High Hopes

Album: Unboxed (1994)
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Songfacts®:

  • The cover of the album shows Hagar in a boxing ring. His father was a professional boxer, and Sammy was headed down that road until moving to Southern California at age 19. From then on, he played in numerous bar bands.
  • Hagar claims this is based on people who create wonderful plans and aspirations while under the influence of drugs, but then fail to follow through when they come down. He also says it's based on personal experience.
  • This is the leadoff song on the album.
  • While recording this, Hagar was still the lead singer of Van Halen. Guitarist Eddie Van Halen got a production credit.

Comments: 2

  • Dougee from San Bernardino, CaThis song has some cool guitar work, but the lyrics sound like run-of-the-mill anti-pot drivel. One doesn't necessarily need to be stoned to daydream plans that never come true. A few beers, being a kid, or watching a typical episode of The Flintstones will yield similar results. On the other hand, there are some true geniuses out there (Carl Sagan for one) who have gotten at least some of their inspiration from lighting a phattie during their moments of contemplation, so Sammy's assertions are not always on the mark.
  • Edward from Deptford, NjSome claim this album was partially responsible for the break up of VH. Sammy never wanted to do a VH "Best of..". Eddie argued that Sammy had just done a "best of", this album. However, Sammy ONLY did this album to finish out his contract with his record label. This was the last one we was obligated to do to fulfill his deal.
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