"Push comes to shove" : Worst classic VH track?

[Mr Badguy]

I have a real problem with "Push comes to shove" from "Fair warning".

You know how you get songs that you ain`t crazy about?

When I think about it, it`s the only Dave era song that I REALLY dislike.

It`s too slow and uninteresting.

Try and change my mind...

[jharp84]

It took me awhile too get used to this one until one day the doobie kicked in and eddie's solo was smokin!! Also the lack of DLR-VH material it will grow on you!!!

[degüello]

The solo fucking smokes.

[ClubDave]

i dont even think its the worst song on fair warning.......i love the way it grooves...you can tell the song was totally dave inspired casue yo ucan get up and dance to it, i could imagine them playing it live with dlr up there shakin his money maker.......i like the bass in the beginning, its a nice change in a vh song when yo ucan hear mikey g oon a nice groove by himself

[rustoffa]

It's all personal preference I guess.
That's how I feel about "I'll Wait".

[Rikk]

I love both PUSH COMES TO SHOVE and I'LL WAIT.

[Warham]

No, the worst classic Van Halen track is Sunday Afternoon In The Park.

[DLRdelight!]

Push Comes To Shove is one of my personal favorites. Its one of those tracks that if i come across it i hardly skip it. Has really good vibe and a solo that blows me away!!!

[pete]

One of my favorites.

Everyone's working in that song.

Dave's voice is great on it.

One of the best guitar solos on any VH album.

Great vibe.

[Mezro]

Originally posted by Rikk
I love both PUSH COMES TO SHOVE and I'LL WAIT.

I would have to agree.

Mezro...never been a big fan of Jamie's Cryin'...

[Coyote]

This might stink of sheep-ness, but in terms of Classic Van Halen, there wasn't one weak song at all. Unlike...

[Figs]

This song probably doesn't count but I'll say "Big Bad Bill."

My least favorite original is probably "Jump."

[turboblues]

Happy trails! Don't like the instrumental part.

[degüello]

Re. "Push Comes...":

While I do dig the track and have never had a problem with it (and love the solo), one thing I've noticed is how much the 'whiteness' of VH's rhythm section shows through on that song.

To me, the song is an attempt at a funky, Stonesy kind of "Miss You" vibe, except the stiffness of Al and Mike's playing doesn't really allow it to happen.

[pete]

Excellent post.

I agree, It was their attempt at a "Miss You" vibe.

I was gonna post that same conclusion today.

I think Al & Mike did a decent job on it though. I thought Al was exceptional in his abilities. It was nice not hearing sloppy high-hat playing.

I just appreciated that they actually wrote a song where every instrument had voice and melodic input. Typically the drums and bass in VH supports the guitar.

anyway.

5 starts - cause I can relate to you

[degüello]

Hey, thanks. Right back at you.

You've got a good point about PCTS's overall arrangement being cool, for sure, with the bass taking a more prominent role, Ed working and dancing around it instead of dominating, and everybody contributing melodically. Definitely a step outside of their usual band approach.

[pete]

Originally posted by degüello
Hey, thanks. Right back at you.

You've got a good point about PCTS's overall arrangement being cool, for sure, with the bass taking a more prominent role, Ed working and dancing around it instead of dominating, and everybody contributing melodically. Definitely a step outside of their usual band approach.

EXACTLY.

Nicw to see EVH play with a groove instead of the groove serving him.

[FORD]

I love "Push Comes to Shove", but then I can't find a single flaw on any of the first 4 albums. Except the fact that they're too damn short.

The only truly weak song on the first 6 albums is "I'll Wait". Eddie could have saved that little slice of Velveeta for Hagar's Hallmark scribble and included "Big Trouble" on 1984 instead.

[degüello]

I'm forever defending I'll Wait.
Might as well have a go, one more time...

I think its a cool track, with moody vocals, great lyrics, signature drum fill hooks, and a searingly tasty solo from Eddie, one of the few where you can actually hear his Clapton influences. And Dave's vocals are killer.

[JCOOK]

"She decides" and "You agree" shes' leaving

Please put that with anything roy has ever contributed

[Seshmeister]

Originally posted by FORD
I love "Push Comes to Shove", but then I can't find a single flaw on any of the first 4 albums. Except the fact that they're too damn short.

