I was completely shocked and floored yesterday, even though I knew it was coming. I haven't been feeling great...so, I didn't get the news until it was a few hours old (texts kept coming, I finally checked).
The first 10 songs I listened to...
1) 1984 - It was my first VH album...I was 8. This piece always makes me think of Eddie with a smoke and drink on his keyboard in 5150 in the middle of the night.
2) JUMP - My first VH song...it changed my life. It's still pure magic to me.
3) COULD THIS BE MAGIC? - "Edward...thank you." Yes, thank you. This song is my campfire special. I love it so much. "Could this turn tragic? You know that magic often does."
4) ME WISE MAGIC - I'll never forget the goose-bumps I got when I first heard this...bittersweet as the experience was. The only problem with it is I still feel the rage I felt towards Eddie for screwing this up. The reunion would never be as magical again. I was half-as-excited when it finally happened 11 years later.
5) LET'S GET ROCKIN' - I love the version on ADKOT (OUTTA SPACE), but this is still the best version. So...young. Eddie's solo is supreme.
6) LIGHT UP THE SKY - This song makes me see stars. Eddie (and Alex) are so great...hell, Dave is amazing. And I love Mike's little "bum-buh da be da bum..." basslines in the soft part leading up to Eddie's fantastic solo from outta space.
7) GIRL GONE BAD - The breakdown in the middle...the weird chords...Dave's vocals...Eddie soloing like a madman. One of their most under-rated songs.
8) UNCHAINED - Just because. One of the greatest songs ever.
9) YOU AND YOUR BLUES - I couldn't sleep last night. I got up in the middle of the night, went over to my iTunes and put this on. Twice. It was keeping me awake...those harmonies. I love it.
10) HUMANS BEING - Yes...one Van Hagar song. I loved it then. I love it now. Easily the best song they did with him and maybe the only thing they did that approached their truly glorious days. Plus, they jam for like three minutes in the middle without Hagar singing a note.
I'm so fucking sad. I just can't believe this. It's not the pain of losing my son or anything...but it definitely has hit me like a ton of titanium bricks.
Goodbye, Eddie. I love you. You changed my life.
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