Hagar wrote the song in response to receiving a speeding ticket in New York State, for driving 62 mph on a road with a 55 mph speed limit, which was the highest permissible speed limit in the United States at the time due to the National Maximum Speed Law enacted in 1974
@@miconis123 It was passed during the energy crisis. Big Gov. passed it stating that 55 was the optimum speed for fuel efficiency.... for every vehicle.... on every highway! States that failed to enforce it would lose federal funding for highways.
Montana was the last state to comply with 55 speed limit. They put up the signs to get their federal funding, but never issued any tickets. So the federal gov told Montana they had to actually enforce the speed limit. So a speeding ticket in Montana was $5 dollars so the federal gov had to give them their federal highway money.
My friends mom was giving us a ride somewhere and we were playing this song as she got pulled over for her only speeding ticket ever. 🤣🤣🤣 she totally blamed us and Sammy for the ticket. Man! The 80’s were great 😊
Oh gah! I remember my mom squealing her tires as we left "Smokey and the bandit" in the parking lot at the theater 😳 I saw a different side of mom that day...a reckless side, and wasn't sure I liked it😆
Trivia tidbit: The guy Sammy talks to in the beginning - Claudio - was his actual "car guy" back in the day. He was also Eddie Van Halen's "car guy" back then. It was Claudio who told Eddie Van Halen that he should call Sammy to talk about replacing David Lee Roth in Van Halen after DLR left. EDIT: Added bonus tidbit - Sammy STILL rocks even in his 70s. I've seen him live a few times recently and he sounds great and puts on a fun as hell show. The original Van Halen bass player, Michael Anthony, is the bass player in his current band. They're great.
I have heard/red so many stories about the Claudio connection, I don’t know where the truth ends and legend begins. I know that Claudio was a well known mechanic who worked on Lamborghinis. Both Sammy & EVH used his services.
Sammy, The "Red Rocker" has such a storied history. At 74 he is still rockin' hard, but his roots go back to the group Montrose and then he was very successful as a solo artist before he joined Van Halen. He is a pure entertainer. I went to see him on his "Three Lock Box" tour in the 80s and he played for three hours. Entire crowd was wearing red, girls throwing red bras and underwear onto the stage and someone passes up a mason jar of something red in it. Sammy takes a huge drink and continues jammin'.
When this song was released, the national speed limit was 55 mph. Remember, this was the 80s. I just discovered you guys, doing Rush (Tom Sawyer) So I came here, and found this. You guys are killing it. I will be back.
Sammy had a song on the greatest movie soundtrack ever "Heavy Metal" - I remember when they changed the speed limits to "save gas and lives" and people were pissed
“She Holds Her Own Against The Boys, Cuts Through The Crowd Like a Wedge”…I smile every time I hear Heavy Metal cause that lyric reminds me of my first date with my wife. We were way back at a GA concert, but I wanted to get closer. When I told her that, she said “Let’s Go! My boobs do more than just make me look good!” She cut right through the crowd, no questions asked and we were leaning against the rail in less than a minute! At that moment I knew I had struck gold!
This song can be heard in "Back to the Future Part 2", roughly halfway through the movie (when Marty arrives at the entrance to Biff's palace, "Biff Tannen's Pleasure Paradise"). A very apt song, if you think about the script of the movie and the concept of the whole saga.
Got my only speeding ticket after I passed a cop (unmarked small town sheriff, REALLY nice guy). Neither of us knew exactly how fast I was actually going, had been close to 105 when I realized he was a cop and likely doing 90 as I passed him. He turned his lights on, I pulled over, held a finger up while my passenger tried getting my cat back into the kennel (she hated it and would cry the entire time the door was closed but would use the litter box on the floor and eat/drink before hanging out in the kennel, SILENTLY). He wrote me a ticket for 5 over (think it was a 65 zone and he was also speeding) instead of the mandatory court appearance, lost license and towed car. I paid my 50.00 ticket, my car insurance went down the next month by 10.00 and I returned to my internal radar working (I usually know where the speed trap areas are and go the speed limit in those areas). I was on my way home from a family trip, was sick and had to be at work in 6 hours (I was 3.5 hours from home and wanted a nap before my 12.5 hour shift started). I had a mustang at the time and all of my previous cars didn’t look like they could possibly go as fast as I was driving. My current car couldn’t do 55 if I floored it, I miss having a fast car and being young/dumb driving it…top speed I’ve ever gone was 125-130 and it was too fast, especially with the top down. I mostly kept it below 100 mph on the freeway in low traffic areas.
Great review of an awesome 1980s song!!! I grew up during the 1970s when the National Speed Limit was made mandatory at 55MPH throughout the country. Can remember going on some family trips that took a few hours to get to destination then, suddenly, it literally felt like all day to get to the destination once 55MPH was enacted. Also, the TV show "CHiPs" had a few epsiodes promoting the 55MPH speed limit. Spent 5 years in West Germany and definitely got used to driving on their roads with little or no mandatory speed limits. Coming home it took some time to get used to driving the 55MPH speed limit and, whenever pulled over by law enforcement, used the excuse of "just coming home after spending time in Germany" - of course had to show my military I.D. to prove that I was in military. Depended on the officer whether or not received a ticket. I "cured" my speeding by purchasing a RADAR Detector which helped out immensely in curbing my speeding.
Love that you guys reacted to this! Not sure if it was related but I asked if you would react to this one in the comments to the "Why Can't This Be Love" reaction and here it is! : -). The comment from Randy Torres about this song is spot on. It was SO frustrating during the era of 55 mph speed limits on interstate highways. This song expressed what many of us were feeling then.
Brad and Lex, the speed limit was dropped to 55 mph back in the early 70's to offset rising fuel prices. (Driving slower uses less fuel basically) A side effect was it also resulted in less traffic accidents. In the 80's they raised it back up to 60-65 mph. Now a lot of highways are back to 70 mph.
I think 55 lasted throughout the 80’s. It was not until the 90’s or early 2000’s that the feds return the right to set the speed limits to the states. Not only does it now vary from state to state, it varies within states. In my state it’s 55 in major cities and and as high as 70 outside the city limits. On some interstates it varies by traffic.
