•
Rating: In 1982, stadiums and concert halls are overflowing with Van Halen concerts.
The group is at the peak of its success, the audience loudly demands a new studio album after the dazzling successes of the great albums Van Halen, Van Halen II, Women And Children First, and Fair Warning. The band returns to the studio to hastily record what was supposed to be a new masterpiece, Diver Down.
Mission failed: half of the album consists of poorly chosen covers, more suited to a soft music album than to a hard rock band like Van Halen. Oh Pretty Woman, Dancing in the Street, Big Bad Bill Is Sweet William Now, Happy Trails and Where Have All The Good Times Gone are indeed completely useless pieces.
But even what the band writes is not much better: Hang 'em high has horrible vocals, Cathedral is an intro where Eddie plays with guitar effects, while Secrets is the only piece from the album worth saving. Intruder is as awful as Sunday Afternoon in the Park from Fair Warning, just like Little Guitars Intro is identical to Spanish Fly from Van Halen II. Little Guitars is a decent song, while The Full Bug we've heard somewhere else before.
I do not recommend this album because it is a mere speculation on the success of live albums and especially the previous live tours. Diver Down is as bare as its horrible cover, an album put together without ideas. Was it really necessary to keep striking the iron at all costs while it was still hot?
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
06 Oh, Pretty Woman (02:55)
Who!
Pretty woman, walking down the street!
Pretty woman, the kind I'd like to meet!
Pretty woman, I don't believe you, it must be true....
No one can look as good as youuu
Mercy!!
Pretty woman, won't you pardon me??
Pretty woman, I couldn't help but see
Pretty woman. Oh you look lovely as you can be
Are you lonely just like me!!???
Ahhrrrr!
Pretty woman, stop awhile
Pretty woman, talk awhile
Pretty woman, give your smile to me
Pretty woman, yeah yeah yeah!!
Pretty woman, look my way!!
Pretty woman, say you'll stay with me!
'Cause I need you,
Need you tonight!!
Pretty woman, don't walk on by!!
Pretty woman, don't make me cry!!
Pretty woman. Don't walk away-eh!! Okay.
If that's the way it must be, okay
I guess I'll go on home, it's late
There'll be tomorrow night, but wait...What do I see?
She's walking back to me!
Whoa, whoa, pretty woman
09 Little Guitars (03:49)
Senorita, I'm in trouble again
And I can't get free (Senorita)
You're exactly what the doctor ordered
Come on, talk to me
(Ahh) Can't go before I'm out of the woods
But there's exceptions to the rule (Ah-ahh)
Senorita do you need a friend
I'm in love with you
Catch as catch
Catch as catch can
Anybody in their right mind could see
It's you and me
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
You say you're lonesome, just getting by
But you turn your eyes from me
Be sure you love him though before you fly
'Cause you've got me
Catch as catch
Catch as catch can
Anybody in their right mind could see
You and me
Catch as catch
Catch as catch can
When I see walking little guitars
Sing to me
I can see you don't know which way to turn
But the sun still shines (Senorita)
Don't you know you can dance with me
Anytime
(Ahh) Can't go before I'm out of the woods
But there's exceptions to the rule (Ah-ahh)
Senorita do you need a friend
I'm in love with you
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
12 Happy Trails (01:05)
Nmmmmmm dip dip Mmmmnnnnmm
Bum-ba-deeda-bum-ba-deeda bum-ba-deeda bum-ba-deeda (continued throughout)
Happy trails to you
Until we meet again
Happy trails to you
Keep smilin' until then
Who (Ooh-ooh) cares about the clouds when we're together
Just (Ahh-ahh-ahh) sing a song and think 'bout sunny weather
(two, three)
Happy trails to you
'Til we meet again
(laughter)
Loading comments slowly
Other reviews
By Algeone
"Diver Down was indeed a divertissement... showing they can play anything with vast musical culture."
‘‘Much to the detractors’ chagrin, I adore Diver Down as a very enjoyable, singable, highly varied standalone object.’
