Listen To Chickenfoot’s “BIG FOOT”

July 31, 2011 286 Comments

Chickenfoot’s first single “Big Foot” premiers online today! On radio and iTunes Aug 1st, 2001.
New album, “CHICKENFOOT III” out Sept 27, 2011. Listen here:

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Filed Under: Chickenfoot Tagged With: Big Foot, Bigfoot, chickenfoot, III, Reviews

Matt

Wow, what a miserable bunch of so and sos you lot are! I’m going to have to go against the tide and say I love it. Great catchy riff-based no-nonsense rock ‘n’ roll designed to put a smile on your face rather than change the world. For those of you genuinely disappointed rather than just Sammy haters who had decided to dismiss this before they even heard it, I would say you have nothing to worry about. I’m certain there will be more depth and variety on the album – they picked the weakest songs as lead singles last time for some reason and I suspect that’s what has happened here too. And if a song as fun as this is the least inspiring track on it, I think we’re in for a treat. I love VH, but be honest with yourselves, people – they don’t care about the fans. Chickenfoot does; they keep us in the loop and they actually produce new material more frequently than once every other decade.
Tim

Good solid groove. Nothing special melody-wise. Nice to hear Michael Anthony still hitting those high tenor harmonies and still sounding as good as ever, I wonder what the new VH album will sound like without him…
yeahright

Nothing great there guys, sorry but I agree there is no hook, and it is mediocre at best. Sexy Little Thing had it all over this one by a mile. Unfortunately I probably won’t even download this song…. I hope the rest of the album is better!
Hanger

It’s just not very good. Admittedly, I’m not a Hagar fan, but he has, in the past, came up with some decent arrangements and melodies. Unfortunately this isn’t one of them.

If you want to here a good imitation Zeppelin, I strongly recommend Them Crooked Vultures which has John Paul Jones in it. But this is just boring.
Mike De Lara

Wow….. Its the same old same old! Blah blah lyrics, boring *yawn* music! Holy Cow! This is the representing song they chose for the album?? This a C minus…. Just makes ya hunger for Van Halen.. Sorry guys… \//-/ Long Live VAN HALEN!
Dooley

Lotta posts on this thread, must be CF and their fans gettin’ their buzz on. I’m in. And I’ll be massively stoked when VH gets on with it. Hope the vocals are mixing well. Sounds like everything else is done.
F’n Rockstar

KICK ASS stuff….probably the best new song I’ve heard since “Avenida Revolucion” which has KILLER lyrics.

This is more of a fun party song. Always good stuff from Sammy…who else has written as many kick ass rockers as him??

Joe Rules
Mike Rules
and Chad of course Rules…

hopefully VH can bring the noise too.
growapair

@ Eddie Van Wailin’-perfect way to put it.It’s becoming clear as to why Satriani hasn’t played much in a band situation.I think the tune is limp.Call me a hater I could care less.
Slooppy

Good solo, boring song overall Sam seems to be really straining on this tune.

Over 1-10 scale

6
Def B Loud

I’ve listened to this track several times now and I’ll be as objective and opened minded as I can be…this song is good. Not great, not Zepplin-esque, not balls out heavy…but it is a good song. That said, I think it still offers a much needed change from today’s rehashed and watered down “rock”. There are plenty of good bands out now that have caried on and made their own mark in rock music…but the classic grove has been missing for quite awhile now. Without trying to be judgemental, this song could’ve been better served with some well crafted lyrics. They almost sound like an afterthought. Sonically, the music is good, but the main riff starts to sound as if it was just looped.
As for those on this site who continue to equate more CD production and more DVD’s and web updates with quality classic rock music I have only one point to make…I’d rather have a little bit of something great than have alot of shit in mass abundance.
Matt

It is good stuff. I think the Chickenfoot guys really love making blues-based rock/hard rock/metal. If they are having fun, I am sure the fans well too. Van Halen on the other hand, will have to deliver a modern and vintage sounding hard rock masterpiece. The expectations are high for the new Van Halen record.
bartbb75