@@chrisa4695 Now that I think back. I believe you're right that it stayed 55 throughout the 80's. Where I live now, the highways are 70 mph. I was actually kinda shocked when they raised it back up to 70 'cause I grew up with it being 55 for so many years. Although, I am old enough to remember back when it was originally set a 55mph in 1974. I just read that prior to that, there was no national speed limit which I wasn't really aware of. It was left up to the states. Then later as you indicated it was returned back to the states in 1995.
I am amazed that there are very few reaction videos that feature Sammy Hagar! Good job you two! By the way, the speed limit on the interstates was 55mph until the mid 90's.
LMFAO! I almost forgot how ridiculous the old music videos used to be, I love how the old lady with one whack of her umbrella was able to subdue the menace that was the red rocker.
Man, I so related to this song. I was active duty Air Force and just returned from 3 years in Italy. Certain parts of the autostrada (highway) had no speed limit. I drove the autobahn in Germany too. I was rarely under 100 mph when I could. Returning to the states and getting stationed at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma and driving on I-40, driving 55 mph felt like slow motion. I hated it ! Eventually you adapt but it took a few months and thankfully I never got a speeding ticket while reacclimating myself.
Sammy is a legend...Montrose, solo, HSAS, Van Halen(Hagar), Los Tres Gusanos, The Waboritas, Planet Us, Halen reunion, The Waboritas, Chickenfoot and the Circle..damn! ✌️ ☮️ 🎶🎸🎼
So happy you got to this song, been a few nights some of us have been spamming... I mean respectfully requesting "I can't drive 55" during your live shows. Glad you enjoyed it, and glad you watched the fun music video. There was no need for a lyric video on this one.
I guess people forgot that highways were capped at 55 mph during the last big fuel crisis in the 1970s and into the 1980s. Some stretches have never returned to prior speed limits to this day, though the excuse is mostly traffic safety now. Without this cultural perspective the song is almost meaningless.
I remember those times. But then again, I remember not having a lot of interstate highways, and having to take state routes and two lane highways, having to slow down in every little podunk town you went through...
Agreed! Bad motor scooter is great too. But one way to rock is my all time fav of his. And when done with Eddie the 2 blended it together to make it even more amazing.
@@colinmclaughlin9047 I agree I love Van Halen with Sammy Hagar and I love David Lee Roth also. Bad Motor Scooter is an awesome song. I also love Van Halen Dreams from 5150.
I saw Sammy when he was a solo act on the Standing Hampton tour in 1982 and the Three Lock Box tour in 1983, then I saw him on the first Van Hagar tour in 86 and then I saw him again in like 2015 or so. Always a great show.
I saw Sammy in KC decades ago and he climbed all over the light rails above the stage and rocked us big time! Love some Sammy. Thanks for the awesome reaction!
In 1984 when he wrote the song, the speed limit on the nation's highways from 55, it used to be 70, but Jimmy Carter lowered it to 55, and there were endless PSA's on TV from the Guberment about "55 saves lives" and a year after Sammy released this song, Ronald Reagan raised the speed limit to 65 and nowadays it is the standard 70 mph. I got my license at 16 in 1984, so if I got up to 65 mph, it felt like being a bad boy, and by the time I left for college, it was legal! So much laughter, so many memories!
That's why i watch these guys! Brad took a Sammy Hagar song and turned it into a math word problem..."if he used to drive 125 which only took him 7 hrs, then how long would it take at 55 mph?😂🤣 great review and classic song!!
I know Hagar from when he sang in Montrose, a band put together by guitarist Ronnie Montrose back in 1972. Solo, Hagar sounded a touch more radio friendly, but still acceptable. However, I was amazed when I heard he joined Van Halen after David Lee Roth left.
This was Sammy's big hit just before he joined Van Halen. The mechanic in the beginning, Claudio, was a real Lamborghini mechanic who serviced Lambos owned by both Sammy Hagar and Eddie Van Halen. As the story goes, in 1985 Eddie was at Claudio's having his Lambo serviced, lamenting over David Lee Roth having just quit the band. It was Claudio who suggested that Eddie call Sammy and even gave Eddie Sammy's number. The rest, as they say, is history. As you may have noticed, this video shared the same silliness of all music videos during MTV's early years.
Back when this song was new there was a national speed limit of 55 MPH. That was the absolute max legal speed you could go, it was ridiculous and practically everyone used to speed.
There are two versions of the song, ostensibly: the one from the movie, and the studio one. The difference is basically during the chorus whether the rhythm stops or not.
Way back when, my brother and I were driving from Seattle to Dallas and due to a bunch of highway construction we ended up on the highway from Denver to Kansas City. We pulled off at exactly the right spot to head south on a 2 lane state road in the eastern Colorado flatlands that would take us 110 miles to the Texas panhandle border to reconnect with the highway we wanted. We had already been driving for over 11 hours and it was after midnight so we cranked it up and put this song on at volume 11. As this song played we got that Camaro up to 110 MPH and made that entire trip in one hour. We saw a total of 5 vehicles, 3 semis, one pickup we assumed was local and one other car during the entire 110 miles. We also met up with one giant jackrabbit. We certainly made far better time than those on the interstate for the 70 miles of roadwork.
Nice reaction. You've seen Sammy Hagar as the second vocalist in Van Halen in the "Why can't this be love" video. Always a great time watching your reactions and analysis.
Probably my favorite Sammy Hagar song ever, from his pre-Van Halen days during the "Red Rocker" stage of his career. Saw him open for ZZ TOP on their "Eliminator" Tour in 1984, and he, of course played the "55" song, and got the biggest roar of the night, except for "Gimme All Your Lovin' " by ZZ TOP. Rock On Sammy!
First part of video was shot at the Saugus Speedway in Santa Clarita, California. Joe Satriani’s “Summer Song” video was also shot there. Racing is no longer held at the speedway, but the track had a long history as a racing venue. For what it’s worth.
Seeing Sammy is like being at a party and a concert breaks out! Saw him after he left Montrose and joining Van Halen (he warmed up for Boston on their 2nd tour).
