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Our Top 10 Favorite Sammy Hagar Videos takes a look at the music videos of an artist who is not actually known for his music videos as a solo artist. Sammy Hagar is old-school rock and roll. When MTV first arrived on the scene, it helped propel many artists who were not known at the time. Sammy Hagar already had a loyal fan base. Nonetheless, it didn’t stop Sammy Hagar’s record company from producing videos to take advantage of the format. All record companies had actually begun to jump on the MTV bandwagon. It was a huge promotional opportunity that helped create very powerful new stars like Madonna, Huey Lewis, and many more. Sammy Hagar’s place at the time was on the concert stage and FM radio. Still, there were some pretty cool videos that he put out that we are happy to present in this list.
# 10 – Mas Tequila
We start out our Favorite Sammy Hagar Videos list with the high-energy song”Mas Tequila” by Sammy Hagar & The Wabos. The song was featured on the album “Red Voodoo,” released in 1999. The recording sessions for the album took place in various studios, including Hagar’s own studio in Northern California. The album was produced by Sammy Hagar and Mike Clink, renowned for his work with artists like Guns N’ Roses. Besides Sammy Hagar on lead vocals and guitar, key members of The Wabos include Victor Johnson on guitar, Mona Gnader on bass, and David Lauser on drums. They look like they are all having a pretty outrageous time in this video.
Filmed in various locations, the video showcases Hagar and his band performing amidst a beachside fiesta replete with dancers, fire, and, of course, tequila. Now talk about double promotion! The video captures the essence of Hagar’s persona, emphasizing his love for fun, music, and good vibes. “Mas Tequila” charted well on the U.S. Mainstream Rock Tracks, reaching the 31st position.
Critically, “Mas Tequila” was received as a quintessential Sammy Hagar track, encapsulating his carefree lifestyle and love for Cabo San Lucas, where he owns a nightclub called Cabo Wabo Cantina. Sammy has become the Jimmy Buffett of rock and roll. The song has been described as an anthem for escapism, a getaway in auditory form. The video, too, is an extension of this ethos, presenting a slice of paradise where the worries of the world seem to melt away in the face of good company, good music, and good tequila. That’s Sammy, and that’s why we love him.
# 9 – Give To Live
“Give To Live” is a Sammy Hagar single released in 1987 as part of his solo album “I Never Said Goodbye,” also known as simply “Sammy Hagar.” The song was recorded at A&M Studios in Hollywood, California. It was produced by Eddie Van Halen and Sammy Hagar, and the album features Hagar on vocals and guitar, Eddie Van Halen on bass, Jesse Harms on keyboards, and David Lauser on drums. It’s worth mentioning that this album was released during Hagar’s tenure with Van Halen but is considered a Sammy Hagar solo project. Basically, Sammy Hagar was completing his contract with Geffen Records.
The music video for “Give To Live” is considerably heartfelt, showcasing the emotional depth of the song. The video combines performance shots of Sammy and his band with more narrative-driven visuals. Hagar can be seen belting the song’s powerful lyrics in an intimate setting, allowing viewers to feel the emotional gravitas behind every word. The cinematography is equally striking, aiding in portraying the message of the song effectively.
Critical reception for “Give To Live” has been generally favorable, noting its more contemplative and emotional tone compared to other Hagar tracks. The song was commercially successful, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Album Rock Tracks and No. 65 on the Billboard Hot 100. It remains a staple on classic rock radio stations and is considered one of Hagar’s finer moments as a songwriter. The track is often cited for its lyrical themes revolving around love, sacrifice, and the complexities of human emotions, which the music video also attempts to encapsulate.
# 8 – Winner Takes It All
“Winner Takes It All” by Sammy Hagar was released in 1987 as part of the soundtrack for the arm-wrestling film “Over the Top,” starring Sylvester Stallone. Produced by Giorgio Moroder, a legendary figure in the music industry known for his work in disco and film soundtracks, the song captures the spirit of the movie it accompanies.
The song did not chart on the Billboard Hot 100, but it did make an impact in the rock community. The video for “Winner Takes It All” makes frequent use of clips from “Over the Top,” weaving in scenes of Hagar performing the song. The video became popular on MTV, further contributing to the song’s success. While not as commercially successful as other Sammy Hagar tracks like “I Can’t Drive 55,” the song remains popular among fans of Hagar and 80s rock. Given the theme of the movie and the song, it’s often used in sports contexts to underscore competition.
# 7 – Your Love Is Driving Me Crazy
We first fell in love with Sammy Hagar when we saw him open for Boston at MSG in New York in 1976. The man rocks the stage like no one else. This video is a testament to the man’s iconic live performances.
“Your Love Is Driving Me Crazy” is from Sammy Hagar’s 1982 album, “Three Lock Box.” The album was recorded at Goodnight LA Studios in Los Angeles, California, and produced by Keith Olsen, who has also worked with notable artists like Fleetwood Mac and Pat Benatar. Musicians featured on the album include Sammy Hagar on vocals and guitar, Bill Church on bass, David Lauser on drums, and Gary Pihl on guitar and keyboards. The song was a commercial success and climbed up to number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it one of Hagar’s highest-charting singles.
# 6 – Hands And Knees
This is a very interesting video. The song Hands And Knees was released on Sammy Hagar’s final solo album while he was a member of Van Halen. There were a lot of issues with the recording of this album between record companies. Van Halen’s label Warner Brothers would not allow Eddie Van Halen to play guiytar on an album released on Geffen Records which was Sammy Hagar’s label. So instead, Eddie Van Halen played bass.
