Van Halen Song: Sammy Hagar Set to Perform Again

Sammy Hagar reminisced about his emotional journey with the iconic 1995 Van Halen track “Don’t Tell Me (What Love Can Do),” expressing his eagerness to perform it again despite the profound feelings it evokes. The song, which holds significant meaning in Hagar’s career, was a challenge to deliver due to its emotional depth and the history tied to it.

As the 30th anniversary of the single’s release approaches, Hagar reflected on the hurdles he faced while performing this poignant piece. He noted that disagreements with his bandmates regarding the song’s tone added complexity to its presentation. Hagar stated, “Singing this song was always difficult,” emphasizing the personal connection he feels to the lyrics, which were inspired by the tragic death of Kurt Cobain.

Hagar originally intended for the chorus to convey a message of hope with the line, ‘I wanna tell you what love can do,’ but his producer Bruce Fairbank, along with Ed and Al Van Halen, leaned towards a more somber interpretation. This creative tension contributed to the song’s profound emotional resonance.

READ MORE: The Day Sammy Hagar Split From Van Halen

Despite the challenges, Hagar remains committed to including this emotionally charged track in his upcoming residency in Las Vegas, stating, “[W]e will be doing it at the residency in Vegas. I’m going to add it to the show.” This commitment highlights his desire to connect with fans through a song that has become a significant part of his musical legacy.

“Don’t Tell Me (What Love Can Do)” was one of the standout singles from Balance, marking Hagar’s final album with Van Halen. Upon its release on January 9, 1995, the song quickly soared to the top of the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart, where it held the number one spot for an impressive three weeks. During that year’s tour, the band performed the song 58 times, showcasing its popularity and the emotional intensity it brought to their live shows.

Exploring the Emotional Depth and Pain Behind Van Halen’s Hit Song

In 2020, when Hagar’s band The Circle released a cover of the song during the lockdown, he opened up about the deep emotions tied to its creation. Hagar revealed that the news of Kurt Cobain’s suicide profoundly affected him, stating, “When I heard that Kurt Cobain had taken his own life, the first thing I thought of was, ‘I wish I were there and could have tried to save him.’” This reflection highlights the weight of the song’s themes and its connection to loss and grief.

Hagar recalled that the song was crafted during a tumultuous time in his relationship with the Van Halen brothers. He stated that this backdrop added layers of emotion, negativity, and pain to his original vocal performance. The intensity of those feelings resurfaced powerfully when he began singing the song for the first time since 1995, demonstrating how deeply personal experiences can shape artistic expression.

Watch Van Halen Perform ‘Don’t Tell Me (What Love Can Do)’