While Eddie Van Halen’s groundbreaking guitar playing is the main draw of the band’s music, there were several other factors that made the “David Lee Roth era” of Van Halen stand out. These included Roth’s charismatic frontman presence, Michael Anthony’s outstanding backing vocals, and Alex Van Halen’s exceptional drumming.
In a recent interview, former David Lee Roth Band bassist Billy Sheehan reflected on the songwriting process behind Roth’s classic 1986 solo album, Eat ‘Em and Smile. He also shared insights into Roth’s often-overlooked contribution to Van Halen’s iconic material from 1978 to 1984.
When asked about the typical length of a songwriting session for Eat ‘Em and Smile, Sheehan explained (transcribed by Ultimate Guitar): “There was no set length. Sometimes we wouldn’t pick up our instruments at all, just hanging out, talking, joking, and whatever. Other times, we’d play for hours. But the songs came easily and quickly, and the process was fun. Steve [Vai] would play a lick, and we’d ask, ‘What key is that?’ Then we’d figure out the next part, and before you knew it, we had a song.”
Having worked so closely with Roth, Sheehan gained a deep appreciation for one of the singer’s key artistic talents.
“I’ve always loved Dave’s lyrics,” Sheehan said. “I was reviewing some songs recently, and I think one of the things that made Van Halen stand out from many other bands was the depth of their lyrics. They weren’t trying to be intellectual or overly clever. They were just real.”
Sheehan’s point is clear: the lyrics of Van Halen classics like “Mean Street” and “Unchained” vividly paint a picture, thanks to Roth’s unique word choices. According to producer Ted Templeman’s book A Platinum Producer’s Life in Music, Roth often wrote or improvised his lyrics on the spot in the studio while recording a song, adding a level of authenticity to the band’s iconic sound.
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