The same stipulation that none of the Van Halem members could play their instruments on a Sammy Hagar album also prevented them from performing in the video on the song. Instead of using the musicians who played on the album, the video showcases female robots playing with Sammy Hagar instead. Of course, the director tried to make this all make sense by shooting an introduction. where Eddie, Alex, and Michale all turn down Sammy’s request to jam. However, it’s those funny cameos that make this video a fun ride to catch.
# 5 – Three Lock Box
The song “Three Lock Box” is the title track from Sammy Hagar’s seventh studio album, released in 1982. This album served as the follow-up to our fav Sammy Hagar album Standing Hampton. The album was recorded at Goodnight LA Studios in Los Angeles, California, and produced by Keith Olsen. The album features Sammy Hagar on vocals and guitar, Bill Church on bass, Gary Pihl on guitar and keyboards, and David Lauser on drums. The song itself is a hard rock anthem featuring Hagar’s signature powerful vocals and intense instrumentation.
The music video for “Three Lock Box” is very much a product of its time, embodying the eclectic energy and visual aesthetics of the early ’80s. In the video, Sammy Hagar and his band deliver a high-octane performance interspersed with dynamic visual effects, indicative of the era’s experimental approach to music video production. The video serves as an excellent visual representation of the song’s hard rock attitude and perfectly complements the high energy levels of the track. It may look low-budget, but that’s the way many early 80s videos were filmed.
In terms of critical commentary and commercial performance, “Three Lock Box” is well-regarded both as a song and as an album. The album peaked at No. 17 on the Billboard 200, which was quite a feat for Hagar at the time. Although the song itself didn’t chart as high as some of his other hits, it has achieved a sort of cult status among Hagar fans and remains a staple in his live shows to this day.
# 4 – Little White Lie
“Little White Lie” is a track from Sammy Hagar’s eleventh studio album, “Marching to Mars,” released in 1997. I love this song! The album, Hagar’s first solo effort after his acrimonious departure from Van Halen, was recorded at The Plant Studios in Sausalito, California, and produced by Mike Clink. The lineup for this album featured Sammy Hagar on vocals and guitar, Jesse Harms on keyboards, Victor Johnson on guitar, Mona Gnader on bass, and David Lauser on drums.
The music video for “Little White Lie” engages viewers with a visual treat that encapsulates the late-’90s aesthetic. Filmed in rich, saturated colors and interspersed with montages of the band’s energetic performance, the video works to convey the song’s core message about dishonesty and the consequences that follow. Sammy Hagar’s dynamic presence is palpable throughout the video, and it serves as an excellent example of the straightforward, no-nonsense rock video style that was prevalent at the time.
In the broader context of Sammy Hagar’s career and the music landscape of the late ’90s, “Little White Lie” stands as a memorable offering. The song charted at No. 16 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart, which was an impressive accomplishment, especially considering it was Hagar’s first post-Van Halen work. The album itself also fared well, debuting at No. 18 on the Billboard 200.
# 3 – Crazy Times
In the number three spot on this fun list, we present one of the most recent videos in Sammy Hagar’s musical catalog. The song “Crazy Times,” serves as the title track to the most recent album by Sammy Hagar and his band Circle. The album was released in 2022. It features half of the Sammy Hagar Van Halen band with Sammy on vocals and Michael Anthony on bass. It features Jason Bonham on drums and the much underrated guitarist Vic Johnson. The video pretty much represents the song title. Its fun to listen to and watch these guys play in front of a screen that looks at the world we now all live in.
# 2 – Voa
In the number two spot on our Sammy Hagar Video list is the title track to his grand VOA album. This is the album that delivered his smash single “I Can’t Drive 55.” Sammy Hagar’s band plays a major role in this action-packed video that’s a little Mission Impossible, a little James Bond, and a bit of Chuck Norris for good measure. It jumps on the Go USA bandwagon that had become a popular cultural theme during the Reagan era. It’s all in good fun through and pays more tribute to the Cannoin Action films of the era than anything else. It’s fun to watch Sammy Hagar play an 80s action figure.
# 1 – I Can’t Drive 55
The music video for “I Can’t Drive 55” by Sammy Hagar is an iconic piece that perfectly captures the rebellious spirit of the 1980s. The video was directed by Gil Bettman, known for his work in both music videos and feature films. The song is part of the album “VOA,” released in 1984, which was Sammy Hagar’s last solo album before joining Van Halen. Produced by Ted Templeman, the album was a commercial success and featured Sammy Hagar on vocals and guitar, Gary Pihl on guitar, Jesse Harms on keyboards, Bill Church on bass, and David Lauser on drums.
“I Can’t Drive 55” was released as a single and became one of Hagar’s most enduring hits. It reached No. 26 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and the album itself climbed to No. 32 on the Billboard 200. The video captures the essence of the song, which was penned in protest of the National Maximum Speed Law in the U.S. that reduced speed limits to 55 mph. In the video, Hagar is seen getting pulled over and arrested for speeding in a DeLorean, encapsulating the frustrations many Americans felt about the new law. The arresting officer is portrayed by actor Cliff Emmich, adding a touch of humor to the video.
The video for “I Can’t Drive 55” played a significant role in making the song a hit. Aired extensively on MTV, it showcased Hagar’s flamboyant personality and captured the public’s attention. The song and video were a rallying cry against regulation and restrictions, embodying the spirit of freedom and individuality that many associated with the open road. Over the years, both the song and the video have gained cult status, enduring as symbols of rebellion against the establishment.
Favorite Sammy Hagar Videos article published on Classic RockHistory.com© 2023
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