Why Can’t This Be Love

Zoo Freaks, get ready for some righteous vibes as we spin "Why Can’t This Be Love" by Van Halen from their 1986 album 5150! This track was the first single released with Sammy Hagar as the new lead singer, replacing David Lee Roth, and it rocked the charts, hitting number three on the Billboard Hot 100 and number one on the Cashbox Top 100 in May 1986. Sammy Hagar shared in a 2023 interview that the song’s iconic keyboard riff, which sounds like a guitar, helped win over skeptical fans and brought a fresh audience to the band, saying, “The old people that were in doubt, they heard ‘Why Can’t This Be Love’ and they just went, ‘Whoa, this is a new sound for Van Halen.’” The song’s tautological lyric, “Only time will tell if we stand the test of time,” has been a source of humor among fans, as noted on Wikipedia, adding a playful charm to its earnest love theme.

Behind the scenes, the song marked a shift for Van Halen, with a more keyboard-driven sound that sparked debates among fans. Some, as seen in posts on Reddit’s r/vanhalen, felt it was too poppy compared to the band’s earlier hard rock edge, with one fan calling it “a game show theme song sound.” Others, however, embraced it as a triumphant return, with a Reddit user recalling, “Hearing this on the radio for the first time represented the triumph of Van Halen being back!” During live performances on the 5150 and OU812 tours, Eddie Van Halen played the keyboard parts using a Kurzweil K250 or Yamaha KX88, while Hagar took on guitar duties, showcasing their versatility. Hagar has kept the song alive, even performing it with The Killers at the 2023 Ohana Festival, where frontman Brandon Flowers hyped the crowd, saying, “Is it too late to blow your minds again?”

Van Halen’s journey began in Pasadena, California, in the early 1970s, when brothers Eddie and Alex Van Halen, born in Amsterdam, Netherlands, started playing music together. Eddie, a guitar prodigy, and Alex, a powerhouse drummer, formed a band initially called Mammoth, joined by bassist Michael Anthony and vocalist David Lee Roth. They honed their craft at local clubs like the Starwood and Whisky a Go Go, building a loyal following. A demo financed by Kiss’s Gene Simmons led to their 1978 debut album, Van Halen, which sold over 10 million copies in the U.S. alone, driven by hits like “Runnin’ with the Devil” and Eddie’s groundbreaking instrumental “Eruption.” Their innovative sound and relentless touring, including opening for Black Sabbath in 1978, cemented their place as heavy metal pioneers.

Stay connected with Van Halen through 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 post celebrating “Jump” hitting one billion streams. Zoo Freaks can dive deeper at fan sites like Van Halen News Desk for the latest scoop or join discussions at VHLinks.com. Connect with fellow fans in the Van Halen Fans Facebook group or check out r/vanhalen on Reddit for hot debates and throwback stories. Keep the love alive, Zoo Freaks!