"Claudio" at the beginning of this video is responsible for Sammy Hagar joining Van Halen. Sammy and Eddie both had cars being worked on in Claudio's garage. When Eddie was at Claudio's place, he suggested calling Sammy to join the band. Eddie called Sammy from Claudio's shop and the rest is history. :-)
During the time when this song was popular, I actually got pulled over by the CHP while jamming to this song in the car. I smile every time I hear this thinking of the irony. I was definitely pushing 80. The video is classic. It is so hard not to hit the pedal when this is blaring over the speakers. They say that driving and listening to rock often leads to speeding. Another favourite speeding song, and I have many, is Riding the Storm Out by REO Speedwagon. It is a must hear. I really think you will enjoy it!
Sammy is awesome and has been since doing lead vocals for Montrose backing the 70s. Try Bad Motor Scooter, it is another engine of a banger. Enjoy! 🎵🎸🎹🎶
Sammy is such an awesome singer/musician. Thanks for doing this one. You HAAAAAVVVVE to do his song "Heavy Metal" from the movie soundtrack of the same name. Lastly, in an effort to reduce fuel consumption during the 1970's fuel crisis, the U.S. set the speed limit to 55 on all the major highways. Because many people hated the limit, they later rescinded the law in 1995.
You guys should react to more Sammy Hager… "I'll Fall In Love Again", "There's Only One Way To Rock", "Your Love Is Driving Me Crazy", "Three Lock Box", "Two Sides of Love", "Give To Live", "Eagles Fly" 🎸🤘
Back in the day, the max speed on any hiway in the US was 55MPH. It really did take a lo g time to get anywhere. I got my driver's license in 1974 and for years the max I could drive was 55. It was really boring. Finally in the 1980's it was upped to 65. Now Finally I can pretty much go any speed I want. Lol. Great song.
I saw this tour, we had my customized Ford conversion van called The Red Rocker 16 yrs old, shaggy carpet floor and ceiling, captain chairs, couch folded to a bed, new cargo van converted...several cases of beer. We got busted at Heritage Hills after the BBgm (we had a badass small school team (400students) but back then Indiana was run what ya brung, no class system, it separated our basketball from the rest of the country.. ..here I go. Stopping on the Death of Hoosier Hysteria anyways were in the van, we lost to a conference rival after meeting Marion #12 in the nation at Market Square Arena (Elvis last show was there) in the first round of the 85 Final Four with ALL JUNIORS and we lost to those Chumps. We had KISS Firehouse jammin, had dadsFire Helmet on, 6 cases of beer when a mag lite rapped at my door. 1986, the school handled it, we got kicked out of school rather than legal issues for a day, went to my buddies, got ripped and watched the Space Shuttle blow up it was nuts. We went to the Final Foir, was like Hoosiers, David vs Goliath...Marion Giants were #1 in the Nation and eliminated us in the first rd. Weheldthe ball, was like 6-12 @ the half, we missed our open shots, to stall was our only hope other would've beat us by 60.
He's one of my fav vocalists of all time, grew up on VH and Sammy was a big part of my life. Monstrose, VH and solo, you will have a lot to work with and you should definitely dive in deeper on his portfolio. I love the hell out of you guys. Keep up the amazing work of bringing life to older music for these young ass kids who don't know what it is.
Back in the Carter/Regan years the speed limit was 55 MPH on every highway throughout the country. It was painful to have to drive that slow. Like the line, "It took me 15 hours to get to LA" was so true. It was Painful to drive 55! 😎☮️
When I was a little kid in the 60s, I remember my dad driving 75-80mph everywhere. The speed limit was 70 miles an hour unless it was posted lower. That’s pretty much where we’re at today. They were really lax on the old seatbelts back then too.
I'll never forget the 55 mph speed limit we got from a guy named Jimmy. Day trips & summer vacations sucked. It felt really weird after returning from 2 years in Germany where people went way over 100 mph at the time, legally.
This song was a protest song against the national speed limit in the 70's which was 55. Prior to this the accepted national speed limit was 70-75 depending on the state. Many of us were frustrated by the new law - especially when trying to drive interstate (It took 3 days to drive east to west across Texas alone!). The 55 law had been in effect for quite awhile by the time this song came out and not too long after this the national speed limit law was abolished, allowing states to raise the limits once again.
I have to say, Sammy is a fun guy with a great sense of humor. I saw him right before he joined Van Halen. A great concert, he was running around, climbing all over scaffolding on the stage. After Van Halen, he opened a resort and he makes his own tequila. I can't drive 55 either.
During the Carter administration, there was a national speed limit of 55 mph maximum. It included all roads: Interstates, everything. Nothing more than 55. Everyone hated it. This song came out then. I really connected with it for sure.
It was during the Nixon administration enacted in 1974, was made permanent when Ford signed into law the Federal-Aid Highway Amendments of 1974 on January 4, 1975
One of my favorite Sammy Hagar hits. Nascar used this song as a theme for those who were caught speeding down pit lane. At one time, Sammy was the lead singer for Van Halen. Sammy has a few other hits that are worth checking out.
55 used to be the speed limit on all highways and freeways. They raised it just a couple of years after this song. Sammy Hagar had a commercial on MTV that said “And remember, 65 still ain’t fast enough”
Hey, I remember when 55 was the speed limit. I think as more and more cars populated the roads, I knew it was just a matter of time before it was raised!
This is why Van Halen had their first #1 album after Sammy Hagar joined. He was already a well established rocker and brought all his fans over. You really need to deep dive into Sammy, he has a lot of great songs.
BTW, the 1983 Ferrari BB 512i (The car in the video) was Sammy Hagar's actual car... As the story goes, when Sammy was pulled over for speeding and told by the officer that the speed limit on the freeway was 55 miles per hour, Sammy just blurted out "55? I can't drive 55!" And it struck him that was the perfect title for a song. Probably the best speeding ticket Sammy Hagar ever got.
I was watching a Joe Rogan interview a couple hours ago and they talked about fate. I quoted a Sammy Hagar song. “I believe in fate and destination; But so much of that is in our own hands.” VOA on the helmet is from the album title. Y’all would love that song. Voice Of America.
