Poundcake

Album: For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge (1991)
Charted: 74
Play Video
  • Lyrics currently unavailable Writer/s: Alex Van Halen, Edward Van Halen, Michael Anthony, Sammy Hagar
    Publisher: Songtrust Ave, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Comments: 10

  • Rick from FloridaThere are no inappropriate lyrics, Drake. This song is about real people and real relationships especially with women. Not quick sexual encounters. The whole point of the song.
  • Jeff from Green BayHe is using a power drill. No question about it. I can do it on my guitar, in fact I found that out by accident. It's not hard to do. Paul Gilbert from the band Mr. Big does it in concert all the time. He makes the sounds like Eddie and then he plays his guitar with a special pick made for the end of a drill bit.
  • Demetrios "meter" Pappas from Atlanta , GaThe power drill use causes an induction field from the electromagnetic effects of the tool. The pickups on a guitar use induction field technology to generate the signal from the strings vibration within it's own field. The pickups therefore generate a sound from the drill and can be altered by his fingers on the strings and speed of the motor. As he does by fluctuations in the trigger ect.
  • Dustin from ArkansasJohnathan: Eddie takes a drill and touches his strings just at the base of the neck with the part that holds the drill bit to get that sound.
  • Marc from -, MdFirst-ever interview with the girl in this video, including what she's doing now and never-published pics: http://noblemania.blogspot.com/2014/07/the-girl-in-video-poundcake-1991.html
  • Drake from Huntington Beach, CaThe song is actually what you think it is. When I listen to this song, I try to avoid the inappropriate meaning of the lyrics and just listen to the background music. Which rocks way better than the words, do you agree?
  • Willie from Scottsdale, AzNo, I saw Ed use the drill on stage during the For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge tour. It's not a special effect.
  • Aly from Stilltickin@optonline.net, NyWhile I agree with the comments posted about this great song. I have to say that I have always felt that Poundcake was referring to a lady's lovely round derriere. If you listen to the lyrical content, I feel that they tend to suggest this...even if not directly.
  • Brad from Saratoga Springs, NyIt is a power drill its been done by others
  • Johnathan from Fort Wayne, InDoes anyone know if he is actually using a power drill and his pickups pick up the sound or is it a typical Eddie van halen finding some strange but awesome way to make that sound.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Martyn Ware of Heaven 17

Martyn Ware of Heaven 17Songwriter Interviews

Martyn talks about producing Tina Turner, some Heaven 17 hits, and his work with the British Electric Foundation.

80s Music Quiz 1

80s Music Quiz 1Music Quiz

MTV, a popular TV theme song and Madonna all show up in this '80s music quiz.

Matt Sorum

Matt SorumSongwriter Interviews

When he joined Guns N' Roses in 1990, Matt helped them craft an orchestral sound; his mezzo fortes and pianissimos are all over "November Rain."

Lita Ford

Lita FordSongwriter Interviews

Lita talks about how they wrote songs in The Runaways, and how she feels about her biggest hit being written by somebody else.

Francis Rossi of Status Quo

Francis Rossi of Status QuoSongwriter Interviews

Doubt led to drive for Francis, who still isn't sure why one of Status Quo's biggest hits is so beloved.

Don Dokken

Don DokkenSongwriter Interviews

Dokken frontman Don Dokken explains what broke up the band at the height of their success in the late '80s, and talks about the botched surgery that paralyzed his right arm.