Not bad, but disappointing for a band whose lead singer shot him self in the foot and compared Chickenfoot music to classic Led Zepplin. What a tool, how can you make any kind of comparison to a band of Led Zepplin’s caliber. Once again lyrics are lacking any sort of intelect.
Chris

Y’know. I read about 50 posts before I decided to say something. People either like it or hate Chickenfoot. They bash Sammy or Dave and put EVH on a pedestal. I love all Van Halen and have been for 20 plus years. I haven’t given up that a new album will be released in almost 13 years. Even Van Halen III has it’s moments (when I’m in the mood for something different). It’s not 1997 anymore right after he left the band. That’s ancient history.

I don’t listen to the radio anymore, or pop tunes or any of that crap. Why? Because the crap that’s being aired now isn’t music. It’s crap. It’s either about speed or some kind of pseudo rock thing. There’s no soul in anything that comes out.

But, when a group of some of the best veteran musicians get together to have fun and put out some decent ROCK music….I’ll listen and pay attention to it. Why? It’s rock n roll in the purest sense. No gimmicks, just ROCK music played by musicians. Enjoy it while it lasts. I am.

Sammy, Mike, Joe and Chad are great together. They have their niche in rock n roll. Van Halen (regardless who is singing) has theirs. You can’t compare apples to oranges.

I’ll get off the soap box when everyone else does. Sammy, Mike, Joe and Chad….keep it going!! Can’t wait until you guys tour. Pittsburgh 2011?
Sparks on 8/23/11(?!)

@Adam- I just noticed that my apology for misinterpeting you way back in this thread never posted, so again, my bad. I get where you were coming from.

I’ve seen this bunch, me included, get so embroiled in the “better lyrics” battle so many times that it’s just one big ugly feedback loop. Remember the SNL with William Shatner? Remember the bit he did where he showed up at a Trekkie convention and told everyone to get a life? I feel that’s probably what any past or present member (well, accept for Mike. He’s too damn nice) might say to us if they buzzed in here. This place really needs to go in on a big bottle of grow the fuck up pills. Before we’re all committed.
http://vhnd.com surfedsguitar

the Sammy bashers remind me of bitter divorced old whore.

just insane. its a song for god’s sake. I’m sure if you don’t like you don’t have to listen to it.

the sammy bashers give attention to him then well almost anyone else minus maybe outspoken sam. I read this site and it seems to be infested with these whinny little bitches that go on and on about how great Dave is than sam. Everyone knows that Dave era halen was better so stop fucking telling us! We know this.

As for Sam and what he does – better something then nothing.
and since when is singing about partying and women not belong in rock in roll. go buy a fucking kenny G CD and shut the hell up!
you people are fucking pathetic!

GET a LIFE!
Denny

If you like REM, Nirvana, U2, Talking Heads, Sex Pistols, Clash and all these other smarty pants types you aren’t gonna get Chickenfoot. And remember fans of those bands just mentioned make fun of Van Halen too.

PS: Is if okay if I don’t hate Sammy?
Michael C.

Well stated, Sparks. I posted something similar on another thread. Our passion for VH and Chickenfoot sometimes blinds us from the fact that we all sound like jackasses when we argue and insult each other.
D-CON

Read about 20 reviews, honestly…I don’t care if anyone else likes it. I listen to music for me…that’s it. If you don’t like it don’t buy it. I will enjoy the rest of the songs too. I like both eras and can’t wait to have 2 new cds to rock to until the end of the year. Hopefully VH will deliver too.
JACK N SAM

Wow over 200 comments – for this? I listened patiently through the whole thing. This is the sort of thing, where I would have changed the radio station after about 20 seconds. The solo is good – that is the only time Satch sounds like Satch and it doesn’t fit with the song. The riff sounds like something a 12 year old would come up with and so do the lyrics. You would with think the combined experience these guys have they would put something out better than this. It’s not bad, it’s just – there’s nothing there.
HeelsFan