55 was the national speed limit for a long time. Nobody could drive fast legally anywhere. Consequently, almost every car had less than 250 horsepower.
This song didn't age so well because the National Speed Limit Law was repealed in 1995. At the time the song was written, it was obvious to everybody in the United States that he was referring to the national speed limit of 55. Seeing Brad's confusion (highway 55?) really made me feel old!
0:28 awe she's so adorable! And young AF! Lol She said "it's a movie". Back in the days of parachute pants, aqua net and shoulder pads MTV played music videos 24/7. All the hit songs from the 80's and most of the 90's had to have a video and the band or artist had to be playing in the videos.
Speed Limit for commercial vehicles is still 55 in California. I was heading east on I-10 out of the state several years back and right when I hit the Arizona border i put my foot down on the accelerator and this song came on the radio at the same moment. I couldn't have timed it any better if I tried.
Sam's the man. Been selling hit records since he was 20 as the singer for Montrose, his own solo career and with Van Halen. Add in building a tequila company to the point he could sell it for around $200 million and you have the American dream rock n roll style. Much respect. Mas tequila!
Eagles Fly next!!!! You guys should catch his tour! Just saw him 2 weeks ago! He plays with Michael Anthony (Van Halen) and John Banums son (Led Zeppelin) and a badass guitarist!!
Hagar still owns that car, btw. He showed it and a few other exotics on a segment on Jay Leno's car program. Ferrari 512i Berlinetta Boxer. Another tidbit, the Claudio dude was an Italian sportscar mechanic that both Hagar and Eddie Van Halen were customers of. Sammy claims Claudio told Eddie to call Hagar up after Roth left or was fired (depending on source).
Back in the 80s the speed limit used to be 60mph and then dropped to 55mph. There were bumper stickers that said 55 sucks. Sammy Hagar capped off what everyone was thinking at the time (what used to take 2 hours now takes all day) lol
In 1974, President Nixon limited the national speed limit to 55 MPH even on the interstates. It was like driving in molasses. "What used to take 2 hours now takes all day!" Everyone felt that. It was finally lifted in 1987 for rural areas but the federal law lasted until 1995. I remember when it was lifted. In Montana they immediately changed the speed signs from 55MPH to "Reasonable and Prudent" and everyone started calling I-90 the "Montana Autobahn". Because a lot of people from out of state came up to drive as fast as they could (like a convoy of 20 corvettes), they then changed it to 75MPH. But now it's been 80MPH for years except when near cities.
Claudio from this video was doing some work on one of Eddie Van Halen's cars. When Eddie came in to pick it up Claudio asked Eddie why he looked so down. Eddie told him Dave(David Lee Roth) had just left the banc and they weren't sure what they would do. Claudio said, "you should call Sammy, he is a customer of mine." And the rest they say is history.
Sammy Hagar’s first solo career centered the on fast cars and fast women lifestyle. A sports car enthusiast, he sang about cars and was know for drive sports cars on to stage in his live performances
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Hagar wrote the song in response to receiving a speeding ticket in New York State, for driving 62 mph on a road with a 55 mph speed limit, which was the highest permissible speed limit in the United States at the time due to the National Maximum Speed Law enacted in 1974
Wow. I thought the limit being 65 was bad when I started driving in the 90s
@@miconis123 It was passed during the energy crisis. Big Gov. passed it stating that 55 was the optimum speed for fuel efficiency.... for every vehicle.... on every highway! States that failed to enforce it would lose federal funding for highways.
@@IFY0USEEKAY And law enforcement promoted it as saving lives; “55 Saves Lives”…
Montana was the last state to comply with 55 speed limit. They put up the signs to get their federal funding, but never issued any tickets. So the federal gov told Montana they had to actually enforce the speed limit. So a speeding ticket in Montana was $5 dollars so the federal gov had to give them their federal highway money.
If you guys want some speeding songs, try Deep Purple's Highway Star. Guarantee you can't stay under the speed limit while that tune is playing!
My friends mom was giving us a ride somewhere and we were playing this song as she got pulled over for her only speeding ticket ever. 🤣🤣🤣 she totally blamed us and Sammy for the ticket. Man! The 80’s were great 😊
Bummer for the speeding ticket, but I bet everyone smiles over the memory.
@@markwest9119 absolutely 🙂
Oh gah! I remember my mom squealing her tires as we left "Smokey and the bandit" in the parking lot at the theater 😳
I saw a different side of mom that day...a reckless side, and wasn't sure I liked it😆
Trivia tidbit: The guy Sammy talks to in the beginning - Claudio - was his actual "car guy" back in the day. He was also Eddie Van Halen's "car guy" back then. It was Claudio who told Eddie Van Halen that he should call Sammy to talk about replacing David Lee Roth in Van Halen after DLR left.
EDIT: Added bonus tidbit - Sammy STILL rocks even in his 70s. I've seen him live a few times recently and he sounds great and puts on a fun as hell show. The original Van Halen bass player, Michael Anthony, is the bass player in his current band. They're great.
Two of the coolest professionals in rock music, and great musicians. Sammy Hagar and Michael Anthony. That's awesome you got to see them live!
I have heard/red so many stories about the Claudio connection, I don’t know where the truth ends and legend begins. I know that Claudio was a well known mechanic who worked on Lamborghinis. Both Sammy & EVH used his services.
Sammy, The "Red Rocker" has such a storied history. At 74 he is still rockin' hard, but his roots go back to the group Montrose and then he was very successful as a solo artist before he joined Van Halen. He is a pure entertainer. I went to see him on his "Three Lock Box" tour in the 80s and he played for three hours. Entire crowd was wearing red, girls throwing red bras and underwear onto the stage and someone passes up a mason jar of something red in it. Sammy takes a huge drink and continues jammin'.
that's so cool, I also saw the three lock box tour in the 80's and also saw him with Van Halen on the monsters of rock tour in the late 80's...
When Sammy was asked what got you into music, reply...GIRLS.
Yeah maybe they should do a reaction to the song by Montrose, "Rock Candy."
