"Eagles Fly" by Sammy Hagar

Song#:  3308
Date:  10/24/1987
Debut:  90
Peak:  82
Weeks:  13
Genre:  Rock



Pop Bits:  Although Hagar had signed up as Van Halen's new lead singer in 1985, he still owned his label (Geffen) one more solo album. Co-produced with his new bandmate Eddie Van Halen, Hagar came up with I Never Said Goodbye. Its first single, "Give to Live," did fairly well getting to #1 at Rock and #23 Pop. Next up for release was this track. It was unable to find a big audience and stalled at #22 Rock while staying near the basement of the Pop chart. However, the tune must have gained some attention in a few markets over time as the single spent a lengthy 13 weeks on the chart, which was highly unusual for a song that peaked so low. The album would end up doing well peaking at #14 and going gold. It would be Hagar's last solo album for ten years.

ReduxReview:  This is a grand, near-epic song for Hagar and it ended up sounding pretty damn good. I think his brief time in VH recording 5150 helped him shape this track. It was a big rock anthem with a solid hook and a nice mid-section that didn't get overrun with a massive guitar or keyboard solo. It definitely ranks as one of Hagar's best solo efforts. It should have done better on the charts (and probably should have been picked up for use in a film), but even though it was a good track, it didn't have quite the same mainstream appeal as some of his bigger singles, or even tracks from his first effort with VH.

ReduxRating:  7/10

Trivia:  Apparently, Hagar wrote this song following his 1984 LP VOA, but before he joined Van Halen. He had intended it to be included on his next solo disc. The song got set aside once Hagar got involved with Van Halen. However, at one point the song was considered for inclusion on Van Halen's first LP with Hagar, 5150. The album was nearly wrapped up, but it needed one more tune. Hagar dragged this song out of the closet and played an acoustic version of it for his new bandmates, who ended up rejecting it because it wasn't the right sound for the band (they ended up writing "Dreams" instead). The song then got to see the light of day when Hagar had to fulfill an agreement with Geffen and record a solo album. Hagar then got Eddie Van Halen to lend a hand and help produce tracks and play bass only - no guitar playing. Hagar would handle the guitar duties. Van Halen was apparently chomping at the bit to add something on guitar, so Hagar finally let him add a quick line in the instrumental section of "Eagles Fly."

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