Love Walks In

Album: 5150 (1986)
Charted: 22
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song deals with extra-terrestrials, which can interpreted as a metaphor for new love, or as Van Halen reaching out to new fans. 5150 was the first album Van Halen released with new lead singer Sammy Hagar, and Hagar drew the lyrics from some out-of-body experiences. In an interview with Guitar World magazine, Hagar said: "I'm a firm believer - have seen, have felt, have been contacted three or four different times. I have received information that has been valuable in my life from those people, and they have used me. I'm gonna sound like a complete nut here, but they have used me in an experimental fashion. The easiest way to put it is that they downloaded my brain information.

    When I was about 19 or 20, they downloaded everything that was in my head. And I caught 'em doin' it! I woke up in the middle of the night, thinking, 'What's goin' on?' They were like, 'Oh, my god, he's waking up!' But this was all telepathy - there were no words being spoken. And as soon as I woke up - it was probably 3 o'clock in the morning - my whole room was so bright that I could hardly keep my eyes open. I was wide-awake, I could not move, eyes open, white room, they were still disconnecting - and when they did, it just went bang!

    Everything went back to normal, back to black. I was shaking, I almost passed out, I was sick to my stomach and almost had to throw up, it was so scary. It sent me on a course of curiosity. I bought a telescope, and I started reading UFO books, and I just got into the whole thing. And since then, there have been three or four other contacts with the same group of people. I don't know who the f--k they are, but I've narrowed them down to a people called The Nine, who are called that because they're from the Ninth Dimension. I've named my publishing company the Nine Music after them. It's a crazy thing, man. But to me, anyone who thinks we're the only ones here, despite the vastness of the entire universe, is f--king crazy. Those people gotta be put away - not the guys having these contacts." >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Brian - Hazlet, NJ
  • "Love Walks In" was the third single from 5150, following "Why Can't This Be Love?" and "Dreams." These songs were softer than David Lee Roth Van Halen, but very effective, earning the band a broader, more adult audience. The album was a study follow-up to 1984, one of the best sellers in rock history.

Comments: 5

  • Charles From Charlotte, Nc from Charlotte, NcWanna apologize for my last comment. I'm a believer in the extraterrestrial unknown now and still think this song rocks. If Sammy had an "encounter" then I'd say there are stranger things that have happened in years since so it's not so far fetched that things could've happened to him. Thanks everyone.
  • James from NjSammy's vocals are sublime on this album and the background vocals are so good on this it gives me goosebumps even now. I remember hearing it for the first time, spring 1986. Bring me back, please….
  • Private from Globe Actually, I feel him, but if you tell people who are n't open minded about that kinda stuff, they'll label you as insane. I was always drawn to this song as a child (as well as movies like E.T., Contact, and Interstellar) and I did n't realize why till later on. I was contacted on several occasions. I knew what it was, but it was hard to articulate something like that with a religious background. I asked them to reveal themselves. I only saw one, but, then I thought, I could be just creating this(our minds are very powerful). Either way, there are similarities between Sammy's tale amid the song and my seemingly own true experience with extra terrestrials. After evolving in further understanding, I know exactly what the song is about. It's got two main parts. 1) Sammy explains his own experience with extra terrestrials and how such is intermingled in mysticism. 2) It also reveals how dark hearts can become enlightened by love. Such indeed enlightens our being, and it is like an out of body experience (who knows, if you shift your perspective, it is). Our typically dreary existence is invaded by an essence beyond our previous perception; such solicits change. Who knows? It could be aliens or Angels. Does it really matter? As long as we're preserving our race of humans in well being, then who gives a s***? ;) :)
  • Matt from Ft. Lauderdale, FlBest Van Halen song ever!
  • Charles from Charlotte, NcWell the funny orbs over Arizona musta got ol' Sammy real excited.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Emmylou Harris

Emmylou HarrisSongwriter Interviews

She thinks of herself as a "song interpreter," but back in the '80s another country star convinced Emmylou to take a crack at songwriting.

Charlotte Caffey of The Go-Go's

Charlotte Caffey of The Go-Go'sSongwriter Interviews

Charlotte was established in the LA punk scene when a freaky girl named Belinda approached her wearing a garbage bag.

Dwight Twilley

Dwight TwilleySongwriter Interviews

Since his debut single "I'm On Fire" in 1975, Dwight has been providing Spinal-Tap moments and misadventure.

Eric Clapton

Eric ClaptonFact or Fiction

Did Eric Clapton really write "Cocaine" while on cocaine? This question and more in the Clapton edition of Fact or Fiction.

Alice Cooper

Alice CooperFact or Fiction

How well do you know this shock-rock harbinger who's been publicly executed hundreds of times?

Roger McGuinn of The Byrds

Roger McGuinn of The ByrdsSongwriter Interviews

Roger reveals the songwriting formula Clive Davis told him, and if "Eight Miles High" is really about drugs.