Three Lock Box is still my favorite album from him, at least half of the songs are solid gold.
@@timl.1184 That whole first Montrose album rocks! Bad Motor Scooter as well.
When this song was released, the national speed limit was 55 mph. Remember, this was the 80s. I just discovered you guys, doing Rush (Tom Sawyer) So I came here, and found this. You guys are killing it. I will be back.
Sammy had a song on the greatest movie soundtrack ever "Heavy Metal" - I remember when they changed the speed limits to "save gas and lives" and people were pissed
My most worn out 8 track. I loved that soundtrack.
Loved that movie.
“She Holds Her Own Against The Boys, Cuts Through The Crowd Like a Wedge”…I smile every time I hear Heavy Metal cause that lyric reminds me of my first date with my wife. We were way back at a GA concert, but I wanted to get closer. When I told her that, she said “Let’s Go! My boobs do more than just make me look good!” She cut right through the crowd, no questions asked and we were leaning against the rail in less than a minute! At that moment I knew I had struck gold!
And the thing is, speed limits like that cost lives.
*Heavy Metal: The Movie... BEST. ANIMATED. MOVIE. EVER.*
This song can be heard in "Back to the Future Part 2", roughly halfway through the movie (when Marty arrives at the entrance to Biff's palace, "Biff Tannen's Pleasure Paradise"). A very apt song, if you think about the script of the movie and the concept of the whole saga.
Got my only speeding ticket after I passed a cop (unmarked small town sheriff, REALLY nice guy). Neither of us knew exactly how fast I was actually going, had been close to 105 when I realized he was a cop and likely doing 90 as I passed him. He turned his lights on, I pulled over, held a finger up while my passenger tried getting my cat back into the kennel (she hated it and would cry the entire time the door was closed but would use the litter box on the floor and eat/drink before hanging out in the kennel, SILENTLY). He wrote me a ticket for 5 over (think it was a 65 zone and he was also speeding) instead of the mandatory court appearance, lost license and towed car. I paid my 50.00 ticket, my car insurance went down the next month by 10.00 and I returned to my internal radar working (I usually know where the speed trap areas are and go the speed limit in those areas). I was on my way home from a family trip, was sick and had to be at work in 6 hours (I was 3.5 hours from home and wanted a nap before my 12.5 hour shift started). I had a mustang at the time and all of my previous cars didn’t look like they could possibly go as fast as I was driving. My current car couldn’t do 55 if I floored it, I miss having a fast car and being young/dumb driving it…top speed I’ve ever gone was 125-130 and it was too fast, especially with the top down. I mostly kept it below 100 mph on the freeway in low traffic areas.
Great review of an awesome 1980s song!!! I grew up during the 1970s when the National Speed Limit was made mandatory at 55MPH throughout the country. Can remember going on some family trips that took a few hours to get to destination then, suddenly, it literally felt like all day to get to the destination once 55MPH was enacted. Also, the TV show "CHiPs" had a few epsiodes promoting the 55MPH speed limit. Spent 5 years in West Germany and definitely got used to driving on their roads with little or no mandatory speed limits. Coming home it took some time to get used to driving the 55MPH speed limit and, whenever pulled over by law enforcement, used the excuse of "just coming home after spending time in Germany" - of course had to show my military I.D. to prove that I was in military. Depended on the officer whether or not received a ticket. I "cured" my speeding by purchasing a RADAR Detector which helped out immensely in curbing my speeding.
Love that you guys reacted to this! Not sure if it was related but I asked if you would react to this one in the comments to the "Why Can't This Be Love" reaction and here it is! : -). The comment from Randy Torres about this song is spot on. It was SO frustrating during the era of 55 mph speed limits on interstate highways. This song expressed what many of us were feeling then.
Brad and Lex, the speed limit was dropped to 55 mph back in the early 70's to offset rising fuel prices. (Driving slower uses less fuel basically) A side effect was it also resulted in less traffic accidents. In the 80's they raised it back up to 60-65 mph. Now a lot of highways are back to 70 mph.
80 where I live! Woo hoo!
I think 55 lasted throughout the 80’s. It was not until the 90’s or early 2000’s that the feds return the right to set the speed limits to the states. Not only does it now vary from state to state, it varies within states. In my state it’s 55 in major cities and and as high as 70 outside the city limits. On some interstates it varies by traffic.
@@chrisa4695 Now that I think back. I believe you're right that it stayed 55 throughout the 80's. Where I live now, the highways are 70 mph. I was actually kinda shocked when they raised it back up to 70 'cause I grew up with it being 55 for so many years. Although, I am old enough to remember back when it was originally set a 55mph in 1974. I just read that prior to that, there was no national speed limit which I wasn't really aware of. It was left up to the states. Then later as you indicated it was returned back to the states in 1995.
I am amazed that there are very few reaction videos that feature Sammy Hagar! Good job you two! By the way, the speed limit on the interstates was 55mph until the mid 90's.
LMFAO! I almost forgot how ridiculous the old music videos used to be, I love how the old lady with one whack of her umbrella was able to subdue the menace that was the red rocker.
Man, I so related to this song. I was active duty Air Force and just returned from 3 years in Italy. Certain parts of the autostrada (highway) had no speed limit. I drove the autobahn in Germany too. I was rarely under 100 mph when I could. Returning to the states and getting stationed at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma and driving on I-40, driving 55 mph felt like slow motion. I hated it ! Eventually you adapt but it took a few months and thankfully I never got a speeding ticket while reacclimating myself.
Sammy is a legend...Montrose, solo, HSAS, Van Halen(Hagar), Los Tres Gusanos, The Waboritas, Planet Us, Halen reunion, The Waboritas, Chickenfoot and the Circle..damn! ✌️ ☮️ 🎶🎸🎼
So happy you got to this song, been a few nights some of us have been spamming... I mean respectfully requesting "I can't drive 55" during your live shows. Glad you enjoyed it, and glad you watched the fun music video. There was no need for a lyric video on this one.
