Sammy Hagar could sing one 1991 Van Halen song for the rest of his life and die happy: “The best lyrics I’ve ever written”
Sammy Hagar says Van Halen’s “Right Now” is the song he would be happy to sing for the rest of his life, calling its words the best lyrics he had written. The 1991 track mattered to him because it let him write about living in the moment and growing up, with a message he felt would endure beyond the youthful themes of some of the band’s earlier songs.
“Right Now” appeared on *For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge*, an album that also included more playful songs such as “Poundcake” and “Spanked”. Hagar said singing “Hot for Teacher” at 77 would feel embarrassing, while “Right Now” still suited him; its video paired striking images with statistics about events and needs around the world. The song has less emphasis on Eddie Van Halen’s guitar than some of the band’s material, but the article argues its emotional impact does not depend on a large solo.
In short
- Hagar chose “Right Now” as the song he could sing for life.
- He called its lyrics the best he had written.
- The 1991 song pairs a lasting message with a striking video.
Explained simply
Van Halen are an American rock band, and Sammy Hagar was their lead singer from 1985 to 1996. Their 1991 album, For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge, included both comic, suggestive songs such as “Poundcake” and “Spanked” and more reflective material.
“Right Now” is a song about paying attention to the present and making choices as life changes. Its video combined the band’s performance with images and facts about issues around the world, helping give the song a wider social theme.