced. I love Dave solo, but that song was the worst ass-kiss “please put this on the soundtrack” tune I’ve ever heard.

53. EasyStreet says:
    December 15th, 2009 at 11:17 pm

    I’m surprised that no one has mentioned just how much Eddie stuff was in Back to the Future. Not only was there the “Darth Vader from the planet Vulcan” Walkman scene but let’s not forget the awesome scene when Marty McFly goes completely wild during his fill-in for Chuck Berry’s “cousin” on the song “Johny B. Good”. Also, when McFly’s band was trying out for the talent show, you hear Eddie jamming out a small part of Huey Lewis’ “Power of Love” and it is Huey Lewis himself that cuts them off saying “You’re just too darn loud!”
    Dave’s “Just Like Paradise” nearly became the theme song to “Beverly Hills 90210″ if not for some management misunderstanding. Eddie recently appeared on the TV show “Two and a Half Men” in which he came out of the men’s room with a Frankenstrat strapped on and played a small riff called “Two Burritos and a Root Beer Float” after explaining that he never knows when inspiration might strike. I’m sure there are many other movies and TV shows out there that contain some snippet of VH/Hagar/DLR music that haven’t been mentioned. And then there are endless references to the band and all it’s many dramas in countless movies. Sara Palin used “Right Now” as her introduction song in the 2008 campaign and also named a child “Van Palin” (middle name). I think it is safe to say that Van Halen has left a sizable footprint on American culture whether people want to admit it or not. Not many days go by without hearing something that involves some sort of VH attachment. Although I will admit that my ears and eyes are very trained in all things VH.
    As far as the DLR vs. Sammy debate goes…give it a rest!!! I think that a TRUE fan can appreciate it all. I have attended at least 1 stop of every VH tour (7 times for ‘07-’08) and while some shows are better than others I would rather see Van Halen in any form over ANYTHING that is being pushed out by the record companies today. Eddie will always be King when it comes to hard ass Rock and Roll guitar!!!

54. EasyStreet says:
    December 16th, 2009 at 4:50 pm

    Follow up: I did not mention the Sara Palin thing to start a political debate. It was not an endorsement for the GOP. I just wanted to show that VH was being used on one of the largest public stages that exists. So please…refrain from throwing your political views into the conversation. Although…in my opinion seeing Sara Palin swinging her hips to “Dance The Night Away” would not suck! Ha Ha!

55. EasyStreet says:
    December 16th, 2009 at 5:15 pm

    My 2 favorite VH songs are “It’s About Time” (always pumps me up) and “Me Wise Magic”. It is ironic that both tunes involved the return of a former frontman. I guess it just goes to show that the guys are fully capable of finding the magic that made Van Halen so special with either Dave or Sam. The last tour was something that I had been waiting for since I was a freshman in high school and I took my young sons to see it in LA and in Grand Rapids. The are very devoted fans now and not because “Dad” says so. They truly do love the music and always put it on in the car. Now let’s lobby hard for an event that would be even more unbelievable than the last tour and call for a Dave and Sammy VH tour. I know…it will never happen. But then again, for the better part of 2 decades, I never though I would see Dave and Eddie hugging each other onstage in front of 15,000 to 20,000 fans night after night after the things that were said by and about each other for years. One can wish!

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