I’m not a Sammy basher, in fact I happen to like a lot of the Van Halen music with him but lyrically speaking this song is not one of his better ones. The groove of the guitar and music itself is OK, but the song itself sucks in my opinion.
Benny

Where is Van Halen’s new song? Your going to be waiting for a while on that one die hards…Thanks to Sammy and the band for showing us how a professional band works. Thanks to them as well for keeping us updated on a regular basis on the Chickenfoot website. None of us have any clue as to what Van Halen is doing. As usual they keep us in the dark.
freddiegirl

Denny..I never got that. I really liked early U2 and loved the Clash. I just loved VH alot more! I never made fun though like some of the punkers and alterna-kids would me back in school but that’s ok. VH’s catalog speaks for itself now.
Lars

I listened to the song 4 times to get a good feel for it.

The main riff definitely sounds like another tune, I just can’t put my finger on it. Even Satriani’s fillers sound like I have heard them somewhere before. So it’s not overly creative, in my opinion, but I did enjoy the solo.

I couldn’t care less about the quality of the lyrics, Sammy does sound good for his age, and Michael Anthony’s backup vocals are good.

Listen to Sammy’s screams at 2:08 and then at 2:46.

Sounds a lot like Sammy is doing a Diamond Dave scream impression, is this a poke/challenge at Van Halen?

Overall, I don’t love the song, but I don’t think it’s trash either. It’s just nice to hear some new rock.

And about the upcoming Van Halen stuff, if it’s true that Van Halen is using material from old demos, it’s almost unfair to compare it to Chickenfoot, it will kick ass guaranteed, regardless of the quality of Dave’s voice/screams! This is gonna be shit Eddie wrote in his prime, just tinkered with a little (hopefully)

Chad Smith can easily get into acting if he wants, he can play Will Ferrell’s older brother, easily.
http://vhnd.com surfedsguitar

do lyrics matter in a good ac/dc songs?

its about the vibe now man.

sam and chickenfoot is not rocket science people.

its rock and roll.

dont like it- move along.

next.
Wilkster5150

Look I love every album VH ever put out. Maybe those of us who actually STILL love VH get sick of Sammy crapping all over the legacy of Van Halen every time he opens his mouth.
As for the song…if it walks like a duck an quacks like a duck…this song is a big disappointment for a 1st single. I expect Sam to overhype it and, after his delusional book, I take everything he says with a grain of salt. But with the way Mike an Satch were talkin this thing up? Hopefully the rest of the album is much much stronger than this.
But Satriani is not even in the same solar system as Ed when it comes to rhythm playing. And to an earlier post that said Chad can match Al on drums? You’re smokin somethin wacky. I like Chad, good drummer, but nowhere near Al’s caliber.
Halen High

A lot of people posting in this thread say they like Sammy – but don’t like this song. Others, like myself, are not fans of his music but gave it a listen so as to have an opinion on it. If someone says, “I’ve never been a Sammy fan and this song hasn’t changed my mind” – just put their review into context and make up your own mind. What’s the big deal?
BrianG

Bottom line. Chickenfoot wrote a great rock song, and it’s probably indicative of how the whole album will be. I mean seriously, how can you proclaim to listen to “real” rock music and not like that song? Great groove, great solo, great vocals. What’s not to like? Did they reinvent the wheel…No, but they don’t have to do that for the song to be good. As for the (only) Diamond Dave Van Halen fans…its’ OK to like Chickenfoot’s song guys and gals. You know why? Because it has absolutely NOTHING to do with Van Halen in 2011. You don’t have to come in here dissing the song to defend the honor of Van Halen. (as you prefer them) You don’t have to feel disloyal to Van Halen in 2011 to admit you like it.

