The wait is over. Wolfgang Van Halen’s brand new single, “Distance,” dedicated to his father Eddie Van Halen has been released. Check out the official video for the new song at the end of this post.
He wrote the song while his late father battled cancer, “imagining what my life would be without him, and how terribly I’d miss him,” as Wolfgang explained in a statement. “I don’t think I’ll ever move on,” Wolfgang sings.
Wolfgang’s new project is called Mammoth WVH, (of course, the name being a nod to family history — his father’s band was called Mammoth back in the early ’70s.
Wolfgang plays all instruments and sings lead.
“Everybody has a name they are born with. Having one of the most recognizable names in entertainment, Wolfgang Van Halen has been preparing to release music from his solo band Mammoth WVH for some time,” says an official announcement. “That plan was altered when his father and guitar icon Eddie Van Halen called him and told him his cancer had returned. Wolfgang decided to put everything on hold to be with his father through his battle. During that time, Wolfgang was writing material for his upcoming solo album (available via Explorer1 Music Group/EX1 Records in 2021) for which the first single “Distance” would be born.”
Wolfgang explains further, “As my pop continued to struggle with various health issues, I was imagining what my life would be like without him and how terribly I’d miss him. While the song is incredibly personal, I think anyone can relate to the idea of having a profound loss in their life.”
A press release states, “Writing the song and performing all of the instrumentation and vocals for Mammoth WVH, “Distance” is an open letter to his father – one Wolfgang was fortunate to play for his dad and would become a favorite of Eddie’s – declaring “no matter what the distance is, I will be with you.” The video for the song is created from a collection of family home movies through the years and offers an inside look in to one of music’s most notable personalities. Chronicling the family through the years, the video ends with a touching voicemail left from Eddie to his son.”
Wolfgang adds, “I never intended ‘Distance’ to be the very first piece of music people would hear from me, but I also thought my father would be here to celebrate its release. This is for him. I love and miss you, Pop.”
Watch the new video, embedded from YouTube, below:
The song is available via all digital service providers here.
The video ends with a voicemail message from Eddie to Wolfgang: “I’m just so happy to have you as my son and I’m so proud of you. I love you so much – call me if you get a chance. I wanna hear your voice, okay? I love you, bye.”
Below are the lyrics:
I’m so happy
You found a place
That’s better for you
Than this rock we’re living on
I’m so nervous
Don’t know my place
A life without you, I’m not ready to move on
No matter what the distance is I will be with you
No matter what the distance is you’ll be OK
I’m so tired
Can’t see your face
My memory of you
Slowly fades when I go on
I’m still crying
Don’t want this place
A world without you
I don’t think I’ll ever move on
No matter what the distance is I will be with you
No matter what the distance is I will be with you
No matter what the distance is I will be with you
No matter what the distance is you’ll be OK
No matter what the distance is I will be with you
No matter what the distance is I will be with you
No matter what the distance is I will be with you
No matter what the distance is you’ll be OK
No matter what the distance is I will be with you
No matter what the distance is you’ll be OK
No matter what the distance is I will be with you
No matter what the distance is you’ll be OK
No matter what the distance is you’ll be OK
No matter what the distance is you’ll be OK
I’m so happy, you found a place
The song is the first single from Wolfgang’s upcoming solo album, which will be out next year. He told Howard Stern that the album could’ve been released as early as 2018, but he delayed it in order to spend time with his ailing dad.
Eddie Van Halen died of cancer on October 6th. Wolfgang is giving all of his proceeds from “Distance” to his father’s favorite charity, the Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation, which donates instruments to underfunded school music programs.
Check out Wolgang’s new website, mammothwvh.com
