Everybody Wants Some!!

Zoo Freaks, get ready to crank up the volume as we dive into some wild trivia about Everybody Wants Some!! by Van Halen from their 1980 album Women and Children First. This hard-rocking anthem, a staple of the band’s live shows, was born from a spontaneous moment that captures Van Halen’s raw energy. Producer Ted Templeman recalled a concert in Phoenix where David Lee Roth, mid-performance, shouted to the crowd, “All of you guys got pussy out there, I want some too, c’mon, man!” This crude remark sparked the song’s iconic chorus, with Templeman filing it away for the studio. The track’s primal vibe comes from Alex Van Halen’s thumping tribal drums, Roth’s Tarzan-inspired yodels, and Eddie Van Halen’s guitar wizardry, including a gritty opening effect created by rubbing the low E string, a trick reused from their earlier song Atomic Punk. The song’s middle features an ad-libbed vocal interlude where Roth, unprepared with lyrics, just winged it, even flubbing a line at 3:34 when he came in early and was cut off by Eddie’s chord. Roth later told Rock Stars Magazine in 1980 that the best parts of their music, like this song, were “made up on the spot” under pressure, giving it that unpolished, rock-and-roll attitude.

Another fun tidbit: the song’s massive sound came from Eddie cranking everything to 10, as he once said, “I just turn it up.” His rig for the track included his legendary “Frankenstein” guitar, a 1968 Marshall Super Lead amp with Sylvania 6CA7 tubes, and a Variac to drop the voltage for that signature tone. The song’s cultural reach extended beyond music, popping up in pop culture like the 1985 film Better Off Dead, where a claymation hamburger rocks out to it on an Eddie-inspired striped guitar. It also lent its name to Richard Linklater’s 2016 film Everybody Wants Some!!. Fans on Reddit’s r/vanhalen community have mixed takes, with some calling it a classic but others noting its “brain-dead” solo compared to Eddie’s flashier work. Still, its raw energy and live-show staying power—used as an intro to Panama in later years—make it a fan favorite, as seen in posts on X celebrating the album’s anniversary.

Now, let’s rewind to how Van Halen got their start. Formed in Pasadena, California, in 1973, the band began as Mammoth, with brothers Eddie and Alex Van Halen at the core. Eddie, originally a drummer, and Alex, a guitarist, switched instruments early on, a move that shaped their sound. Joined by bassist Michael Anthony and flamboyant frontman David Lee Roth, they honed their craft playing backyard parties and local bars in Southern California. Their big break came when Warner Bros. caught their electrifying live show, leading to their 1978 self-titled debut album, which hit No. 19 on the Billboard 200 and went Diamond with over 10 million U.S. sales. Eddie’s innovative guitar techniques, like two-handed tapping, and Roth’s larger-than-life persona made them hard rock pioneers. By the time Women and Children First dropped in 1980, their third album, they were America’s party-rock kings, fueled by relentless touring and a no-frills recording style—Everybody Wants Some!! was cut in just days.

For more Van Halen goodness, check out their official website for news, merch, and tour info. Connect with them on Facebook, Instagram, and X for updates and fan chatter. Die-hard Zoo Freaks can join the Van Halen Fan Club on Facebook or dive into discussions on the Van Halen News Desk, a fan-run site packed with deep dives and exclusive content. Another great spot is the r/vanhalen subreddit, where fans debate albums and share memories. So, keep those dials locked on THE ZOO, and let’s keep the party rocking with Van Halen!