Dive into the classic rock swagger of Van Halen's "Finish What Ya Started" video, a vibrant snapshot of the band's late-80s glory.
The Song
"Finish What Ya Started" is a track from Van Halen's 1988 album, OU812. Released as a single in September 1988, the song quickly became a fan favorite, showcasing the band's continued evolution with Sammy Hagar on vocals. The track is credited to all four band members: Eddie Van Halen, Alex Van Halen, Michael Anthony, and Sammy Hagar.
The genesis of the song is legendary; Eddie Van Halen reportedly came up with the riff at 2 AM and, in a burst of creativity, went to Sammy Hagar's house in Malibu to work on it. They developed the music together on Hagar's balcony, with Hagar later writing the lyrics, which are humorously said to be about sexual dissatisfaction. Notably, "Finish What Ya Started" is one of only two Van Halen tracks where Sammy Hagar plays a rhythm guitar part, contributing on a Gibson acoustic.
The Artist
Van Halen was a powerhouse of hard rock throughout the 1980s, and with Sammy Hagar taking over lead vocals from David Lee Roth in 1985, the band entered a new, highly successful phase. OU812 was their second album with Hagar, cementing their continued commercial dominance and showcasing a slightly more polished, yet still energetic, sound.
At the time of the video's release, the band consisted of brothers Eddie Van Halen (guitar) and Alex Van Halen (drums), Michael Anthony (bass), and Sammy Hagar (lead vocals, rhythm guitar). The album OU812 itself debuted at number one on the Billboard charts, solidifying their place as one of the biggest rock acts of the late '80s.
Chart Performance
"Finish What Ya Started" performed strongly on the charts, demonstrating its widespread appeal. The single reached No. 13 on the US Billboard Hot 100. It also climbed to No. 2 on the Billboard Rock Tracks chart in 1988.
This strong chart showing contributed to the overall success of the OU812 album, which itself spent four weeks at number one on the Billboard 200 chart.
Cultural Impact
The music video for "Finish What Ya Started" became a staple on MTV during the late 1980s, contributing to Van Halen's omnipresence in the era's music landscape. Its lighthearted, performance-focused approach, combined with the song's catchy melody, resonated with a wide audience and solidified the "Van Hagar" era's mainstream appeal.
The song's memorable riff and playful lyrics have ensured its lasting presence in classic rock radio and fan compilations. Its use as theme music for the short-lived 1990 sitcom Sydney, which starred Eddie Van Halen's then-wife, Valerie Bertinelli, further etched it into pop culture.
Fun Facts
- The official music video for "Finish What Ya Started" was directed by Andy Morahan, known for his work with artists like George Michael.
- The video features the band performing against a plain white background, interspersed with quick cuts of women dancing, some dressed as "stripper cowgirls."
- Director Andy Morahan made a stylistic choice to never have two band members on camera together in the video, creating a unique visual dynamic.
- Sammy Hagar has noted that he plays rhythm acoustic guitar on the track, which is a rare occurrence for Van Halen songs.
- The OU812 album was dedicated to Eddie and Alex Van Halen's father, Jan, who passed away in 1986.