Panama (song): Difference between revisions
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==Music video== |
==Music video== |
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The music video for the song, directed by [[Pete Angelus]], features mostly on-stage performances by the band. The video was shot at [[ |
The music video for the song, directed by [[Pete Angelus]], features mostly on-stage performances by the band. The video was shot at [[Dunkin Donuts Center|Providence Civic Center]] in [[Providence, Rhode Island]] during a soundcheck and concert. |
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==Personnel== |
==Personnel== |
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Revision as of 23:33, 13 April 2020
| "Panama" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
.png) | ||||
| Single by Van Halen | ||||
| from the album 1984 | ||||
| B-side |
| |||
| Released | June 18, 1984[1] | |||
| Recorded | 1983 | |||
| Studio | 5150, Hollywood, California | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 3:31 | |||
| Label | Warner Bros. | |||
| Songwriter(s) | ||||
| Producer(s) | Ted Templeman | |||
| Van Halen singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Audio | ||||
| "Panama" on YouTube | ||||
| Music video | ||||
| "Panama" on YouTube | ||||
| Alternative cover art | ||||
 European release | ||||
"Panama" is a song by the American hard rock band Van Halen. It was the third single released from the album 1984.
Background
The song was reportedly written about a car.[4] In an interview with Howard Stern, lead singer David Lee Roth explained the meaning behind the song. Although the song features some suggestive lyrics, it is about a car that Roth saw race in Las Vegas; its name was "Panama Express", hence the title of the song.[5]
Panama was also the name of Roth's Opel Kadett.[6] He had the hood and bumper mounted in his hallway, which can be seen in his video for "SHOOBop". He has a stuffed deer's behind crashing through the front windshield. A plaque underneath reads, "Your First Deer, courtesy of PANAMA."
Roth wrote the song after being accused by a reporter of singing about only women, partying and fast cars. He realized he'd never actually written a song about fast cars, and decided to write one.[7]
During the bridge of the song where Roth says "I can barely see the road from the heat comin' off," guitarist Eddie Van Halen can be heard revving his 1972 Lamborghini Miura S in the background.[8] The car was backed up to the studio and microphones were attached to the exhaust pipe to record the sound for the song.[4]
The car seen in the music video is a heavily customized 1951 Mercury convertible - notably not "Panama Express", the Opel or the Miura.
Music video
The music video for the song, directed by Pete Angelus, features mostly on-stage performances by the band. The video was shot at Providence Civic Center in Providence, Rhode Island during a soundcheck and concert.
Personnel
- David Lee Roth – lead vocals
- Eddie Van Halen – guitar, backing vocals
- Alex Van Halen – drums
- Michael Anthony – bass guitar, backing vocals
Chart positions
| Chart (1984–85) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (Kent Music Report)[9] | 74 |
| Irish Singles Chart[10] | 30 |
| UK Singles Charts | 64 |
| US Billboard Hot 100[11] | 13 |
Notes
- ^ "Eddie Van Halen Spotted in 1972 Lamborghini Used in "Panama"". VHND. Retrieved May 14, 2016.
- ^ Bukszpan, Daniel; Dio, Ronnie James (2003). The Encyclopedia of Heavy Metal. Barnes & Noble Publishing. ISBN 9780760742181.
The album also featured plenty of guitar-dominated heavy metal, such as "Hot for Teacher" and "Panama." which became hits in their own right.
- ^ Jon Wiederhorn (January 9, 2016). "Van Halen 1984 anniversary". Loudwire. Retrieved August 11, 2018.
- ^ a b classicvanhalen.com - 1984
- ^ "The Super Book of Useless Information: The Most Powerfully Unnecessary Things You Never Need to Know". Amazon. A Pedigree Book. Retrieved February 9, 2016.
- ^ The Super Book of Useless Information: The Most Powerfully Unnecessary Things You Never Need to Know. A Pedigree Book. October 4, 2011. ISBN 978-0399536960.
- ^ Kielty, Martin. "35 Years Ago: Van Halen Release 'Panama,' Their Last Roth-Era Hit". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved February 5, 2020.
- ^ "Eddie Van Halen Smithsonian talk (full Interview, 2-12-2015) HD". Retrieved December 26, 2015.
- ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. St Ives, NSW: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
- ^ "The Irish Charts". irishcharts.ie. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- ^ "Billboard Singles". AllMusic. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
External links
| Studio albums | |
|---|---|
| Compilation albums | |
| Live albums | |
| Singles |
|
| Other songs | |
| Videography | |
| Tours | |
| Related | |
