Album Roundtable 9/27 - 1984

[Dawn]

Today's featured album is:



1984
Van Halen
Released December 31, 1983

The track listing:

1. 1984
2. Jump
3. Panama
4. Top Jimmy
5. Drop Dead Legs
6. Hot For Teacher
7. I'll Wait
8. Girl Gone Bad
9. House Of Pain

This was an extremely popular album among the students at my high school back in '84 - it seemed like virtually everyone I knew owned a copy. Although I'd heard the singles from Van Halen's earlier albums on the radio when they were current, and the singles from this album were what initially drew me in, this was the album that made me become aware of the group more as an albums artist.

This is a very solid album, with excellent musicianship and production throughout, and great use of synths. One of the songs that really showcases this is I'll Wait, my favorite song on the album, and my favorite Van Halen track overall. Jump is another of my faves - just hearing that signature riff takes me right back in time to my high school days, as does the rockin' Panama - I remember hearing that many a time during the summer of '84. (Has it really been 21 years?!?!)

While there are no songs I dislike on the album, probably the one I'm the most ambivalent about is Hot for Teacher. Part of that may be due to hearing it so much on the classic rock station here - of all the cuts from 1984, it is probably the one that gets the most radio play for some reason.

Girl Gone Bad and Top Jimmy are my favorites of the remainder of the tracks, both very well done.

This is pretty much tied with their 1978 debut as my favorite Van Halen album. I have not explored their post-Diamond Dave material other than the singles as closely as their earlier albums, but I'd like to someday.

What are your thoughts on this album?

[KittyKat - RIP Luciano]

This album was so HUGE. It has not stood the test of time for me. The only song that I can still listen to is "Panama".

[Ken]

Dawn, like you whenever I hear any of the songs from the album especially Jump,Hot For Teacher and Panama memories of High School come flooding back. It seemed that everyone from my school owned a copy either on cassette or vinyl.

I never owned a copy (and still don't - I know - shame on me I just borrowed the album from a buddy at the time and included my favorite tracks on various mix tapes.


The songs to me still hold up extremely well after all these years - 21 you say? oh my!


Faves - 1984, Jump, Panama , Hot For Teacher and I'll Wait

[beatles4ever]

My favorite Van Halen album by far....so many excellent songs are on it.I can still listen to Panama with the volumn cranked up enough to cover up my singing. ;D

[djdave]

My forever fave VH album. Simply any mention of the year 1984, and I intantly think of the album cover. "Jump" is simply one of the best records ever. Most of the remaining tracks are top-notch as well--"Panama" SCREAMS summer '84!

[Dawn]

kittykat said:

This album was so HUGE. It has not stood the test of time for me. The only song that I can still listen to is "Panama".

It definitely seemed like this album was everywhere back then, I agree. Panama is such a great track!

[Dawn]

kenfrank said:

Dawn, like you whenever I hear any of the songs from the album especially Jump,Hot For Teacher and Panama memories of High School come flooding back. It seemed that everyone from my school owned a copy either on cassette or vinyl.

I never owned a copy (and still don't - I know - shame on me I just borrowed the album from a buddy at the time and included my favorite tracks on various mix tapes.


The songs to me still hold up extremely well after all these years - 21 you say? oh my!


Faves - 1984, Jump, Panama , Hot For Teacher and I'll Wait

21 years - that made me feel old when I typed it! It's hard to believe that time has passed so quickly - almost seems like yesterday!

[Dawn]

tracy said:

My favorite Van Halen album by far....so many excellent songs are on it.I can still listen to Panama with the volumn cranked up enough to cover up my singing. ;D

LOL - I can relate! ;D Panama is definitely a great one to crank up!

[Dawn]

djdave said:

My forever fave VH album. Simply any mention of the year 1984, and I intantly think of the album cover. "Jump" is simply one of the best records ever. Most of the remaining tracks are top-notch as well--"Panama" SCREAMS summer '84!

I know what you mean about Panama and summer '84 - if I had to pick a handful of songs that defined that summer for me, it would definitely be among them!

[Triple J]

My mom used to have this on vinyl. I only know the singles, but I like 'em all. And "Jump" has always been a fave of mine.

[Dawn]

triplej said:

My mom used to have this on vinyl. I only know the singles, but I like 'em all. And "Jump" has always been a fave of mine.

I agree! Still sounds just as great after all these years.

[Yesterday's Gone]

Too me "I'll Wait" has become the stand out track from this album ... I believe one reason it hasn't really stood the test of time is because of Eddie's meteoric drop from the top of the guitar ranks. He sort of let everyone catch up and then ultimately pass him by ... Once Roth left and Hagar came in it seemed like he gave the guitar duties over to Hagar and focused more on the keyboards.