Nothing is going to slow down that Van Halen train once it gets rolling…so just RELAX and enjoy the ride. I’m looking forward to two great “real” rock albums in the fall.
Adam

I have a very strong suspicion that a lot of people who SAY they DON’T like this song will end up listening to it many, many, many times.
http://www.ievolvedintothis.com Ken A

Of course lyrics matter in an AC/DC song. Bon Scott was one of the most underrated and wittiest wordsmiths of rock ‘n’ roll. (Brian, too, when he’s on his game.) I say this even as an avowed Sammy non-hater: he doesn’t have but a fraction of Bon’s cleverness or self-awareness. Dave’s closer, albeit with a VERY different persona from Bon’s.

And as much as I love Al, Chad is a terrific drummer. He doesn’t really show it in CF, but he really is one of the greats. As for Satriani… Ed will always be my favorite, but Joe can play anything you throw at him. As with Chad, CF is a poor metric of Joe’s talent. The man has made some beautiful music, and not many people can hang with his total command of the art of guitar.
Halen High

Wilkster5150 says:
“Look I love every album VH ever put out. Maybe those of us who actually STILL love VH get sick of Sammy crapping all over the legacy of Van Halen every time he opens his mouth.”

That is a major reason for the angst towards Sammy. It goes back to interviews in the early 90s and then his book. I think it was Nikki Sixx, a huge VH fan, who said after hearing about Sammy’s book he can’t listen to Van Halen with him singing anymore – and that reflects how a lot of Van Halen fans feel.

But that didn’t colour my view of this song. I still gave it a listen and if I thought it was good – I would have said so.
SCAR

Looks like the Foot gave the haters a Bigfoot up their ass!!!!
TMH

I don’t get it, what’s not to like about it, sounds pretty good to me. I’m sure it’s not going to be the best song on the album, but when they play it live it will get the house rockin’. looking forward to album release.
Lupercal

@ Roth_Leaps

Roth_Leaps_83 says:
AUGUST 1ST, 2011 AT 1:47 PM
@ Kevin Malone —-

“I have to laugh when people talk about Roth’s “great” lyrics. I love VH with Sammy or Dave, but most of Roth’s lyrics were mindless rhyming drivel.”

You sound quite stupid when you say that, and not much of a real VH fan.

And by the same logic, you’re not much of a real VH fan either, if you’re bashing Sammy. Or is it ridiculously juvenile to even suggest one type of fan is more “real” than another?

Oh, and just for the record Leaps, your ability to make quips about Sammy went straight out the window when you said that David Lee Roth had a “sparkly personality”. Never going to let that one go. Haha. Man-crush alert.

I enjoy your admiration for CVH but ignore the CF stuff in future hey? Nobody likes a troll. The only “Hagar fans” you like are the ones that say give props to Roth in a post that has nothing to do with him. I like Roth too, but this new single from a band that involves Sammy Hagar has pretty much 0% to do with him. I liked the song, personally. I love hearing Mike again, going to miss that on the new VH album.
ftgjr

It’s O.K. nothing special. Just seems like it can’t get out of it’s own way. I’m rating this song as a person who appreciates all styles of music. Even though I prefer Roth era Van Halen, I have a lot of respect for many Hagar era songs. It seems like a forced effort, like something that was used to fill up time. I hope the other offerings are better than this. I liked a lot of the songs on the first album.

I’m a big fan of Satch but I think the rock and roll fantasy camp experiment is a failed one. It’s like when Traci Lords tried to make mainstream movies, there were only a few scenes worth watching. You know what I’m talking about!
joel

“I got a fever, and the only cure is more cowbell baby”…..sorry, thought I’d throw some humor in the mix.
Sparks in ’11

As I enter the feedback loop of “who writes better lyrics” one more time (I can’t even take my own advice!)

I’ve seen many chime in against Dave with a passage from Jump or Drop Dead Legs as a means of proclaiming his lyric writing is weak. You folks miss the point. Dave’s gift, to me, is his innate ability to make the listener dig the vibe that is happening within the given moment (song) whether it be with no brainer lyrics (ok, Jump) or more thought provoking ones like Black Sand. Hell, I’m moved by the unitelligable gibberish early on in the song Everybody Wants Some. Dave never comes off as contrived (except maybe in Counterblast. I hate that song) I believe he’s lived many (no, not all) of the lyrics he’s written. And just as realtors preach ” location, location, location” singers must preach “delivery, delivery, delivery”. Dave delivers nearly every damn time. To me, Sam delivers some of the time. Big Foot is far from Sam’s worst offering. I think he is actually giving this song what it calls for. I’m curious to hear how the rest of CFIII is.
funkdefino

Dear Dirty Duck… Nope not related. Not my last name. Just a play on words.