The only truly weak song on the first 6 albums is "I'll Wait". Eddie could have saved that little slice of Velveeta for Hagar's Hallmark scribble and included "Big Trouble" on 1984 instead.

Agreed...

[JCOOK]

Who is this Hagar person you speak of?

[vhsinger22]

" is there anything left in that BOTTLE" its a great tune!! i love all the b-sides. when classic radio has worn out all the hits, you can go home and listen to stuff rarely heard and it rocks!!!

[Angel]

One of my all time favourite tunes! I love the Bluesy feel to it!

[Carmine]

that tune totally defined mine and my friends teenage years. We used to hang out in my buddies freezin cold garage all the time, had our first drinks, smokes and women in that garage! the first couple of verses to the song were are lives at the time... everytime I play it now, its like a trip down memory lane....

[Bill Lumbergh]

I used to absolutely LOVE that track back in the day. I played it constantly, and it seemed to get better every time. I still love it, but it is one of the few Classic VH tunes that hasnt aged well IMO. "l'll Wait" has grown on me over the years.

[Big Troubles]

Originally posted by Seshmeister
Agreed...

verbatim

"Ill Wait" should've waited until 5150. "Big Trouble" or "Put Out the Lights" would've fit in great on 1984.

Well there is STILL a very good chance of seeing a Van Halen "Unreleased" CD drop within the next 2 years. (especially if Ed and Al spend all their tour money again)

[diamondsgirl]

Some great posts in here!

PCTS is not my least favorite VH song, but it is my least favorite song on Fair Warning. (Sunday Afternoon is next to last, but I love how it segues into One foot out the door)

Deguello - great post on the "whiteness" and the Stones. Never thought of PCTS quite that way, and I think you're right on.

I'll Wait and Jump are my least favorite VANHALEN songs. Too Top 40 for me.

[pete]

PCTS is one of their best tracks.

If I wanted a 1-dimensional baNd I'd listen to early metallica.
or Motely Crue
or other musicians who were more concerned with how the appeared to others than playing because they love music.

btw:late metallica sucks too - at leaat they tried though.

A work-out and cosmetics regimine is not enough to carry your music for the long haul.

Hear me fuckers!

Cut out the Vince Neil threads.

He's sad and always was.

Had you been confident (and not fat) in yourselves, you would have never bought this bullshit.

OPEN YOUR EARS YOU ASS-RECEPRICALS!!!!!!!

[pete]

ONE OF THE BEST VH GUITAR SOLOS EVER

MIKE'S PART WAS AS ESSENTIAL AS THE GUITAR

ALEX ACTUALLY USED THE HI-HAT PEDAL

DAVE......... HE MADE THIS SHIT!!! (I say!)

Play it again - cock smokers!!!!

[pete]

too much beer

[degüello]

Actually Pete, I thought it was a great post. Very entertaining (esp. the hi-hat remark), and I agree with every point you made!

No such thing as too much beer, maybe...

[DeadOrAlive]

I LOVE push comes to shove. At first I hated it, but it grew on me!

[Mr Badguy]

No, I still ain`t convinced.

I think it sounds like an attempt to try something different and it doesn`t work.

If it was an attempt at funk, then it lumbers too much.

I never buy into this "I love everything they ever did", it`s very teeny-bopper.

[secrets]

Personally I love PCTS, always have. I think it does sound experimental but that's what's cool about Fair Warning in general. Very original, this was Van Halen pushing the boundaries of what they could do.

This song has the same kind of feel as Ladies Night in Buffalo off of EEAS. It's that heavy bass and funky guitar riff with a killer guitar solo and Dave's spoken lyrics.

You have to go back and listen to that guitar solo over a simple bass line and rhythm. That alone makes the song work for me.

[DeadOrAlive]

That's when push comes to shove!

[pete]

Originally posted by Mr Badguy
If it was an attempt at funk,

There's nothing "funky" about it.

There are "black" aspects.

Before you deem the song unconvincing know the stylistic influences that comprise it.

[TwoFoolsAMinute]

For my money,

Loss of Control is the worst Van Halen track.

[DeadOrAlive]

Loss of Control, Loss of Control, Loss of Control
Loss of Control, Loss of Control, Loss of Control
Loss of Control, Loss of Control, Loss of Control


I like that song too!

[secrets]

Are there really any "worst" classic Van Halen songs? In my book there are only good and even better, really.