I guess people forgot that highways were capped at 55 mph during the last big fuel crisis in the 1970s and into the 1980s. Some stretches have never returned to prior speed limits to this day, though the excuse is mostly traffic safety now. Without this cultural perspective the song is almost meaningless.
Don't give the idiots in D.C. any bright ideas , they've got enough already !
I remember those times. But then again, I remember not having a lot of interstate highways, and having to take state routes and two lane highways, having to slow down in every little podunk town you went through...
We'll probably be back to restrictions again soon.
What a great singer, his vocal is so good.
I love Sammy Hagar and Van Halen. I can't drive 55 is one of his best solo songs in my opinion. I also love there's only one way to rock.
Agreed! Bad motor scooter is great too. But one way to rock is my all time fav of his. And when done with Eddie the 2 blended it together to make it even more amazing.
@@colinmclaughlin9047 I agree I love Van Halen with Sammy Hagar and I love David Lee Roth also. Bad Motor Scooter is an awesome song. I also love Van Halen Dreams from 5150.
I saw Sammy when he was a solo act on the Standing Hampton tour in 1982 and the Three Lock Box tour in 1983, then I saw him on the first Van Hagar tour in 86 and then I saw him again in like 2015 or so. Always a great show.
I saw Sammy in KC decades ago and he climbed all over the light rails above the stage and rocked us big time! Love some Sammy. Thanks for the awesome reaction!
In 1984 when he wrote the song, the speed limit on the nation's highways from 55, it used to be 70, but Jimmy Carter lowered it to 55, and there were endless PSA's on TV from the Guberment about "55 saves lives" and a year after Sammy released this song, Ronald Reagan raised the speed limit to 65 and nowadays it is the standard 70 mph.
I got my license at 16 in 1984, so if I got up to 65 mph, it felt like being a bad boy, and by the time I left for college, it was legal! So much laughter, so many memories!
That's why i watch these guys! Brad took a Sammy Hagar song and turned it into a math word problem..."if he used to drive 125 which only took him 7 hrs, then how long would it take at 55 mph?😂🤣 great review and classic song!!
I know Hagar from when he sang in Montrose, a band put together by guitarist Ronnie Montrose back in 1972. Solo, Hagar sounded a touch more radio friendly, but still acceptable. However, I was amazed when I heard he joined Van Halen after David Lee Roth left.
My very first concert in 1977!
Sammy “The Red Rocker” Hagar has stuck it out through the decades with bands (Montrose, Van Halen) and his solo career.
Yes this is a banger!!! Its a driving song. Love the music video so much. The red rocker as he is nicknamed.
This was Sammy's big hit just before he joined Van Halen. The mechanic in the beginning, Claudio, was a real Lamborghini mechanic who serviced Lambos owned by both Sammy Hagar and Eddie Van Halen. As the story goes, in 1985 Eddie was at Claudio's having his Lambo serviced, lamenting over David Lee Roth having just quit the band. It was Claudio who suggested that Eddie call Sammy and even gave Eddie Sammy's number. The rest, as they say, is history.
As you may have noticed, this video shared the same silliness of all music videos during MTV's early years.
Back when this song was new there was a national speed limit of 55 MPH. That was the absolute max legal speed you could go, it was ridiculous and practically everyone used to speed.
"Heavy Metal" BEST SAMMY HAGAR SONG EVER........
50,000 watts of power
And it's pushin' overload .. ..
⚡⚡⚡🔥🔥
There are two versions of the song, ostensibly: the one from the movie, and the studio one. The difference is basically during the chorus whether the rhythm stops or not.
Way back when, my brother and I were driving from Seattle to Dallas and due to a bunch of highway construction we ended up on the highway from Denver to Kansas City. We pulled off at exactly the right spot to head south on a 2 lane state road in the eastern Colorado flatlands that would take us 110 miles to the Texas panhandle border to reconnect with the highway we wanted. We had already been driving for over 11 hours and it was after midnight so we cranked it up and put this song on at volume 11. As this song played we got that Camaro up to 110 MPH and made that entire trip in one hour. We saw a total of 5 vehicles, 3 semis, one pickup we assumed was local and one other car during the entire 110 miles. We also met up with one giant jackrabbit. We certainly made far better time than those on the interstate for the 70 miles of roadwork.
Sammy... what a Rock Legend! Still going strong in his 70's and has never lost his amazing voice. 😻❤️
Yea, i'm old enough to remember when they lowered the speed to 55 and didn't raise it back up until 1994
Rock Candy and Bad Motor Scooter when Sammy was with Montrose are must listen to tunes.
Nice reaction. You've seen Sammy Hagar as the second vocalist in Van Halen in the "Why can't this be love" video. Always a great time watching your reactions and analysis.
really love watching you jamming to these songs that i love :D from hank jr to rock n roll these vids make me smile, thank you
Probably my favorite Sammy Hagar song ever, from his pre-Van Halen days during the "Red Rocker" stage of his career. Saw him open for ZZ TOP on their "Eliminator" Tour in 1984, and he, of course played the "55" song, and got the biggest roar of the night, except for "Gimme All Your Lovin' " by ZZ TOP. Rock On Sammy!
Like you said Brad,songs like that takes your mind away from everyday BS.
First part of video was shot at the Saugus Speedway in Santa Clarita, California. Joe Satriani’s “Summer Song” video was also shot there. Racing is no longer held at the speedway, but the track had a long history as a racing venue. For what it’s worth.
I can't drive 55 (when this song is on) !!! Love Sammy! He is a wild man! Great reaction!🏁🏁🏁
Seeing Sammy is like being at a party and a concert breaks out! Saw him after he left Montrose and joining Van Halen (he warmed up for Boston on their 2nd tour).
"Claudio" at the beginning of this video is responsible for Sammy Hagar joining Van Halen. Sammy and Eddie both had cars being worked on in Claudio's garage. When Eddie was at Claudio's place, he suggested calling Sammy to join the band. Eddie called Sammy from Claudio's shop and the rest is history. :-)
Driving a semi I've spent 8 hours trying to get around LA traffic there is insane!! I love this song live with Eddie Van Halen on guitar! 🎸
During the time when this song was popular, I actually got pulled over by the CHP while jamming to this song in the car. I smile every time I hear this thinking of the irony. I was definitely pushing 80. The video is classic. It is so hard not to hit the pedal when this is blaring over the speakers. They say that driving and listening to rock often leads to speeding. Another favourite speeding song, and I have many, is Riding the Storm Out by REO Speedwagon. It is a must hear. I really think you will enjoy it!
