The Wisdom of Van Halen

Life lessons from 1980s music

It’s no secret that I’m smitten with the 1980s. The music was amazing, and the fashion was terrible-yet-awesome. Things were simpler then.

I still love to listen to music from the days when MTV actually played music videos most of the time. My fortysomething ears hear things in the music of my youth that I never thought of when I was a kid. The 80s are a gift that keeps on giving.

The lens of maturity and adult experience blow some of the lyrics wide open. It’s stuff I missed before. Here are some of my favorites.

Van Halen on Encouragement

Van Halen’s 1984 album is their best work if you ask me. In their smash hit Jump, the song opens with a word of encouragement for someone who has it tough. Instead of complaining or giving up, Van Halen advises we look trouble in the face and move forward.

“You’ve got to roll with the punches and get to what’s real.”

Press on. Eventually, it will pay off. That’s a good word.

Bon Jovi on Adversity

Again, wisdom from the best album by a band. Bon Jovi’s Slippery When Wet was the height of 1980s rock from New Jersey. As a Jersey native, I can’t fail to include them here.

“Livin’ on a Prayer” paints a grim picture. Tommy and Gina — man, they had it rough. The union’s on strike so he’s not working. She’s waiting tables at a diner to make ends meet. Plus they live in New Jersey, which ain’t cheap.

“We’ve got to hold on to what we’ve got. It doesn’t make a difference if we make it or not. We’ve got each other, and that’s a lot for love. We’ll give it a shot.

Woah, we’re half way there. Woah, livin’ on a prayer. Take my hand, we’ll make it I swear. Woah, livin’ on a prayer.”

Similar to Van Halen’s sage wisdom, Bon Jovi urges them (and us) to hold on and focus on the important thing — each other. Hang in there, ride out the storm, and pray like you mean it.

David Bowie on Work/Life Balance

When David Bowie and Queen get together to make a song, people had better listen up. Monster superstars of their day, they had big personalities and catchy tunes. Plus, they understood that a lack of balance can be destructive.

Besides having one of the most recognizable bass lines ever, “Under Pressure” addresses the beast that is our breakneck existence and how love is the antidote.

“Pressure pushing down on me. Pressing down on you, no man ask for… Under pressure that burns a building down, Splits a family in two, Puts people on streets.”

Dang. That’s deep. Priorities, priorities. Don’t let the things that aren’t truly important destroy the things that are.

George Michael on the Price of Infidelity

“Careless Whisper” is one of the mega-hits of the 1980s. It deals with breaking trust, which always has consequences. A sultry saxophone solo helps get the point across in this gem of a song.

“I’m never gonna dance again. Guilty feet have got no rhythm. Though it’s easy to pretend, I know you’re not a fool.

Should’ve known better than to cheat a friend. And waste the chance that I’ve been given. So I’m never gonna dance again, the way I danced with you.”

Who can resist this advice, especially coming from an impeccably-coiffed George Michael agonizing over his wrongs? Learn from him and the error of his ways. So, so good.

The Go-Go’s on Dealing With Haters

Part of the appeal of the 1980s was girl bands like The Go-Go’s. They were stylish, beautiful, and super-talented. Plus, they had a female perspective that was worth listening to.

Belinda and the girls sang a rallying cry to all the other girls out there, reminding us not to put too much stock in what the haters had to say. In fact, they felt we should just ignore them.

“When you look at them, look right through them. That’s when they’ll disappear. That’s when we’ll be feared.

It doesn’t matter what they say in the jealous games people play. Our lips are sealed.”

Great advice. Don’t even acknowledge them. Don’t dignify them with a response. Keep on doing your thing and your haters don’t stand a chance.

These little snippets of wisdom brought to you courtesy of the artists of the Best Decade Ever. Touch up your hair with a little Aqua Net and crank your boombox to 11. Life lessons are found everywhere.

Thank you for reading! I’m Tracy Gerhardt-Cooper, and I invite you to follow me if you’d like to read more real talk about real life. Please follow my publication Middle Ground also for midlife musings. Let’s do life on purpose.