Van Halen

Lyrics

[Intro]

[Verse 1]
At night I walk this stinkin' street
Past the crazies on my block
And I see the same old faces
And I hear that same old talk

And I'm searching for the latest thing
A break in this routine
I'm talkin' some new kicks
Ones like you ain't never seen

[Chorus 1]
This is home
This is Mean Street
Yes-ah, this is home
The only one I know

[Verse 2]
And we don't worry 'bout tomorrow
'Cause we're sick of these four walls
Now what'd ya think is nothing
Might be something after all

Now you know this ain't no through street
The end is dead ahead
The poor folks play for keeps down here
They're the living dead
[Chorus 2]
Come on down
Down to Mean Street
They're dancing now, oh
Out on Mean Street

[Guitar Solo]
Dance, baby

[Verse 3]
This hole is here and now, my friend
It ain't 'once upon a time'
It's all over but the shouting
I've come to take what's mine

We're searching for the latest thing
A break in this routine
Talkin' some new kicks
Ones like you ain't never seen

[Refrain]
This is home
This is Mean Street
Yes-ah, this is home
Only one I know
[Outro]
(This is home) See, a gun is real easy
(This is Mean Street) In this desperate part of town
(This is home) Turns you from hunted into hunter
(This is Mean Street) Go and hunt somebody down

Wait a minute
(This is home) Somebody said, "Fair Warning, Lord!
(This is Mean Street) Lord, strike that poor boy down!"

If you're a Van Halen fan, then you know that "Mean Street" is one of their most iconic tracks. It's the song that kicks off their fourth album "Fair Warning," and it's a tune that's been praised for its unique sound and impressive guitar work. In this article, we'll take a closer look at "Mean Street" and what makes it so special.

About Mean Street

Released in 1981, "Mean Street" is a rock song by Van Halen that's widely regarded as one of the band's best tracks. The song was written by the band's guitarist and namesake Eddie Van Halen, along with his brother, drummer Alex Van Halen, and lead vocalist David Lee Roth.

At the time of its release, "Mean Street" was widely praised for its unique sound, which was created using Eddie Van Halen's innovative guitar techniques. The song starts off with a guitar intro that left listeners wondering how Eddie was able to make such unique sounds with his instrument. The intro leads into a catchy riff that sets the tone for the rest of the song.

One of the most memorable parts of "Mean Street" is its opening line, "Somebody said, 'Fair Warning, Lord!'" This line gave the album its title and set the stage for the rest of the record, which features some of Van Halen's most iconic tracks.

If you're a die-hard Van Halen fan, you might be interested to know that "Mean Street" was actually a reinvention of an earlier demo called "Voodoo Queen." This demo was recorded in 1977 and featured a similar riff and melody to "Mean Street." Eddie Van Halen would later borrow from "Voodoo Queen" again for the ending of the band's hit song "Hot For Teacher," which was released on their 1984 album "1984."

Despite being over 30 years old, "Mean Street" remains one of Van Halen's most popular songs. It's been covered by countless artists over the years and is considered a classic track from one of the most iconic rock bands of all time.

The Unique Sound of "Mean Street"

One of the things that sets "Mean Street" apart from other rock songs of the time is its unique sound. This sound was achieved through a number of different techniques, many of which were pioneered by Eddie Van Halen himself.

One of the main techniques that Eddie used on "Mean Street" was something called "tapping." Tapping involves using both hands to play notes on the guitar's fretboard, which allows for a much wider range of sounds and notes than traditional playing techniques. Eddie was one of the first guitarists to use tapping in his playing, and it quickly became one of his signature sounds.

Another technique that Eddie used on "Mean Street" was something called the "whammy bar." The whammy bar is a lever that's attached to the guitar's bridge, and it allows the player to change the pitch of the notes they're playing. Eddie was known for his aggressive use of the whammy bar, which allowed him to create a variety of interesting and unique sounds on "Mean Street."

Finally, Eddie also used a number of different effects pedals to achieve the sound he wanted on "Mean Street." Effects pedals are small devices that alter the sound of the guitar, and they're often used by rock guitarists to create a range of different effects. On "Mean Street," Eddie used effects pedals to create a distorted, almost metallic sound, which gave the song its unique edge.

The Legacy of "Mean Street"

It's clear that "Mean Street" is a song that's had a huge impact on rock music in the years since its release. The song's innovative sound and impressive guitar work have inspired countless guitarists over the years, and it's become one of Van Halen's most beloved tracks.

Today, "Mean Street" remains just as popular as it was when it was first released. The song has been covered by a number of different artists over the years, and it continues to be a staple of classic rock radio stations all around the world.

If you're a fan of Van Halen or just a fan of great rock music in general, then "Mean Street" is a must-listen. From its infectious riff to its impressive guitar work, this is a song that's sure to get your blood pumping and keep you coming back for more.

• Release Date: April 29, 1981
• Artist: Van Halen