Sammy is awesome and has been since doing lead vocals for Montrose backing the 70s. Try Bad Motor Scooter, it is another engine of a banger. Enjoy! 🎵🎸🎹🎶
You nailed it - this one's pure fun and silliness. He was known as Hammy Hagar for a reason :)
The Super Group 'Chicken Foot' is F'n awesome too
Love those 80's rock tunes. The videos were all hilarious too. Hagar & Roth some of the funniest but everyone was getting in on it. Fun times.
Everyone was singing and driving "I can't drive 55. " The 80's were some good times.
I saw Sammy do this awesome song while with Van Halen.... It was too cool with two guitars blazing.
Sammy is such an awesome singer/musician. Thanks for doing this one. You HAAAAAVVVVE to do his song "Heavy Metal" from the movie soundtrack of the same name. Lastly, in an effort to reduce fuel consumption during the 1970's fuel crisis, the U.S. set the speed limit to 55 on all the major highways. Because many people hated the limit, they later rescinded the law in 1995.
You guys should react to more Sammy Hager…
"I'll Fall In Love Again", "There's Only One Way To Rock", "Your Love Is Driving Me Crazy", "Three Lock Box", "Two Sides of Love", "Give To Live", "Eagles Fly"
🎸🤘
Let's not forget "Heavy Metal Noise" from the soundtrack of the movie "Heavy Metal"
Don't forget "Mas Tequila"
That's all true. Any of those are better than this but everybody reacts to this. I don't get it 😒
@@DeddyShack I agree. That's like Sammy Hagar did a cover of "Personal Jesus" and "Margaritaville" but I bet not a lot of people know about it.
I like the song "Back into You" as well
Back in the day, the max speed on any hiway in the US was 55MPH. It really did take a lo g time to get anywhere. I got my driver's license in 1974 and for years the max I could drive was 55. It was really boring. Finally in the 1980's it was upped to 65. Now Finally I can pretty much go any speed I want. Lol. Great song.
Lex is exactly right! It's the ultimate drive too fast song! Brad's right too. It's exaggerated and hilarious.
I saw this tour, we had my customized Ford conversion van called The Red Rocker 16 yrs old, shaggy carpet floor and ceiling, captain chairs, couch folded to a bed, new cargo van converted...several cases of beer.
We got busted at Heritage Hills after the BBgm (we had a badass small school team (400students) but back then Indiana was run what ya brung, no class system, it separated our basketball from the rest of the country..
..here I go.
Stopping on the Death of Hoosier Hysteria anyways were in the van, we lost to a conference rival after meeting Marion #12 in the nation at Market Square Arena (Elvis last show was there) in the first round of the 85 Final Four with ALL JUNIORS and we lost to those Chumps.
We had KISS Firehouse jammin, had dadsFire Helmet on, 6 cases of beer when a mag lite rapped at my door.
1986, the school handled it, we got kicked out of school rather than legal issues for a day, went to my buddies, got ripped and watched the Space Shuttle blow up it was nuts.
We went to the Final Foir, was like Hoosiers, David vs Goliath...Marion Giants were #1 in the Nation and eliminated us in the first rd.
Weheldthe ball, was like 6-12 @ the half, we missed our open shots, to stall was our only hope other would've beat us by 60.
In 1973 nation wide all speed limits were dropped to a max of 55 mph.
Can you imagine us having to drive 55 like back then?
@Kim Sumrall Sammy couldn't lol
@@63kimmike Actually it wasn't that hard, cars really sucked back then too. \m/
@@jackolson8775 Bullshit
Yep. Down from 60.
Somebody said this on one of ur Livestream s the other day u r the greatest reaction channel of all time iagree u guys r awsome love rvey thing u do
He's one of my fav vocalists of all time, grew up on VH and Sammy was a big part of my life. Monstrose, VH and solo, you will have a lot to work with and you should definitely dive in deeper on his portfolio. I love the hell out of you guys. Keep up the amazing work of bringing life to older music for these young ass kids who don't know what it is.
Back in the Carter/Regan years the speed limit was 55 MPH on every highway throughout the country. It was painful to have to drive that slow. Like the line, "It took me 15 hours to get to LA" was so true. It was Painful to drive 55! 😎☮️
When he joined Van Halen the song seems to have gotten a lot better LOL
Where Eagles Fly is one of Sammy Hagar's best songs. Mas Tequila is a fun song.
"Mas Tequila" is a great drinking song
Mas Tequila kicks ass.
When I was a little kid in the 60s, I remember my dad driving 75-80mph everywhere. The speed limit was 70 miles an hour unless it was posted lower. That’s pretty much where we’re at today. They were really lax on the old seatbelts back then too.
I'll never forget the 55 mph speed limit we got from a guy named Jimmy. Day trips & summer vacations sucked. It felt really weird after returning from 2 years in Germany where people went way over 100 mph at the time, legally.
This song was a protest song against the national speed limit in the 70's which was 55. Prior to this the accepted national speed limit was 70-75 depending on the state. Many of us were frustrated by the new law - especially when trying to drive interstate (It took 3 days to drive east to west across Texas alone!). The 55 law had been in effect for quite awhile by the time this song came out and not too long after this the national speed limit law was abolished, allowing states to raise the limits once again.
I have to say, Sammy is a fun guy with a great sense of humor. I saw him right before he joined Van Halen. A great concert, he was running around, climbing all over scaffolding on the stage. After Van Halen, he opened a resort and he makes his own tequila. I can't drive 55 either.
During the Carter administration, there was a national speed limit of 55 mph maximum. It included all roads: Interstates, everything. Nothing more than 55. Everyone hated it. This song came out then. I really connected with it for sure.
Sorry dude, but Carter had nothing to do with it. This happened under Nixon.
