Panama

Hey there, Zoo Freaks, the Zoo Crew is cranking up Van Halen's "Panama" from their iconic 1984 album, and we've got some wild trivia to share! Did you know "Panama" isn't about the country but a car? David Lee Roth spilled the beans in an interview with Howard Stern, saying he was inspired by a drag racer called the Panama Express he saw in Las Vegas. Roth also owned a 1969 Opel Kadett nicknamed Panama, which he later turned into a wall sculpture with a fake deer through the windshield, as he mentioned in a VH1 interview. The song's revving engine sound? That's Eddie Van Halen's 1972 Lamborghini Miura S, miked up outside his 5150 Studio, with Roth syncing his "Top end's in!" yell to the roar, as noted in a 2025 X post. Roth wrote the lyrics after a critic jabbed that he only sang about women, partying, and fast cars, prompting him to pen his first car song, though it's loaded with his signature double entendres. The "Panama" video, directed by Pete Angelus, mixed performance footage from Philadelphia's Spectrum Arena with scenes of Roth in a Panama hat and the band cruising in a 1951 Mercury Eight convertible, though that wasn't the Panama Express.

Some fans, like a commenter on Songfacts, think "Panama" is about a stripper, and Roth's vague explanations, like calling it "the farthest south you could go and still have a corrupt good time," don't clear things up. Eddie Van Halen told authors Brad Tolinski and Chris Gill that he aimed for an AC/DC-style beat, though he felt it didn't quite match. The song, released on June 18, 1984, hit No. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100, following the chart-topping "Jump" and "I'll Wait," as Dig! reported. Fun fact: during the 1989 U.S. invasion of Panama, soldiers blasted "Panama" as psychological warfare to flush out General Manuel Noriega, according to Wikipedia. The song's also popped up in Superbad, Gran Turismo 4, and a 2020 Family Guy episode where Peter gets hooked on it, mistaking the 1984 album for Orwell's novel.

Now, let's rewind to how Van Halen kicked off. Formed in Pasadena, California, in 1973, the band started as brothers Eddie and Alex Van Halen, Dutch-born musicians, jamming with David Lee Roth and Michael Anthony. Eddie, a guitar prodigy, and Alex, a powerhouse drummer, moved from the Netherlands to the U.S. in 1962. They played in local bands like The Broken Combs before forming Genesis, later renamed Van Halen after a clash with the prog-rock band's name. Roth, a charismatic frontman, joined after renting his PA system to the brothers, and Anthony came aboard as bassist, solidifying the classic lineup. Their early days were spent rocking backyard parties and bars, building a rep for high-energy shows. By 1977, they scored a deal with Warner Bros. Records, and their 1978 debut album, Van Halen, exploded with hits like "Runnin' with the Devil" and "Eruption," selling over 10 million copies, per RIAA. Eddie's innovative two-handed tapping and Roth's flamboyant stage antics made them heavy rock trailblazers, as Billboard noted.

Connect with Van Halen on their official website, where you'll find news, tour info, and exclusive merch like Brothers audiobook gear. Follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and X for updates, like Alex Van Halen's recent NPR interview or the "Jump" video hitting a billion streams. Fans can dive deeper at Van Halen News Desk, a top fan site with album details and stories, like a recent post on Valerie Bertinelli's biopic comments. Join the Van Halen Fan Club on Facebook or the 5150 Time - The Van Halen Fan Community for Freak-level discussions with fellow devotees. So, keep those dials locked on THE ZOO, and let's keep rockin' to "Panama"!