Cheers!
Russ

Chad – thank you for giving us more cowbell!
CHILE5150

THE SAME, YEAH, WOW, UH,… MMMMM DON’T LIKE IT. THERES NO SONG. GOOD GUITAR BUT SAMMY DID THE SAME MELODIC LINE IN ALL SONGS. EVERYTHING HE DID IN VAN HALEN WAS BETTER. ITS MY POINT OF VIEW. HE SING AWESOME BUT TO MUCH YEA YEA YEA YEA UH UH UH UH AH AH AH AHAA… IS NO PORN STAR.
Towers McQuestion

I’ve listened to it many times since it was initially posted. Honestly, haters can say what they want but I do hear a Zeppelin-esque riff in there. I’ve had it stuck in my head for a day now so I bought it on itunes to support good music. Good driving tune.
temple5150

THANK YOU CHICKENFOOT!

I’m not even going to bother reading all the comments. I just want to say “THANK YOU” to the musicians who take time out of their lives to enrich ours and give us music…that one thing that no one can ever take away from us no matter how tough life gets. Our lives are a mere blip on the radar screen. Each day is sacred, and for these four human beings to even consider giving us something we can have for a lifetime is enough for me, thank you. Music is the key to the universe and each and every one of these musicians should be thanked, NOT CRITICIZED, for what they are giving us….so, to Sam, Mikey, Chad and Joe…

THANK YOU! \m/

p.s. We’re STILL waiting Ed.
Bluesbro

SCAR says:
August 2nd, 2011 at 1:30 am
Looks like the Foot gave the haters a Bigfoot up their ass!!!!

I got both hands on the wheel and a big foot up your ass Gotta love Scar.
Bluesbro

Love him or hate him, I guess you have to talk about him. 240+ posts and counting, just as Sammy planned.
http://hubcapdave.blogspot.com HubcapDave

@Halen High

Yeah, it tuens out it was the Santana cover. I still don’t like it. I didn’t like his cover of Dance The Night Away either. In the latter case, it just doesn’t sound right. DTNA is best when it’s just a stripped down rock tune. In the former case, the song sounds too sanitized and overproduced.
OzzyVanHalen

Joe Satriani’s riffage is great on this song but i think Sammy could of did a little better with the songwriting.
Mark

It’s ok, not great.

Weird choice for their first single off the new album, as this cannot be one of the best songs, at least I hope it isn’t.
jk5150

I’m puttin my BIG FOOT down!! Brian G…you said it: Enjoy the Rock N Roll ride of 2011!! “It’s been a long time since I rock n rolled. It’s been a long time since I did the stroll. Let me get it back, let me get it back”……simple Rock Lyrics!! Isn’t that what it’s all about?? BTW…didn’t Right Now win a Grammy??
jeff adams

I’m as die hard a fan of Classic Van Halen as you get (except for Leaps) but this has nothing to do w/ VH. Chickenfoot put out a song, and an album will follow. Shit man, I want to put out a song and an album, but I’m not a musician, and couldn’t carry a tune for the life of me. It’s just a bunch of dudes play’in music. Nobody, including Chickfoot could hold VH’s jock, we know that, but don’t hold a grudge against these guy’s cause they want to jam and record it. I thought the song was pretty good.

Love ya Leaps
Joey

Love it!! Great tune, turn it up!!

9-27-11 cant get here soon enough!
pete

i find it somewhat silly that people are actually breaking down the lyrics to van halen songs…when you have the greatist guitarist of all time who really cares?lyrics to me are just kind of backround noise anyways.