It was during the Nixon administration enacted in 1974, was made permanent when Ford signed into law the Federal-Aid Highway Amendments of 1974 on January 4, 1975
I saw him perform this at the Long Beach Arena in 1980.
Also, Bob, you're right. We had that speed limit when I was in college in 1974. I was thinking more about the gas lines when I lived in LA in 79.
@@mikedwiles The song came out on 1984. It was on his VOA album.
One of my favorite Sammy Hagar hits. Nascar used this song as a theme for those who were caught speeding down pit lane. At one time, Sammy was the lead singer for Van Halen. Sammy has a few other hits that are worth checking out.
55 used to be the speed limit on all highways and freeways. They raised it just a couple of years after this song. Sammy Hagar had a commercial on MTV that said “And remember, 65 still ain’t fast enough”
That photo though hahaha
Great one you guys. Sammy Hagar a rocker from way back. I like that Brad, when you fire off them questions. Thanks! Get to know Jesus today!!
Sammy is such a great performer! His live shows are top shelf.
Hey, I remember when 55 was the speed limit.
I think as more and more cars populated the roads,
I knew it was just a matter of time before it was raised!
Sammy Hagar was kicking ass long before he teamed up with VH...The Red Rocker is awesome !!
This song and Where Eagles Dare were when Sammy jumped the shark
Eddie must've seen this video and said that Sammy would be perfect for Van Halen.
I had a friend in school who got caught doing 120 back when the limit was 55. He had to spend three weekends in jail.
When I was in college on Friday afternoons after class we would blast this song out of our dorm windows lol.
The beginning is my ring tone 👌🎸😎
" 16 hours to get to LA"= Bay Area drive time😭
Dang! This song still makes me want to push the pedal to the metal to this day!
This is why Van Halen had their first #1 album after Sammy Hagar joined. He was already a well established rocker and brought all his fans over. You really need to deep dive into Sammy, he has a lot of great songs.
BTW, the 1983 Ferrari BB 512i (The car in the video) was Sammy Hagar's actual car...
As the story goes, when Sammy was pulled over for speeding and told by the officer that the speed limit on the freeway was 55 miles per hour, Sammy just blurted out "55? I can't drive 55!"
And it struck him that was the perfect title for a song.
Probably the best speeding ticket Sammy Hagar ever got.
I was watching a Joe Rogan interview a couple hours ago and they talked about fate. I quoted a Sammy Hagar song. “I believe in fate and destination; But so much of that is in our own hands.”
VOA on the helmet is from the album title. Y’all would love that song. Voice Of America.
Love that song!!! Lot's of adrenaline!!! Good reaction.
55 was the national speed limit for a long time. Nobody could drive fast legally anywhere. Consequently, almost every car had less than 250 horsepower.
It was the maximum speed limit allowed on any highway, freeway or road throughout the country in the 70s. Few people can maintain at 55 for long.
He was my first concert I ever went to. Right before he joined Van Halen. Quarterflash was his opener. Wow, such a long time ago
One of my favorite songs! Thank you.
This song didn't age so well because the National Speed Limit Law was repealed in 1995. At the time the song was written, it was obvious to everybody in the United States that he was referring to the national speed limit of 55. Seeing Brad's confusion (highway 55?) really made me feel old!
0:28 awe she's so adorable! And young AF! Lol
She said "it's a movie". Back in the days of parachute pants, aqua net and shoulder pads MTV played music videos 24/7. All the hit songs from the 80's and most of the 90's had to have a video and the band or artist had to be playing in the videos.
Sammy never disappoints. Have seen him a few times and had a hell of a time every time.
That was the speed limit when I was a kid. I’m old lol 😂
I worked on a 1978 Corvette a few years ago and the cassette player was playing Kenny Loggins "The Danger Zone"
Speed Limit for commercial vehicles is still 55 in California. I was heading east on I-10 out of the state several years back and right when I hit the Arizona border i put my foot down on the accelerator and this song came on the radio at the same moment. I couldn't have timed it any better if I tried.
Sam's the man. Been selling hit records since he was 20 as the singer for Montrose, his own solo career and with Van Halen. Add in building a tequila company to the point he could sell it for around $200 million and you have the American dream rock n roll style. Much respect. Mas tequila!
Eagles Fly next!!!! You guys should catch his tour! Just saw him 2 weeks ago! He plays with Michael Anthony (Van Halen) and John Banums son (Led Zeppelin) and a badass guitarist!!
Hagar still owns that car, btw. He showed it and a few other exotics on a segment on Jay Leno's car program. Ferrari 512i Berlinetta Boxer. Another tidbit, the Claudio dude was an Italian sportscar mechanic that both Hagar and Eddie Van Halen were customers of. Sammy claims Claudio told Eddie to call Hagar up after Roth left or was fired (depending on source).
Back in the 80s the speed limit used to be 60mph and then dropped to 55mph. There were bumper stickers that said 55 sucks. Sammy Hagar capped off what everyone was thinking at the time (what used to take 2 hours now takes all day) lol
In 1974, President Nixon limited the national speed limit to 55 MPH even on the interstates. It was like driving in molasses. "What used to take 2 hours now takes all day!" Everyone felt that. It was finally lifted in 1987 for rural areas but the federal law lasted until 1995. I remember when it was lifted. In Montana they immediately changed the speed signs from 55MPH to "Reasonable and Prudent" and everyone started calling I-90 the "Montana Autobahn". Because a lot of people from out of state came up to drive as fast as they could (like a convoy of 20 corvettes), they then changed it to 75MPH. But now it's been 80MPH for years except when near cities.
Claudio from this video was doing some work on one of Eddie Van Halen's cars. When Eddie came in to pick it up Claudio asked Eddie why he looked so down. Eddie told him Dave(David Lee Roth) had just left the banc and they weren't sure what they would do. Claudio said, "you should call Sammy, he is a customer of mine." And the rest they say is history.
Sam has some good solo stuff before and after Van Halen.
Sammy Hagar’s first solo career centered the on fast cars and fast women lifestyle. A sports car enthusiast, he sang about cars and was know for drive sports cars on to stage in his live performances